Deemah AlYahya

Deemah AlYahya is a prominent Saudi digital economy expert and tech diplomat who currently serves as a Board Member at The Saudi National Bank (SNB).4 Her career spans over two decades, during which she has held several high-profile positions and made significant contributions to digital transformation and innovation.

Key Roles and Achievements

Secretary-General of the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO)

AlYahya is the founding Secretary-General of the DCO, an international intergovernmental organization focused on fostering cooperation to accelerate the growth of an inclusive and sustainable digital economy.12 She was appointed to this position in 2021, making her the first Saudi woman to lead an international organization.2

Board Memberships

In addition to her role at SNB, AlYahya serves on several other boards:

• Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP)3
• Saudi Company for Artificial Intelligence (SCAI)3
• The Saudi Federation for Cyber Security and Programming (SAFCSP)3
• Riyad Capital (April 2023 - March 2024)3

Other Notable Positions

• Commissioner at the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development3
• Champion of the EDISON Alliance at the World Economic Forum3
• Founder of WomenSpark, a non-profit organization empowering women in the tech sector1

Professional Background

AlYahya's career trajectory includes:

• CEO of the National Digital Transformation Unit (NDU) in Saudi Arabia (2016-2017)2
• Executive Director of Developer Experience and Digital Innovation at Microsoft1
• Founder and Managing Partner of ALMTD Consulting3

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and Information Systems from King Saud University12
• Graduate of INSEAD senior executive programs1
• Completed various programs at Harvard Business School1

Recognition

In 2018, AlYahya was recognized as the "Digital CEO of the Year" by Entrepreneur Middle East magazine.1

Deemah AlYahya is known for her passion for empowering women in the ICT sector and her commitment to fostering digital cooperation to ensure universal connectivity and bridge the digital divide.1 Her expertise in digital transformation and her role as a tech diplomat have positioned her as a key figure in advancing the digital economy on a global scale.