2025 Women Of Live: Nada Alhelabi

Nada Alhelabi
General Manager | MDLBEAST Foundation

FAV SHOW OF 2024 | “XP Music Futures holds a special place in my heart. Watching
the community truly grow, seeing genuine connections form, and witnessing artists
being discovered is deeply moving.”

When asked about her most impactful recent initiatives, Nada Alhelabi – the general manager of the MDLBEAST Foundation, based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – is particularly proud of MDLBEAST’s Artist Management Bootcamp.

“We’ve achieved an almost 50/50 gender ratio,” she says. “This reflects a clear desire among women to be involved not just in performing but also in the business and strategic aspects of the industry. Seeing so many women eager to take on leadership roles and manage artists is a powerful indicator of the shifting landscape—and it’s proof that when opportunities are made accessible, women will step up and thrive.”

She adds, “More women are headlining festivals, leading production teams, and holding executive positions than ever before. There’s a growing recognition that diverse perspectives make for richer, more inclusive experiences, and many organizations are actively working to close the gender gap.”

MDLBEAST is also working to elevate regional artists and professionals as a whole. Hunna is a women’s mentorship program that pairs emerging female artists with established ones. And then there’s Xperform, a regional singing competition for new talent, with the first two winners being Assayil from Saudi Arabia and Lamia Al Kattab from Egypt.

Storm Shaker is an initiative that gives artists the chance to perform at four festivals around the world; the Xchange Workshops travel across the region to listen to local challenges, build community and city connections, and discover new talent.

“Seeing these efforts come to life, and knowing they’re making a difference, is what keeps me motivated every day,” she says.
While the live industry has come a long way, Alhelabi emphasizes, “there’s still work to be done, especially in the MENA region. I would like to see more women in technical roles—from sound engineering to tour management, where representation is still lacking. Additionally, while women are increasingly visible as performers, there’s a need for greater representation in leadership and decision-making roles, where they can shape the direction of the industry.”