Founded in 2016 in the United Kingdom, the Creative Women Forum offers unique opportunities to connect with outstanding female thought leaders and decision-makers. Participants hear inspiring stories, learn successful strategies, and think outside the box while fostering a community of empowered and innovative women. Each year, this extraordinary gathering attracts elite participants from various backgrounds, including royalty, ministers, CEOs, scientists, creatives, and changemakers.
Following the impressive success of the 2024 Saudi Forum, which was recognized as a milestone in women’s leadership development, the 2025 Forum was also hosted in Saudi Arabia, building on this legacy with even greater ambition. Aligned with the strategic goals of Saudi Vision 2030, the event highlighted the Kingdom’s commitment to advancing the role of women in national development, innovation, and global dialogue. Through high-level keynote speeches, dynamic panel discussions, practical workshops, and curated networking opportunities, the Creative Women Forum continued its mission to empower women in leadership, engage communities, and create a sustainable legacy for future generations.
This Forum has become a key platform for women leaders to share their success strategies, connect with innovators, and participate in workshops that broaden their horizons. We at DQ Living are excited about the opportunity to connect with these inspiring figures and learn about their vision for creativity in Saudi Arabia and beyond.
In her opening remarks, Olga Balakleets, Founder of the Creative Women Forum, expressed her deepest gratitude to the Forum’s Patron, HRH Princess Noura bint Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Founder of Almashtal and Rukun. Mrs. Balakleets noted that HRH Princess Noura’s exceptional vision, leadership, and unwavering support have been crucial in transforming this annual gathering into a significant and growing movement for women, both in Saudi Arabia and throughout the region.
In turn, HRH Princess Noura bint Saud emphasized that the Forum brings together minds and experiences united by curiosity, courage, and a passion for meaningful change. “As Patron of this Forum, my mission is simple yet deeply rooted: I believe in building bridges—intellectual, emotional, and cultural—so that knowledge, experience, and hope can flow freely across generations and communities. We are especially proud to host this year’s forum at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, the largest women’s university in the world, and one of the Kingdom’s leading centers of knowledge and innovation,” stated HRH Princess Noura bint Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
The three-day Forum was thoughtfully organized around themes aimed at benefiting both the Saudi Arabian community and the global community: “Heritage and Horizons: Leading with Intellect, Innovation, and Integrity,” “Enterprising Women: Purposeful Growth for a Sustainable World,” and “Creative Legacies: Culture, Wellness, and the Power of Storytelling.”
One of the most poignant speeches was delivered by HH Princess Mashael bint Saud Al Shalan on “Women in Energy,” where she made a compelling case for the significance of sustainable and equitable development. She highlighted that sustainable development is essential, particularly for the growing populations of the Arabian peninsula, which can only thrive through such practices. “It is important to understand and answer the question of when and why we should pursue sustainable development. We need to move beyond an ecosystem focused on resource extraction and address inequality and equity. And, just as importantly, to sustain ourselves in today’s reality,” stated Princess Mashael. To conclude her speech, HH Princess Mashael stated, “When we talk about sustainable development today, we must ensure that we sustain dignity, belonging, and promise in what we create, and that what we create is intended for us in a positive way.”
Indeed, the three-day Forum became not only a celebration of women and their potential but also a unique platform for exchanging thoughts and ideas that, while seemingly obvious, are rarely discussed. One such idea was expressed by Lisa Kurbiel, who has worked across the United Nations system in Somalia, South Sudan, Mozambique, and Kenya for over 22 years. Ms. Kurbiel emphasized that the commitment to gender equality has been ingrained in the DNA of the United Nations since its inception, with the adoption of the first international agreement affirming the principle of equality between men and women as a fundamental human right. Today, some governments and communities empower women, utilizing their knowledge, experience, skills, and inspiration to foster development. However, others limit women’s potential, hindering their countries’ progress.
On the sidelines of the Forum, DQ Living had the opportunity to interview Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia, Lady de Silva, who shared her insights on the new global standards of creativity and the preservation of authenticity in countries like Saudi Arabia. Princess Katarina highlighted, “While artificial intelligence and other technological tools are becoming significant components of our lives, enhancing human well-being, the value of traditions and culture should not be diminished in the slightest. After all, it is through our traditions and connection to our roots and culture that we learn and embody the word ‘respect’—a key component of any endeavor that leads to success.”
Given Lady de Silva’s numerous contributions to making the world a better place, we asked her to define “leadership” from her unique perspective. “My definition of leadership is respect for the people you work with, whether in your country or community. Being a good leader means embracing a broad range of ideas, being open to new perspectives, and inspiring confidence in others,” stated Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia, Lady de Silva.
Another influential speaker at the forum was Keira Chaplin, granddaughter of the legendary actor Charlie Chaplin and founder of the Chaplin Awards, which honor actors and directors who embody qualities of realism, versatility, and courage. In an interview with DQ Living, Mrs. Keira expressed her joy at visiting Saudi Arabia for the first time and witnessing how women are contributing to the country’s development in various fields. She also hopes for a Saudi edition of the Golden Cane Awards in the future, a program she established to recognize the rising talents of young artists in music, film, social media, and content creation.
As Executive Director Rebeca Riofrio noted, the Creative Women’s Forum 2025 has become a new source of inspiration and creativity for both established and aspiring women seeking their paths in life and daring to dream beyond the workplace. It helps women become leaders with confidence, resilience, and determination. The Creative Women Forum 2025 Saudi edition evolved into more than just a conference; it became a catalyst—a call to reimagine leadership not only in Saudi Arabia but around the world.
