Remembering Princess Banderi AR Al Faisal MPP '98

A Force for Positive Change whose Legacy Continues

It is never easy to bring about lasting social change. It is even harder to do so as a woman in a place where women’s rights have historically been curtailed. And yet Princess Banderi AR Al Faisal, a leader of Saudi civil society who received her Master’s Degree in Public Policy from HKS in 1998, and who passed away of natural causes in March of this year, did both. In her too-brief 46 years of life, the princess used her position to improve the lives of the less fortunate in her country and throughout the Arab world. Members of the HKS community join Saudi citizens in paying tribute to her legacy.

Professor Asim I. Khwaja, director of Harvard’s Center for International Development, described first meeting Princess Banderi at a dinner hosted by her mother, Princess Moudi: “In a room of incredibly talented and remarkable women, I was especially moved and inspired by Princess Banderi's dedication, insights and spirit. When the narrative around Saudi Arabia takes the form of negative blanket statements, we can lose sight that it is a country full of diverse, passionate voices speaking out for regular people. The Princess was one such voice and she will be missed by the many people who benefitted from her work.”

After graduating from the Kennedy School, Princess Banderi served as CEO of the King Khalid Foundation (KKF), an organization that advances civil society and promotes equal opportunity and sustainability. Dr. Aditi Bhutoria, a former post-doctoral fellow at Evidence for Policy Design (EPoD) at HKS, recalled Princess Banderi’s style of leadership: “She exuded a spirit of freedom, a self-assured individualistic agency, warmth, and humility. I fondly recall my conversation with her, where she shared her experiences of setting the groundwork for women’s socio-economic and civic empowerment in Saudi Arabia.”

Under her direction, the KKF helped make social empowerment and non-profit sector development key themes in the country’s Vision 2030 and National Transformation Program. As a result, the number of nonprofits registered annually grew from 200 in 2008 to over 2,000 by 2018. Yousef Alguwaifli MPA 2019 recalled Princess Banderi's dedication to inclusion: "[She] opened her door and the doors of the Foundation to all segments of society. All voices were welcomed and heard." As a mentee of the Princess, he found her desire to help others remarkable: "Nothing excited her more than seeing people grow and fulfill their potential."

One of Princess Banderi’s most passionate commitments was to advancing the rights of women and children. In 2013, in order to put domestic violence on the national agenda, the Foundation launched a provocative campaign featuring a veiled woman, her face covered except for a bruised eye, under the arresting banner “No More Abuse.” Later that year, partially in response to the greater public awareness garnered by the campaign, the Kingdom adopted a “Women and Child Abuse Prevention Law,” key aspects of which had been drafted by the KKF.

Sarah Olayan Xefos MPP 2012 remarked that she would never forget this campaign, the first of its kind. She remembered the Princess as “a change maker” who “masterfully led from behind the scenes and wielded her soft-power with the utmost humility. She knew what issues were important and strived to make Saudi Arabia a better place for everyone. One of the first female leaders of a major foundation in the Kingdom, she used her influence to alleviate suffering of many forms.”

Although her bold efforts stirred resistance, Princess Banderi never wavered. Natasha Matic, Deputy CEO of KKF, noted that Princess Banderi embraced the Foundation’s role as a relentless agent of progress: “Someone once said KKF is persistent like a mosquito, we don’t give up until we achieve the change we want to see, and Princess Banderi thought it was such a great compliment.”

The Princess’s legacy will live on, not only in Saudi Arabia, but also at the Kennedy School. In 2000, she established the Princess Banderi Al-Faisal Public Service Fellowship to advance educational opportunities for Arab youth, especially women. Xefos added that Princess Banderi “took time out of her busy schedule to mentor many young Saudis and you could see what an impact she had in their lives today. I think her most cherished role was being a mother - and through her work she made the world a little brighter for those she mentored, and many others.”

Saudi Ambassador to the United States Princess Reema Bandar Al Saud remarked: “There are few in this world who give for the sake of giving, who stand up for what is right without expectation of reward, who see beyond the limits of imagination, and who hold pillars so strongly but silently. While we too often take them for granted, those are the ones we miss so profoundly. Princess Banderi was one of those few. Her loss is one that is felt by her family, her friends and the community that always turned to her for guidance. May her beautiful soul rest in peace.”

Professor Khwaja said: “At HKS, we teach students that a life worth living is a life where one can use one’s talents and resources for the betterment of others. Princess Banderi led such a life and will serve as a role model for future leaders.” The Middle East Initiative’s faculty director, Professor Tarek Masoud, added: “Princess Banderi was one of the Kennedy School’s most prominent Arab graduates, and her work on behalf of women and children was the embodiment of our motto, ‘Ask what you can do.’ Her loss is deeply felt by all of us.”

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Samia Sekkarie is a Research Manager at Evidence for Policy Design, a research program within the Center for International Development at HKS.