Mona Kattan
Founder KAYALIMona Kattan, a trailblazing Arab American entrepreneur, is recognized as one of the most influential women in the beauty industry and the Arab world. As the founder of KAYALI fragrances, she has achieved remarkable success, dedicated to fostering inclusivity in beauty and empowering the next generation of beauty enthusiasts.
After earning her bachelor’s degree in finance, Mona briefly worked in investment banking before embarking on her entrepreneurial journey. In 2009, she launched her first business venture, a PR and business consultancy, while simultaneously building her personal network and community.
In 2012, Mona co-founded a beauty salon with one of her friends, which led her to the idea of creating Huda Beauty with her sisters, Huda and Alya.
Mona’s ultimate passion, however, has always been fragrance. Known as the “Perfume Princess,” she has established herself as a leading figure in the fragrance world. With over 5,000 perfumes in her fragrance library. In 2018, she was honored as the “Most Influential Social Media Personality” by The Fragrance Foundation. Under her leadership, KAYALI has achieved multiple accolades: in 2025, Vanilla Candy Rock Sugar | 42 was named Fragrance of the Year – Women’s Prestige, recognized for its captivating scent, innovative composition, and strong consumer appeal, while Yum BoujeeMarshmallow | 81 was celebrated as a BeautyWorld Middle East Popular Fragrance of the Year.
Driven by her love for perfume, Mona launched KAYALI in 2018. The brand, which means “my imagination” in Arabic, draws inspiration from her Middle Eastern heritage and the art of layering scents. Mona leads the creative vision for KAYALI, working with world-renowned perfumers and sourcing top-tier ingredients to create unforgettable, cruelty-free fragrances. Each luxurious scent, from its alluring notes to its beautifully crafted bottles, is a tribute to expert craftsmanship and storytelling.
Under Mona’s leadership, KAYALI has grown into a globally recognized fragrance house, stocked in leading retailers worldwide and celebrated redefining modern perfumery through layering, storytelling, and cultural authenticity. Today, the brand continues to set new benchmarks in the prestige fragrance space, resonating with a new generation of consumers seeking individuality and self-expression through scent.
Mona’s fragrance passion has built a global community of over 7 million followers across social media. Her expertise has been featured in leading publications such as BoF, WWD, Cosmopolitan, Vogue, POPSUGAR, Allure, Marie Claire, and Harper’s Bazaar. She has also been named one of the most powerful women in the Middle East by Forbes in 2024. Additionally, Mona has appeared on popular TV shows like Netflix’s Dubai Bling and Shark Tank.
Purpose is central to Mona’s vision. Through KAYALI Cares, she champions humanitarian initiatives, women’s empowerment, and community-driven impact, using fragrance as a platform for meaningful change. Her philanthropic efforts reflect her belief that beauty brands have a responsibility to give back and create lasting social impact.
Beyond her role as a brand founder, Mona is an active mentor, speaker, and member of organizations like YPO, Founders Forum, and The Fragrance Foundation, continually shaping the future of the beauty industry.
