In a sector long perceived as tough and male-dominated, Azhar Saleh Al Jawad has carved out a leadership role that reflects the broader transformation underway in Saudi Arabia. In an exclusive interview, the Deputy General Manager of Gulf AlKawthar Group shared her journey from academia and Saudi Aramco to executive leadership in one of the Kingdom’s most demanding industries: contracting and industrial services.
Al Jawad’s academic path began at King Faisal University in Al-Ahsa before she pursued postgraduate studies in Bahrain and later in the United States. There, she earned two master’s degrees—one in Project and Operations Management and another in Finance—equipping her with both managerial and financial expertise. Although she initially planned to pursue a PhD, personal circumstances brought her back to Saudi Arabia, where she joined Saudi Aramco and gained field experience in what she describes as a “practical school” of business and project management.
A turning point came when she decided to establish her own business, a move she calls a “warrior’s break”—not a retreat, but a recalibration of priorities. That decision laid the foundation for what would later become Gulf Al-Kawthar Group, now an integrated system of companies operating in contracting, logistics, industrial manufacturing, and specialized services.
Today, the group employs more than 2,000 people and operates under the slogan: “Our journey begins with sand and ends with handing over the key.” The company functions as a comprehensive contractor, managing projects from excavation and soil testing to finishing and turnkey delivery. Among its prominent developments is the Badr residential project in Madinah, where it is executing 424 villas, in addition to other large-scale housing and industrial projects across the Kingdom.
What distinguishes Gulf Al-Kawthar, according to Al Jawad, is its strategy of vertical integration. The group established factories for wood products, metal works, and aluminum designs to support its projects and strengthen local supply chains. This approach enhances quality control while contributing to industrial localization—an objective aligned with Vision 2030.
Empowering Saudi talent, particularly in technical and industrial roles, remains central to her vision. “These fields were once dominated by expatriate labor,” she noted. “Today, we see Saudi youth learning, mastering, and leading in steel manufacturing and field operations.” The group actively invests in training programs for young Saudis, offering structured internships and hands-on development opportunities aimed at building a competitive national workforce.
Al Jawad also highlighted the profound impact of Vision 2030 on women’s participation in the labor market. She credited the leadership’s reforms—particularly under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman—with opening genuine opportunities for women in sectors previously considered inaccessible. “What Saudi women have achieved today was once only a dream,” she said. “Now they are leaders, executives, and decision-makers across industries.”
Beyond institutional reforms, she emphasized the importance of digital transformation in empowering women. Government platforms such as Absher and Tawakkalna, she said, have simplified administrative procedures and expanded access to services for women of all ages, including older generations. She also described the decision to allow women to drive as pivotal, removing logistical barriers and enabling greater professional independence.
Despite the progress, Al Jawad acknowledged that working women still face challenges, particularly in balancing professional and family responsibilities. At Gulf Al-Kawthar, she said, the corporate culture emphasizes respect and inclusion, describing employees as a “family” rather than numbers—a philosophy she believes strengthens loyalty and performance.
Reflecting on her scholarship experience in the United States, Al Jawad recalled declining an academic job offer after completing her doctoral studies, choosing instead to return home. “My country comes first,” she said, explaining that contributing to Saudi Arabia’s development was her priority.
In closing, she delivered a clear message to Saudi youth: Vision 2030 has opened doors, but success depends on individual effort. “The opportunities are there,” she said. “It is up to us to work, develop ourselves, and represent our country with excellence.”
As Saudi Arabia continues its rapid transformation, Al Jawad’s story mirrors a broader national narrative—one of ambition, reform, and a journey that, as her company’s slogan suggests, moves steadily from sand to key delivery.
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