Lubna Olayan: Finance & Global Leadership at the Forefront

Lubna Olayan is one of the most powerful and pioneering figures in the Arab world’s financial and business landscape. As the former CEO of Olayan Financing Company and the current Chair of the Saudi British Bank (SABB), she has spent decades breaking barriers in boardrooms long before diversity became a global conversation.

Lubna was the first Saudi woman to chair a publicly listed company and has consistently used her influence to champion private sector growth, cross-border investment, and gender inclusion in leadership. Educated in the U.S. and fluent in both global finance and local impact, she has long bridged East and West with strategic precision.

Her leadership style is marked by integrity, humility, and a quiet strength that inspires those around her. Beyond corporate achievements, she serves on international boards, including Morgan Stanley and MIT, and continues to advocate for education, philanthropy, and women’s advancement across the region.

Lubna Olayan represents a rare blend of tradition and transformation—shaping the future of business while opening doors for the next generation of women in leadership.