Dubai – Mubasher: Forbes Middle East’s annual "Power Businesswomen" ranking celebrates 50 fearless regional female leaders and highlights the powerhouses who have shown resilience, flexibility, and strength in the face of unprecedented adversity.

For the second year in a row, Raja Easa Al Gurg, Group Managing Director of Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group, tops the list. 

The 2021 ranking recognises changemakers from 19 countries, representing 16 industries. Among the 50, Egyptian women feature the most with eight entries, followed by Emirati women with seven entries, and Jordanian, Saudi, Kuwaiti, and Moroccan women with four.

However, the top 10 is dominated by Saudis, with three of the country's most prominent names in the top five: Samba Financial Group's Rania Nashar, Tadawul's Sarah Al Suhaimi, and Saudi British Bank's Lubna Olayan.

In 2021, two women enter the list for the first time: Marzena Kulis, Managing Director of Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices; and Zainab Kufaishi, Head of Middle East and Africa and Senior Executive Officer at Invesco Dubai.

Moreover, the top 10 features a new entry. Hana Al Rostamani, who ranked 49th in 2020, took the third spot in 2021. The Emirati was named as FAB's new Group CEO in late January after previously serving as Deputy Group CEO and Head of Personal Banking.

Furthermore, six women in the top 10 are self-made, with Rostamani being one of them.

The banking and financial services industry showcased the most regional female leaders, with 16 of the 50 listees working in the sector.

To construct the ranking, Forbes Middle East considered the size of the business in various measures, the individual's accomplishments during the past year, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and other initiatives by the person or by their company.