Rateel Alshehri, a 14-year-old Saudi media figure, hosted the official launch of Trump Plaza Jeddah this week. The USD 1 billion mixed-use project is led by Dar Global in partnership with The Trump Organization. The event marked an important moment for youth leadership on the global stage.
Rateel acted as Master of Ceremonies, welcoming guests and introducing senior international figures. These included Eric Trump, Executive Vice President of The Trump Organization, Yousef Al Shelash, Chairman of Dar Al Arkan, and Ziad El Chaar, CEO of Dar Global. Her role showed the confidence and global outlook of young people in Saudi Arabia.
“It was an honour to host the launch of Trump Plaza Jeddah and to be part of a moment that reflects Saudi Arabia’s ambition, confidence, and global outlook,” said Rateel Al Shehri. “Seeing visionary projects like this come to life in our country is truly inspiring.”
“Hosting this launch was a proud moment for me. It showed how Saudi youth can contribute meaningfully to global conversations and stand confidently on international platforms,” she added.
Choosing Rateel to lead a major investment event at such a young age sends a clear message about change in the Kingdom. Young people are no longer watching from the sidelines. They now help shape the future and influence global business and investment.
Rateel Al Shehri is widely known as a leading young media voice in the region. She created and hosts Rateel Alpha Talk, the Middle East’s youngest podcast platform. On the show, she speaks with global leaders about leadership, curiosity, and impact.
She has more than two million social media followers. In 2025, she spoke at the Cambridge Global Webinar, where she shared her views on purpose and leadership, saying: “It’s okay not to know your purpose yet, you’ll find it by trying, not by waiting.”
Last year, she was nominated at the Joy Awards alongside major regional creators. As the youngest nominee in her category, her inclusion stood out in an industry led by adults. Her nomination showed that ambition has no age limit and young voices belong on big stages.
Her forum series, Meet & Inspire by Rateel, brings together Saudi teenage girls. She calls it ‘the Kingdom’s first healthy teen community for girls’. The sessions focus on mentoring, creativity, and open discussion. They reflect social change under Vision 2030.
From events such as iktva 2025 and the Forbes Sustainability Leaders’ Summit to creative forums and media work, Alshehri links business, innovation, and youth culture. She speaks for her generation with purpose and clarity.
