HRH Princess Reema: A Champion of Empowerment & Reform in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 is redefining national progress through innovation, empowerment, and global partnerships. Among the changemakers driving this transformation is Her Royal Highness Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud, a pioneering diplomat, business leader, and advocate for women’s empowerment. 

As the first woman to serve as Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to the United States, she represents not only the Kingdom’s evolving role on the world stage but also the power of leadership rooted in purpose and progress.

Early Life and Education

Born in Riyadh on February 15, 1975, Princess Reema is a proud member of the House of Al Saud. She is the daughter of Prince Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud, who served as Ambassador to the U.S. for over two decades, and Princess Haifa bint Faisal Al Saud, granddaughter of King Faisal. This heritage instilled in her a deep understanding of diplomacy and service.

Raised partly in the United States, Princess Reema earned a Bachelor of Arts in Museum Studies from George Washington University. Her international upbringing and early exposure to cultural institutions such as L’Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris and the Sakar Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., shaped her global outlook. In 2022, she received an honorary doctorate from Marymount University in recognition of her leadership.

“Exposure to diverse cultures gave me the perspective to see that leadership is not about titles, but about responsibility.”

— HRH Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud

Business Leadership and Workforce Inclusion

Returning to Saudi Arabia in 2005, Princess Reema entered the business world with a transformative vision. She co-founded Yibreen, one of the Kingdom’s first women’s gyms, before becoming CEO of Alfa International Company Limited, managing Harvey Nichols Riyadh. Her leadership delivered bold reforms. She worked closely with the Ministry of Labour to integrate women into the retail workforce, a milestone in workplace inclusion.

She also established Saudi Arabia’s first workplace nursery, creating a model that enabled women to balance family and professional responsibilities. Moreover, she commissioned a landmark study on barriers for women in the workplace, which influenced significant policy improvements. In 2013, she founded Alf Khair, a social enterprise fostering women’s professional development. Its flagship campaign, 10KSA, mobilized thousands of women to form the world’s largest human pink ribbon, earning a Guinness World Record while amplifying breast cancer awareness.

“Economic growth cannot happen if half of society is excluded. Empowering women is not a choice, it’s a necessity.”

— HRH Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud

Public Service and Women’s Empowerment

In 2016, Princess Reema transitioned to public service, spearheading reforms in Saudi sports. She first served as Vice President of Women’s Affairs at the Saudi General Sports Authority, before becoming Deputy of Development and Planning in 2017, and later President of the Saudi Mass Participation Federation in 2018, becoming the first Saudi woman to lead a multi-sports federation.

Her leadership was instrumental in introducing physical education for girls in Saudi schools, marking a transformative policy aligned with Vision 2030. For these contributions, she was honoured with the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sport Award in 2017.

“Sports are not a privilege; they are a right. Girls in Saudi Arabia deserve the same opportunities to grow strong, healthy, and confident as boys.”

— HRH Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud

Diplomatic Leadership and Global Influence

Appointed by King Salman bin Abdulaziz, Princess Reema became Saudi Arabia’s first female ambassador to the U.S. on February 23, 2019, officially presenting her credentials to then-President Donald Trump in July of the same year.

Her ambassadorial agenda emphasizes the strengthening of U.S.-Saudi relations across security, economic, and cultural domains. She actively showcases the reforms of Vision 2030 to global audiences, advocates for women’s participation in leadership and workforce development, and builds cultural bridges that foster mutual understanding. Beyond her ambassadorship, she also represents Saudi Arabia at UNESCO and contributes to global organizations, including the IOC Women in Sports Commission and the UNESCO Gender Equality Commission.

“Saudi Arabia’s story today is one of transformation. My role is to share that story, to build bridges of understanding, and to ensure our partnerships are rooted in respect and progress.”

— HRH Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud

Philanthropy and Advocacy

Beyond diplomacy, Princess Reema is deeply committed to philanthropy. She co-founded the Zahra Breast Cancer Association, where she played a pivotal role in organizing the world’s largest human pink ribbon in 2010 and led the 2012 Everest Base Camp Awareness Climb to spotlight the importance of early detection.

In 2021, she expanded her advocacy to environmental conservation by founding the Catmosphere Foundation, dedicated to the protection of big cats in partnership with Panthera Corporation. Its flagship global campaign, Catwalk, united communities worldwide in an unprecedented movement for wildlife preservation.

“The fate of wildlife is deeply connected to our own. By protecting nature, we are safeguarding our shared future.”

— HRH Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud

Global Recognition and Legacy

Princess Reema’s influence has been acknowledged by global institutions, earning her recognition as a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader in 2015, a Foreign Policy Global Thinker Mogul in 2014, and Fast Company’s Most Creative Person of the Year in 2014.

She was also named among Forbes’ Most Powerful Arab Women (2018–2021) and ranked in Gulf Business Top 100 Most Powerful Arabs (2018–2021). Her recognition symbolizes the rise of Saudi women as leaders of innovation, diplomacy, and social progress.

A Lasting Legacy of Visionary Leadership

HRH Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud exemplifies the transformative leadership driving Saudi Arabia’s future. Her journey from business and sports reform to international diplomacy and philanthropy embodies the aspirations of Vision 2030.  Through her work, she continues to redefine leadership, amplify women’s voices, and strengthen Saudi Arabia’s role as a global partner in progress.

Her legacy is a testament to how purpose-driven leadership and empowerment can inspire generations and shape a brighter, more inclusive future for the Kingdom and the world.

“Change is not about one person, it’s about a generation. My duty is to open the doors, so the next generation can walk through them with confidence.”

— HRH Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud

Discover more inspiring stories at Saudi Wins, where Vision 2030 comes to life.