By Wesam Y. Alghamdi

Chief Executive Officer of NEOM Green Hydrogen Company

Today, as we celebrate the achievements of women worldwide, it is imperative to recognize their vital role in driving innovation, progress, and sustainability. As the CEO of NEOM Green Hydrogen Company (NGHC), I am honored to reflect on the significance of International Women's Day (IWD) in the context of Saudi Arabia's economic evolution. By building the world’s largest green hydrogen plant, NGHC is the blueprint for this young industry, but we also want to be the champion of women in this nascent industry.

Our Kingdom’s economy is undergoing a profound transformation, propelled by Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify income sources and enhance competitiveness as one of its initiatives. Central to this vision is the imperative to encourage women to actively participate in a thriving workforce, laying the foundation for a more inclusive and prosperous society. A UNESCO study showed that 57% of all students studying STEM subjects in the MENA region were women – and yet the number of women employed in these fields is substantially lower. We must address this.

At NGHC, we are committed to fostering an environment where women not only have a seat at the table but also play a leading role in shaping the future of our industry. Through the right talent acquisition programs and strategic partnerships with local and national universities, we are creating pathways for female Saudi nationals and international talent, to become leaders in delivering sustainable climate solutions. One of our core objectives is to address the underrepresentation of women in the energy sector, particularly in emerging industries such as hydrogen. While women constitute over 50% of STEM graduates in the MENA region, their representation in the traditional energy sector remains disproportionately low, standing at less than 10% of the workforce. As we build up the clean hydrogen industry, we must be mindful of not perpetuating this disparity. Hydrogen is an emerging industry, one that will fuel the world of tomorrow, and women will play a big part in its acceleration.

I am proud to highlight the remarkable achievements of the exemplary women at NGHC who epitomize our commitment to gender diversity and inclusion. A shining example of NGHC’s groundbreaking women is our Chief Legal Officer who recently received the prestigious Arabian Business Women Achievement Award 2024 in the legal category for her pivotal role in NGHC’s financial close. Also, our EHS&S Strategy Specialist who is breaking barriers as a Saudi female thriving in a role involving working on-site to ensure safety standards are met; we at NGHC are ensuring that we provide opportunities at all levels and fields for women to play a vital part in the green hydrogen industry. In fact, we have women from diverse backgrounds locally and internationally working in all our teams including finance, legal, EHS&S, marketing, and procurement, making invaluable contributions in the execution of the world’s largest green hydrogen plant.

Reflecting on my own journey, I am reminded of the inspirational women who have influenced and shaped my career. From my mother, wife, daughters and grandmother to colleagues and peers, their resilience, intelligence, and determination have been a source of inspiration and guidance. It is incumbent upon all of us, as leaders and advocates for change, to create opportunities for women to thrive and succeed. At NGHC, we are committed to implementing policies and initiatives that promote gender diversity, provide equal opportunities for advancement, and foster a culture of inclusion and respect.

Together, let us build a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable future for all.

— Wesam Y. Alghamdi, Chief Executive Officer at NEOM Green Hydrogen Company is spearheading the growth and execution of the world’s largest green hydrogen plant for its operations in 2026. Under his direction, the plant will progress from its construction phase to full functionality for the supply of green hydrogen to the local and global markets. With over 25 years of cross-functional senior leadership experience within diverse industry sectors in the Middle East region and globally, Wesam is looking forward to leading NGHC in its pursuit of building a carbon-free world for future generations.