Meet Yara Al-Huwaymil, one of the brilliant minds behind MEFIC Capital’s people power. As Head of Human Capital, her hard work and determination led her to make her mark in a male-dominated field.
Yara’s transition across different sectors applied a tectonic nudge to how she thinks of talent management. Right from banking and real estate to finance, one thing remained unchanged. It’s the core mission of HR to serve the human element. To many, frequent job-hopping can be seen as instability. However, Yara treats it as an incubator of instincts. These experiences gave her diverse exposure, deepening her understanding of people. She learned that there is no one-size-fits-all concept in effective HR problem-solving. It requires solutions tailored to each individual, creating an environment where everyone feels valued.
What Came as a Lesson!
An important early career experience taught Yara the value of integrity. She was in a situation where fabricating the truth was the easier path. Yet, she chose to present the full truth. This decision had a dual effect. It preserved Yara’s position and her self-respect.
What’s the key takeaway? “Integrity is being truthful with myself. Honesty is telling the truth to others.” That belief has stuck with her. Not as a catchphrase but as a filter, she runs every decision through. Yara also grasped the undercurrent of sustainable success. According to her, it hinges on a foundation of integrity.
The Theory of Empowerment
Empowerment goes beyond mere delegation. Yara considers it to be creating an environment where there is no ceiling of control. Individuals feel trusted and equipped with the resources to innovate and make decisions confidently. At MEFIC Capital, this is something the entire process breathes. Yara points out that their motto underlines a two-way relationship. Employees contribute to the company’s vision. In return, the company invests in their growth as essential collaborators in long-term success.
Challenging Facets of Head of Human Capital
As Head of Human Capital, Yara’s most challenging responsibilities involve making informed decisions. The situation gets pretty dicey, particularly when she has to balance the company’s interests with employee support. Prioritization isn’t about personal bias. She highlights that it is rather about the situation at hand. This often requires a blend of fairness and strategic thinking.
Managing a team is also a major challenge. It isn’t just about hitting the target. For Yara, it involves juggling productivity and empathy without dropping either.
Third on the list is ensuring a smooth and consistent employee journey. In this area, her role becomes multi-dimensional. She supports their growth, sets clear career paths, and implements employee retention strategies. Every aspect is taken care of with careful consideration. Yara strives to create a motivating workplace that aligns with both MEFIC Capital’s objectives and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
The Humane Side of HR Leadership
Effective leadership is built on a thoughtful symmetry between strategic vision and human understanding. In high-stress situations, Yara takes a deliberate, hands-on approach. The intention is to stay sharp on goals but not at the cost of burning people out. The astute executive believes in “leadership through presence.” That means sitting in the room with her team and listening actively. Equally important to her is noticing when morale dips. Yara steps in with guidance or reassurance when needed. The effect of this style flows through the group. Decisions land smoother, and trust grows almost by osmosis. This equilibrium enables them to achieve impactful results while forming the backbone of a workplace that is humane, resilient, and collaborative.
An Autodidact Against the Odds
Behind Yara’s inclusion in the “Middle East’s Most Empowering Business Leaders to watch in 2025” remains a hard-earned experience, not shortcuts. Nothing came to her easily. The journey was full of bumps and blind corners. Her first role as an HR Officer was one of the toughest. It tested her resolve and mettle in a true sense.
Three months in, the Head of HR resigned. Yara had no prior experience, but she stepped in and took charge. Not one, two, or three, but there were over 100 employees to be accounted for. Exploring an unfamiliar territory is laborious and time-consuming. She worked 14–15 hours a day for a year to figure it out on her own. Yara eventually mastered the concept and became the leader herself. Through this trial, Yara learned something very fundamental yet rare: The ability to perform well under pressure and to multitask intensely. It also taught her that she could become a leader without a mentor. “I’m most proud,” Yara underlines, “I learned in the deep sea, taking on leadership at a young age and learning not just to survive, but to lead others to shore.”
Establishing a Healthy Work-life Integration
The art of separating her personal and professional lives takes time to grasp. Yara had a rough go of it. There was a time when she was all about work. Proper rest was a distant dream. Social life, family, and personal well-being? They all went for a toss. Working 12-14 hours a day, Yara sought to find her self-worth through productivity.
Even during her weekends and holidays, she was all packed. She used to read, take courses, and review previous work techniques. There was a constant fear that the slightest delay might cause her to fall behind and miss the boat.
It wasn’t until she went abroad for her studies. Yara took a break from work. It made her realize true professional fulfillment comes after a pause. Everyone needs such a breather. Work becomes lighter and more creative when we step back without guilt.
Over years of toiling, she has discovered that scheduling time on her calendar to finish her tasks is crucial. Equally necessary is drawing clear boundaries around the times imperative for her well-being and rejuvenation. Once her working hours are over, Yara hangs up her “professional hat,” unencumbered to fully present with her personal life. Today, her perception is simple. If you are aiming for long-term success, don’t run the candle to its end. The true payoff comes from striking a healthy balance, characterized by consistent performance, a renewed spirit, and fresh ideas.
The Hands That Lit the Way
In a world obsessed with prizes and recognitions, Yara stands firm on her own ground.
Her greatest professional and personal achievement of all time? Her mother’s happiness. Yara feels proud of being raised by a woman who instilled in her solid qualities like patience, perseverance, and the strength never to give up. Even the true meaning of grace and kindness is etched into her by that upbringing. Yara openly owes every success to her mother. As she puts it, “No promotion or accomplishment feels complete until I see the joy and pride in my mother’s eyes.”
Now we know the true power behind her climb. A devoted mother who nurtured a determined daughter. Yara shares that she continues to work hard not only for her career but also to see her mother happy. That is and always will be her most meaningful purpose.
Building an Unbeatable Culture
At MEFIC Capital, they recognize the significance of a strong, inclusive, and future-ready culture. It lays the groundwork for everything that follows. It doesn’t happen by chance. Instead, it’s built piece by piece through intentional leadership. Fostering open communication, embracing cognitive diversity, and encouraging adaptability at every level are their guiding levers. Yara underscores that they actively invest in talent development. Simultaneously, to lead change, teams are empowered. All these thoughtful practices promote a culture where innovation is expected. Global trends on one side, employee feedback on the other, MEFIC Capital keeps its ear to both. That awareness helps the company stay agile, human-centered, and steady in a transient financial landscape.
Mentoring Generation Next
Mentorship and coaching are integral to Yara’s leadership style. “Illuminate your dreams with lights bright enough for those who come after you to see the way,” she asserts. The knowledge and hard-won insight earned through her own journey across industries has helped her to lead with perspective rather than position. Now she wants to pass it down. True leadership, in her view, is not about asserting control. Leaders must elevate others.
Through mentoring, Yara aims to create a safe space for dialogue and growth. She feels that coaching gives her the latitude to support individuals in unlocking their potential and navigating their career paths.
How does she model these values? Yara frames a three-pronged approach. By being present, listening actively, and giving constructive feedback. More importantly, she endorses an environment where everyone lifts others as they grow.
Human Capital at the Core of the Middle East’s Transformation
When asked about the future of human capital in the Middle East, Yara speaks with conviction. To her, the road ahead is full of promise. The region is already witnessing strategic transformations. And she sees herself as a cog in that wheel of change. The traditional, administrative view of human resources is falling away. What’s taking its place is a people-first philosophy. Investment in education, skills, and innovation is driving this transition.
Yara is deeply inspired by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for his bold foresight. His Saudi Vision 2030 is a comprehensive national project placing human development at its heart.
His work has opened doors for national talent and raised ambitions across the Kingdom.
With that example in mind, Yara aspires to play her part. Her aim is to help build high-performing workplaces that empower people. She also hopes to foster a culture where excellence and innovation become second nature. In doing so, she stays aligned with the forward-looking direction the Kingdom is taking.
Word of Advice for the Aspirants
“The one who strives in life never truly fails,” has been the anchoring mantra for Yara. She has lived by it in seasons of both ease and turbulence. Her responsibility today is weighty, as it is to keep aspiring leaders purposeful and forward-moving. One of the must-have qualities she expects from them is to be human first.
The financial sector is challenging. And HR is a high-stakes domain. So, the veteran asks these aspirants not to get carried away by titles. They must remember that they were once newcomers. Yara urges them to be the supporter, the listener, and the fair voice in the room.
Working hard for one’s own growth is essential. So is working for their team’s success. Competitions are an inevitable part of this journey. She encourages them never to fear them. But to ascend the success stairs, one should never bring others down.
Finally, Yara stresses that there is no shortcut to earned credibility. Opportunities are abundant, but no one is being handed them on a platter. Not even the highly potent ones are. “Please don’t wait for the world to open its arms to you while you remain still,” she reminds. Next-generation leaders can rise and achieve more than they ever imagined only if they have the will to do so. She encourages them, “Fulfill your ambitions through your own effort and determination.”
The Legacy of Being a Bridge
The legacy Yara hopes to leave behind in the broader business community is to be a source of support to every person who has crossed her path. Whether offering encouragement, helping someone regain hope, or simply being present, those are the things she hopes to pass on. Being in this field, she is aware of the unpredictable nature of the current market. Jobs are scarce, and opportunities often feel out of reach. Many potential job seekers are struggling to land a promising career. Therefore, Yara has a deep desire to help job seekers connect with the right openings.
Yara strongly believes that when we bring joy to an employee and advocate for them, it creates a cascading effect. In her words, “If you make someone’s path easier and bring them happiness, you haven’t just helped one person, you’ve uplifted an entire family who wishes them success and prosperity.”
Reflecting on her early career days, she recalls the weight of having to comprehend everything without a mentor. So, Yara wants to be the person she once needed the most. This aspiration aims to mentor everyone who may need a hand or a voice.