Two women board members in Riyadh Chamber for first time

RIYADH — Minister of Commerce Dr. Majed Al-Qasabi has appointed two women members to the 18^th session of the Board of Directors of the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry. They are Khuloud Al-Dakheel and Lateefa Al-Waalan. Both of them have contributed immensely to promoting commercial and economic activities through their memberships in many organizations and bodies and wide-ranging activities. This was for the first time women members were chosen to the board in the 60-year history of the Riyadh Chamber.

The move is part of the efforts to promote women in all fields with the utmost keenness and support of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman. Over the past years, the government has taken several decisions to empower and support women in all walks of life, including political and diplomatic arenas, such as the appointment of the first woman ambassador. Several Saudi women are now holding key leadership positions in both the government and private sectors.

Al-Khuloud holds a Master of Business Administration degree in finance from the American University, Washington D.C., and a bachelor’s degree in finance and international trade as well as specialization in Arab political and economic studies from Georgetown University, Washington D.C. She is a partner, founder, and managing director of Al-Dakheel Financial Group.

Al-Khuloud is a member of the Association of Accredited Residents of Economic Establishments and an accredited financial analyst. She holds several certificates in securities and dealings and has memberships in various committees and councils. She has attended several national and international conferences and events.

As for Lateefa, she holds a bachelor’s degree in computer and information sciences from King Saud University, Riyadh and an MBA in technology management from the University of Washington.

She is the founder and co-founder of several companies, winner of awards for entrepreneurship and patents. She co-founded CellA+ Network in 2012 as a platform for professional women joined by more than 3,000 women and she held the position of its president in 2015. Lateefa currently holds the position of CEO of Saudi Endeavor, a non-profit organization, specialized in supporting high-impact entrepreneurs.