Who is Saudi Arabia’s Powerful Woman? The Rise of Jumana, the Media Princess

According to SaedNews, a few days ago, Time magazine recognized Jumana Al-Rashed, CEO of the Saudi Research and Media Group (SRMG) and Chairwoman of the Red Sea Film Festival Foundation, as one of the personalities on the “TIME100 Next” list of future leaders. Al-Rashed is the first Saudi figure ever to be included in this prestigious ranking.

Who is Jumana Al-Rashed?

Jumana Al-Rashed is one of Saudi Arabia’s youngest and most prominent executives, achieving remarkable success in the transformative period following Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s rise to power.

She earned a Master’s degree in International Journalism from City, University of London in 2013 and a Master’s degree in Political Science from SOAS, University of London in 2011. She has also served as a media consultant and international communications director.

But these accomplishments are only part of her impressive resume. The young Saudi executive has played an active role in international film festivals, cultural events, and high-profile gatherings. In September 2022, the Red Sea International Film Festival Foundation appointed her as Chairwoman of its Board.

In 2023, she was featured on Forbes, ranking 25th among the 100 most influential people in the Middle Eastern business world. On July 15, 2023, she was appointed to the Board of Trustees at King Saud University.

Leading the Saudi Research and Media Group

Al-Rashed’s appointment as CEO of SRMG on October 15, 2020, marked another historic milestone in Saudi Arabia.

Under her leadership, SRMG has expanded its activities and platforms. The company partnered with Warner Bros. to launch Al-Sharq Discovery, a new Arabic-language TV channel, in September 2022. In October 2021, SRMG launched a new publishing imprint called Raf, covering the Middle East and North Africa and releasing a wide array of written works.

In 2021, the group initiated the Arabic Manga project, publishing two magazines: Arabic Manga for Children, targeting under-15 audiences, and Arabic Manga, aimed at readers over 15.

SRMG drives powerful cultural projects, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s ambition to extend its cultural influence across West Asia and North Africa. At the helm of these initiatives is Jumana Al-Rashed, who, despite her young age, has achieved remarkable success and led significant projects.

For these reasons, Time highlights her as one of the world’s top emerging leaders—a manager spearheading Saudi Arabia’s cultural influence strategy under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, aiming to amplify his power and the Kingdom’s geopolitical presence.