Lubna Olayan to open Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit in Riyadh
Lubna Olayan, one of Saudi Arabia's most prominent business leaders, who has appeared 12 times on Fortune's Most Powerful Women in Business list, will open the Fortune Most Powerful Women International Summit in Riyadh today (May 20).
Olayan will set the tone for the two-day gathering, which marks Fortune's first international Most Powerful Women summit in the Middle East — a milestone moment that reflects the Kingdom's focus on advancing women's leadership in business.
The summit will also feature an unprecedented presence of senior Saudi female officials, representing leadership across multiple sectors of government, including:
• Princess Haifa Mohammed Al Saud – Vice Minister of Tourism
• Dr Hala Al-Tuwaijri – President, Saudi Human Rights Commission
• Dr Einas bint Suleiman Al-Eisa – Deputy Minister of Education
• Adwa Al-Arifi – Assistant Minister for Sport Affairs, Ministry of Sport
• Farah Ismail – Deputy Minister, Sectoral and Regional Development, Ministry of Economy and Planning
These leaders will speak on how women in government are driving progress in key sectors—from economic diversification and education to wellness and tourism demonstrating the depth of Saudi Arabia's women leaders as the country continues to implement its Vision 2030 reform agenda.
Taking place at The St. Regis Riyadh on May 20 and 21, the summit will convene around the theme 'A New Era for Business: Partnering for Global Prosperity.' It will bring together more than 150 of the world's most influential women—including CEOs, policymakers, and entrepreneurs—from 35 countries to explore new models of inclusive growth, innovation, and international cooperation.
As part of the opening day, Fortune will also unveil its 2025 Most Powerful Women in Business list, celebrating the achievements of leading female executives and further elevating the event's global resonance.
Joining the summit's roster of global leaders is Theresa May, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (2016–2019), who will headline the closing session on May 21. In a conversation moderated by Ellie Austin, Editorial Director of Fortune Most Powerful Women, May will offer her insights on fractured global alliances, climate leadership, and the role of bold, ethical leadership in navigating geopolitical uncertainty.
The summit's wider speaker roster includes senior executives from FedEx, Goldman Sachs, Mastercard, Marriott International, Microsoft, and other Fortune 500 companies, as well as international public sector.
In addition to business and policy discussions, the Summit will spotlight women driving change across culture, media, and sport.
On Day 2, a special MPW Spotlight on Women in Sports will feature Adwa Al-Arifi, Assistant Minister for Sport Affairs, in conversation with Noor Nugali, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Arab News. Al-Arifi will highlight the country's growing investment in women's sports, from school leagues to elite training centers, and its broader impact on public health and societal change.
This will be followed by 'Playing to Win: Women, Sports, and Breaking Barriers', featuring:
• Aalia Al-Rasheed, Head of Women's Football, Saudi Arabian Football Federation
• Zam Zam Al Hammadi, Fighter, Professional Fighters League
• Rasha Alkhamis, President of the Saudi Mixed Martial Arts Federation
• Mashael AlObaidan, Rally Driver
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