What do you consider the main achievements in your life?
For me, any impact, whether on the world or an individual, is an achievement.
Growing up, I didn’t have many Arab women role models in aerospace engineering, which made my dream feel distant. Pursuing this career as a woman from the GCC region felt like a gamble, but I’ve loved every moment of it. The most rewarding part is seeing younger women approach me for advice or inspiration about STEM. Beyond aerospace, I’ve also been a strong advocate for women in sports here in Saudi. It’s been incredible to witness the milestones we’ve reached, far from the Paris 2024
Olympics yet, but aligned with Vision 2030, we’re making steady progress.
What drives you to be at the top of your game? What are your success strategies?
I’ve always felt I had a calling and treating every day as a blessing to fulfil it is what drives me to be at the top of my game. My strategy is simple: embrace challenges, keep showing up, and iterate until I get it right. One life-changing tip I received was to find a mentor, not just for career guidance but for life. That advice transformed my approach and opened doors I hadn’t even imagined.
Have you dealt with failure? If so, how did you overcome it and resurge?
Failure is inevitable, and every failure strengthens my resilience. Early in my career, I faced rejection after rejection, it was disheartening at first. But I shifted my mindset when someone told me, “The right door will open for you.” From then on, I started approaching setbacks with humour. I even made a video compiling my rejection letters and shared it on LinkedIn to show the reality of the journey. Adopting a proactive and positive outlook has kept me grounded and focused.
How easy was it for you to speak up and share your story when times were tough?
It wasn’t easy at first. Culturally, we often swept tough conversations under the rug.
But my mom, known for her boldness and vibrance, taught me to speak my mind. I found my voice initially through poetry, it helped me process and articulate my thoughts. Over time, I realized that staying silent wasn’t an option. Echoing Emma Watson’s words: “If not me, who? If not now, when?” That was the push I needed to start sharing.
What did you have to do in order to be able to do share your story to inspire others?
Two things: being vulnerable and not being afraid to look foolish. Both are uncomfortable, but they’re necessary for authenticity. As June Jordan said, “We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.” It’s about trailblazing and embracing the discomfort along the way.