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Inspiring growth, shaping the future

"Women of Progress" brings to life the compelling narratives of trailblazing women who are rewriting the story of Saudi Arabia. Through our partnership with Mashable Middle East, we're amplifying voices that deserve to be heard - voices of women who refused to accept limitations, transformed obstacles into opportunities, and built legacies that resonate far beyond their own journeys.

Saudi Arabia's evolution tells a story of monumental transformation - a nation reimagining itself as a crossroads of innovation, cultural dynamism, and limitless potential. At the center of this evolution? Women who aren't just witnessing history - they're authoring it.

"Women of Progress" exists because these stories matter. Each narrative captures something essential: the courage to challenge convention, the vision to see possibility where others see barriers, and the tenacity to turn ambition into achievement. These women aren't simply breaking glass ceilings - they're redesigning entire architectures of what's possible. Their journeys illuminate a fundamental truth: that one person's determination can spark movements, reshape sociaties, and light the way forward for generations to come.

Celebrating progress means creating space for journeys still unfolding. Each story from Saudi Arabia's remarkable women invites you to find inspiration, recognize possibilities, and understand that achievement comes in many forms.

These are real stories - adventurers and artists learning through trial and error, racers balancing precision with speed, innovators persisting through setbacks. Their paths vary, but they have a shared belief of their aspirations.

When someone's journey resonates with yours, perspective shifts. Challenges feel more manageable. Goals feel more within reach.

Women of Progress celebrates where we are while pointing toward where we might go. These stories seek to serve as an inspiration when you're ready for them.

Meet our “Women of Progress”

Finding her Everest

Raha Moharrak's journey from childhood questions to world's highest answer

Raha grew up asking questions and seeking adventures—qualities her parents nurtured rather than contained. That curiosity would eventually lead her to Mount Kilimanjaro. That first summit awakened something, leading her to eight more peaks, each one teaching her about her own capacity.

Mount Everest became her next chapter. On May 18, 2013, Raha became the first Saudi woman to stand at the world's highest point—not because she was superhuman, but because she was willing to try what others deemed impossible.

Her journey offers a quiet but important lesson: when young people are raised with encouragement and given room to explore, they grow into adults who don't accept arbitrary limits. Raha's story isn't just about climbing mountains. It's about what becomes possible when one decides their background doesn't define their ceiling—and then proves it, one step at a time.

Reaching For The Stars

Mishaal Ashemimry's trajectory from desert stargazer to launching rockets

Six years old in the Unaizah desert, staring up at stars—that's where it started for Mishaal Ashemimry. What began as childhood wonder evolved into technical expertise, leading her to become the first female aerospace engineer in the GCC, someone who genuinely wanted to solve problems in space technology.

She built her foundation through diverse experiences - teaching at the University of Miami, then applying that knowledge as a consultant for Northrop Grumman. Each role added a new dimension to her expertise. Then, at 26, she made a defining move: launching MISHAAL Aerospace in Miami with a clear mission - developing rockets capable of sending small satellites into Low Earth Orbit. The scope has only expanded since. As Vice President for Diversity Initiatives at the International Astronautical Federation and special advisor to the Saudi Space Agency's CEO, she's now helping shape how Saudi Arabia participates in the global space industry.

Beyond the titles and technical work, Mishaal has carved out another role: making aerospace accessible. Through social media and partnerships with brands like Macy's, PepsiCo, and Dubai TV, she breaks down barriers of entry, showing young people -particularly young women - that STEM isn't reserved for a select few.

What makes her story resonate isn't just the milestones. It's the practical lesson: specialized fields need curious people willing to master them. Find your fascination, build your expertise, create your opportunity.

Racing Against All Odds

Orjwan Ammar's race from only woman on grid to podium regular

Rally racing demands precision under pressure—split-second decisions on unpredictable terrain at speeds that leave no room for hesitation. Orjwan Ammar proved she belongs in that environment during her 2023 debut season, earning P3 in the Saudi Toyota Rally Championship’s T4 category and scoring podiums along the way. Her second-place result in her first official race wasn't beginner's luck; it was evidence of preparation meeting opportunity.

The significance goes beyond individual victories. In a sport where gender has historically determined who gets behind the wheel, Orjwan's consistent performance at major Saudi rally events creates a new normal. She's not racing in a separate category or competing for symbolic recognition—she's on the same grid, facing the same challenges, posting results that speak for themselves.

What emerges from her story isn't just about breaking into motorsport. It's about what becomes normalized when someone succeeds visibly and repeatedly. Young women across the region now see rally racing as accessible—not easy, but possible.

That shift in perception, that expansion of what seems achievable, might be Orjwan's most lasting contribution. She's racing, yes. But she's also rewriting what the next generation believes they're capable of attempting.

When Art Finds You

Lulwah Al-Homoud's evolution from creating art to creating artists

Lulwah Al-Homoud's art exists at the intersection of heritage and innovation—where spirituality meets script, where tradition converses with abstraction. Her work asks questions about identity and meaning, rendered in forms that resonate across cultures. That approach has earned her space in collections most artists spend lifetimes trying to reach: the British Museum, LACMA, Jeju Museum, and the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia, with pieces featured at Sotheby's and Christie's.

As the first Saudi to complete an MA at Central Saint Martins in London, she could have built a career purely as a practicing artist. Instead, she expanded her impact. She's curated exhibitions that shaped how people engage with Saudi contemporary art—Master Strokes at October Gallery, Nabatt: A Sense of Being across Shanghai and Beirut, Contrasts in Harmony during Misk Art Week. Her curatorial work extends to UNESCO Headquarters in Paris and collaborations with institutions like the British Museum, ArtCurial, and AlUla.

Recognition followed: the Rawabi Prize in 2020, the Saudi National Award for Visual Arts in 2021. But perhaps more significant are the platforms she built for others—founding the LAH Art Foundation and ISDAR to support emerging Saudi artists and facilitate cultural exchange. She now serves on the Board of Trustees of the Saudi Art and Design Society and as Deputy at the National Committee for Cultural Activities.

Al-Homoud saw beyond her own canvas. She creates art that speaks to heritage and innovation, then creates the foundations that help others do the same.

About Franklin Templeton

Progress rarely happens alone. It requires partners who understand where you're headed and know how to help you get there.

As a forward-thinking asset manager, we build dynamic relationships with our clients, understand their goals, and navigate the complexities of the market together. Our team leverages cutting-edge strategies and deep industry insights to unlock opportunities to help grow wealth. With Franklin Templeton by their side, investors don’t prepare for the future - they shape it.  

About Mashable Middle East

Mashable Middle East is a global, multi-platform media and entertainment company and your ultimate destination for all things, entertainment, culture and tech. From breaking news articles, pop-culture milestones to in-depth features on movies, TV shows, and the hottest gadgets - Mashable Middle East has got you covered. Mashable Middle East is not just about reporting but embracing digital innovation and its impact on our world. So whether you're a millennial or a Gen-Z, tune in cause we’re already taking about your current obsessions online!