Celebrating Women in Leadership: The 2nd Annual Middle East Women Leaders Summit & Awards 2023

Historically, women have always played a prominent role in society, making significant contributions and often being the decision-makers in their communities. However, when it comes to their roles in the workforce, women have faced barriers and challenges. Globally, only 6% of women occupy leadership positions, and this number dipped further during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these setbacks, there is a growing movement that aims to challenge the conventional norms of women’s roles in the workplace and celebrate their accomplishments.

The Award Ceremony at Address Hotel on 23rd of October 2023

The 2nd Annual Middle East Women Leaders Summit & Awards 2023 is a testament to this evolving narrative. This event goes beyond the traditional discussion of women’s empowerment, aiming to create an ecosystem where everyone can thrive together. It brings together accomplished women leaders from various sectors to share their stories, challenges, journeys, and successes with aspiring women. The summit is a platform for celebrating the paradigm shift in new-age leadership and inspiring the next generation of women leaders to break down barriers.

Roberto Croci, Director of Value Creation & Transformation at the Public Investment Fund, beautifully summed up the essence of this summit, stating,

“Empowerment is not a destination but an ongoing journey of growth, challenges, and resilience.”

The 2nd Annual Middle East Women Leaders Summit & Awards 2023 seeks to redefine the table’s structure and empower women not just to take a seat but to shape the table itself.

This prestigious event was held at the luxurious Address Dubai Marina, hosting dignitaries, excellencies, and experts from the Middle East region. Verve Management, a leading business facilitation platform in the UAE, impeccably organized the event. The summit was a tribute to and recognition of the exceptional achievements of women leaders in the Middle East and their contributions to various sectors and the wider community.

Notable Women Empowerment Advocate Award went to H.E. Sheikha Moaza Al Maktoum

The 2nd Annual Middle East Women Leaders’ Awards Gala was a dazzling evening filled with glamour, gratitude, and appreciation. The room was alive with the spirit of celebration as distinguished women leaders from various fields were recognized for their stellar contributions over the years. The recipients of the awards included:

• Notable Women Empowerment Advocate – H.E. Sheikha Moaza Al Maktoum
• Woman Leader in Performing Arts 2023 – Alia Al Neyadi, Emirati Ballerina
• Millennial Leader Award – Ritika Bhandari, CHRO at Teleperformance
• Leaving Behind a Footprint – H.E. Mona AlMoayyed, Managing Director at Y.K. Almoayyed & Sons
• Best Organization Led by A Woman or Women – Mollie Powell, CEO at Pink Camel Recruitment
• Breaking The Bias – Nayla Al Khaja, Executive Producer / Film Director at Nayla Al Khaja Films
• Champions of Change – MAERSK
• Best Gender Inclusive Company – Deriv
• Woman Entrepreneur of The Year – Rajani Nalla, Founder & CEO at Trusity
• Woman Icon of The Year – Aradhana Khowala, CEO and Chair of the Global Advisory Board at Aptamind Partners | Red Sea Global
• Woman Leader in Business – Mary Jane Al Mahdi, CEO at Prime Group of Companies
• Voice of The Year – Sonia Ben Jaafar, CEO at Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation
• Woman CEO of The Year (PSU/PVT/GOVT) – Jing Wang, CEO at Sawa Group
• Impactful Woman in The Middle East – H.E. Asma Al Fahim, Chairwoman at Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council

In addition, the event recognized leading industry professionals from the Middle East region under the accolade “Women Leaders in The Middle East 2023.” These professionals are making significant contributions to their respective fields, breaking barriers, and inspiring others.

The 2nd Annual Middle East Women Leaders’ Awards Gala was made possible with the support of leading organizations in the industry. The event was sponsored by Unilever and had silver sponsors in MAERSK and PSA|BDP. Sanofi served as the healthcare partner, Ethara as the luncheon partner, Al Haramain as the fragrance partner, and HZMER Jewelry as the gift partner.

Presentation by Unilever on Equality in the Workplace

The 2nd Annual Middle East Women Leaders Summit & Awards 2023 is not just an event but a movement that highlights the importance of women in leadership roles and their invaluable contributions to society and the workforce. It celebrates empowerment, resilience, and the ongoing growth journey. As we look forward to the future, it’s clear that women are not just taking their seats at the table; they are redefining the very structure of that table and leading the way toward a more inclusive and diverse world.