Alumni Spotlight | Waleed AlHarbi: From Technology to Strategic Leadership
- Keep In Touch
- Le 30 octobre 2026
From digital infrastructure and innovation to investment strategy, Audencia DBA alumnus Waleed AlHarbi has built a career at the intersection of technology, business and organisational transformation.
With over two decades of professional experience, Waleed's journey has taken him through a range of technology-driven organisations in Saudi Arabia, including Saudi Aramco, Red Hat, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and IBM. One particularly significant chapter was his eight years at KAUST, where his work focused on digital innovation, emerging technologies and strategic development. His subsequent roles expanded his focus from technology solutions to customer experience, business transformation and organisational strategy.
Today, Waleed works at the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC), where he has recently moved into strategic investments, following his work in telecommunications development.
Connecting research with practice
Alongside his professional journey, Waleed pursued a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) at Audencia, seeking to bring academic reflection into his approach to strategic leadership. In a testimonial previously shared with Audencia, he reflected on how the DBA experience encouraged him to combine attentive listening with the confidence to explore new approaches - two principles closely associated with the school's identity. His experience illustrates how executive education and professional practice can inform one another throughout a career.
Staying connected, creating opportunities
Waleed's connection with Audencia has continued beyond his DBA studies. Drawing on his professional and academic network, he has also taken the initiative to facilitate introductions and explore opportunities for dialogue between institutions. For the Audencia Alumni community, these connections are a reminder that engagement can take many forms, from sharing professional experience to bringing people and ideas together.
We are pleased to highlight Waleed's professional journey and thank him for his continued engagement with the Audencia community.
With over two decades of professional experience, Waleed's journey has taken him through a range of technology-driven organisations in Saudi Arabia, including Saudi Aramco, Red Hat, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and IBM. One particularly significant chapter was his eight years at KAUST, where his work focused on digital innovation, emerging technologies and strategic development. His subsequent roles expanded his focus from technology solutions to customer experience, business transformation and organisational strategy.
Today, Waleed works at the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC), where he has recently moved into strategic investments, following his work in telecommunications development.
Connecting research with practice
Alongside his professional journey, Waleed pursued a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) at Audencia, seeking to bring academic reflection into his approach to strategic leadership. In a testimonial previously shared with Audencia, he reflected on how the DBA experience encouraged him to combine attentive listening with the confidence to explore new approaches - two principles closely associated with the school's identity. His experience illustrates how executive education and professional practice can inform one another throughout a career.
Staying connected, creating opportunities
Waleed's connection with Audencia has continued beyond his DBA studies. Drawing on his professional and academic network, he has also taken the initiative to facilitate introductions and explore opportunities for dialogue between institutions. For the Audencia Alumni community, these connections are a reminder that engagement can take many forms, from sharing professional experience to bringing people and ideas together.
We are pleased to highlight Waleed's professional journey and thank him for his continued engagement with the Audencia community.
