Recognition in business and media circles often follows years of experience. For Rateel Alshehri, it has come at 14.
On 5 February 2026, at the Emirates Golf Club Pavilion in Dubai, the 14-year-old Saudi podcaster and youth leader stood among 49 honorees at Fast Company Middle East’s Most Creative People in Business awards. She was named a winner under the category “Bringing Good Things to More People,” becoming the youngest girl to receive the recognition.
The category celebrates leaders who place people at the centre of their work and use creativity to generate meaningful social impact. For Rateel, whose work has consistently focused on youth dialogue, storytelling, and community initiatives, the award felt less like a milestone and more like a continuation.
“This recognition means so much to me because it’s about people,” said Rateel Alshehri. “I believe creativity goes beyond just ideas – it’s about how those ideas make others feel seen, heard, and supported.”
Platforms Built for Listening
Through her podcast, Rateel Alpha Talk, public speaking engagements, and youth-led initiatives, Rateel has built spaces where young people are encouraged to speak openly, ask questions, and see their voices as tools for change. Her work does not position youth as an audience but as participants in shaping conversations about purpose, empathy, and leadership.
What distinguishes her approach is a focus on listening first. Conversations are framed around curiosity rather than instruction, and dialogue rather than performance.
“I’ve learned that even at a young age, you can create impact if you listen first and lead with purpose,” she added. “I hope this inspires other young people to believe that their ideas can bring good things to more people too.”
A Broader Moment for Youth Voices
The Most Creative People in Business list highlights individuals whose work moves beyond titles and scale, recognising impact that is tangible and human. The 2026 honorees come from across business, technology, media, culture, and the creative industries, reflecting a regional shift in how leadership is defined.
Rateel’s recognition sits within a broader moment in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, where young changemakers are increasingly visible across public platforms. Her recent win as the youngest ever recipient of the ‘Favorite Female Influencer’ award at the Joy Awards further underscores this shift.
These milestones are not simply personal achievements. They reflect a changing understanding of who gets to lead conversations and how influence is measured.
Creativity as Care
At the heart of Rateel’s work is a belief that creativity is a form of care. Stories, conversations, and initiatives are designed to make young people feel acknowledged and supported rather than directed.
Her growing presence across media, public speaking, and youth engagement initiatives shows how platforms can be used to build community rather than attention.
For a generation often described in terms of potential, Rateel offers a reminder that potential can also be present tense.
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