World With Purpose: Where Heritage Meets Global Prosperity An Exclusive Interview With Roberta Calarese

19.02.25 06:27 AM Comment(s) By Lisa Durante

Introduction: A Vision in Motion

In the heart of Diriyah, where the echoes of Saudi Arabia’s storied past meet the ambitions of its future, an extraordinary gathering will take place. The World With Purpose (WWP) KSA 2025 summit is not just an event; it is a strategic convergence of visionaries, investors, and changemakers who are redefining legacy, wealth, and leadership on a global scale.

For Roberta Calarese, Founder and CEO of GHAYA and Chair of World With Purpose, this edition of the summit represents something far greater than a high-level networking opportunity. It is a statement about the intersection of economy, culture, and innovation, perfectly aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

The Kingdom is not just opening its doors to investment,” Roberta tells me ahead of the event, “it is redefining the very nature of what purposeful, sustainable investment looks like.”

This year’s WWP summit will see a powerful shift: an increased interest from private offices, global investors, and next-generation wealth holders eager to explore opportunities within Saudi Arabia’s rapidly transforming market.

But what is it about Saudi Arabia that has captured their attention?


KSA: A Magnet for Global Private Capital

Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation under Vision 2030 has reshaped its investment landscape, turning it into one of the most sought-after markets for global private offices and family wealth managers.

What we are seeing is a realignment in how family offices and private investors approach opportunity,” Roberta explains.

Key trends driving this shift include:

  • Strategic Alignment with Global Capital: The Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Saudi Vision 2030 initiatives have accelerated privatisation, foreign direct investment, and technology-driven industries, making the Kingdom an attractive market for long-term capital.

  • Sectoral Diversification: While energy remains a pillar, Saudi Arabia is now drawing major investment in AI, agritech, hospitality, real estate, and sustainable development.

  • Next-Gen Investors Seeking Impact: Younger wealth holders within private offices are increasingly focused on legacy-driven investment, and Vision 2030 offers a clear blueprint for economic transformation that aligns with their values.

  • Regulatory Evolution: With business-friendly reforms, evolving regulatory frameworks, and robust financial incentives, KSA is de-risking entry points for foreign investors.

There is an undeniable appetite for private capital to be part of this journey. Saudi Arabia is offering more than just investment opportunities—it is offering legacy-building opportunities.

And at the heart of this transition is a fundamental truth:

The New Wealth Mindset: Purpose Beyond Profits

The landscape of wealth and investment has shifted dramatically in recent years, with a new generation of high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and sovereign funds looking beyond traditional returns.

Wealth is no longer just about accumulation—it’s about responsibility, impact, and transformation,” Roberta states.

WWP KSA 2025 embodies this philosophy, convening leaders who understand that the most powerful investments are those that leave a lasting mark on industries, communities, and culture.

The summit’s themes reflect this shift, covering:

  • Sustainable Prosperity – How capital can drive long-term, regenerative economic growth.

  • The Power of AI and Technology – Innovations shaping the future of work, business, and investment.

  • Women with Purpose – Unlocking the potential of female leadership and wealth stewardship.

  • Family Business & Legacy – Future-proofing family enterprises in a changing world.

Heritage as a Driver of Economic Diplomacy

One of the most fascinating dimensions of Saudi Arabia’s transformation is its recognition of heritage as an economic driver—a concept that many leading economies have leveraged for global influence.

Cultural capital is just as valuable as financial capital,” Roberta points out. “Look at France, Italy, Japan—these nations have built entire industries on the strength of their heritage, from haute couture to artisanal craftsmanship. Saudi Arabia is entering this conversation in a major way.

Through the Ministry of Culture’s Heritage Commission, Saudi Arabia is:

  • Reviving and reintroducing its historical landmarks, arts, and craftsmanship to a global audience.

  • Using cultural diplomacy to expand its soft power, much like France with its wine industry or Japan with its meticulous craftsmanship.

  • Positioning heritage tourism and experiential travel as key economic sectors, capitalising on Saudi Arabia’s unique landscapes, ancient sites, and UNESCO-listed locations.

This cultural and economic alignment is why the WWP Gala Dinner in Diriyah is such an integral moment of the summit—an evening where business leaders, policymakers, and visionaries will not only discuss investment but experience Saudi Arabia’s cultural narrative firsthand.


The Gala Dinner: A Showcase of Saudi Soft Power

Against the timeless backdrop of Diriyah, the WWP Gala Dinner will serve as a masterclass in how a nation can tell its story through its cuisine, its traditions, and its hospitality.

For Saudi Arabia, food is more than sustenance—it is a cultural expression, a diplomatic tool, and an economic asset.

“People underestimate the power of cuisine in shaping perception,” Roberta notes. “A well-curated dining experience is a gateway into understanding a culture. Saudi Arabia has the depth, the history, and the sophistication to use its gastronomy as an introduction to the world.”

The dinner, curated by the Saudi Culinary Arts Commission, will blend:

  • Authentic regional dishes served with modern finesse, highlighting the depth of Arabian flavours.

  • An immersive gastronomic journey, where each course reflects the narrative of Saudi heritage, from the spice routes to contemporary fine dining.

  • A celebration of Arabian hospitality, underscoring how tradition and modernity coexist seamlessly in the Kingdom’s new era.

For private offices and investors in attendance, this evening will not just be about networking or investment opportunities—it will be an experience designed to reshape their understanding of Saudi Arabia’s place in the world.


A Historic Inflection Point

As WWP KSA 2025 unfolds, Saudi Arabia is sending a clear message to global investors, entrepreneurs, and cultural leaders:

This is a country that values its past but is not bound by it. A country that is building its future with vision, intelligence, and purpose.

And for those who recognise the power of aligning with a transformation of this scale, the opportunity is now.

The world has entered a new era of prosperity—one that is no longer just measured in financial returns, but in the ability to create lasting, meaningful impact. Saudi Arabia understands this deeply. And so do the people who will be sitting in that room at WWP.

The Kingdom isn’t just inviting investment—it is inviting partnership, collaboration, and legacy-building.

As the evening draws to a close, the conversations that started in Diriyah will extend far beyond its ancient walls—into boardrooms, industries, and economies worldwide.

Because this is more than an event.

This is a moment in history.


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