‘Women have run out of excuses’: Princess Lamia on what it takes to build the next generation

“I’ll say something some won’t like, but it’s true. We as women have run out of ‘excuses.’ There’s no longer a clear barrier. Everything is available now. It’s on us to succeed with it,” Princess Lamia says in her typical style.

Such directness comes from experience, and if there is one battle that defines her legacy, it could be that of her commitment to women’s legal empowerment. In 2014, she spearheaded an initiative that, at the time, was extraordinary – training 700 female lawyers and handling over 3,500 pro bono cases for women in need.

“People asked, ‘Why are you making women legally aware?’ It wasn’t easy. We went into prisons, schools, universities. We faced resistance – getting a permit wasn’t easy. Some officials questioned why we were even doing this.”

But Saudi Arabia was on the brink of transformation. When landmark legal reforms accelerated post-2015, the Princess did not stand idly by, instead becoming part of the machinery making it happen.

“Now I can get my own passport, travel, do my business, marry as I wish. I’m free to make my own decisions. Even the family law has changed – mothers’ rights, children’s rights. Saudi Arabia is where it’s supposed to be, and Saudi women have proven their capability.”

She credits much of this progress to Saudi Arabia’s leadership, particularly Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. However, she also acknowledges that much of the groundwork for these achievements was laid by women who came before her – a mark of her characteristic humility.

“You see women like Reema bint Bandar, or me, or Sara al-Suhaimi, or Rania Nashar, or Mishaal Alshamimry. We’re not 15 years old; we’re grown women who had prepared for this time. That shows you a previous generation of mothers instilled that vision in us. They’re the real heroes.”

When asked what she feels nations seeking similar transformation need, she says, “They need King Salman and the Crown Prince. It’s all about the vision. King Salman trusted Prince Mohammed – his vision, his direction – and that’s unprecedented. We’ve never had a leader at such a young age. Meanwhile, 70 per cent of the population is under 28, and he speaks their language. He knows they want opportunities, and we didn’t have entertainment, tourism, a Ministry of Culture, or a space agency. Now you see how many opportunities are open, how much the quality of life improved.”

Breaking boundaries, shaping media

Princess Lamia’s upbringing prepared her for a life of boundary-breaking. Born to a Saudi father and an Egyptian mother, she grew up navigating two cultures: the free-flowing energy of Egypt and the structured traditions of Saudi Arabia. It was a duality that would later shape her mission in life – advancing women’s rights, rethinking philanthropy, and redefining the media landscape.

“There was no media sector for females in Saudi Arabia. I graduated in marketing, advertising, PR, and had a minor in journalism, so the safest and easiest option was in Egypt.”

But safe and easy have never really been her path. Her first venture into publishing, Mada Magazine, quickly captured the attention of the Saudi prince, entrepreneur, and grandson of the kingdom’s founder King Abdulaziz Al Saud, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal. Their meeting was a turning point. “He was a subscriber,” she says. “Then one day, he asked to meet me.” What followed was the opportunity of a lifetime – taking charge of Rotana Magazine, expanding into Convo Youth Magazine, and eventually, leading Rotana Media Group, one of the largest media conglomerates in the region.

Scaling global philanthropic impact

Her success in media might have been enough for most, but Princess Lamia operates on a different scale of ambition. As Secretary General of Alwaleed Philanthropies, a foundation with a 45-year legacy of global impact, she is responsible for pioneering initiatives across 190 countries. But despite its vast scale, she insists, the organisation’s impact is deeply personal.

“We run more than 70 projects with 85 partners,” she explains. “But I have a team of just 10 women, and we don’t just come to work – we believe in the cause.” And belief, in her case, is inseparable from action. Philanthropy, as she sees it, is not about financial handouts, it is about systemic solutions that create sustainable change.

Under her guidance, Alwaleed Philanthropies has launched numerous initiatives aimed at empowering women, alleviating poverty, promoting cultural understanding, and addressing global humanitarian crises. One such project is the Captinah Initiative, which provided women with financial independence by offering cars for female drivers in Saudi Arabia, a move that aligned with the country’s broader social reforms.

“Giving women the opportunity to drive was about more than mobility – it was about freedom, independence, and creating opportunities that didn’t exist before.”

Her work with Alwaleed Philanthropies extends far beyond Saudi Arabia, spanning initiatives in art, social impact, and climate action – which can be seen in Atlai. “Atlai itself doesn’t reflect any single project we have – it’s somewhat like our Breakthrough Energy Venture with Bill Gates [the initiative aims to accelerate innovation in sustainable energy and in other technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions], but we wanted something different,” she explains. “We created Atlai to track deforestation globally, generate reports, and alert governments, activists, policymakers, and the public.”

The reach of these projects often extends beyond public recognition, but for Princess Lamia, that is not the priority. “We have projects running in places where people don’t even know our name, and that’s okay. The work matters more than the recognition.”

Driving inclusion with AI

Princess Lamia doesn’t believe in complacency. She thrives in the space between what exists and what is possible. Her leadership in Rotana’s media empire provides a fascinating counterpoint to her philanthropic efforts. As CEO, she has been key in guiding Rotana through the digital media revolution, balancing its rich legacy of traditional broadcasting with the demands of streaming, AI-driven content curation, and shifting audience habits.

“AI is scary,” she admits, “but it’s also an opportunity. If we use it right, we can create something remarkable. Research says AI will eliminate a lot of positions – call centres, back offices, some teaching roles. The foundation and I want to create the first initiative that helps retrain these groups.” It is a vision rooted in her broader philosophy – change is inevitable, but its direction is a choice. Rather than resisting technology, she wants to leverage it for inclusion and opportunity.

Perhaps one of the most fascinating aspects of Princess Lamia’s career is her ability to connect seemingly disparate fields – media, philanthropy, sustainability, and women’s empowerment – into a cohesive vision. She is not just reacting to change, she is helping define it.

As Saudi Arabia undergoes one of the most significant transformations in its history, figures like Princess Lamia are playing a vital role in shaping the nation’s new identity. Her work is not just about empowering women, it is about fostering a society where opportunity, equality, and progress are available to all. She sees herself not just as a leader, but as part of a broader movement – one that ensures the next generation inherits a more equitable, innovative, and sustainable world.

Looking ahead, she sees Alwaleed Philanthropies becoming a global case study for impact. “I think we’ll start exporting our model to other philanthropies – sharing how we handle projects remotely, measure data, maintain partnerships.”

And on a personal level? “I want to run a marathon next year – 21 or 23 kilometres, something in the twenties,” she says. “Every year I plan, and there’s no time. So hopefully in 2025 or 2026. Might sound small, but it’s important to me.”

Interview by: Majd Albahou
Photography by: Sebastian Boettcher
Hair by: Dany Azar
Design direction by: Geri Sonny