EMPOWERING WOMEN THROUGH CONNECTION, MENTORSHIP, AND PURPOSE-DRIVEN LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT.
Get to know Saudi Projects contributor, Marisa Kamall, the visionary founder of GAIA, a transformative women’s leadership network, is a distinguished leadership coach and keynote speaker with over two decades of senior executive experience spanning the Middle East, Latin America, Asia, and Europe.
Marisa Kamall didn’t just leave a senior executive role, she left behind a system that too often failed to support women in leadership. With nearly two decades of high-level corporate experience, Marisa founded GAIA, a transformative leadership network and development platform created for women determined to lead on their own terms. In male-dominated sectors like construction and infrastructure, Marisa champions the power of peer networks, mentorship, and authentic connection as the key catalysts for sustainable leadership growth. GAIA’s mission aligns powerfully with Saudi Vision 2030, equipping women not only to enter the room, but to redefine it.
When I left my corporate career, I didn’t just walk away from a Managing Director title, I walked away from a system that wasn’t built for women to thrive. I had spent almost two decades in leadership, overseeing multimillion-dollar P&Ls and large teams, yet I saw time and again how many women, even the most capable, stalled in their careers. Not for lack of talent, but for lack of support.
That’s why I founded GAIA; a leadership network and development platform designed for women who want more than a seat at the table, they want to change the room itself.
One of the biggest game changers for women, particularly in industries like construction and infrastructure, is peer networks and mentorship. It’s not just about finding someone senior to offer advice. It’s about curating groups where women can share real challenges, hold each other accountable, and build the confidence to lead authentically, even in environments where they may be the only woman in the room.
In GAIA, I’ve seen the impact firsthand: women navigating career-defining negotiations, learning to communicate with clarity and authority across diverse teams, and stepping into executive roles they once thought were beyond reach. These outcomes aren’t the result of generic “training.” They’re the result of connection, creating spaces where women can tap into shared wisdom and feel supported to push past limits.
This is particularly important in the context of Saudi Vision 2030, where women are not just entering the workforce in greater numbers but are increasingly stepping into leadership roles across industries once considered off-limits. Vision 2030 is driving transformation, but lasting impact will come from ensuring these women aren’t just present, they’re prepared, empowered, and positioned to lead.
For organizations, the message is clear: if you want more women leading projects and teams, you can’t just recruit them, you must equip and support them. That means investing in leadership development, yes, but also facilitating access to networks, mentorship, and resources designed with their realities in mind.
The future of industries like construction will be shaped by diversity not as a slogan, but as a competitive advantage. Diverse leadership teams don’t just improve culture; they deliver better results. And women, when given the right tools and support, won’t just fill leadership roles — they’ll redefine them.
Discover how GAIA is shaping the next generation of women leaders. Connect with Marisa Kamall and learn how your organization can become part of this transformative movement.
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