Page 24 - DAEP PR REPORT - FEBRUARY 2025

2/28/25, 4:25 PM Forbes Middle East celebrates 100 prominent female leaders defining business In 2025
The first seven spots in the top 10 have remained unchanged from 2024. Meanwhile, Tayba Al Hashemi of
ADNOC Offshore, Alisha Moopen of Aster DM Healthcare GCC, and Suzanne Al Anani of Dubai Aviation
Engineering Projects (DAEP) have all made their debut in the top 10. In total, 27 newcomers have joined the
ranking this year.

The 2025 list showcases 100 business leaders from 32 different sectors and 29 nationalities, emphasizing
the diverse talent propelling the region forward. The banking and financial services sector leads once again,
accounting for 25 entries, followed by healthcare, and technology with nine each, and five in venture capital.
Among the top 10 women, 40% are from the banking and financial services sector. Shaista Asif of PureHealth
Holding, of Pakistani descent, and Indian national Alisha Moopen of Aster DM Healthcare GCC, are the only
non-Arab senior leaders in the top 10.

The U.A.E. remains a dominant force, with 46 listees calling the country home, underscoring its role as a
business hub. Egypt follows with 18 influential women, and Saudi Arabia claims nine entries. Among the most
represented nationalities, Egyptians lead with 18, followed by 11 Emiratis and nine Lebanese.

Several leaders on the list prioritized launching initiatives aimed at upskilling the community and expanding
opportunities. For example, Susana Rodriguez Puerta spearheaded the launch of the ‘sAIdaty’ initiative in
collaboration with the Dubai Business Women Council, aimed at equipping 500 female council members in the
U.A.E. with AI skills. For Lamia Tazi, SOTHEMA's partnership in June with the Foundation for Research,

Development, and Innovation in Science and Engineering played a key role in providing scholarships to PhD
students from low-income families.

Top 10 Most Powerful Businesswomen In The Middle East 2025

1. Hana Al Rostamani
Nationality: Emirati
Group CEO, First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB)

2. Shaikha Khaled Al Bahar
Nationality: Kuwaiti
Deputy Group CEO, National Bank of Kuwait Group (NBK Group)

3. Shaista Asif
Nationality: Pakistani
Cofounder & Group CEO, PureHealth Holding

4. Wadha Ahmed Al-Khateeb
Nationality: Kuwaiti
CEO, Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC)

5. Dana Nasser Al Sabah
Nationality: Kuwaiti
Group CEO, Kuwait Projects Company (Holding) – KIPCO

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