Rana Alsubaiyel: A Journey from Banking to Marketing Leadership with Passion and Creativity

From Banking to Branding

In this episode of Leaders' Mic, we have the honor of speaking with Rana Alsubaiyel, an inspiring leader and expert in marketing and branding. Rana’s journey has taken her from a career in banking and finance to leading impactful marketing campaigns in the retail and entertainment industries. Her passion for creativity and leadership, combined with her diverse background, has made her a trailblazer in her field.

Let’s take a deep dive into her journey from growing up in multiple countries to becoming an influential figure in Saudi Arabia's marketing and corporate landscape.

A Global Perspective: Life Across Continents

Rana Alsubaiyel was born and raised in Jeddah, a city she holds dear. "Jeddah has always been my definition of home," she shares. However, Rana’s childhood and early education took place outside of Saudi Arabia. "I grew up in several countries including Egypt, Italy, London, and Hong Kong, and graduated from high school in Hong Kong."

She fondly recalls, "Despite my global upbringing, Jeddah was always where I felt I truly belonged. After spending years abroad, I felt an intense pull to come back to Saudi Arabia, and that’s when I made the decision to return home and pursue my studies."

A New Start: Embracing a New Journey in Dubai

Returning to Saudi Arabia to pursue university proved challenging for Rana, as her high school diploma did not match the local academic system. "My secondary school certificate was quite different, and the university here didn’t know how to process it. They were confused and didn’t accept it."

Undeterred, Rana decided to continue her education in Dubai. "I chose Dubai because it was a bridge between the East and West, a place where I could feel at home while being part of a diverse, dynamic environment."

In Dubai, she studied banking and finance, a decision that she now looks back on as a key moment in her professional development. "Dubai gave me the opportunity to meet my first friends from Saudi Arabia, which felt incredibly comforting and rewarding."

A Shaping Experience: Growing as a Leader

Rana's experiences living abroad and adapting to different cultures helped shape her as a leader. "Growing up, I had a very textbook childhood. I used to walk to school and ride my bike to the park. But when we moved to Hong Kong, everything changed."

As a teenager in Hong Kong, Rana faced the challenge of navigating a new school, new system, and new culture. "On my first day, there was a typhoon warning, and school was canceled. The next day, I woke up to see the TV blasting images of destruction and smoke. It was the aftermath of 9/11. As the only Arab and Muslim student in my school, I had to navigate through a lot of prejudice and misunderstanding."

"At that moment, I had to hide my opinions and suppress my values to fit in," she shares. "It was a difficult time, but it taught me valuable lessons in empathy, tolerance, and adaptability. Those skills became crucial later in my professional life."

A Transformative Moment: Developing Resilience

Rana’s experience living through significant global events like 9/11 not only shaped her as a person but also influenced her leadership style. "I had to develop resilience and adaptability quickly, and I realized that these skills helped me tackle challenges, whether in school or later in my career."

Later, Rana faced even more personal growth opportunities. "At one point, I lived in three cities in one year, attending three different schools. This constant moving made me adaptable and taught me how to make the best out of difficult situations, which later became invaluable in my professional journey."

Leadership in the Workforce: Breaking Barriers and Building Confidence

Rana entered the workforce in 2007 and joined National Commercial Bank (NCB) as one of the first female employees in the organization. "It was part of a leadership development program, and when I met my boss, he was hesitant to even make eye contact with me," she recalls.

This experience was pivotal in shaping Rana’s leadership qualities. "I realized it wasn’t personal. My boss wasn’t used to female employees in a traditionally male-dominated environment. But over time, I proved myself, and he started believing in me."

The Evolution of Leadership: Embracing Creativity and Freedom

From banking, Rana transitioned to the retail and entertainment sectors, where she had the chance to explore her creative side. "After working in the very structured and regulated banking sector, I moved to Virgin Megastore, where creativity and freedom thrived. I got the chance to localize the brand and work on entertainment projects that were in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030," says Rana.

After a successful stint at Virgin, Rana moved on to work with Sela, a leading entertainment company in Saudi Arabia. "There, I became the Director of Corporate Marketing Communication, and we worked on some of the most talked-about projects in the region, including Boulevards, Seasons, and V Riyadh."

The Family Business Challenge: Shaping a Legacy

Rana’s most recent career move has been to join a family business in the dates industry. "This was a huge leap for me, as I had to move from a corporate environment to a family-owned business with its own legacy," she explains. Despite some initial skepticism from others, Rana embraced the opportunity to shape the brand’s story and communicate its heritage to the world.

"The impact I can have here is far more significant. I’m building something that will last, and that’s what excites me," she says. Rana’s decision to join this family business was driven by her passion for creating meaningful change and shaping stories that resonate with people.

The Biggest Challenge: Balancing Professionalism with Motherhood

One of the biggest challenges Rana faced was balancing her professional aspirations with motherhood. "Being a professional mother is an ongoing challenge that many of us don’t talk enough about," she admits. "It’s not easy to juggle career goals with the expectations of motherhood."

She reflects on how this challenge haunts many working mothers, "You’re always torn between your career aspirations and being there for your children. There’s a constant guilt that many mothers feel, and this emotional burden can make it hard to fully achieve both."

Advice for Aspiring Leaders and Parents

Rana’s advice to aspiring leaders and parents is clear: "Be realistic and accept compromises. You can’t have everything all at once. Sometimes, you have to make tough decisions about what to prioritize in your life, but don’t let the guilt consume you."

For parents, she emphasizes the importance of creating balanced habits for the next generation. "We need to teach our children the value of being active and engaged in sports. It’s crucial to their development, both physically and mentally."

Marketing and Leadership: Taking Lessons from the Past

As a marketer, Rana reflects on how banking and finance shaped her career. "When I worked in finance, I applied creativity in everything I did. Now, in marketing, that creativity comes to life in how I tell stories and connect with people," she shares. "But the skills I developed in finance, like analytical thinking and understanding data, still help me today in marketing."

Her transition from finance to marketing is a testament to how she applied lessons from one career to the next. "You always carry something from your past roles to your current position, and that’s what makes each job a valuable learning experience," she concludes.

A Legacy of Change and Inspiration

Rana Alsubaiyel’s journey is an inspiring one of resilience, creativity, and growth. From her early days as an expatriate in Hong Kong to her rise in the corporate world and eventual embrace of a family business, she continues to lead with passion and empathy. Her experiences have shaped her into the dynamic leader she is today, and her advice resonates with anyone balancing career and personal goals.

Rana’s leadership is a reminder that adapting to change, embracing challenges, and staying true to your values are the keys to personal and professional success.

Catch the full episode on our YouTube channel and on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Anghami.