Shaikha Al-Bahar only Kuwaiti on Fortune's 100 powerful businesswomen in 2025 list
Al-Bahar stands as second-highest ranked executive from Mideast
KUWAIT: Shaikha Al-Bahar, Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer of National Bank of Kuwait (NBK), has been recognized as Kuwait's most influential businesswoman and the sole Kuwaiti featured in Fortune Magazine's prestigious 2025 list of the 100 Most Powerful Women in Business.
Al-Bahar stands as the second-highest ranked executive from the Middle East region on this coveted list. The list, compiled by Fortune editors, is based on company size and health of the business, as well as an executive's career trajectory, influence, innovation and efforts to make business better. More than 50 women currently lead Fortune 500 companies, yet only 20 made this year's list — a testament to how increasingly competitive the ranking has become.
Featured in the 2025 ranking are some of the most influential figures in global business, including Mary Barra, Chair and CEO of General Motors; Julie Sweet, Chair and CEO of Accenture; Jane Fraser, CEO of Citigroup; Lisa Su, Chair and CEO of AMD; and Ana Botín, Executive Chairman of Banco Santander.
In her role at NBK, Al-Bahar continues to play a pivotal part in driving the bank's sustained growth and transformation. Her leadership spans critical initiatives including digital innovation, sustainability strategies, and policy development to extend NBK's regional footprint. She has been instrumental in advancing sustainable finance efforts aligned with the global transition towards a low-carbon economy and climate risk mitigation.
Driven by her strategic vision, NBK reinforced its position as Kuwait's largest bank and a regional powerhouse with top-tier credit ratings. Building on this momentum, she spearheaded the Group's digital transformation, notably launching 'Weyay,' Kuwait's first fully digital bank tailored to redefine financial engagement for younger generations. Al-Bahar was also a key architect behind NBK's Sustainable Financing Framework, embedding global ESG standards into the bank's operations.
Beyond business, Al-Bahar is a strong advocate for social impact. She launched NBK RISE, a transformative initiative aimed at empowering women in leadership roles and led the 'Bankee' Financial Literacy Program in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the Public Authority for Anti-Corruption 'Nazaha.' In the 2024–2025 academic year alone, the program reached more than 32,000 students and 7,200 teachers, marking a significant step forward in advancing financial literacy among Kuwait's youth.
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