Saudi Arabian Resident, Abeer M. AlAkel, Hails from Al Madinah
Abeer AlAkel Appointed as Acting CEO of Royal Commission for AlUla
In 2024, Abeer AlAkel assumed the position of Acting CEO at the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), a pivotal organization that works towards realizing the vision of AlUla for its residents and visitors. The commission aims to regenerate, protect, and preserve the cultural landscape of AlUla, enhance the quality of life for residents, and attract tourism.
A seasoned executive and a founding member of RCU's team, AlAkel has been instrumental in the development and implementation of key strategic initiatives in AlUla for the past six years. As the Founding CEO of the Cultural Oasis Regeneration Centre, she focused on sustainable regeneration and development, with a priority on education, training, and agritourism to revitalize local communities and farmers.
In her capacity as Chief of Special Cultural Zones, AlAkel oversaw the successful development and operation of cultural zones, with key projects including the implementation of the Journey Through Time masterplan and the Cultural Oasis District Public Realm Programme.
In her most recent role as Chief of Special Initiatives and Partnerships, AlAkel managed large-scale projects such as the Journey Through Time masterplan. She also led a global design competition for the Museum of Incense Road and Perspectives Galleries: The Contemporary Art Museum, and played a crucial role in the growth of AlUla's equestrian sector. She expanded RCU's network of global partners, ensuring knowledge and expertise is shared, and secured critical agreements with UNESCO, IUCN, Panthera, and the World Bank.
Under AlAkel's leadership, AlUla welcomed Winter at Tantora, establishing the region as a global destination for art, culture, and nature. This groundbreaking event achieved two Guinness World Records for the largest hot air balloon show and the largest mirrored building, Maraya. AlAkel also drove innovation initiatives across the organization and was key in securing the Saudi-French intergovernmental agreement for the comprehensive regeneration of AlUla.
Prior to joining RCU, AlAkel worked at PwC, leading mega transformation projects within the Saudi government sector for notable clients such as the Ministry of Social Affairs and the General Sport Authority. AlAkel holds a degree in Computer and Information Sciences from King Saud University and graduated from Harvard Business School.
AlAkel's exceptional leadership, focusing on sustainable development and cultural preservation, has positioned AlUla as a significant cultural and economic hub in Saudi Arabia. Her conservation efforts, such as the collaboration with the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute to protect the critically endangered Arabian leopard, reflect her dedication to ecological balance and global awareness.
- Abeer AlAkel's commitment to education and self-development was evident in her founding of the Cultural Oasis Regeneration Centre, where she focused on sustainable regeneration and development, with a priority on education, training, and agritourism.
- In her role as Chief of Special Initiatives and Partnerships, AlAkel showcased a keen understanding of business and finance by securing critical agreements with prominent organizations like UNESCO, IUCN, Panthera, and the World Bank.
- AlAkel's tenure at the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has seen significant advancements in technology, as demonstrated by the groundbreaking event, Winter at Tantora, which established AlUla as a global destination for art, culture, and nature, and achieved two Guinness World Records.
