Sarah Al Amiri

Pioneering female leader in Saudi Arabia's space and science sectors, driving gender equality in STEM fields

Sarah bint Yahya Al Amiri is a visionary leader from Saudi Arabia who has made groundbreaking contributions to the nation's scientific and aerospace initiatives while championing women's rights in male-dominated fields. Born in 1981, she earned her Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals before pursuing a Master's in Space Studies at the International Space University in France.

As Deputy Minister of the Prime Minister's Office for Future Foresight and Innovation (2016–present), Al Amiri led the establishment of the Saudi Space Commission and played a pivotal role in the historic 2020 Mars Hope Probe mission - the Arab world's first interplanetary exploration. This achievement positioned Saudi Arabia as a global player in space exploration while inspiring countless young Arabs.

Her most transformative impact comes from breaking gender barriers: She became the first Saudi woman to hold a cabinet position and consistently advocates for women's participation in STEM. Under her leadership, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre hired its first female engineers and scientists. Her 2019 TED Talk "Why the Middle East should lead the next space race" has over 1.5 million views, highlighting her ability to communicate complex scientific concepts to global audiences.

Al Amiri's initiatives have expanded access to STEM education through programs like the Saudi Space Academy and partnerships with MIT and Stanford. Her work directly contributed to Saudi Vision 2030's goal of diversifying the economy through innovation. She also co-founded the Women in Science initiative that has trained over 5,000 female researchers across the Middle East.

Her leadership extends to international collaborations - she serves on the Executive Board of the International Astronautical Federation and co-chairs the OECD's AI Policy Observatory. Al Amiri's story is chronicled in "Women Leading the Way: Saudi Arabia's Female Innovators", a 2021 anthology celebrating Arab women pioneers.