Who’s Who: Noha Kattan, deputy minister for national partnerships and development at the Ministry of Culture

Noha Kattan.
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Noha Kattan is the deputy minister for national partnerships and development at the Ministry of Culture.

She is also currently a board member of the Saudi Convention and Exhibition General Authority and a member of the board of trustees for the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts.

Kattan is also a member of the Executive Incentives Committee at the Cultural Development Fund, a board member of the Family Affairs Council, and a member of the Supreme Committee for the Princess Nourah Prize for Women’s Excellence.

Kattan has led the establishment and oversight of several departments and functions since joining the ministry in 2018.

She developed the Kingdom’s Cultural Talent Development Strategy and continues to pioneer efforts to integrate arts and culture into the education ecosystem through initiatives including a school theater, a national cultural talent tournament, and training for music teachers.

She oversaw the culture-licensing department, led the mandate transfer from numerous government bodies to the Ministry of Culture and its commissions, and developed the investment and private sector engagement strategy, identifying investment opportunities in the culture sector and structuring deals to enhance private-sector participation and the overall sustainability of the sector.

Kattan works closely with nonprofit organizations, enabling and empowering nongovernmental organizations to actively contribute to cultural growth in Saudi Arabia.

Prior to her current position, Kattan headed the Vision Realization Office and was an advisor to the deputy of planning and development at the Ministry of Sports.

She assisted with the development of the National Sports Strategy and was part of the leadership team in launching mega flagship projects in Saudi Arabia, such as Formula E, WWE, and the King Salman Chess Championship.

Kattan also served as program director and manager at the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, where she led youth-targeted projects and policies in partnership with the Harvard Kennedy School for the Evidence for Policy Design Program.

Kattan earned her bachelor’s degree in applied medical sciences and clinical nutrition from King Saud University and a master’s degree in medical sciences and human nutrition from the University of Sheffield.

She has a professional certificate in survey research techniques from the University of Michigan and a leadership development certificate from the Harvard Business School.