The She Investment Summit, hosted by the Dubai-based Women Board of Directors (WBD) in association with The Brain & Performance Centre – A DP World Company, brought together top executives, government officials, and industry leaders to discuss the pressing need for women’s leadership and investment in gender equality. The summit’s key discussions and takeaways set a new standard for advancing women’s representation at corporate leadership levels, fostering stronger networks and communities.
In her keynote address, H.E. Safeya Al Safi, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for the Commercial Control & Governance Sector at the UAE Ministry of Economy, emphasized the UAE’s transformative journey in women’s empowerment. She reflected on the country’s progress since its founding on December 2, 1971, highlighting the leadership’s early recognition of women as essential partners in societal and economic development. Quoting the UAE’s founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, she said, “I am on the woman’s side, I always say this in order to uphold her right to work and participate in the building process of her country.” She added, “Today, we are not just striving for gender equality. Our focus is on empowering women to lead in future sectors, especially those traditionally dominated by men like technology, finance, and entrepreneurship.”
On the other hand, Jack Uppal, President and Managing Director of General Motors (GM) Africa and the Middle East, shared his personal and professional experiences, attributing his drive and success to the influence of the women in his life. He emphasized, “By encouraging men to be allies and focusing on developing female talent, we create a culture of mutual respect, trust, and collaboration, driving innovation and setting a positive example for the community.”
Poonam Chawla, Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of WBD, pointed out the importance of integrating women’s leadership in business, saying, “Any corporate that fails to leverage the vision, creativity, and leadership of women is not just missing an opportunity—it’s falling behind in the modern world.”
Dr. Craig Cook, CEO of The Brain & Performance Centre – A DP World Company, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to gender parity, stating, “Empowering women has always been at the heart of our mission, and we are committed to driving meaningful progress toward gender parity.”
Lena Dridi, Legal Expertise & Alliances Manager at DiliTrust, the summit’s diversity partner, spoke on the broader implications of gender diversity in leadership: “Empowering women in leadership is not just about diversity; it’s about unlocking the full potential of corporate governance. Supporting inclusion at the highest levels fosters stronger decision-making and sustainable growth.”
The summit featured a distinguished lineup of speakers, including Maliha Jilani, Managing Partner at Heidrick & Struggles MENA; Dr. Mariam Ketait, Boeing’s Aerospace Xelerated Lead for the Middle East, Turkey, Africa & Central Asia; Dr. Roshanak Bassiri Gharb, Equity Partner at Clyde & Co; Dr. Anita Yadav, CEO of Global Credit Advisory Ltd; Wassim Karkabi, Managing Partner at Stanton Chase; Suvo Sarkar, Founder & CEO of 3D Advisory; and Amnah Ajmal, Executive Vice President for Market Development, EEMEA at Mastercard.
