Deema Alathel is an Executive Director for Global Strategic Initiatives, focusing on driving complex deals and strategic engagement in international investment markets. Since joining IBM in 2019, she has held multiple leadership positions, including leading IBM's business strategy in Saudi Arabia, joining the global business development team, managing critical accounts at the EMEA level, and leading project delivery for the MEA market. In 2024, she moved to New York to serve as Global Director for Client and Product Advocacy at IBM headquarters, reporting to Rob Thomas, Senior Vice President Software and Chief Commercial Officer. Her expertise centers on artificial intelligence, automation, security, and cloud services, with a complementary focus on technology policy through close alignment with IBM's Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs division.

Before joining IBM, Alathel served as Chief Information Officer at KSU's female campus and worked as a part-time consultant for several government and non-government agencies, including the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, the National Digital Transformation Unit at MCIT, and the Bunyan Women's Charity Association. She has also participated with the Saudi delegation for the Human Rights Commission at the UN in Switzerland. In 2020, Forbes recognized her as one of the world's leading women in AI.

Alathel holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science with specialization in AI from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. She currently serves on multiple boards and committees advancing emerging technology strategies and talent development, including at Princess Noura University, AlYamama University, and Saudi Awwal Bank