Female Saudi TV personality with a number one hit show for five years straight; first Saudi UN Goodwill Ambassador; Young Global Leader at the Davos World Economic Forum; and mother of two girls under sixteen. There are clearly many reasons to dub Muna AbuSulayman an extraordinary role model and a star to watch. Learn more about her with our quick Q & A.

Place you call home:

Home is my memories of all the places that I have called home, not an actual place anymore. Currently (physically), it is Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Rise to stratosphere:

I'm the first Saudi woman to become a regional TV personality (my show has been No. 1 across the Arab world for five years in a row. My country has always tried to fiercely protect its privacy, and my show provided an almost voyeuristic experience into what it meant to be Saudi and female—navigating a complex professional life while divorced. I was also the first female managing head of a foundation in Saudi Arabia, the Alwaleed Bin Talal Foundation (ABTF)—a tough accomplishment in world still quite male-dominated.

First job:

An assistant to my father in his think tank. I did everything but mop floors that summer.

Alternate path:

There are so many things I would have loved do…professor of American Literature working on a novel, fashion boutique owner, or even a journalist.

Career high:

Being chosen as the first Saudi UN Goodwill Ambassador for the UNDP and being chosen as a Young Global Leader at the World Economic Forum in the same year—humbling, but awesome.

Career low:

Taking a break from my show last year to concentrate on the foundation and building my fashion line. I know TV audiences are fickle; I may not be able to go back.

Idols:

I don't have idols. I do admire people who overcome obstacles. Two that easily come to my mind: Helen Keller and her teacher, Anne Sullivan Macy. Their lives inspire my own. I also have been deeply influenced by my father's pragmatic analysis of societal issues. He is the one person I can fully trust to be there for me no matter what happens.

Little known fact:

I dislike shopping, but I adore clothes. I like to hear ABBA's ‘Dancing Queen’ every morning.

Ultimate goal:

To be the best parent I can be and, professionally, to create my own foundation in my region that pushes for a more modern legal framework to help the most vulnerable in our society.

Most humbling moment:

Two years ago, I felt close to burning out. The responsibility for a show that influences young impressionable girls and a foundation where grants that we made were vital for the survival of many important organisations, made me work too hard. I had to learn to say no, delegate and trust others to do the job. I wasn’t Superwoman, and that was a difficult realisation at 33.

Guiltiest pleasure:

I enjoy life, but I feel guilty for two things: sleeping on airplanes instead of working, and reading Perezhilton.com.

Words to live by:

"Hold fast to your dreams, for if Dreams die, life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly."–Langston Hughes

Outside interests:

Travelling, anything fashion or art related and reading (everything from autobiographies to the Huffingtonpost).

How ASW has helped:

ASW has been a tremendous help in connecting me with like-minded people around the world. It has given me resources for my TV show, foundation, and fashion line. I think the friendships that were created because of Le Cafe have been the biggest surprise. It is also the best travel guide.