Creative Women Forum Saudi Arabia 2025: Empowering Global Leadership Through Innovation, Culture, and Collaboration

Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia —
In an atmosphere charged with vision and collaboration, the Creative Women Forum Saudi Arabia 2025 convened some of the world’s most accomplished women — entrepreneurs, executives, and cultural leaders redefining the landscape of global business and innovation.

Held under the patronage of HRH Princess Noura bint Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the three-day forum took place from November 4–6 at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, concluding with a distinguished Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony at the National Museum of Saudi Arabia.

Now in its second edition, the Forum has become a beacon of the Kingdom’s evolution — a convergence of leadership, innovation, and creative enterprise aligned with the aspirations of Vision 2030. Its 2025 theme, “Empower • Engage • Sustain – Women Leading Initiatives,” perfectly encapsulated the drive to connect creativity with business impact.

“This gathering brings together minds and experiences united by curiosity, courage, and the desire to create meaningful change,” said HRH Princess Noura Al Saud. “It’s a space where voices from diverse backgrounds connect, engage, and grow — where ideas spark new directions for progress.”

Leadership and Legacy in Motion

The Forum is led by Olga Balakleets, Founder and CEO of the Creative Women Platform, who has built one of the world’s foremost ecosystems dedicated to empowering women across art, business, and leadership.

“It is a great honour to welcome this second edition of the Creative Women Forum Saudi Arabia,” Balakleets said. “Thanks to the extraordinary support of HRH Princess Noura, this Forum has become more than an event — it’s a living movement of women united by purpose. Together, we are shaping conversations and building a legacy for future generations.”

Guiding this year’s edition was Rebeca Riofrio, Executive Director of the Creative Women Forum Saudi Arabia and Chairwoman of the UK Parliamentary Society for Arts, Fashion & Sports.

“The youth of Saudi Arabia are not waiting for the future — they are building it now,” Riofrio reflected. “Their creativity holds the blueprint for transformation and the foundation for a brighter world.”

A Forum for Global Progress

Hosted at Princess Nourah University, the world’s largest women’s university and home to the Women Leadership Centre, the Forum attracted more than 500 high-level delegates — including CEOs, policymakers, innovators, scientists, and artists.

Across three days, the agenda explored how leadership, innovation, and creativity can drive growth and sustainability in today’s interconnected global economy. Sessions covered entrepreneurial innovation, technology integration, sustainability strategy, and cultural diplomacy.

The conversations highlighted how investing in creativity and inclusivity creates new value chains for industries — from media and retail to education, technology, and finance.

A Global Assembly of Women Leaders

The 2025 Forum welcomed a distinguished lineup of influential women across industries and continents.

Among the international participants were:

Gloria Ai, Zeynab Al-Khero, Olga Balakleets, Sandra Bauknecht, Ida Beerhalter, Kiera Chaplin, Dr. Ana Cukic Armstrong, HRH Princess Katarina of Serbia, Elizabeth de Moraes, Martha Fiennes, Dr. Aradhana Khowala, Christina Korp, Dr. Jane Leonard, The Hon. Islée Oliva Salinas, Dr. Virginia Rivera, Laura Timm, Dr. Sylvia Tiryaki, Ilijana Vavan, HH Princess Sophia Fürstin Wolkonsky, Fiona Yassin, Keira Zhang, Mirjam Katharina Zwingli, Sahiqa Bennett, Seema Gupta, Elena Howarth, Prathibha Prahlad, Jill Douka, Pernilla S. Corizza, Althea Bunce, Jacqueline Bourke, Amira Fouad, Maxim Jago, and Dr. Bindunie S. Rowland.

Additional contributors included Viola Edward, Yasmeen Gailani, Kelly Harrison, Heather R. Hayes, Lisa Kurbiel, HRM Olori Aderonke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi, Dr. Nicole Owolabi, Denise Parkinson, Liz Perkins, and Rebeca Riofrio.

From Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region, participants included:

Eng. Nouf Abdulghani, Kariman and Salwa Abuljadayel, Bayan Abuzinadah, Dr. Jawaher AlFurhood, Dr. Miasser Al-Ghamdi, Munira AlHazani, Prof. Dr. Selwa Al-Hazzaa, Ghada AlAqel, Farah AlSharif, Wafa AlObaidat, HH Princess Mishael bint Faisal Al Saud, HH Princess Mashael bint Saud Al Shalan, Adwa Alarifi, Dr. Amal Al-Abduljabbar, Reem AlAfaliq, Manar Alaskar, Dr. Basma AlBuhairan, Lama Alessa, HRH Princess Nourah AlFaisal, Alzahra Alfozan, Hamid Alharthi, Lama Alhamawi, Nada Saleh Alismail, Dr. Hawazen Almugren, Dr. Alanood Alotaibi, Razan Al-Ajmi, Hadeel Alqahtani, Nasreen Alissa, Rawan Almogbil, Nora Almonif, Sara AlRashed, Jumanah AlHejaili, HE Dr. Suzan Alyahya, Norah Alkhursany, Ahlam Cluntun, Dr. Hayathem Bin Hasher, Rajaa Moumena, Faisal Sultan, HRH Ambassador Reema Bandar Al-Saud, Shatha Al-Shammari, Khlood Aldukheil, Lima Alqarfan, Nawar Alsubaihin, Sarah Baashan, and Gihan Hyde.

Together, they represented a global network of creative entrepreneurs and industry pioneers driving growth and transformation across sectors.

Partnerships That Shape Tomorrow

The Forum’s success was made possible through powerful alliances between cultural, academic, and business institutions.

• Strategic Partners: Arab National Bank (anb), Women Leadership Centre (Princess Nourah University), Ministry of Culture, Women and Energy Association (WE), Riyadh Municipality.
• Platinum Partners: Rukun Creative Exchange, AlMashtal, Morini Restaurant, and Jareed Hotel.
• Gold Partners: DHL Express Saudi Arabia, AGFUND, Lucid Motors, Saudi Electricity Company, Principal Buyer Limited, and Nayyara Banqueting and Conference Center.\
• Silver Partner: Alfanar. Knowledge Partner: Saudi Arabian Botanical Society. Charity Partner: Herfa Cooperative Society.
• Collaborating Networks: Quintessentially Experiences, Sigulp, Global Travel Solutions (GTS), United Nations, Next Level, Saudi Business Council, UN Joint SDG Fund, Sotheby’s, Climate Scale-Up, Art in Fusion Production Company, WAVE, Comma, and Elaph.

These partnerships symbolized the Forum’s mission to unite sectors under one shared belief — that innovation thrives through cooperation and diversity.

Celebrating Innovation and Creativity

The Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony, held on 6 November at the National Museum of Saudi Arabia, honored women who have redefined excellence in their fields. The evening blended culture and innovation through performances by Keri Fuge, Olga Balakleets, Mara Galeazzi, Sophia Patsalides, and Mirna Nasser.

“Tonight is a celebration of creativity, collaboration, and purpose,” said HRH Princess Noura. “When thought meets action, we create something greater than ourselves.”

The Art of Legacy

The Creative Women Art Exhibition, curated by Rafael Porzycki and powered by DHL Saudi Arabia, was inspired by the Ministry of Culture’s Year of Handicrafts initiative. It featured works by Aida Murad, Saule Suleimenova, Sofia Cacciapaglia, Elisa Insua, Fatimah Al Nimr, and Olivia d’Aboville.

Proceeds benefited the Herfa Cooperative Society, supporting Saudi artisans and preserving cultural craftsmanship. The exhibition served as a metaphor for business innovation itself — where tradition meets disruption, and creativity becomes a bridge to progress.

About the Creative Women Platform

Founded in 2016 in the United Kingdom by Olga Balakleets, the Creative Women Platform has grown into a global network spanning more than 50 countries. It bridges the worlds of business, academia, and the arts, empowering women to innovate and lead change.

For more information, visit www.creativewomen.co

Elvijs Plugis
elvijs@sigulp.co.uk
+447549945392
Project CMO for Creative Women Forum Saudi Arabia 2025