I always had a passion for both fashion and banking. However, I chose my career in the banking industry and I have been working in the field for 13 years.
I work in the treasury department at one of the largest banks in the country, in charge of corporate treasury sales covering the eastern and western regions of Saudi Arabia.
My job is an active job; it is continually changing. Any event that happens in the global market impacts our job; price changes mean strategy changes.
Communicating with people and talking to clients inside and outside the bank is something that I enjoy. We are always connecting and interacting with people, and trying to understand them and what they are looking for, then coming up with the best solution for them.
I grew up in a very supportive and active family. My mother and father both worked, which contributed a lot to the way I think.
Throughout my upbringing, my mother played a huge role, believing that women have to work and be independent. She was a mother, a student, and had a full-time job while having a business on the side.
My father is an ex-banker, and I think that is where my love for banking came in.
I have three sisters and one brother, and I am the eldest in the family. My brother and I were born close together — there is only 11 months difference between us. My brother and I had a strong bond between us, and I used to be his protector.
From a young age, our parents taught us to be independent, and they paid attention to education. We used to have a lot of activities during summer breaks.
We also built a strong relationship with both grandmothers. Having an elder in your life gives a sense of balance and harmony, and you learn respect and responsibility toward your elder loved ones.
I am from Alkhobar in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, and that is where I live and work. I regularly travel to Jeddah for work. It is a lovely city, especially Al-Balad, except for the city’s stray cats. There are lots of them, and I have a phobia about cats.
Although not married yet, I have two amazing nephews and one niece, and one is on the way.
I graduated from Bentley University in Massachusetts. I studied corporate finance and accounting and took a minor in government. I had a dream to work in the diplomatic field, but that was not possible back then.
After my graduation I told my father that when I returned to Saudi Arabia I would work in a bank in the treasury segment. He was surprised because it is not usually a job for females. Banking is a male-dominated industry, and the fewest number of females in the industry are found in the treasury because it is a stressful job, and the employee has to work long hours. However, my father has always been supportive of me.
Being one of the first females in the organization in such a position and reaching this at a young age is a significant achievement for me.
There is a quote that says, “Dream the impossible, seek the unknown, and achieve greatness.” I always want to be a change-maker wherever I am. I want to be in a position where I can do more for the country and the organization and challenge the status quo.
Every year I like to challenge and improve myself. I always like to educate myself and improve my managing and leading skills. I firmly believe that success is not the work of an individual. The whole team has to succeed for you to succeed.
