H.H. Princess Mashael Al-Shalan

Her Highness Princess Mashael bint Saud AlShalan is the Co-Founder of AEON Collective, a crossdisciplinary Waqf (non-profit endowment) dedicated to advancing sustainable practices for inclusive, 
equitable, and resilient development. Through AEON Collective, she also serves as Co-Founder and 
Managing Director of AEON Strategy and AEON Placemaking,, entities focused on systems thinking, 
sustainability-driven development, and innovation across policy, place, and people. 
Princess Mashael brings over 15 years of professional experience spanning sustainable development, climate 
action, environmental conservation, and economic development. She has led and spearheaded several 
flagship initiatives under AEON Collective, including the Tree Library Program, the Planetary Action 
Network, and TreeLibrary Studios, which engage public and private stakeholders within the Kingdom of 
Saudi Arabia and internationally to address the interconnected challenges of human health, ecosystems, and 
cultural resilience. 
Her work extends to active participation in major international policy processes addressing climate change, 
biodiversity, land degradation, and ecosystem restoration. She has contributed to global dialogues under the 
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the United Nations 
Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). Under her leadership, AEON Collective played an active 
role at UNCCD COP16, contributing to discussions, partnerships, and knowledge exchange focused on land 
restoration, climate resilience, and nature-based solutions. Through these platforms, she has contributed to 
shaping dialogues that bridge global policy frameworks with practical, locally grounded implementation. 
Princess Mashael has authored and led multiple publications focused on communicating sustainability’s 
most pressing challenges, with a particular emphasis on bridging the gap between science, policy, and 
execution. Her policy experience includes contributions to the Kingdom’s Circular Carbon Economy 
Initiative and the Circular Carbon Economy National Program, as well as development work supporting 
SME ecosystem growth in international contexts. Her community engagement includes founding and 
leading Friends of Ma’ab, a volunteer initiative supporting mental health and community well-being. 
She currently serves as the Chairwoman of Women & Energy, the first Saudi non-governmental 
organization dedicated to increasing women’s participation in the energy sector. In this role, she has been 
instrumental in shaping strategies that promote sustainability, innovation, identity, and equitable access to 
opportunities across the industry. 
In addition to her executive and philanthropic leadership, Princess Mashael serves as a board member of 
several national and strategic entities. These include the Saudi Cricket Federation, the official governing 
body responsible for the development, regulation, and international representation of cricket in the 
Kingdom, supporting sports governance, youth development, and sports diplomacy. She also serves on the 
board of the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve Development Authority, a flagship protected 
area authority mandated with biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, and the integration of 
environmental protection with community development and sustainable eco-tourism. In addition, she is a 
board member of Morooj (Vegetation Cover Development Foundation), a governmental non-profit 
foundation established under the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture as the executive arm of 
the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification. Morooj advances 
Saudi Arabia’s environmental sustainability agenda through afforestation, ecosystem rehabilitation, 
biodiversity conservation, combating desertification, and climate-resilient land and coastal development, in 
alignment with Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative. 
Princess Mashael holds a Master’s degree in International Affairs, with a focus on Economic and Political 
Development and Sustainable Development, from Columbia University’s School of International and Public 
Affairs (SIPA). She is also an avid fencer and scuba diver. Her leadership and vision continue to contribute 
to national and international efforts toward a sustainable, resilient, and equitable futur