I have never shied away from giving back to my community. It all began at the age of 5, when I would go with my dad to his private company, attend meetings and visit his stores. I watched and learned.
As a result, my work ethic and leadership skills began to develop from an early age and now, years later, I am general manager of AlRammah International Advertising Co. (ADMEX).
I am driven by passion and dedication. I am Alanoud AlRammah and I have a story to tell.
I have four sisters and one brother, and I am the second daughter. I was born in Al-Khobar, and my family is my biggest source of support and encouragement. My role model in life is my mother, and in work it is my father. He is my main supporter and this made me want to grow and develop to become someone that makes a big mark on the world.
My siblings and I are close and have always helped one another. We lean on each other in the good times and difficult times — family always comes first. We are a close-knit family and my parents are keen to ensure we maintain a good, close relationship with one another. They also stressed the importance of education, always pushing us to strive for more, love life and enjoy our journey through it.
While in high school, I found myself immersed in so many ideas for starting a business. I consulted with my dad along the way, listened to his advice and landed on a good solid plan. In 1999 I established ADMEX, a specialized event-management agency.
I was fortunate that as I launched this business I gained a lot of support from my community, especially since I was helping to provide a platform to support female-led home businesses. My first event attracted approximately 20,000 women from across the Eastern Province.
Every step I took was another lesson as I educated myself in how to succeed in business. From inviting businesswomen to participate, to setting up a stage and lighting, this was what I needed to push myself further and expand the scope of my knowledge. This was a personal challenge: I am a giver by nature and there is a feeling of satisfaction in giving without expecting anything in return.
I received a diploma in management information systems from King Faisal University in 2003, while I was working in Aramco’s information technology department. I worked there for two years before moving to the human resources department for another two years. I graduated from the University of Phoenix in 2010 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology, and four years later I received an exhibition management degree from UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry.
Every now and then, I take a moment to collect my thoughts and prioritize my personal and professional goals. I find they are often one and the same.
While working for Aramco, I also became involved with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Eastern Province, and continue to be a part of it. It was a very difficult experience as I was the youngest female member and was not taken seriously until I began to better understand how things worked. Starting in 2002 I joined a number of committees, including the Hospitality and Entertainment Committee, and the Young Businesswomen Committee. I was president of the latter, which operates under the Prince Sultan Fund for Women’s Development.
I quickly came to understand that it was important that I commit some of my time to raising awareness of key issues such as community service, and the empowerment of women and young people.
In 2006 I joined the family business, AlRammah International Holding Co, of which I am a board member. It includes a number of companies operating in fields such as food, information technology, organization and management of events, and more.
In 2018 I was privileged to be appointed, by Minister of Commerce and Investment Majid AlQassabi, to the board of directors of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Eastern Province. I have dedicated 18 years to the chamber, starting as an intern and working my way up.
Though it might seem to anyone reading this that I am a workaholic, I look forward to my family vacation every year, during which we rejuvenate ourselves and re-establish our bonds. It is my getaway and, because family comes first, everything else is put aside for the duration — or at least I try to do so.
As I am very much a people person, I love traveling with friends as well, whether they are childhood pals or new ones I have made through my work. Unforgettable memories, I hold dear.
Every now and then, I take a moment to collect my thoughts and prioritize my personal and professional goals. I find they are often one and the same, as my personal growth reflects on my career.
Young people are the key to a prosperous future for Saudi Arabia. I intend to focus on employment and sustainable development in all fields, and dig deep to find solutions to the issues that can hinder the growth and development of our youth, not only in business but in all areas of society, to ensure that the obstacles they face are removed, for the good of their future and the Kingdom’s.
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Linkedin: @al-anoud-al-rammah