Draft:Hasnae Taleb

Hasnae Taleb is a Moroccan-born trader, investor, entrepreneur, media personality, and speaker, known for her activities in global capital markets and efforts promoting gender equality in finance. She has been publicly referred to by the nickname ‘Shewolf of Nasdaq’ by the the Nasdaq Stock Market, and has been recognized by the U.S. Department of State for her transformative contributions to the financial world. A descendant of the Idrisid dynasty, founded by Idris ibn Abdallah, Morocco’s first ruler, her deep cultural roots have profoundly shaped her commitment to excellence and representation throughout her career.

Early life and education

Taleb left home at just 17 to pursue her studies and ambitions in the United States. That same year, she was admitted to NASA’s Marshall Space Camp, where she became the youngest and first Arab female to win the Space Competition. Shortly afterward, she began her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the American University, later completing an MBA in Asset Management and Capital Markets from Bolton University by the age of 23. She’s also actively engaged in ongoing Ph.D. research at New York University. She holds a Series 7 and Series 63 Accreditations, her academic rigor underpins her financial expertise.

Career and trading

Taleb began her trading journey at just 19, quickly breaking barriers to become the youngest Arab-African woman trader on Wall Street by the age of 21, managing over $660 million in assets at Nasdaq. By 23, she had achieved recognition as one of the youngest self-made millionaires.

Over the years, she has contributed her expertise to leading institutions including Morgan Stanley, Nasdaq, and the Abu Dhabi Executive Office, earning a reputation as a trusted advisor across financial markets from New York to the GCC.

As Managing Partner at Mintply Capital and GCC Partner at Fuel Venture Capital, she oversees portfolios with a team track record exceeding $3.8 billion in assets under management (AUM). She specializes in structuring and restructuring businesses, building and managing robust investment portfolios for institutional and accredited investors and investing in both public and private equities. She has also built and contributed to building startups and developing white-label trading bots for investment institutions, contributing to funds with significant AUM.

Taleb, a member of the American Chamber of Commerce in the UAE, continues to shape the global investment landscape with a distinctive blend of innovation, financial expertise, and a commitment to empowering others in the world of finance. She also offers an online masterclass where she shares the knowledge and expertise she developed throughout her career.

Recognition and ‘Shewolf of Nasdaq’

Taleb has been widely recognized in the media as the first Arab and African woman to earn the title ‘Shewolf of Nasdaq’, a moniker celebrating her trailblazing presence in global finance. Her contributions have earned her prestigious accolades, including the Nasdaq Center of Entrepreneurial Excellence Award, the UAE Ministry of Economy’s Lifetime Achievement Award, the Silver Coin by Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, Most Influential Women in Finance of 2022 and Business Influencer of the Year of 2023 by Filmfare Awards, among others. Bell-ringing at ADX and gender equality initiative

On March 11, 2025, Taleb became the first female trader to ring the opening bell at the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) in a ceremony tied to gender equality in finance. She characterized the event as symbolic of progress for women in a traditionally male-dominated industry.

Media, speaking and public presence

Taleb is active as a speaker and in media appearances. She hosts a video series called Unfiltered Talks in which she shares personal stories, lessons in trading and entrepreneurship, and reflections on resilience. Her YouTube channel describes her mission from empowering young people, particularly from underrepresented backgrounds, to breaking into finance.

Taleb’s impact reaches far beyond the financial world. She was the creator and host of Awwal Malyoun, an investment program on Al Mashhad TV dedicated to promoting financial literacy and personal finance education. She gained recognition on Dubai TV’s Ticket to Expo, where she brought a financial lens to the world’s most anticipated innovation event.

Her social media channels offer actionable insights on stock trading, investing, and leadership, with a focus on empowering women in the male-dominated finance industry. A frequent guest on CNBC Arabia, Bloomberg, Dubai TV and many more, she inspires audiences with her journey and market expertise. Her mantra, “If no one built the table for you, build your own and make it bigger,” resonates globally, particularly among young women.

Taleb’s mission transcends personal success, aiming to reshape the perception of finance and make investing an accessible skill taught at a young age. She envisions a world where young people, especially the underprivileged, can enter financial markets early through education. Her dream is to provide educational opportunities to talented children struggling with basic needs like food, water, and shelter, ensuring they can focus on learning. Taleb is actively building a global community of financially independent men-and-women through her media platforms, fostering economic empowerment and systemic change.