GC Influencers
Most Influential GCs - Saudi Arabia
Shihana Alazzaz of The Public Investment Fund (PIF)
Born and raised in Riyadh, Shihana Alazzaz was one of the first women licensed to practise law in Saudi Arabia. She studied law in the United Kingdom and practised as an associate at Baker McKenzie and as a senior associate and then counsel at Vinson & Elkins before joining PIF in 2017 as head of transactions. She is now the general counsel of one of the largest sovereign wealth funds in the world.
The market raves about Ms Alazzaz and she comes widely recommended by her peers in private practice, who have “unbelievably positive” things to say about her and credit her for spearheading the expansion of her legal team. She has established a very high profile in the Kingdom and beyond in a short period of time.
One source enthused: “I learned things from just watching her on how to get things done – I can’t think of anything she does that isn’t admirable.”
Alazzaz is widely regarded as a mentor to female law students. She was also heavily involved in the establishment of Tomouh, an organisation dedicated to furthering the development of young professionals in the Gulf region.