10 Powerful Businesswomen Leading Family-Owned Businesses

Our list of the 10 powerful businesswomen leading some of the largest family-owned companies and groups in the region features women who have inherited family legacies and possess exceptional expertise. They're managing vast conglomerates across diverse sectors of the economy, including industry, technology, and education. The list includes three entries based in the U.A.E., two from Oman, and one from each of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Morocco, Bahrain, and Lebanon.

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Raja Easa AI Gurg; Muna Easa AI Gurg

Chairperson & Managing Director; Vice Chairperson & Director of Retail

Company: Easa Saleh AI Gurg Group (ESAG)

Nationality: Emirati

Residence: U.A.E.

Raja has been with ESAG since 1989, while Muna joined in 2002. They assumed their current roles in 2022. ESAG has over 30 companies and employs more than 4,000 people. Raja is also the deputy chairperson of the National Bank of Fujairah, a board member of Dubai Health and the Dubai Chambers, and vice chairperson of the board of trustees at the University of Dubai. She is leading the opening of the Hamdan Bin Rashid Cancer Hospital, due to open in 2026. Muna established the Meem Foundation in 2023 and is a member of the board of advisors for the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa).

2 Lubna S. Olayan

Chair of the Executive Committee & Deputy Chair

Company: Olayan Financing Company (OFC)

Nationality: Saudi

Residence: Saudi Arabia

OFC is the parent company of the Olayan Group's business in Saudi Arabia, the Middle East, Türkiye, and India. In April 2024, OFC and Lunate reached an agreement with the Investment Corporation of Dubai and Brookfield Corporation to acquire a 49% stake in ICD Brookfield Place, a retail property in Dubai. Olayan is also the chairperson of the Olayan Saudi Holding Company and has served as the chairperson of the Saudi Awwal Bank since 2019. She is a member of the MIT Corporation and the board of trustees of the World Economic Forum.

3 Renuka Jagtiani

Chairwoman

Company: Landmark Group

Nationality: Indian

Residence: U.A.E.