As a woman, a leader, and a believer in the Vision 2030 goals, I feel a deep sense of responsibility to support the advancement of women in the workforce.
My name is Yara Alhuwaymil, and I aspire to be one of the leading women in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the field of employment and human capital development. Since the beginning of my professional journey in 2014, I have been deeply committed to building inclusive and impactful workplaces that empower people—especially women—to thrive and lead.
I began my career in the quality management division within the banking sector, which laid a solid foundation for my analytical and organizational skills. Over the years, I transitioned through several leading organizations across multiple industries, including real estate and financial services. These experiences have allowed me to gain a comprehensive understanding of human resources across diverse sectors, helping me build agile and effective HR strategies aligned with business goals.
Today, I proudly serve as the Head of Human Capital at MEFIC Capital, one of the most prominent and respected investment firms in Saudi Arabia. It is a role I take immense pride in, not only because of the organization’s stature but because it allows me to make a meaningful impact every day through people-focused leadership.
Throughout my career, I have faced various professional challenges that tested my resilience and adaptability. Yet, each obstacle served as a stepping stone toward greater growth. These experiences have shaped my belief that every challenge is an opportunity to elevate others, particularly young women who are striving to carve out their space in the professional world.
One of the most defining moments in my leadership journey was being nominated for the INSEAD Women Leadership Program—a prestigious, government-sponsored initiative aimed at advancing Saudi women in business. Participating in this program was both a personal and professional milestone that offered new perspectives on leadership, strategy, and global collaboration. It reinforced my commitment to advocating for gender equity in the workplace.
Currently, I am leading a transformative initiative at MEFIC Capital called “Promising Women”—a program I personally designed to support and develop future female leaders within our organization. This program is focused on creating tailored training opportunities, leadership development tracks, and structured mentorship across all levels. My vision is to build a sustainable leadership pipeline for women, where growth is not only encouraged but institutionalized.
As a woman, a leader, and a believer in the Vision 2030 goals, I feel a deep sense of responsibility to support the advancement of women in the workforce. I hope to be a role model and source of guidance for the next generation of ambitious young women entering the Saudi labor market.
My journey is far from over, but my mission remains clear: to be a catalyst for change in the human capital landscape—championing diversity, enabling leadership, and building workplaces where women are empowered to lead boldly.
Aligning Human Capital Strategy with MEFIC’s Growth
At MEFIC, we ensure that our human capital strategy evolves in lockstep with the company’s business priorities by continuously realigning our workforce plans with market dynamics and organizational growth. We focus on strategic talent acquisition, leadership development, and capability building to support our expansion across asset management, private equity, and investment banking. This agility enables us to maintain a workforce that is prepared, empowered, and fully aligned with MEFIC’s long-term ambitions.
Developing Saudi Talent and Advancing Vision 2030
MEFIC is deeply committed to nurturing Saudi talent through structured training programs, partnerships with leading academic and professional institutions, and cooperative training opportunities. We invest in certifications and career development pathways that elevate the capabilities of young professionals. These initiatives not only strengthen our internal talent pipeline but also directly support the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 objective of cultivating a highly skilled national workforce.
Cultivating a Purpose-Driven and Client-Centric Culture
We reinforce our client-first ethos through continuous communication, internal awareness programs, and performance frameworks that emphasize integrity, teamwork, and learning. Engagement levels are closely monitored through regular surveys and feedback loops, allowing us to implement targeted initiatives that enhance motivation and alignment. This ensures that our people remain connected to MEFIC’s mission and committed to delivering exceptional client value.
Integrating ESG and Sustainability into Talent Development
As ESG investing and sustainable finance become integral to global financial markets, we have incorporated these themes into our learning and development programs. Our employees participate in specialized training, industry webinars, and credentialed courses that enhance their understanding of ESG frameworks and sustainable investment principles. This approach equips our teams with the knowledge necessary to navigate future investment landscapes.
Preparing the Workforce for Digital Finance
To stay ahead of industry transformation, we actively develop digital competencies across the organization. Our programs focus on data analytics, automation, cybersecurity, and AI-driven tools, alongside critical skills such as problem-solving and innovation. These capabilities are becoming essential as technology continues to reshape investment services, and we ensure our workforce is equipped to lead in the digital era.
Advancing Women in Finance
MEFIC is proud to champion gender diversity through targeted development programs, leadership pathways, and inclusive workplace policies. We provide women with growth opportunities, mentorship, and access to professional development resources. As a result, we are seeing increasing representation of women in key roles and growing female leadership across the organization — a positive reflection of our ongoing commitment to inclusion.
Balancing Strategic HR Planning with Daily Engagement
In a people-driven industry, balancing long-term HR strategy with day-to-day employee engagement is essential. We achieve this by combining strategic workforce planning with proactive support, transparent communication, and a responsive HR framework. This ensures that our employees feel valued and supported, while the organization continues to progress toward its long-term objectives.
Strengthening Culture Across Diverse Business Units
We reinforce a unified culture grounded in collaboration, integrity, and performance through leadership alignment, cross-functional initiatives, and continuous communication. Training programs and leadership development tools empower our managers to inspire their teams and champion MEFIC’s values. This approach creates a cohesive culture while allowing each business unit the flexibility to operate effectively.
The Future of MEFIC’s Workforce
Over the next five years, we anticipate a more agile and digitally capable workforce, supported by a stronger focus on specialized investment skills and analytical capabilities. Organizational structures will continue to evolve to promote efficiency, innovation, and faster decision-making. We are committed to developing talent that is adaptable, forward-thinking, and ready to meet emerging market demands.
Supporting Employees Through Organizational Change
As MEFIC continues to grow and evolve, the Human Capital function plays a pivotal role in guiding employees through periods of transition. We prioritize transparent communication, change-readiness programs, and continuous support to ensure that employees remain confident and engaged. Throughout this process, we safeguard MEFIC’s core values — integrity, excellence, and commitment — ensuring they remain embedded in everything we do.
