Muna Abu Sulayman, executive manager of Strategic Studies and Research Initiatives at Prince Alwaleed bin Talal’s Kingdom Holding Company, was among the 250 Young Global Leaders chosen by the World Economic Forum for 2007. Riyadh-based Muna Abu Sulayman is the only Saudi to gain a place on this year’s list which was released yesterday by the Geneva-based WEF. The Young Global Leaders were chosen from over 4,000 candidates by a selection committee of 34 international media leaders including Marjorie Scardino (Pearson), Arthur Sulzberger (The New York Times), Tom Glocer (Reuters) and Hisashi Hieda (Fuji Television Network). The committee was chaired by Jordan’s Queen Rania. The honor of being selected as a Young Global Leader is bestowed each year by the WEF on young leaders from around the world in recognition and acknowledgment of their professional accomplishments, their commitments to society and their potential to contribute to shaping the future of the world.

Muna Abu Sulayman is a leading Saudi media personality in the Middle East. As a co-host of one of MBC TV’s most popular social programs, Kalam Nawaem, she has become an easily recognizable celebrity in the Middle East and abroad. As a public and media personality, major organizations and companies often ask her to speak on issues relating to Arab society, media, and building bridges of understanding between the East and West. In 2005, she became the first woman in Saudi Arabia to be appointed by the United Nations Development Program as a Goodwill Ambassador. Ms. Abu Sulayman gives keynote addresses at High school academic conferences and graduations. She also speaks at business meetings and corporations. She frequently appears as a panelist at the Davos World Economic Forum, Jeddah Economic Forum, C-100 of the World Economic Forum, Brookings Institute Conferences and many other venues.

Ms. Abu Sulayman is divorced and has two daughters. She is one of the few Saudi who accepts appearing in public without cover and due to her looks and fashion sense she was an ideal fit for Saudi Arabia to change the image of women in Saudi Arabia. Ms. Abu Sulayman also serves as Executive Director of the Kingdom Foundation, the philanthropic arm of HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal’s Kingdom Holding Company. In this capacity, she is developing and implementing the Foundation’s mission, vision, and operations for strategic philanthropy and humanitarian assistance. She is responsible for the global philanthropic activities, projects, and donations that reach the globe. Since 1997, Ms. AbuSulayman has served as lecturer on American literature at King Saud University in Saudi Arabia.