By Katie Brown
Under the esteemed patronage of HRH Princess Noura bint Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Creative Women Forum 2024 promises to be a monumental gathering, bringing together global leaders, innovators, and visionaries from various industries. Set in Riyadh from 7-8 October 2024, this forum is not just an opportunity to celebrate women’s achievements across business, technology, and the arts—it’s a transformative moment in history where the fusion of tradition and progress takes centre stage.
The Creative Women Platform, founded and directed by CEO Olga Balakleets, is bringing to Riyadh the transcendental Creative Women Forum. Rebeca Riofrio, ambassador of the platform together with the platform executive committee are behind this landmark event in the saudi capital.
A British director, entrepreneur, and visionary, Rebeca Riofrio has dedicated over 24 years to revolutionising industries through her innovative blend of creativity and business acumen. Her influence spans various fields, including the arts and fashion, currently she acts as the founder & director of Art in Fusion TV, education as a marketing manager at Anglia Ruskin University London, digital marketing and investment as a director of SIGULP, ambassador for e-commerce company Grozeo and media as the editor-in-chief of Parliament News Magazine. Additionally, her role as Chairwoman of the UK Parliamentary Society for Arts, Fashion, and Sports solidifies her standing as a prominent figure in global leadership and mentorship.
A Journey to Empowerment and Cultural Understanding
For Rebeca, the Creative Women Forum holds profound significance—not just professionally, but personally. Her deep connection to Saudi Arabia has been nurtured through years of collaboration with key figures such as Othman Al Omeir, a renowned media mogul and owner of Elaph Media. Through these meaningful relationships, Rebeca has come to appreciate the tremendous strides Saudi Arabia has made toward empowering women, shattering old stereotypes and misconceptions about the Kingdom, particularly those concerning women’s rights.
Having witnessed the evolution of Saudi society firsthand, Rebeca is passionate about helping Western audiences, particularly women, fall in love with the region, much as she has. She believes that misconceptions of danger and oppression are far from the reality of modern Saudi Arabia, where women's empowerment is at the heart of Vision 2030—a progressive reform programme initiated by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Since 2017, significant changes have occurred, paving the way for greater gender equality, with Saudi women becoming increasingly active in the workforce, business, and leadership roles.
Rebeca’s presence at the Creative Women Forum in Riyadh is a testament to her belief in the power of cross-cultural understanding and collaboration. As one of the driving forces behind this event, Rebeca is committed to helping bridge Western and Middle Eastern perspectives, focusing on shared values of creativity, leadership, and empowerment.
Originally from South America, with British nationality, Rebeca holds extensive global experience, making her uniquely capable of navigating both Western and Eastern business environments. She has also been a recipient of the Queen’s Award for Business and Enterprise through her education business ventures. Her contributions to media and fashion are equally impressive, having worked with numerous luxury brands and participated in international film festivals such as Cannes, which reflect her unparalleled ability to unite creativity with commercial success.
Her efforts extend beyond business. Rebeca is a passionate advocate for women's rights, championing global campaigns against human trafficking, modern slavery, and institutional harassment. Her contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including the Big Ben Award at the House of Lords and the European Businesswomen of the Year Award. This year 2024, she gave speeches on women’s empowerment in Italy and Malta, where she was honoured with the Olive Tree of Malta for her work with young people and entrepreneurial women around the world.
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030: Women Leading the Future
At the core of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 is the empowerment of women—a goal that aligns perfectly with Rebeca’s own vision for the future. Vision 2030 aims to increase women’s participation in the workforce and elevate their roles in both the public and private sectors. These goals resonate deeply with Rebeca’s commitment to championing women’s leadership and innovation globally. The Creative Women Forum serves as an ideal platform for advancing this mission, with a programme that celebrates women’s contributions to business, science, technology, and the arts, while fostering cross-cultural dialogue.
Confirmed Speakers from All Corners of the Globe
The Creative Women Forum 2024 is proud to have confirmed many prominent speakers, travelling from all corners of the globe to participate in this historic event. Attendees will have the chance to engage with a diverse group of thought leaders, including Olympians, cybersecurity experts, CEOs, fashion icons, and entrepreneurs.
Speakers include:
The Creative Women Forum 2024 will feature an impressive array of speakers from across the globe, including Mako Abashidze, co-founder of The British Georgian Chamber of Commerce and owner and co-founder of the UK Georgian Trade Hub; Kariman Abuljadayel, a Saudi Olympian; Salwa Abuljadayel, a sportswoman and active in the film industry; Baria Alamuddin, Editor-in-Chief of the Media Services Syndicate; Sawsan Albahiti, opera singer, vocal coach, and arts director; Fatemah Alharbi, cybersecurity professor and researcher; Haifa AlMoqbel, CEO of Saudi Venture Capital; Basmah Al Sinaidi; Sara Althari, founder and managing partner at the TAG - The Althari Group; Ayumi Moore Aoki, founder and CEO of Women in Tech® Global; Somi Arian, founder and CEO of InPeak, entrepreneur, filmmaker, author, keynote speaker, and podcaster; Basma Al-Buhairan, Managing Director at C4IR; Fouz Fahad Al-Sabah, founder and managing director of Khaleejesque Media and Consultancy; Reema Bandar Al Saud, Saudi Ambassador to the United States; Farzana Baduel, CW Honorary Ambassador and founder of Curzon PR; Olga Balakleets, CEO at Creative Women Platform; Batoul Baz, Vice President of the Health Sector; Ouafa Belgacem, CEO of CFW; Iman Bibars, Vice President of Ashoka and Regional Director of Ashoka Arab World; Laura-Joy Boulos, partner at Globivest; Jacqueline Bourke, Senior Creative Director at Getty Images; Althea Bunce, founder of a luxury bespoke travel boutique and CWP Chair for Sri Lanka; Pernilla S. Corizza, founder and CEO of Honor Your Leadership and CWP Chair for Sweden; Sofana R. Dahlan, founder and lawyer at SRD Law Firm and founder of Mustanad; Ana Irene Delgado, a Panamanian lawyer, diplomat, and politician, currently serving as the Ambassador of Panama to the Organization of American States; Gabriella Di Laccio, an award-winning soprano, recording artist, public speaker, and curator; Amal Dokhan; Jill Douka, CW Chair for Greece, life coach, and best-selling author; Kahwa Douoguih, entrepreneur, economist, and educator, Professor of Practice in Business at Norwich University; Viola Edward, a multi-award-winning personal and corporate advisor/mentor and cross-cultural psychotherapist; Nahed Eshaq, founder and owner of PLAN Concepts; Yasmeen Gailani, Deputy Director and Client Liaison for MENA at Sotheby's; Selwa Al-Hazzaa, advisor to the president, SDM, and CEO and founder; Cassandra Heilbronn, CEO of a private family office; Alexa Jago; Lamia Kamel, founder of CC Plus and Narrative Summit; Aradhana Khowala, global thought leader and CEO of Aptamind Partners; Aswar Kadiè and Aswar Kicos Mohamed, founders and CEOs of Aswar Sports Agency; Avel Lenttan, CEO of InspiredRing, CEO of Avel Lenttan Jewelry, and CWP Honorary Ambassador; Valerie Levine, Director at Seven Oceans Technology Group LTD; Ilenia Lombardi, CWP Chair for Italy, founding member of BLS International Network, and Vice President of Glawbus; Michelle Mahlke, COO of The Floorr; Anamaria Meshkurti; Karen Millen OBE, British fashion icon; Camelia Mohebi, an award-winning contemporary artist; Storme Moore-Thornicroft, COO and founder of Emergex Vaccines; Maha Al-Mozaini, grant development and planning expert at the Research, Development, and Innovation Authority; Rouble Nagi, founder of the NGO Rouble Nagi Art Foundation; Tessy Antony de Nassau, UNAIDS Ambassador and co-founder of Professors Without Borders; Mariam Nouh, Vice President of the Future Economies Sector; Linda Papadopolous, research scientist and renowned psychologist; Linda Plant, entrepreneur, business owner, and interviewer for BBC's The Apprentice; Amna Al Qubaisi, Emirati Formula 1 racing driver; Lisa Randall, theoretical physicist and Frank B. Baird, Jr. Professor of Science at Harvard University; Denada Bare Rauch, CWP Chair for Albania and Lichtenstein, innovative leader, investor, and co-founder of ADLR Investment Fund; Rebeca Riofrio, Chair of the Parliamentary Society for Arts, Fashion and Sports; Karin Rodriguez, CFO at Signo Plast S.A. and President of the Women Economic Forum in Los Angeles, California; Reedah El-Saie, founder of Brainspark Games; Logina Salah, celebrity makeup artist and influencer; Mai Salama, founding partner of the Creative Industry Summit; Islee Oliva Salinas; Katarina De Silva; Farah Shammas, CWP Honorary Ambassador, CEO of St Raphael Hotel and Marina, and founder of Cook Vegan; Kaneka Subberwal, founder of ArtBahrain Across Borders and Tarakeeb Couture; Laura Timm, CWP Special Advisor, a member of the advisory body to the Mayor of London and of the Federation of Businesses; Ilijana Vavan, Chief Sales Officer at VMRay GmbH; Jamie Zhang, CEO of China International Capital Corporation (CICC); and Mirjam Katharina Zwingli, co-partner and Director of International Communication and Marketing at POLIGATE.
These esteemed individuals, among many others, will share their experiences, offering insights into their respective fields, while also highlighting the importance of women's empowerment and cross-cultural collaboration. This forum offers a unique opportunity for individuals wishing to strengthen their connections and network with influential leaders from across the globe.
The Significance of the Heritage Setting: At-Turaif District and Al Bujairi Amphitheatre
An integral part of the forum is its extraordinary setting. The Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony, taking place on October 7, 2024, will be held at the historic At-Turaif District, a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Diriyah. As Saudi Arabia’s first capital, At-Turaif holds immense cultural significance as the birthplace of the Saudi dynasty and a symbol of unity and resilience.
For Rebeca, hosting the gala at At-Turaif is deeply symbolic—it reflects the fusion of tradition and modernity that Saudi Arabia embodies today. The district’s restored Najdi architecture and rich historical narrative offer an evocative backdrop for the forum’s celebration of women’s leadership. The Al Bujairi Amphitheatre, where the awards will be presented, adds to the grandeur of the evening, showcasing Saudi Arabia’s forward-looking vision alongside its deep respect for cultural heritage. In the coming weeks, Rebeca will reveal the Saudi artists and fashion designers who will be part of this exceptional event, participating in the gala dinner awards ceremony.
A Vision for the Future
The Creative Women Forum is not just an event—it’s a movement towards a more inclusive and empowered future. Her belief in the importance of collaboration between Western and Middle Eastern women is at the heart of this vision, and she hopes that through initiatives like this, misconceptions surrounding Saudi Arabia will be replaced by understanding, admiration, and mutual respect.
As Rebeca often says, "Saudi Arabia’s transformation is a story the world needs to hear—one of progress, opportunity, and empowerment, especially for women."
, Saudi Arabia.
Main Features of the Event:
The Forum: (morning and afternoon event)
It will be held on 7th and 8th October 2024 at The Garage, an innovation hub at
KACST (King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Keynote SpeechesInspiring talks from global leaders and experts in various fields.
Panel Discussions and WorkshopsSessions focused on topics like entrepreneurship, innovation, female leadership, and more.
Networking OpportunitiesSpecial sessions during meals and breaks to connect with influential people from around the world.
The Gala Diner: (evening event)
It will be held on the 7th October 2024 at Bujairi Terrace Amphitheatre in Diriyah.
The Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony Celebrating the achievements of women, followed by a formal dinner.
Cultural Event at ad-Dir'iyahA final event blending tradition and innovation in a historic setting. Music, Fashion & Dance
For more information about the Creative Women Forum, visit https://creativewomen.co/cwevents/creative-women-forum-saudi-arabia/
If you wish to meet and greet Rebeca Riofrio while in Saudi Arabia please reach to info@parliamentarysociety.com
Comments