From Troublemaker to Dream Maker: The Inspiring Journey of Tuba Trikli

A Childhood Fueled by Imagination

Tuba recalls being labeled a troublemaker at school, her vivid imagination misunderstood as a distraction. She dreamed of zoos in classrooms and aliens at lunch, ideas her teacher scrawled as warnings to her parents. Yet this imagination would later prove to be her greatest gift. Decades later, when she received a symbolic “license to dream” at CERN, she wept validation that what once set her apart became the very foundation of her leadership.

The Spark of Leadership

At nine years old, Tuba was captivated by the TV series Dallas and the commanding presence of Sue Ellen. That image sparked her ambition to lead in business. Encouraged by her father, who registered her first business and printed her letterhead, she began her entrepreneurial journey as a child. His reminder of Khadija bint Khuwaylid’s legacy as a great trader gave her not just ambition but a purpose rooted in history and faith.

Breaking Barriers in Career and Education

When women in Saudi Arabia were denied the title of “engineer,” Tuba pursued computer science, focusing on system design. She later joined Aramco, deliberately accepting a lower grade to work in its core business unit, knowing that being close to the company’s heartbeat was the best way to grow. Rapid promotions followed, along with lessons she still shares: always position yourself at the core of the business.

Her career became a balance of work and education. While commissioning the International Medical Center in Jeddah, she completed her MBA, proving her belief that education and professional growth must progress side by side. This blend of learning and leadership set the stage for her move into entrepreneurship.

Driving Entrepreneurship and Reform

After health challenges prompted reflection, Tuba shifted to entrepreneurship and policy work. She co-founded Qriyada, built platforms for Saudi entrepreneurs, and advised on economic reforms that opened Mecca to foreign investment. Her efforts showed that entrepreneurship could be a cornerstone of Vision 2030, combining grassroots mentoring with national policy influence.

Selective, Strategic Leadership

Today, Tuba serves as Executive Advisor to the CEO of King’s College Hospital London in Saudi Arabia. She thrives on commissioning large projects from scratch, typically worth 200 million or more, but is selective about her work. She only partners with leaders who value their people and act with integrity. Known as a powerful connector, she uses her vast international networks to link companies, investors, and opportunities across industries and borders.

Lessons, Balance, and Legacy

Despite her achievements, Tuba is candid about mistakes. She admits to being too transparent too early in relationships and regrets not spending enough quality time with her late mother. She emphasizes that true balance is not just about providing but about being present. Yet her outlook remains forgiving and positive; she carries no hate, lives by instinct, and sees each day as a chance to contribute.

For Tuba, leadership is a daily practice guided by one question: Why am I here today? Some days it’s mentoring, other days it’s building multimillion-dollar projects or supporting her family in Gaza. Her story shows that imagination, resilience, and generosity are not weaknesses but the foundation of lasting leadership. True impact, she reminds us, lies not in personal accolades but in the opportunities we create for others.

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