A New Era of Leadership: The Creative Women Forum Partners with the Women’s Leadership Center at Princess Nourah University

After several months of close collaboration in developing an extraordinary platform for dialogue, innovation, and inspiration, the Creative Women Forum Saudi Arabia 2025 and the Women’s Leadership Center (WLC) at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University are proud to formally announce their partnership.

This joint initiative, held under the royal patronage of HRH Princess Noura bint Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, marks a shared commitment to nurturing the next generation of women leaders, thinkers, and changemakers.

The aim of the Forum is to bridge experience with youth — connecting global female leaders with students, emerging professionals, and young entrepreneurs across the Kingdom. It will serve as an inclusive space for learning, mentorship, and exchange, offering practical tools, knowledge, and inspiration to empower a new generation of visionary women.

Alongside a distinguished delegation of CEOs, award-winning entrepreneurs, and influential women from royal families and leading global organisations, the Forum will also open its doors to students and young entrepreneurs. A limited number of complimentary passes will be made available for those who express interest in attending. This initiative reflects the Forum’s ethos — to empower, engage, and uplift young minds by connecting them directly with influential leaders from around the world.

Together, these two institutions — one international and one proudly rooted in Saudi Arabia’s academic excellence — are building a shared vision of empowerment aligned with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, celebrating progress, creativity, and the growing leadership of women across all sectors.

We Build Future Leaders

Established in 2021, the Women’s Leadership Center (WLC) is one of the most dynamic pillars within Princess Nourah University’s ecosystem for women’s empowerment. Guided by its defining slogan, “We Build Future Leaders,” the Center is dedicated to equipping Saudi women with the skills, confidence, and strategic insight needed to thrive in a rapidly changing global landscape.

Through strategic partnerships, bespoke training programmes, and professional consultations, the WLC actively fosters leadership development — empowering women to lead with innovation, resilience, and integrity.

“This partnership reflects our shared belief that women’s leadership is not just about representation — it’s about redefining impact. At the Women’s Leadership Center, we strive to build future leaders who lead with purpose, innovation, and integrity. Hosting the Creative Women Forum 2025 aligns perfectly with our mission to connect global perspectives with local talent, creating spaces where women can inspire, collaborate, and drive sustainable change.”— Eman Alsmari, Executive Director, Women’s Leadership Center, Princess Nourah University

Empowerment Through Excellence

As a forward-thinking institution, the WLC serves as both a training hub and a strategic partner for leadership development. Its programmes are designed to enhance competencies, foster confidence, and strengthen the presence of women in leadership roles at every level.

The Center’s comprehensive offerings include:

• Leadership Development: Training programmes, coaching services, mentoring, and leadership assessments to cultivate emotionally intelligent, effective leaders.

• Leadership Solutions: Tailored strategies for training, employment, and innovation that respond directly to Saudi Arabia’s evolving socio-economic needs.

• Professional Networking: Platforms such as the Women’s Leadership Center Club, Samaat Book Club for Leaders, and Rifqah Support Group — creating communities for women to exchange insights and support one another’s growth.

The WLC also provides consultative support to organisations seeking to advance gender inclusion and leadership excellence — solidifying its position as a regional and national leader in women’s advancement.

Anchored in Vision 2030

The Women’s Leadership Center plays a crucial role in advancing the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which identifies women as key drivers of the Kingdom’s transformation. The Center’s mission aligns directly with the Vision’s goals to enhance women’s workforce participation, achieve gender parity in leadership, and empower women to lead in both public and private sectors.

Among its notable initiatives:

• Qiadya Leadership Programme: A comprehensive initiative enhancing managerial and strategic leadership skills for emerging Saudi leaders. Over 60 participants have graduated, with the third cohort now in progress.

• Qudwah Mentorship Programme: Connecting over 460 women with senior mentors to strengthen leadership potential and support career progression.

• Future Leaders & Red Crescent Leadership Training: Specialised programmes for women in healthcare and government sectors, equipping them with executive-level leadership capabilities.

• Leadership Discussion Circles: Providing a platform for senior leaders across ministries to share expertise and advance strategic leadership.

• Community Engagement & Strategic Partnerships: Collaborations with the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, and key private-sector partners strengthen the national leadership ecosystem and foster sustainable social development.

Through these efforts, the WLC exemplifies how empowerment, education, and innovation work hand in hand to shape an inclusive and sustainable future in line with Vision 2030.

The Creative Women Forum 2025: Empower • Engage • Sustain

Returning for its second edition from 4–6 November 2025, the Creative Women Forum Saudi Arabia will be hosted at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University under the theme “Empower • Engage • Sustain – Women Leading Initiatives.”

The Forum will convene over 500 international delegates from business, academia, government, and the arts to explore leadership, sustainability, and global impact.

“It is extremely meaningful for the Creative Women Forum to establish this important collaboration with the Women’s Leadership Center at Princess Nourah University, as both organisations share a common mission: to advance knowledge and foster creativity among young Saudi women. Bringing internationally acclaimed, award-winning female experts to Princess Nourah University as part of the Forum will undoubtedly inspire students and broaden their horizons.”— Olga Balakleets, Founder and CEO, Creative Women Platform

This collaboration positions the Forum at the heart of Saudi Arabia’s transformation — where education, creativity, and entrepreneurship converge to define the nation’s next chapter of leadership.

Leadership at the Helm

At the forefront of this collaboration stand Olga Balakleets, Founder and CEO of the Creative Women Platform, and Rebeca Riofrio, Executive Director of the Creative Women Forum Saudi Arabia.

Guided by HRH Princess Noura bint Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, their partnership unites the entrepreneurial and academic worlds — empowering women who lead with intellect, compassion, and purpose.

A Legacy in Motion

In an era defined by transformation, the partnership between the Creative Women Forum and the Women’s Leadership Center stands as both symbol and strategy. It embodies Saudi Arabia’s unwavering commitment to progress, equality, and empowerment.

As the Forum prepares to convene in Riyadh, one message resonates powerfully:The future of leadership is female — and it begins here.

📍 Dates: 4–6 November 2025📍 Venue: Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh🌐 More Information: www.creativewomen.co | www.wlc.org.sa