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World Affairs Council of Greater Houston

Princess Reema: Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to the U.S.

February 9, 2021 @ 05:00 PM to February 9, 2021 @ - 06:00 PM
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About the event

A historic moment, both for Saudi Arabia and for its embassy: Princess Reema is now the first woman to serve as Saudi ambassador to any country.

She was already something of a celebrity back home in Riyadh, having agitated for Saudi women to enjoy the same rights and freedoms she experienced growing up in Washington, where her father, Prince Bandar bin Sultan, served as ambassador from 1983 to 2005. Now, many Saudis see her as a symbol to the United States of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s ambitious plan to modernize Saudi society and a personification of the new possibilities available to Saudi women.

About the speaker

Princess Reema bint Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Her Royal Highness Princess Reema bint Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud was appointed Ambassador to the United States on February 23, 2019 by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz. She is the first woman in the country’s history to serve in the role of Ambassador. She presented her credentials to President Donald Trump on July 8, 2019. From 1983 to 2005, Princess Reema lived in Washington, DC, while her father Prince Bandar served as Saudi Ambassador to the United States. She attended George Washington University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Museum Studies. Princess Reema returned to Saudi Arabia, where she focused on private sector initiatives and the empowerment of women in the Kingdom. In 2000, She cofounded Yibreen, a women’s gym. From 2007 until 2015, Princess Reema was the Chief Executive Officer of Alfa International Company Limited – Harvey Nichols Riyadh, a multi-brand luxury retail company, where she collaborated with leading female recruitment agency, Glowork, and commissioned a study on Obstacles for Women in the Workplace, which set the tone for female inclusion in retail, and resulted in opening the first workplace nursery in a retail store, enabling more women to work while caring for children. In 2013, she founded Alf Khair, a social enterprise aimed at elevating the professional capital of Saudi women through a curriculum developed to enable financial self-sufficiency. In 2016, Princess Reema left the private sector to begin a career of public service as Vice President of Women’s Affairs at the Saudi General Sports Authority where she developed policies and programs that benefited women and children throughout Saudi Arabia. After a successful year, she was promoted to Deputy of Development and Planning in January 2018. In October 2018, she was also appointed President of the Mass Participation Federation, making her the first woman to lead a multi-sports federation in the Kingdom, a role that she occupied until her appointment as Saudi Ambassador to the United States. Princess Reema is excited to take her leadership role to the world stage as Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to the United States.

 

Date And Time

February 9, 2021 @ 05:00 PM to February 9, 2021 @ - 06:00 PM
 

Location

Online Event
 

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