A new list of the world's most powerful Arab women was published by CEO Middle East on Monday and Sheikha Lubna was atop the list. The UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, according to the magazine, “has been challenging traditional opinions about women in business ever since she developed a system that reduced cargo turnaround at Dubai Ports Authority from one hour to ten minutes.” She also sits on board of directors for Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry amongst many others and is on the board of directors for the National US Arab Chamber of Commerce. The Emirati was placed just ahead of Saudi Arabia's Lubna Olayan, head of Olayan Financing, with another Emirati, Salma Hareb – CEO of Jafza – in third place. The head of the Alwaleed Foundation in Lebanon, Leila El Solh, was ranked fourth, while Dalia Mogahed, an advisor to President Obama, came in at fifth. The list examined the influence of Arab women across the globe across all sectors, including business, science, media, sports, academia and entertainment. Lubna bint Khalid bin Sultan Al Qasimi is the Minister for foreign Trade and was previously Minister of Economic and Planning of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). She was appointed on November 2004. Sheikha Lubna holds the distinction of being the first woman to hold a ministerial post in the United Arab Emirates. She is a member of the ruling family of Sharjah and the niece Sheikh Sultan bin Mohamed Al-Qasimi. Lubna graduated from the California State University, Chico with a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, and has an Executive MBA from the American University of Sharjah. Lubna received an honorary doctorate of science from California State University, Chico. BM
