Five women from Qatar make it to Forbes Middle East's 100 Most Powerful Businesswomen 2025 list

Five influential women from Qatar have earned a place on Forbes Middle East’s 100 Most Powerful Businesswomen list for 2025, recognizing their exceptional leadership and impact in finance, healthcare, technology, and education. The annual ranking honors women shaping the region’s economy through innovation, strategic leadership, and business growth.

The 2025 list features leaders from 32 industries and 29 nationalities, with banking and financial services dominating the rankings, followed by healthcare and technology. This year, 27 new names were introduced, while the UAE led with 46 entries, followed by Egypt (18) and Saudi Arabia (9).

Here is the list of Qatar’s Top Businesswomen in 2025

Mira Al Attiyah (#32) – CEO, QNB Capital

Mira Al Attiyah leads Qatar’s representation on the list, ranking 32nd after a significant rise from her 68th position last year. Since taking the helm of QNB Capital in 2014, she has played a key role in expanding the investment banking arm of QNB Group into a major player in regional and international markets. Under her leadership, the company has served as a joint lead manager on sovereign, corporate bond, and sukuk offerings worth over $50 billion.

Before her current role, Al Attiyah was the Assistant Undersecretary for Trade Affairs at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and held senior positions at ictQATAR.

Iyabo Tinubu-Karch (#59) – CEO, Sidra Medicine

As CEO of Sidra Medicine, a Qatar Foundation member, Iyabo Tinubu-Karch has led groundbreaking advancements in medical research and healthcare. Since joining in November 2022, she has overseen key milestones, including Qatar’s first clinical trial on congenital hyperinsulinism in October 2024 and the launch of the country’s first cord blood bank in November. Under her leadership, Sidra Medicine was also recognized with the BRIO-8 award for excellence in imaging and pediatric cancer research.

Beyond Sidra, Tinubu-Karch is the founder and CEO of 6M Geriatrics and Hospital Medicine. She made a notable leap on the list, climbing from 87th place in 2024.

Lana Khalaf (#66) – General Manager, Microsoft Qatar

A veteran in the tech industry, Lana Khalaf has been at the forefront of Microsoft’s digital transformation efforts in Qatar since becoming General Manager in 2018. She leads a team of over 200 people, driving AI-powered innovations across multiple sectors, including healthcare, education, government, and transport.

Under her leadership, Microsoft Qatar has helped more than 90 organizations, including Qatar Airways, QatarEnergy, Vodafone, and Ooredoo, transition from digital to AI-driven operations. Khalaf, who has over 20 years of industry experience, also serves as a board member of the US-Qatar Business Council. Before joining Microsoft, she worked with Samsung and Active Mania.

Leonie Ruth Lethbridge (#74) – COO & Executive General Manager, Commercial Bank

Leonie Ruth Lethbridge has played a key role in the growth of Commercial Bank since joining in 2017. In 2024, the bank reported a net profit of $643.2 million and total assets worth $44.8 billion. Under her leadership, Commercial Bank launched DHL4SMEs, a new initiative in partnership with DHL Express Qatar, aimed at supporting small and medium-sized enterprises. She also oversaw the issuance of the bank’s inaugural three-year Green Bond, valued at $266.8 million.

Lethbridge, an Australian national, is a board member of Alternatif Bank and previously worked with ANZ for 15 years, including serving as CEO of ANZ Royal Bank.

Sheikha Anwar bint Nawaf Al Thani (#77) – CEO, Al Faleh Educational Holding

A key figure in Qatar’s education sector, Sheikha Anwar bint Nawaf Al Thani led Al Faleh Educational Holding’s successful listing on the Qatar Stock Exchange’s main market in January 2024. This followed its initial listing on the Venture Market in 2021. For the fiscal year ending August 2024, the company reported revenue of $30.9 million, with total assets valued at $94.6 million.

Previously, Sheikha Anwar was a member of the Qatar Supreme Education Council and served on the board of Reach Out to Asia.

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