Sheikha Alanoud bint Hamad Al-Thani, Managing Director of Business Development at Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Authority, has been selected to join the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders (YGL) for the class of 2021. This recognition makes her the youngest and the only Qatari to join this year.       

Each year, the Forum of Young Global Leaders identifies the world’s most promising leaders under the age of 40 who are driving innovation for positive change across civil society, arts, culture, government, and business. Alanoud is one of only 112 driven researchers, innovative entrepreneurs, activists, and promising political leaders representing 56 countries to be selected for the Young Global Leaders Class of 2021. As a Young Global Leader, Sheikha Alanoud will be taking part in a five-year programme that offers executive education courses, expeditions, and opportunities to collaborate and test ideas among a trusted network of peers.

She will be joining a YGL community of 1,400 members and alumni from more than 120 countries including prime ministers Jacinda Ardern and Sanna Marin, President Carlos Alvarado Quesada of Costa Rica, actor Yao Chen, lawyer Amal Clooney and filmmaker Wanuri Kahiu.

Yousuf Mohamed Al-Jaida, Chief Executive Officer, QFC Authority said: “We are proud to have the QFC’s Managing Director of Business Development, Sheikha Alanoud, recognised as a ‘Young Global Leader’, representing an inspirational and successful role model not only for young generations in Qatar but for the entire world. This recognition is also an acknowledgement of the outstanding business environment in Qatar, and particularly of the QFC, which is designed to nurture youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, and leadership.” 

Sheikha Alanoud bint Hamad Al-Thani, Managing Director, QFC Authority said: “I am humbled to represent Qatar as one of this year’s Young Global Leaders and proud to join other members from a diverse mix of nations, in shaping a more inclusive and sustainable future across borders and sectors. This is also a testament to the success of Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser and our leadership in leading and implementing ambitious human development reforms through education and youth empowerment initiatives that continue to drive positive change around the world. It is that commitment to making a better world for all that inspires me to pursue my dreams relentlessly and to achieve my goals.”

The London School of Economics and University of Oxford graduate hailed the opportunity to collaborate with members of her cohort and to continue developing her leadership abilities, saying: “By working together, we can become more responsible, strategic, and impactful leaders, and do more to better our communities, launch ground-breaking initiatives, revolutionise traditional ways of doing business, define new innovative ideas, and ensure that our voices are heard by decisions makers worldwide. But equally important is our commitment to inspire younger generations of future leaders.”

Launched by Klaus Schwab of the World Economic Forum in 2004, the Young Global Leaders are governed by a board of twelve world and industry leaders, ranging from Queen Rania of Jordan to Marissa Mayer of Yahoo! and Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales. Young Global Leaders participate in the Annual Meeting of the New Champions, established in 2007 and known informally as "Summer Davos", alongside Global Growth Companies and other delegations to the World Economic Forum.

“We are delighted to welcome the Class of 2021 at a time when cultivating responsible leadership is needed more than ever to steer us through the multiple challenges the world is facing,” said Nicole Schwab, Board Member of the Forum of Young Global Leaders, in a released statement.

Prior to her current position, Sheikha Alanoud held the roles of Vice President of Strategic Alliances, CEO Office, and Associate Director of Economic Affairs for the MENA region. She also previously served as the Qatar Country Director for Silatech, a Qatar-based social initiative that connects young people to employment opportunities across the Arab region.

The QFC is an onshore jurisdiction that allows registered companies to enjoy competitive benefits, such as up to 100% foreign ownership, 100% repatriation of profits, 10% corporate tax on locally sourced profits, and an extensive double taxation treaty network with over 80 countries, a legal environment based on English common law and the right to trade in any currency.