WORLD’S LARGEST FORUM FOR WOMEN LEADERS

Her Highness Sayyida Basma Al Said is a well-established Mental Health Clinical Counselor and founder of Whispers of Serenity, the first private mental health clinic in Oman. She is also a hypnotherapist and PTSD trainer with over 23 years of experience seeing and treating patients. Sayyida Basma is a pioneer in mental health awareness, renowned for tackling taboo subjects in the Middle East such as abuse and eating disorders. Sayyida Basma is the founder of Not Alone, a mental health awareness campaign. One of its major initiatives was to provide psychological and emotional support during the COVID-19 pandemic through a messaging support line that was available worldwide.

In addition to her work in mental health, Sayyida Basma has been recognized for her contributions to society and culture. As Honorary President of Oman Heritage, she helps to preserve Omani traditions and practices. She has also attended and delivered hundreds of talks, workshops and webinars internationally, and also has received numerous awards and honors from the MENA region and Europe for her work. Sayyida Basma has been named as one of the 50 Omani women who have played a significant role in the country's development.

Stephenie is on a mission to impact a billion lives by 2025 and democratise safety in support of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. In 2018, she founded WanderSafe.com, and developed an ecosystem that empowers women, remote workers, and vulnerable people to go anywhere better and safer. In addition to being a tech founder in the AI sector, and a resilience expert, she is also an advocate for inclusivity and innovation as a bilateral bionic amputee, the Global Ambassador for Rotary International's Finish-the-fight.org and working with The Global Fund as an Ambassador to raise funds and awareness to eradicate humanity's greatest biological killer, Malaria. Stephenie is currently competing as Australia's first female Parafencer in Sabre in the qualifiers for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

Renata is an actress, director, producer and screenwriter known for her work in cinema and theater. She's been acting since 1994 and has received worldwide acclaim for her work, which have been featured in festivals such as the Berlin Film Festival and Kinotavr. Currently, Renata is focused on her own projects in theater and cinema, taking on roles as an author, director, actress, costume designer, and producer. Her latest film was included in the program at the Rotterdam Film Festival.

Renata has been an ambassador for brands such as L'Oréal, Volvo, Carrera y Carrera, RADO, and has written and directed short films for them, as well as for GUCCI and, Comme des Garçons. Renata has also been collaborating with the famous Russian singer Zemfira, directing several music videos and a renowned film-concert for her. Having moved to France in 2022, Renata now plays the lead role in her new play The Cactus, which has been on stage in Paris since the end of January.

Currently, Kinda Ibrahim overseas TikTok's operations across the Middle East, Turkey, Africa, Pakistan, Central and South Asia. Under her direction, Kinda is responsible for setting TikTok's content strategy in the METAP, central and South Asia markets, to maintain TikTok's diverse community of users, creators, and content partnerships in order to provide the most pertinent, original, and enjoyable experience for our regional TikTok community. She is also responsible for building and developing teams that will manage and nurture these communities. Additionally, she also partners with the business teams on strategic growth initiatives and works directly with business and cross-functional teams to expand TikTok's footprint in these areas.

Kinda has over 17 years of international experience in digital media, content and marketing acquired in both the Middle East and North America. Before TikTok, Kinda was the Director of Media Partnerships for Twitter Middle East, Turkey and Africa. She led the team responsible for accelerating Twitter’s push for content partnerships across the news, politics, sports, TV, and entertainment verticals. Prior to Twitter, she worked at Microsoft where she was the Editor-in-Chief responsible for English MSN Arabia. She has also held numerous leadership positions in several multinational companies such as leading the media operations division at Yahoo Maktoob. Previously, she played an instrumental role in shaping the digital and data strategy at companies such as EMAP Middle East, the Yellow Pages group and the National Bank of Canada. Kinda holds an MBA in Marketing and Finance from Concordia University in Canada and a BSc in computer science from the American University of Beirut.

Manizha (Sanghin) is a Russian musician of Tajik origin, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Goodwill Ambassador in Russia, and co-founder of the SILSILA foundation. Fleeing the Tajik civil war in the 90’s, she settled in Moscow as a refugee. She gained recognition for her "Instagram album," 'Manuscript,' and her experimental album 'ЯIAM' ('ya-I-am'). Manizha's music videos and advocacy against domestic violence led to the SILSILA foundation. In 2021, she represented Russia at the Eurovision Song Contest with "Russian Woman." In 2022, Manizha became the face of the Spotify EQUALS international project of the music strimming platform on women's rights in the music industry. Big screens with her image appeared at Times Square in New York. She faced backlash for not supporting military actions against Ukraine, leading to concert cancellations in Russia. Manizha consistently integrates her national identity and life experiences into her art, striving to resonate with those who are different and in need of support.

Maye is an international author, dietitian, supermodel, and speaker. She is a respected expert in health, nutrition, aging, gender equality, single parenting, and overcoming challenges. Her book "A Woman Makes A Plan" is an international best-seller and she continues to give talks to corporations, associations, and universities. Maye has been a role model and trendsetter in the industry for over 50 years, overcoming obstacles such as poverty, weight issues, and ageism. She is also an active participant with the non-profit Big Green. Now at 74, she is a Dior Beauty ambassador and travels the world doing high-fashion campaigns.

Zaria is senior global social media manager in Duolingo. She leads social strategy, community management, and creator partnerships across all major social platforms. She spearheaded the development of Duolingo’s TikTok account. As a direct result of Zaria's work on Duolingo's TikTok strategy and execution, the now-famous TikTok channel grew from 50K followers in September 2021 to 6.7M followers today and was recently recognized as one of AdAge’s Top 5 Brand TikTok accounts. The Duolingo TikTok has 143 viral videos (view counts of 1M or higher) due to Zaria’s creativity. What started as a test-and-learn initiative has become Duolingo's most successful social buzz and word of mouth initiative to date – all because of Zaria's insights, instincts, and expertise. More broadly, Zaria is a role model for a new, diverse class of Gen Z social media talent and has proven what's possible when given creative freedom and trust in the work she does. Since her time at Duolingo, Zaria has been named AdAge Social Marketer of the Year 2021, Adweek Creative 100 and Forbes 30 under 30.

Dr. Eng. Suaad Al Shamsi is a trailblazer as the first Emirati woman aircraft engineer specialist in landing gear as well as first aviation researcher. Currently, she holds the position of aviation technical advisor for a major aviation project in the UAE, VP of women in aviation organization (shehana) and is also the CEO of L2L consulting company. She has received several accolades, including the Emirate women award from HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, most influential in aviation award, etc. Along with her work in aviation, she is also an accomplished author of novels and a sought-after motivational speaker at various conferences. And an artist participating in many exhibitions in the UK, UAE, Paris, Thailand, etc.

Mila Semeshkina is the CEO & Founder of Lectera.com, a pioneering global learning platform with more than 3 million users from 60 countries. A serial entrepreneur, author, and venture investor, Mila is deeply committed to democratizing education, making learning efficient and accessible.

Mila's efforts to uplift women professionally and personally led her to establish the Women’s Empowerment Council. Mila's innovations have earned her recognition on the British HolonIQ agency's top-100 women in EdTech list and as one of Arabian Business's "100 People You Must Know in Dubai" and “100 Most Inspiring Leaders.” With a vast speaking portfolio, including an interview with Maye Musk and addresses at major global events such as the Women in Tech Global Summit in Paris, Mila's influence in the educational and entrepreneurial sectors is undeniable. She is also a member of the Forbes Business Council and boasts an impressive 6.6 million followers on Instagram.

Natalia Vodianova is a supermodel and impact investor who has graced the covers of more than 70 Vogue magazines and been the face of brands such as Calvin Klein, Guerlain, Louis Vuitton, and Chanel. She has been ranked among the world’s highest-paid models for many years and is considered a global icon. Natalia is also the founder of the Naked Heart Foundation (2004), an organization that supports families raising children with special needs. She is a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), working to ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health services around the world.

In recent years, Natalia has turned to angel investing and impact investing in startups such as Flo period tracker, PicsArt, Prisma Labs, Re-Face. Out of her 25 tech investments so far, five are unicorns - companies with valuations of over $1 billion. Natalia is a co-founder of Locals.org, the mobile app that connects people via real life meetups and networking activities. Natalia believes that it's important to invest in founders rather than businesses. Her commitment to creating a sustainable future for generations to come has earned her much recognition in both the business and philanthropic worlds.

Amna Al Qubaisi, the first female Emirati racing driver to compete in Formula 4 and 3. She became the first female Arab to win an F4 race in 2019 and the first female to test a Formula E car and the first to claim points in Formula 3.

Tatyana Bakalchuk, a former English and German teacher and mother of 7, founded the e-commerce platform Wildberries in 2004. Today Wildberries operates in 7 countries, shipping over 11 million items daily, with distribution centres covering 3 million sq.m, and over 30,000 pickup points. Wildberries markets itself as an online platform for small businesses, presenting a wide range of products from international and local brands, from clothing, toys, beauty products, baby food to household appliances and electronics. Over 90% of sellers are individuals and self-employed entrepreneurs, and small businesses.

Wildberries has changed the notion that business ownership is expensive, time consuming and complicated. Wildberries’ IT solutions allow entrepreneurs to find customers in both local and international markets. Tatyana is a recipient of the “Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award” In 2018 and the RBC “Entrepreneur of the Year Award”. She was also listed in Forbes “15 businessmen who changed the perception of Russia” In 2019. In 2020, she took 1nd place on RBC's Women CEOs list.

Sara embarked on her entrepreneurial journey at the young age of 15, and her success and passion have since inspired women to embrace self-confidence and achieve business success. She has since served as a board member at the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry and at the UAE SME Council in the Ministry of Economy in Dubai. Sara holds an honorary PhD in Business and Women Leadership. She is a respected public speaker, and has delivered over 200 keynote speeches. Sara believes in the power of community involvement, and she actively shares her knowledge and experiences, particularly with the younger generation. To Sara, women are already born strong - hence they don’t need to be empowered, they need to be inspired.

With a focus on educational activities, Irina has established herself as one of the top ten business speakers in Russia. She leads personal coaching sessions and delivers impactful masterclasses on achieving success while maintaining personal freedom and effective leadership.

In 2004, Irina Khakamada made history as the second woman to run for the Russian Presidency, garnering approximately 4 mln votes in the election. Subsequently, she founded the "Our Choice" party. In May 2008, she announced her decision to step away from political activities.

Irina is also an accomplished author, having written numerous books including a best-selling book "Dao of Life: Masterclass from a Convinced Individualist.

With over 15 years of experience leading a production company, Nayla has a rich tapestry of experience and cultural insight. In addition to being fluent in Gulf dialects and five languages, Nayla navigates complex, cross-cultural projects with ease. Nayla is unwavering in her commitment to authentic storytelling and women's empowerment.

Nayla's film "The Shadow," now on Netflix, attracted the interest of prominent producers and led to the development of her first feature film, titled "Three, which has been released on February 1, 2024 across the Gulf and major MENA territories. Nayla Al Khaja is set to direct a Fantasy/Drama film titled "BAAB," featuring the acclaimed two-time Oscar Winner AR Rahman for the entire musical score.

Nayla's impressive accolades include recognition as one of the "Top 50 Most Powerful Personalities in Arab Cinema" (Variety), "Top 100 Most Powerful Arabs Under 40" (Arabian Business), "Visionary of the Year" (Arabian Business Awards), "Businesswoman of the Year" (Gulf Business Awards), and many more.

Her Highness Sheikha Mozah bint Marwan Al Maktoum is a prominent member of the Emirati society. She belongs to one of the significant UAE’s ruling family, which is Al Maktoum family, to which the rulers of Dubai belong and led by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the United Arab Emirates Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai.

Her Highness Sheikha Mozah bint Marwan Al Maktoum achievements are just as impressive as her family lineage. The youngest in her class at the Oxford Aviation, she was only 17 when she was admitted. She obtained her commercial pilot licence first and then later joined the Dubai Police Airwing as First Lieutenant Pilot, recently being promoted to Captain Pilot, becoming the first woman in the UAE and the Gulf Region, and the first member of the Royal Family in aviation.

Her ambitions are only matched by her determination to create a legacy of her own, opening doors and enabling other women to enter a career in aviation. With this mission in mind, she set in motion the establishment of “Shehana”, the Women in Aviation Association, with the sole purpose to create opportunities and a framework for increasing the number of women joining the aviation sector. Her motto is: “Reach altitude with the right attitude”.

Meryem Uzerli is an actress who received numerous awards worldwide for her performances in projects like „magnificent century“ ( a show about the Ottoman Empire which was sold into more than 90 countries ), the Movie „my mothers wound“ which portraits a Serbian woman who kills herself after finding out that her husband was a rapist during war times as a soldier and for the movie „keeping the bees“ on netflix she was awarded as best main actress by the Chelsea Filmfestival New York. Her upcoming project is an eight episode show for a streaming platform which will be released in 2024.

Beside her movie and theater career she’s involved in charity work which focuses on the support of children in need and women empowerment. She was a speaker at the Forbes Middle East women Panel and also is participating in a Book Project where the income goes directly to young girls who can’t afford education. During the Asian world Filmfestival, which takes place in Los Angeles every year, she was the youngest president of the jury and is a board member ever since.

Meryem recently was the guest of honor at the cinema heritage filmfestival under the patronage of UNESCO in Paris, where she did a speech about peace, togetherness and bridgebuilding.

She’s a mother of two daughters, and the daughter of a German mom and Turkish dad, based in Berlin, Germany.

Manager of Maestro Andrea Bocelli since 2006, Veronica has orchestrated his presence at iconic events worldwide, strongly contributing to the further growth of his fame and increasing record sales to over 90 million.

With her long-standing volunteering and charitable activities, she was instrumental in the creation and design of the Andrea Bocelli Foundation (ABF), established by Andrea Bocelli and his family with the mission: "Empower people and communities". ABF operates globally with a special focus on initiatives in Italy, the United States, Syria, Iraq, and Haiti.

Veronica has been honored with the "UNCA Global Citizens of the Year" award, presented by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, a recognition that she shared with Andrea Bocelli for the humanitarian commitment carried out through the projects of their foundation.

Forbes Italia has elected Veronica Berti among the hundred most influential women of 2022. Further testament to her humanitarian efforts, Veronica has recently received the "Leonardo da Vinci Award" in Humanitarianism at the National Italian American Foundation, in the presence of President Joe Biden.
Veronica is married to Maestro Andrea Bocelli and is mother to their daughter Virginia.

Maria Sharapova is a world-class tennis champion, investor and entrepreneur. She brings her championship mindset to everything she does, a mindset hard earned from her career as an elite athlete. During her career she won five career Grand Slam titles and is one of only the 10 female players in the Open Era to complete the career Grand Slam. Since retiring, Maria is an active founder, CEO, investor, and new mom. She is an equity owner of Supergoop! and a long time ambassador for evian, and has recently expanded her business portfolio as an investor and strategic advisor to include Tonal, Therabody, Public.com, Bala, and Wolf & Shepherd. Last year, she was named to the board of public company Moncler. Across all of her business ventures, Maria works with her partners to advise on a variety of aspects of each business — including product development, creative branding, content strategy, growth and expansion — leveraging her experiences as a professional athlete, entrepreneur, and consumer to provide unique insights and strategic counsel. Whatever it is, Maria approaches all aspects of her life with a mindset to achieve greatness and optimize her and her partners’ performance.

HE Dr. Maryam Matar is recognized as one of the most influential scientists in the UAE. Her significant contributions to preventive healthcare and the advancement of genetic sciences have earned her a place among the top 20 Arab scientists, as recognized by the British Scientific Community.

A leading figure for women scientists in the Arab world, Dr. Matar actively champions gender equality and women’s leadership in science and technology. Her efforts have been recognized with over 35 prestigious scientific and leadership awards, establishing her as a highly influential and inspirational woman role model.

A pioneer in epigenetics and regenerative therapies in the Arab region, Dr. Matar is instrumental in driving scientific discussions and community engagement in these vital fields. As the founder of the Sheikh Zayed Genetics Research Centre, she plays a pivotal role in developing innovative healthcare models for the MENA region.

Her 'Reprogram Your Genes' awareness program, adopted by over 200 academic institutions and 150 organisations, engages a wide audience from students to professionals, encouraging them to embrace healthier lifestyles. Through her lectures and scientific events focused on epigenetics and regenerative therapies, Dr. Matar equips physicians and medical professionals with the knowledge and tools needed for improving patient care.

Paula Yacoubian is a Lebanese TV star renowned for her impactful contributions to both Lebanese and pan-Arab international television stations. Her advocacy for women's rights, dedication to women's empowerment, and relentless support for electoral quotas and fairer election laws in Lebanon earned her a role as an expert on the World Bank Group's External Advisory Panel for Diversity and Inclusion.

Known for her commitment to social activism, Paula initiated the successful "Dafa Campaign", a prominent in-kind donation campaign in the Middle East. In the midst of Lebanon's severe economic and financial crisis, this initiative has been invaluable to more than 250,000 underprivileged families.

Paula Yacoubian was elected to the Lebanese parliament in 2018, and she was re-elected in May 2022 with her unwavering commitment to her constituents. Paula is a dedicated environmental advocate who takes part in beach clean-up campaigns and challenges environmental harm. Paula played a pivotal role in forming an opposition bloc to combat corruption, revive state institutions, and uphold the constitution and laws in Lebanon. King Philippe I of Belgium awarded her the prestigious order "Officier de l'Ordre de la Couronne" for her remarkable contributions.

Delphine Bellini has a degree in International Marketing and Management, with a specialization in Luxury industries. She began her career in the Luxury tourism industry and swiftly entered the universe of Fashion.

In 2002, she joined the Couture House Leonard where she oversaw the management and business development of the brand licenses. From 2005 to 2011, she worked for Jean-Charles de Castelbajac participating in the revival of the House to expand the label of the pop-centric Artist into a comprehensive lifestyle brand. She then launched her own consulting business bringing her global expertise in management, finance and business development to high end and luxury brands. In May 2014, she joined the mythic Couture House Schiapa­relli to shape the brand and lead its strategic development.

Since 2010, Delphine has been an Adjunct Faculty Member at IFM (Institut Français de la Mode) and an active mentor to young entrepreneurs. Member of the Women Initiative Foundation, a philanthropic organization acting for the promotion of women in business, she is a regular speaker in its training programs with the world's leading universities (Stanford, McGill…).

In 2022, Delphine Bellini was recognized as one of the 50 Women in Power who are impacting their businesses and communities by the WWD magazine.

Karen Wazen is the Founder & CEO of Karen Wazen Eyewear and has successfully grown her personal brand to become a globally recognized personality where she shares her everyday life with over 14M+ fans on social media. She is also the Co-Founder of KE Partners, an investment firm and portfolio of over 12 companies.

Karen’s been honored in Forbes' Women Behind Middle Eastern Brands List and earned the Achieving Women in Digital Influence accolade at Entrepreneur Middle East's annual Achieving Women Awards. Since 2021, Karen has served on the board of executives of Fashion Trust Arabia to support up-and-coming local talents in the MENA region. Karen Wazen has become synonymous with high-fashion luxury brands and appeared as the global face of Roberto Cavalli, Guerlain, and Pantene.

Bazaar Arabia, L'Officiel Levant, ELLE Arabia, and Grazia Morocco, Karen Wazen's unique style, authentic personality, and her innate ability to break gender-norms and stereotypes for women in the region continue to excite her fanbase around the world.

Karen Wazen is a passionate humanitarian who uses her voice to advocate for the rights of refugees, displaced persons, and host communities worldwide. Since 2020, Karen Wazen has been an ambassador and advocate for UNHCR. In addition, she continues to be vocal about her struggle with Vitiligo on social media to inspire others worldwide to love their bodies and imperfections.

Dr. Saeeda Jaffar is at the forefront of driving business growth in the GCC region at Visa. She manages a team that collaborates with major financial institutions, business partners, and governments, focusing on Visa's mission to empower a digital-first environment for individuals, businesses, and economies.

In addition to her role at Visa, Dr. Jaffar serves on the Board of Trustees at Kuwait University. Her extensive experience includes former positions at United Arab Bank and Ishraq, as well as an Advisory Board role at Bahrain Fintech Bay. Moreover, she served in leadership roles at McKinsey & Company and Bain & Company as well as Alvarez & Marsal ME.

Dr. Jaffar's 20+ years of leadership and expertise have earned her accolades on prestigious lists such as Arabian Business' 50 Inspiring Female Business Leaders (2022, 2023), Forbes Global Meets Local 2022, Economy Middle East Women in Lead 2023, Forbes Middle East's 100 Most Powerful Women 2023, and Fast Company's Most Creative People 2023.

Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Al Khalifa represents a magnificent blend of entrepreneurial courage, humanitarian principles, and inspirational grace. As a beacon of motivation, she epitomizes the essence of an Arab Princess, captivating hearts with her unwavering dedication and dynamic spirit.
From an early age, Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Al Khalifa embarked on a remarkable journey of self-discovery and excellence. With her relentless pursuit of knowledge in International Relations and Business Management, she forged a strong foundation on which she built her illustrious reputation. Her artistic prowess and unparalleled vision positioned her as a unique and influential figure in the business world. But beyond that, she is also an ardent philanthropist, actively striving to create positive impact within society.

Championing women's empowerment is a cause that ignites a fire within Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Al Khalifa. Firmly believing in the power of women to shape a brighter future, she has spearheaded initiatives that support gender equality and advance women's rights. Her visionary leadership inspires countless individuals to fearlessly pursue their dreams and shatter societal limitations.
Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Al Khalifa's journey from humble beginnings in public relations and marketing showcases her expertise and unwavering confidence. As a young investor, she dedicates herself wholeheartedly to motivate and guide budding entrepreneurs, recognizing their potential as the driving force behind a thriving future. Her ultimate vision is to foster inclusivity and sustainable asset management, placing her unwavering trust in the ambitious younger generations.

Undoubtedly, Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Al Khalifa is a trailblazing leader, relentlessly creating opportunities for individuals from all walks of life. Through her multifaceted projects, she transforms lives and leaves an indelible mark on the world. Renowned for her astute investment skills and boundless philanthropy, she serves as a graceful role model, inspiring women of all generations to embrace their full potential and fearlessly pursue their dreams.

Beyond her artistic prowess and philanthropic endeavors, Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Al Khalifa's compassionate soul and warm spirit shine. She passionately engages with her community, seeking to understand their needs and find effective solutions to uplift their lives. Her unwavering commitment to serving others and making a positive impact has earned her profound respect and admiration from people across all spheres of life.

As the Founder and Chairperson of FUTURE8, Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Al Khalifa embarks on a grand mission to unite startups across different sectors and geographical boundaries. Additionally, as the Chairperson of NFINITY8 Group, she spearheads an array of companies offering comprehensive marketing solutions, and agencies specializing in cybersecurity and AI. Her visionary leadership breathes life into these ventures, shaping a future where innovation and progress are at the forefront.

Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Al Khalifa's contributions have enriched Bahrain's cultural tapestry and touched the lives of countless individuals in need. Her unwavering commitment to arts, culture, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy serves as an eternal flame of inspiration for aspiring artists, entrepreneurs, and humanitarians alike. It reminds us all of the extraordinary power of creativity and compassion to shape a better world.

Amnah Ajmal, Group Executive President - Merchants & Commerce, Digital Partnerships, Fintechs & Enablers, Strategy, M&A, Mastercard. In this role, she leads the P&L across multiple business verticals including merchants, telcos, governments, fintech’s, digital players across 80 markets. In addition, she also heads the strategy, pricing, analytics and M&A function for the region. Prior to this role she led the North America product & innovation organization, based out of the US, creating sustainable, competitive differentiation for Mastercard and its customers by delivering digitally integrated consumer experiences across consumer and commercial products.

Prior to joining Mastercard she was the CEO for Standard Chartered Consumer Bank Malaysia. She was also responsible for retail banking strategy for Indonesia, Malaysia & Taiwan in a global role based out of Singapore. Prior to Standard Chartered, Amnah worked at Citigroup in UAE, Egypt, UK and Poland. She held a number of leadership positions at Citigroup including Asset Business Head for Poland responsible for a full range of consumer asset products, innovation and distribution including credit cards, co brands, personal loans and mortgages.

She was honored to be listed in Forbes Middle East’s 100 most powerful businesswomen 2024; the top 100 women in fintech for 2021 by IBM & Fintech magazine; the top 25 women leaders in financial technology by the Financial Technology Report US for 2019 & 2020 and the top 100 women in Fintech, across the globe, for 2019 by Lattice80. She also holds the honor of being in America’s top 10 women in Fintech by the Fintech Magazine for 2020.
Passion advocate for women gender equity. Speaks annually at 30+ conferences.

She is passionate about social empowerment for women and gender equity. She holds a master’s degree from London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE).

Carla Bruni's journey exemplifies women's empowerment in the arts. Born into an artistic family, she was naturally drawn to music from a young age, nurturing her talent for guitar and songwriting. After a successful modeling career, Bruni made a bold move to pursue her true passion: music. Since then, she has written for Julien Clerc and released the critically acclaimed album "Quelqu'un m'a dit" with sales of over 2 million copies.

In addition to her artistic pursuits, Carla Bruni masterfully balanced her role as the First Lady of France with her popular singing career. This dual role underscores her versatility and ability to navigate both political and cultural landscapes with grace and impact. Her success in these distinct realms further highlights the empowering narrative of women effectively managing multiple prominent roles and making significant contributions to each.

Her music career flourished with several albums, each showcasing her poetic sensitivity and unique style. As an artist committed to philanthropy, Bruni uses her fame to support causes she's passionate about, demonstrating the power of pursuing one's passion while positively impacting the lives of others.

Ida Galich, with a following of 7 million on Instagram, is one of the platform's most popular bloggers. Renowned for her humorous vines about women and their relationships with men, Ida's content has captivated hearts worldwide. Born and raised in Russia, she initially gained prominence as a television presenter, quickly distinguishing herself with her charismatic hosting skills.

Transitioning from the screen to social media stardom, Ida has continued to enchant audiences with her dynamic presence and infectious humor. Over the years, she has also ventured into acting, appearing in various TV shows and receiving praise for her versatile performances. More than just a traditional media figure, Ida excels on social media, where her ability to connect with fans through relatable and engaging content truly shines.

An Emirati woman who believes in the value of community work. She has specialized academically in the study of history and sociology, especially social security. Emirati identity remains her primary issue, in addition to her interest in spreading reading and the cultural and cognitive construction of the Emirati citizen. By enhancing the role of reading and knowledge, and building the critical mind of the emerging generations, based on its intellectual and cultural role that it plays through the institutions of Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan, of which it chairs the Board of Directors, and also through effective partnerships across other cultural and humanitarian institutions inside and outside the United Arab Emirates.
Based on her belief in the value of women and their role in society, she adopted the philosophy of achieving fair equality between the sexes, expressing her support for the state’s effort to achieve balance through her public lectures, articles she wrote in many newspapers and magazines, and her academic studies.
She actively contributed to enriching Emirati cultural life by launching the Thought and Knowledge Council, which is the first women’s literary salon in the Emirates, in 1996 when she saw that cultural work needed to unite thinking and knowledgeable minds under a knowledge system capable of influencing cultural life.

Mary Gukasyan is a seasoned FMCG leader with over 22 years of experience in the Consumer-Packaged Goods (CPG) market. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a well-balanced approach, driven by an entrepreneurial spirit and a commitment to excellence. Mary is currently serving as the Managing Director for the Middle East and Africa at Kraft Heinz.

Her comprehensive experience spans various aspects of business management, including developing and aligning strategic plans, managing crisis situations, implementing organizational and route-to-market structures, launching new products, and optimizing resource utilization. Mary is adept at motivating and developing teams, as well as negotiating with major customers and partners at the highest levels.
In her capacity as General Manager for the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region at Kraft Heinz, Mary achieved record-breaking results in net sales value and spearheaded structural changes for the MEA zone. She focused on key priorities and successfully opened offices in strategic locations, leading to certifications for Great Place To Work in Egypt and Dubai. Mary is also focused on professional equality through empowering women, people with disabilities and youth. She is actively involved in executing Kraft Heinz ESG agenda in the region and has been an instrumental change agent in that regard.

Before joining Kraft Heinz, Mary held the position of General Manager for Russia & CIS at Kraft Heinz, where she drove significant sales and profitability growth over three years. She merged business units, developed innovative product launch plans, and fostered employee engagement, earning recognition for her leadership in the region.

Earlier in her career, Mary held various leadership roles at Danone, Sun InBev, Nestle, and ALGRO, where she gained extensive experience in sales, business development, and strategic management.
Mary holds a degree in Foreign Languages from Kuban State University, with additional education in Marketing from Kellogg University and Executive Management from INSEAD. She continues to be recognized for her leadership and achievements in the CPG industry.

Mirna Arif is the first woman to serve as Microsoft Egypt's General Manager. With over 20 years of international working experience across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, she is spearheading Egypt's digital transformation with a focus on empathy-based management and youth training. Arif is expanding Microsoft's digital footprint in both public and private organizations to drive the growth of the country's tech industry. Prior to joining Microsoft, she held leadership positions at Schlumberger, Emerson Automation Solutions, GE Oil & Gas where she led digital transformation efforts across multiple international markets. In addition to her role at Microsoft, Arif contributes to the boards of Banque Misr and Rameda Pharma, and serves on advisory boards for Al Nas Hospital and The Knowledge Hub Universities.

In April 2019, Her Excellency Hala Badri was appointed as the Director General of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority by a royal decree from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, following 20 years of an impressive path in dynamic business sectors critical to the UAE’s economic development: telecommunications, oil & gas, media and real estate. A passionate marketer, a technology enthusiast, transforming businesses through innovation and her exemplary managerial qualities, she is able to capably spearhead the achievement of the Authority’s strategic objectives.

She is the Vice Chairperson for the Dubai Women Establishment Board of Directors, a member of Dubai Media Council, as well as Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award (HIPA) Board of Trustees. In April 2022, Badri was appointed as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Higher Colleges of Technology. She was also appointed as a member of the Board of Trustees of Rashid and Latifa Schools Establishment. Currently, she is also a member in the Supreme Committee to Oversee Development of Hatta and the Dubai Road Naming Committee. She also chairs the Women and Sports Committee in the Dubai Sports Council and serves as Vice President of the Investment Committee in the Dubai Sports Council. Additionally, she is a board member of the Officers Club, a member of the Financial, Administrative, and Investment Affairs Committee at the Higher Colleges of Technology, and a member of the board of governors of Citizens School.

Candace Bushnell arrived to NewYork at 19 with a typewriter and the audacity to believe women’s stories mattered. From her early days as a freelance writer for Mademoiselle, Self, and Esquire, Bushnell developed a voice that was sharp, daring, and unapologetically female.

She rose to fame with her New York Observer column Sex and the City, which became a bestselling book and iconic HBO series. Through ten novels, Bushnell has chronicled the lives of women navigating love, ambition, and identity, making her one of the most influential voices in women’s literature. Through her books and television series, Bushnell’s work has influenced and defined two generations of women.

Bushnell is the winner of the 2006 Matrix Award for books, and a recipient of the Albert Einstein Spirit of Achievement Award. With wit and candor, Bushnell now takes audiences behind the scenes of her journey. Her talks peel back the layers of the modern world’s biases while offering real-world insight into writing, resilience, and reinvention.

Dr. Maky Zanganeh is a visionary biotech leader, entrepreneur, cancer survivor, and author recognized by Forbes as one of the 34 self-made female billionaires in the United States. With a career defined by courage, innovation, and impact, she has transformed the landscape of oncology and global healthcare.

Currently the Co-CEO and President of Summit Therapeutics, Dr. Zanganeh is known for her bold leadership in advancing patient-friendly cancer therapies. She played a pivotal role in the historic $21 billion acquisition of Pharmacyclics by AbbVie and was instrumental in the success of IMBRUVICA®, a breakthrough blood cancer drug.Earlier in her career, she helped lead the world’s first transatlantic robotic surgery—Operation Lindbergh—at Computer Motion, proving that innovation knows no borders.

A featured speaker at the United Nations and other global forums, Dr. Zanganeh speaks on topics including leadership under pressure, women in science, health equity, and redefining what’s possible in business and life. Dr. Zanganeh’s memoir, The Magic of Normal (Forbes Books, 2025), reflects her powerful journey through war, cancer, and business. It’s a tribute to resilience and the human spirit. Through every challenge, her mantra remains: “Take responsibility, and the ability will follow.” Her life’s work continues to push boundaries—bridging science and business to deliver hope, healing, and a better future.

She holds a DDS and an MBA and speaks four languages fluently. Dr. Zanganeh continues to inspire audiences around the world to dream big, lead boldly, and never give up.

Demet Ozer is a visionary entrepreneur redefining luxury in the global beauty industry. Born in Belgium and rooted in Turkish heritage, she began her career at just 15 and quickly became a pioneer in in the beauty industry across the Benelux region. Her brand, DMT Beauty, grew into the most exclusive permanent makeup salon in the region, praised for unmatched quality and innovation.

Now residing in Dubai, Demet is the founder of Migems – a high-end beauty sanctuary. With bespoke treatments, exclusive memberships, and holistic wellness offerings, Migems represents a new global standard in beauty.

Through her ventures like The Golden Agency, The BB Event, and CapitalQueens, Demet continues to empower women in both beauty and business, proving that elegance, innovation, and impact can go hand in hand.

Valentina’s journey began in business, and evolved into a deeply personal, human work. As a Clinical Psychologist, Gestalt Therapist, and ICF-Certified Coach, she spent years helping people in their most vulnerable moments. She saw how many were struggling silently, unable to access consistent care. So she decided to change that.

With an MBA in Psychological Guidance & Counselling and a professorship in Business Psychology and Coaching, Valentina combined her clinical insight with entrepreneurial vision. The result is Dzeny, the platform that blends the warmth of human understanding with the precision of AI. It helps people navigate anxiety, burnout, and emotional fatigue through mood tracking, personalized insights, and gentle, science-backed guidance. The app has rapidly gained popularity within the business sector, with numerous employers proactively integrating Dzeny into their benefits packages—highlighting their dedication to supporting and valuing their teams.

Lyasan Utiasheva began rhythmic gymnastics as a child, her extraordinary flexibility setting her apart early on. Her backscale pivot became a signature move, now named in her honor. By her late teens, she was a two-time Grand Prix Final all-around medalist and a winner of multiple championships.

But behind the beauty was pain. In 2002, after months of misdiagnosis, she collapsed during a performance. Doctors eventually discovered multiple stress fractures in both feet. The damage was so severe that amputation was briefly considered. She spent months unable to walk, undergoing surgeries and facing deep uncertainty about her recovery.

She returned to the sport in 2004, defying all odds. But two years later, another injury—this time to her knee—ended her competitive career for good at just 21.

Lyasan didn’t fade. She transformed. Turning her discipline into storytelling, she became a choreographer, then a television host. Now a mother of two, she connects with millions, speaking on resilience, reinvention, and the power of rising after the fall.

Lucy is known as one of the "OG" investors in the UAE. She is focused on the innovation space, both in terms of supporting founders and as an investor. Lucy has garnered a strong reputation as someone who has helped build the entrepreneurial ecosystem of the UAE. Her recently published book, "Changing The Game", highlights the importance of digital technologies (in sectors such as gaming) and its relevance to the future of work. Lucy is an advocate and capacity builder focused on digital transformation as it applies to businesses, as well as the education sector. Her role as Advisor, 2022FemaleAngels and Representative, World Business Angels Investment Forum is both on increasing funding for entrepreneurs, as well as to achieve gender equity in the investment ecosystem in MENA. Lucy is a Linkedin TopVoice and one of CEO Middle East's Influential Women in the Arab World. She has been recognized by Arabian Business as one of 50 Inspiring Female Business Leaders. She is Top 100 Women of the Future and HSBC Middle East featured her as one of 75 outstanding individuals, who have contributed to the UAE’s rise.

Lucy sits on the Board of Trustees for The American School of Dubai, as well as the Solidarity Circle, UNHCR. She has been a contributing author for Life on the Move, an anthology of stories about expat life and The Possibilities Project: A Young Person’s Guide to Career Success. She is pleased to be an Ambassador for Women In Games (WIGJ), Advisory Board member, HER Sports Summit and UNIPLAT and a Strategic Advisor #2022FemaleAngels. She has degrees from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management Northwestern University and HK University of Science &Technology, the University of British Columbia and Capilano University.

Elena Cardone is the CEO of Build an Empire. Model and actress Elena Cardone began her career in Hollywood and became a star in television and films. She is an author of a best-selling book "Build an Empire: How to Have it All" which grew into a universe of empowerment training programs including successful 10X Ladies and Women in Power events. Elena mentors hundreds of women with her own curriculum designed to assist aspiring empire builders.

She has recently partnered with EXP Realty planning to build the largest real estate team worldwide, creating generational wealth through real estate. Elena and Grant, her husband, have built a portfolio worth $5.2 billion in real estate.

Nelly Attar is a renowned fitness ambassador and sports leader in the Middle East. She started her professional journey as a psychologist and life coach but decided to follow her passion for fitness and physical activity, leading her to launch Saudi Arabia's first dance studio, MOVE, in 2017.

In 2022, Nelly made history by becoming the first Arab woman to scale K2, the world's second-highest peak, standing at 8,611 meters above sea level. She accomplished this feat just four weeks before climbing the Matterhorn, a Swiss peak standing at 4,478 meters. Nelly has completed six major marathons, as well as one ultramarathon. She was the first Nike trainer and ambassador in Saudi Arabia and led the first official female run in the Kingdom in partnership with GSA.

Nelly's dedication to empowering women to participate in sports activities has played a significant role in transforming the sports landscape in the region. She has been recognized for her contributions to the sports and fitness industry in the Middle East, being named as "One of Top Influential Muslim Women in Sports" and "Female Fitness Influencer of the Year" and being nominated for the "Sporting Event of the Year" award. Her accomplishments as a fitness ambassador and sports leader have made her an inspiration to many, especially women, in the Middle East and beyond.

With extensive global experience, Dr. Giovanna has led independent projects worldwide, assisting corporations and brands, including RedBull, Finnair, Fortum, Adidas, Diesel, DKNY, DVF, Coach, D-Cave, Dundas, JPMorgan, Walmart, and more in their tech transformation journey.

Dr. Giovanna G. Casimiro, an XR specialist and brand strategist since 2010, boasts over a decade of marketing and production experience in the innovation landscape. From 2021 to 2023, Dr. Giovanna served as a Lead Metaverse Producer at Decentraland Foundation, where she headed the Metaverse Fashion Week, seamlessly blending fashion with the metaverse. Her active roles include consulting, mentoring. In 2022 she co-founded the educational and consulting initiative, Metaverse Fashion Talks, leading to several innovative projects and a podcast called Tech Fusion.

She holds a PhD from the University of Sao Paulo's Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism, focusing on Open Source Heritage, digital memory, and open-source tools for the future of culture and arts. She has been taking part in educational global projects such as MIT's Hacking Arts (2016-2018), Farfetch Dream Assembly (2022-2023), and Harvard HealthLab (2023-). Recognized as one of the Most Influential Women in Crypto by CryptoNewsZ, 2023 Innovators List art BishBaz, 100 Female Innovators list of Epoca Magazine, MENA Innovators list 2023, Threedium Top 50 XR Award recipient, featured at Vogue Greece's Change Makers 2022, Brytehall’s Bryte Fashion Forces 2022 Top 100 member.

Partner and dynamic Business Development Director and with a proven track record in driving international tech transfer initiatives across water, energy, environment, and infrastructure sectors. Expert in strategic partnerships, fostering collaboration, and making decisions that fuel growth and profitability. Fluent in English, French, Arabic, and German, with a passion for promoting diversity and empowering women in STEM.

Founder of the Global Women Forum (GWF), a pioneering platform connecting Arab female leaders with their global counterparts. A seasoned public speaker, mentor, and coach in intercultural communication for the Arab world, dedicated to mentoring and empowering the next generation of female talent, particularly in STEM and technical fields, to drive positive global change.