H.E. Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani has the privilege of serving her country in the fields of culture, education, and philanthropy, taking a leadership role in Qatar’s programme of human, social, and economic development and environmental sustainability. She pursues these goals by building the nation’s multifaceted cultural infrastructure, fostering the creative industries in Qatar and its region, and using cultural exchange to increase mutual understanding throughout the world.

In the field of cultural diplomacy, Sheikha Al Mayassa created the Years of Culture programme of bilateral cultural exchanges and has been instrumental in concluding cooperative agreements between Qatar and nations including France, China, and Italy. She led the way toward the creation of a permanent Qatar Pavilion in the Giardini de La Biennale di Venezia, for which she will serve as Commissioner, and in 2025 initiated Qatar’s first official participation in the Biennale, on the site of the future Pavilion. Her achievements in cultural diplomacy were recognised by the French Republic in 2025 with her induction into the Legion of Honor.

Sheikha Al Mayassa has served as Chairperson of Qatar Museums since its founding in 2005, overseeing the development of QM’s network of museums and exhibition galleries. Under her leadership, QM also maintains one of the world’s largest public art programmes, preserves and restores Qatar’s historical sites and buildings, and operates Creative Hubs that nurture artistic talent and provide opportunities to build the creative economy.

Sheikha Al Mayassa founded the Doha Film Institute in 2010 with the aim of building a dynamic film industry in Qatar and nurturing regional storytellers. DFI organises and presents the international Doha Film Festival, conducts a mentorship program and workshops for both professionals and amateurs, and serves as a resource that is global in scope. In 2019, Sheikha Al Mayassa became a principal founder of Fashion Trust Arabia, which she cochairs: the first non-profit organisation of its kind in the Arab world, providing financial support, guidance, and mentorships to emerging designers across the Middle East and North Africa.

As Chairperson of Qatar Leadership Centre, Sheikha Al Mayassa advances the nation’s young talent and strengthens the skills of the professional workforce. As Chairperson of Reach Out to Asia (ROTA), now a core program of the Education Above All foundation where she is Vice-Chairperson, she works to ensure that people affected by crisis across Asia have continuing access to high-quality education.

Among her leadership roles, Sheikha Al Mayassa is Co-Chairperson of the Joint Advisory Board of Georgetown University Qatar and a Member of the Qatar Foundation Board of Trustees. She is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Rhode Island School of Design and a member of the Board of Advisors of Common Sense Media.