In a nation transforming at record speed, people strategy is no longer an internal function — it is a national lever. As Saudi Arabia accelerates Vision 2030, launches giga-projects, expands sovereign-backed industries, and modernizes healthcare, finance, hospitality, and sports, one factor sits at the center of execution: talent.
The Top 10 Voices in HR, Leadership & People Strategy in Saudi Arabia (2026) reflect leaders shaping this workforce transformation from inside institutions that matter. From CHROs overseeing enterprise-wide reform to talent acquisition specialists staffing mega-projects, these professionals are building the systems, pipelines, and cultures powering the Kingdom’s economic shift.
While influence on LinkedIn varies, each individual featured here demonstrates institutional credibility, strategic scope, and a visible contribution to Saudi Arabia’s evolving people landscape.
Here are the leaders shaping Saudi Arabia’s human capital future.
Highlights
Sarah Adam
Sarah Adam operates at the forefront of Saudi Arabia’s talent expansion. She focuses on roles aligned with Vision 2030 and national giga-projects. In her current confidential government role, she leads executive recruitment and specialized sourcing. Her work supports large-scale initiatives such as NEOM, Red Sea Global, and Qiddiya.
Her recruitment scope spans infrastructure, oil and gas, engineering, and mega-developments. This places her close to the Kingdom’s economic transformation engine. While her content often highlights job opportunities, that visibility reflects real-time workforce demand across strategic industries.
She was selected for her direct involvement in building talent pipelines tied to national development. Following her offers insight into recruitment trends and executive hiring patterns. It also reveals the scale of workforce demand shaping Saudi Arabia’s next phase.
Noura Almuhanna
Noura Almuhanna serves as Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist within a PIF company in the sports sector — an industry central to Saudi Arabia’s diversification agenda. Operating within a sovereign wealth-backed entity adds institutional weight to her talent strategy responsibilities.
In addition, her consistent digital presence and recognition across regional platforms position her as one of the more visible HR voices in the GCC. Although her content often blends motivation and recruitment insight, her role directly contributes to staffing emerging investment-backed sectors.
Her inclusion reflects the growing influence of sports and entertainment in Saudi Arabia’s workforce evolution. Following her provides a perspective on candidate engagement, employer branding, and talent acquisition within high-growth environments.
Sara Alghosoon
As Human Resources Lead at Tharwah Group, Sara Alghosoon brings over seven years of progressive experience in Human Resources, combining strategic leadership with strong operational excellence. Her professional foundation was shaped at PwC Middle East within the consulting sector, where she developed a structured, governance-driven approach that positions HR as a true strategic business partner rather than a transactional support function.
Throughout her career, Sara has led comprehensive HR transformations — from establishing HR departments from the ground up to executing integrated HR strategies, operating models, and governance frameworks aligned with Saudi Labor Law and international best practices. She has played a pivotal role in embedding HR structures that enhance organizational effectiveness, ensure compliance, and directly support business growth.
Her CIPD, PHRI, and Certified KPI Professional (C-KPI) credentials reinforce her expertise in applying global HR standards, performance measurement methodologies, and governance frameworks. With hands-on experience across both private and government-affiliated sectors, she demonstrates the ability to adapt international frameworks to local market realities while maintaining strategic alignment.
Sara represents the modern HR Business Partner model across the Saudi private and public sectors — leading cultural alignment initiatives, elevating employee experience, leveraging digital HR systems, and ensuring that human capital strategy acts as a catalyst for sustainable business performance and long-term organizational success.
Abdullah Al Khorsan
Abdullah Al Khorsan is the Chief Human Resources Officer at AlYemni Group. He leads enterprise-level HR strategy across its diversified portfolio. He is also a Founding Board Member of the Saudi Shared Services Association. Previously, he served on the HR Committee at the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce.
Moreover, his expertise in shared services integration and governance-driven operating models reflects structural HR transformation rather than transactional management. His strong posting cadence further positions him as an active contributor to regional HR dialogue.
He was selected for combining institutional authority with ecosystem leadership. Following him offers insight into shared services strategy, workforce governance, and operational alignment at scale.
Abdulrahman Alsheail
As Director – Advisory Middle East at KPMG Saudi Arabia, Abdulrahman Alsheail leads human capital transformation projects across both government and private sectors. His work intersects strategy, culture, and structural reform at the national scale.
Additionally, his involvement with the Saudi Leadership Society under Misk Foundation and his role with the SHRM Certification Commission extend his impact into leadership development and professional standards.
His inclusion reflects advisory-level influence in shaping Saudi Arabia’s organizational modernization. Following him provides a perspective on change management, culture transformation, and strategic workforce restructuring.
Hajer AlSalem
Hajer AlSalem serves as Head of People and Culture at Aluminium Products Company (ALUPCO), leading large-scale workforce and digital transformation initiatives that elevate performance and operational excellence across the organization. She champions people strategy as a powerful engine for sustainable growth and competitive advantage.
With over 15 years of cross-industry leadership experience — including her tenure at global multinational 3M — Hajer is known for advancing HR governance, accelerating workforce localization, and cultivating high-trust, high-performance cultures within complex, regulated environments.
Yahya Alamari
Yahya Alamari brings national workforce strategy experience to his role as Chief Human Resources Officer at SMC Healthcare. Previously serving as Executive Director of Healthcare National Workforce Planning at the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties, he led initiatives impacting over 270,000 Ministry of Health employees.
Moreover, his Chartered FCIPD and Institute of Directors affiliations reinforce governance and policy-level expertise. His background reflects transformational leadership across healthcare and public-sector ecosystems.
He was chosen for demonstrating systemic impact beyond a single organization. Following him provides insight into healthcare workforce modernization and large-scale public transformation.
Hayfa Abuzabibah
Hayfa Abuzabibah serves as CHRO and Chief Omnipreneurship Officer at Petromin Corporation, leading comprehensive human capital transformation aligned with the corporate 2030 strategy. Notably, she reports scaling learning infrastructure by 1,667% and deploying executives to global institutions, including MIT, Cambridge, and INSEAD.
In addition, she has been recognized among the top female HR executives in KSA and listed among influential HR leaders in the Middle East. Her NRC memberships further extend governance visibility.
She was selected for measurable business impact combined with industry recognition. Following her offers a perspective on digital HR transformation, executive development, and performance-driven culture design.
Heba Bin Dayel
Heba Bin Dayel leads Learning & Development at the Pre-Opening Four Seasons Red Sea, playing a critical role in one of Saudi Arabia’s most high-profile luxury hospitality developments.
With experience across multiple pre-opening projects, she has successfully designed and executed full-scale onboarding and training frameworks from the ground up, overseeing workforce readiness for more than 700 team members while aligning operations with Forbes Travel Guide and LQA luxury service benchmarks.
Additionally, her Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification reflects operational discipline alongside service excellence. Building learning structures from inception demonstrates both strategic foresight and execution capability.
She was selected to represent workforce readiness within luxury hospitality expansion, reinforcing her role as a key contributor to shaping service culture at scale.
Badr Al-Rowaili
Badr Al-Rowaili serves as Chief Human Resources Officer at Almana Hospitals and is a member of the CIPD KSA Advisory Committee. Previously holding senior HR leadership roles within major healthcare institutions, he positions HR as a strategic driver of performance and agility.
Moreover, his Chartered FCIPD credentials and recognition among HR leadership circles reinforce professional credibility at both local and global levels.
Saudi Arabia selected him to represent healthcare transformation within its broader development agenda. Following him offers insight into data-driven HR, performance alignment, and institutional modernization.
Final Thoughts: Shaping the Workforce Powering Vision 2030
The Top 10 Voices in HR, Leadership & People Strategy in Saudi Arabia (2026) show one clear shift. Workforce strategy is now inseparable from national transformation.
Collectively, these leaders are staffing giga-projects and redesigning governance models. They are also modernizing healthcare systems, strengthening Saudization, and embedding digital learning across major institutions.
As Saudi Arabia expands into sports, tourism, advanced manufacturing, and global investment, HR will become even more strategic. These professionals are not simply managing people functions — they are shaping the talent architecture behind Vision 2030.
For executives, founders, policymakers, and HR leaders, these voices reveal how Saudi Arabia is building a future-ready workforce at scale.
Highlights
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