Lubna Olayan

Saudi Arabian business pioneer who shattered gender barriers to become one of the Middle East's most influential corporate leaders

Lubna Olayan (b. 1954) broke cultural and professional boundaries as the first Saudi woman to lead a major multinational corporation. As CEO of Olayan Financing Co (OFC), she transformed the 80-year-old family conglomerate into a $10 billion global enterprise operating in 40 countries. Her 2002 appointment as CEO made international headlines, paving the way for women in Saudi Arabia's male-dominated business sector.

Olayan's advocacy led to the creation of Saudi Arabia's first women's business center in 2005, and she co-founded the Global Women's Forum in Dubai (2010). Her innovative approach to corporate governance earned her Harvard Business Review's 'Top 100 Breakthrough Leaders' in 2015. Discover her story through Olayan Group and Wikipedia.