Aljohara Almandil

Can you tell me a bit about yourself, personally and professionally?

My name is Aljohara Almandil, and I’m a Saudi national from Riyadh. I’m a senior executive with extensive experience in digital innovation, customer value management, and strategic transformation, primarily in the banking sector.

Over the years, I’ve led several projects that contributed to the transformation of the financial industry, from segment classifications to creating new revenue streams and programmes. Today, I lead the Digital Innovation Lab at Jeel by Riyad Bank, the third-largest bank in Saudi Arabia.

We created a centre focused on innovation and transformation, and I oversee solutioning, business modelling, and strategy development. That includes leading hackathons, bootcamps, and workshops to build business cases using emerging technologies and exploring their impact on the financial sector.

Earlier in my career, I broke several barriers in the banking space, especially around women’s empowerment. Back in 2016, we launched a women’s banking programme in Saudi Arabia, and it was part of a strategic marketing push to improve financial literacy among women. That initiative later expanded to include financial education for children through a programme called Token, which I developed while I was at Riyad Bank. That’s what led to my promotion at the time, and I’m proud that I’m now scaling and evolving that work on the digital side.

What made you choose the GEMBA at INSEAD? What inspired this next step in your education journey?

There were many reasons. When you’re thinking about your next level, you have to be intentional. I considered several schools such as INSEAD, Harvard, LBS. I already had a U.S.-based bachelor’s degree, double majoring in international business and marketing, so I knew that education system well. But I was looking for something global.

When I thought about global reach, INSEAD was the clear choice. The network is unbeatable. 

I haven’t seen an alumni community as connected and close-knit. That was one of the top reasons for choosing INSEAD, along with the incredible calibre of the professors and the real-world impact of their work.

As someone already at a senior level, I wanted to be among peers who speak the same language, where I could learn as much from the cohort’s experience as from the curriculum. And that’s exactly what I found in the GEMBA programme.

The GEMBA puts a strong emphasis on leadership and leadership development. What are your thoughts on that?

Leadership is a buzzword today, but in practice, it’s not what the books say. You really have to experience it firsthand. Leaders are defined by their actions, not just their words.

 INSEAD’s Leadership Development programme taught me a lot—both professionally and personally.   

It helped me become who I am today. Before GEMBA, I wasn’t someone who practised deep self-reflection. I focused on results and external output. However, through the programme, I became much more self-aware, understanding how others perceive me and how I can lead more effectively.

That shift gave me confidence, and that’s something many leaders lack, especially with the pace of change we’re all facing. I’m still practising those lessons today and even teaching them to my team. And the support doesn’t end when the programme does. You always have the INSEAD network to turn to when you're navigating a new challenge or wondering how to grow further.

Can you share a concrete example of how you applied what you learned?

When I joined GEMBA, my main goal was to close a knowledge gap and prepare myself for the next step. I was already on a succession plan at my company, but I lacked confidence in stepping into a +1 role.

By the second module, after coaching and feedback sessions, I realised that growth also means embracing challenges and learning curves, even if that means making mistakes. That insight led me to pivot out of retail banking, where I’d spent most of my career, into the digital space.

A few years later, I’m now leading two divisions in that area. The programme didn’t just give me the skills, it gave me the mindset to take bold steps.

So the GEMBA really helped propel your leadership, personally and professionally?

Absolutely. Skills can be built, but to lead, you need character. That’s what I was looking for at INSEAD. Something deeper than just technical upskilling.

In the past, leadership was often about operational excellence. But today, it’s about empathy. People come first. With all the tools and tech available, what really makes a difference is how you lead your people and help them grow. When you do that well, the business follows.

How do you balance the technical and soft sides of leadership in your current role?

It’s a constant balancing act. You need to stay current with tech trends and put them into practice, but at the same time, you need to deeply understand people.

That’s why I make time to engage with my team, my peers, and senior leadership. I listen closely because influencing and inspiring others doesn’t come from tools. It comes from human connection.

So, while I dedicate time to reading about new technologies, I also invest in understanding emotional intelligence and how to lead with intention. That balance is what makes a leader effective today.

And for women, in particular, those who might be hesitant about pursuing a GEMBA, what would you say to them?

As a Saudi woman, I’ve seen firsthand what it means to break barriers. We’re just beginning this wave of empowerment in my country, but globally, women are more ready than ever.

What we need are equal opportunities and the tools to lead with impact. Yes, women are often labelled as too emotional or too assertive. But that’s not a flaw, that’s a strength. We bring empathy and clarity to leadership.

So, I would say, don’t listen to those voices of doubt. Learn to be your authentic self. Equip yourself with knowledge, experience, and a network, and then go lead. That’s what GEMBA helped me do.

Does the GEMBA prepare participants for the C-suite?

Absolutely. It prepares you both practically and emotionally. From classroom knowledge to peer learning to coaching, it all adds up.

Today, especially in innovation, you need confidence to be bold and creative. GEMBA gives you that.

And it opens doors. Since graduating, I’ve been selected as one of 1,000 Saudi leaders to be part of Misk Foundation’s 2030 Leaders Program. That’s a direct reflection of what GEMBA and INSEAD have made possible for me.