Empowering women today ensures a brighter tomorrow for everyone.
Through dynamic partnerships with Global Ties KC, the Department of State’s international exchanges have been empowering and championing women in politics, human rights reform, and initiatives that challenge gender-based violence — all of which are essential for building a truly equitable global community.
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However, true equality cannot be achieved until women are present and valued in all sectors of society. By amplifying the voices of women in business, we can drive transformative change from the ground up.
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Meet Lana Al-Saleh
Lana Al-Saleh exemplifies this vision. As Director of Advancement at Alfaisal University in Saudi Arabia, Lana has earned numerous accolades for her steadfast commitment to empowering women in business. Her honors include the “Middle East Women’s Leadership Award” in 2018, “The Pioneering Woman Leader Award” in 2019, and most recently, the “Outstanding Leadership Award” presented by Education 2.0 in 2023.
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Driven by an unyielding desire to catalyze change and uplift others, Lana has devoted her career to creating environments where Saudi women can excel at the forefront of business.
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Global Ties KC and the International Visitors Leadership Program
When Lana visited Kansas City as part of an International Visitors Leadership Program in 2015, she was still crafting her own narrative. Passionate about uplifting women in business, Lana was spearheading several projects aimed at expanding opportunities for women in Saudi Arabia, most notably the Makeen Society, which offered mentorship, education, and training programs to female entrepreneurs. Lana was one of eight female Saudi entrepreneurs selected to visit Kansas City for the Global Ties KC-facilitated program.
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Eager to glean insights to bring back home, Lana immersed herself in Kansas City’s vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem. She engaged with the Women’s Business Center, toured the Kansas City Startup Village, and connected with aspiring student entrepreneurs at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She witnessed firsthand the profound impact that mentorship and education can have on empowering emerging businesswomen.
At the program’s conclusion, Lana was honored to connect with fellow internationally-minded businesswomen at a community reception hosted by Global Ties KC. There, she shared her ambitious plans to establish a center dedicated to providing training, funding, and support to aspiring female entrepreneurs in Saudi Arabia.
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Expansion of Female Entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia
Since Lana’s visit to Kansas City in 2015, Saudi Arabia has enacted new laws supporting women in business and witnessed unprecedented progress in women joining the labor market in previously male-dominated industries. This remarkable progress is due in no small part to the pioneering efforts of women like Lana, who continue to redefine the boundaries of possibility for women in business.
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Get Involved
Want to be a part of our next inspiring visitor’s journey? Click here to learn more about how you can get involved with Global Ties KC.
