Shaikha Al-Bahar

Shaikha Al-Bahar has risen through the ranks since joining the National Bank of Kuwait in 1977. In 2014, she was named deputy group CEO; she is currently the only woman on NBK’s executive management team. She is chair of the National Bank of Kuwait-France and the National Bank of Kuwait-Egypt as well as a board member with National Bank of Kuwait (International), the bank’s U.K. subsidiary. Al-Bahar is credited with launching NBK RISE, a nine-month program designed to empower women leaders and prepare them for senior leadership roles. With over $135 billion in total assets at the end of March, NBK is one of the largest financial institutions in Kuwait and one of the leading banks in the region. In fiscal 2024, net profit for NBK rose 7% year over year to $1.9 billion while net operating income grew 7.2% YOY to $4.1 billion.