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Overview

Forbes Middle East is one of the region’s most important and inspirational supporters of female entrepreneurs and leaders, championing women who turned their big dreams and visions into reality.

Join us at the Forbes Middle East Women’s Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 21-23 May 2023, to witness first-hand the world’s most accomplished and talented women from all walks of life and sectors—including business, technology, healthcare, fashion & beauty, and travel & tourism—as they share their stories, learn from one another, and inspire future generations.

The event will conclude with a gala dinner and prestigious recognition ceremony for the honorees from our Forbes Middle East’s women-focused lists in front of Salwa Palace, allowing our guests to experience the unique warmth of Saudi hospitality in a historical setting.

The summit, chaired by H.H. Princess Noura bint Faisal Al Saud, will be held in at the Fairmont Riyadh, a luxury five-star hotel that embraces the culture of Saudi Arabia. The hotel caters to the needs of business and leisure travelers, with spacious and elegant guestrooms and suites, in-room business facilities, the highest-quality amenities, and state-of-the-art technologies.

The key to this event: Shining a light on women’s voices, an open space for women to share their expert knowledge in their respective fields. The event will explore issues that impact women’s challenges, opportunities, and aspirations. Attendees will hear from renowned senior government officials, business leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, athletes, and celebrities and be given a chance to discuss their own experiences.

Register today to take part in this life-changing event!

Forbes Middle East- Women’s Summit 2023

Speakers

moderator

H.H. Princess Loulwa Bint Yazeed Al Saud

Founder


Plus966 and RiseUp Saudi

moderator

Shaista Asif

Group Chief Operating Officer


Pure Health

moderator

Hoda Mansour

Commercial International Bank Board Member and CIB Board Head of Sustainability Committee


moderator

Pakinam Kafafi

Chief Executive Officer


TAQA Arabia

moderator

Dr. Aisha Bin Bishr

Global Digital Magnate, Vice Chairwoman of the Board Emaar, Former Founding Director of Smart Dubai


Emaar Development

moderator

Agnes Lim

Vice President  EEMEA


Allergan Aesthetics

moderator

Dr. Saeeda Jaffar

Senior Vice President & Group Country Manager – GCC


Visa

moderator

Ali Bailoun

Regional General Manager for KSA, Oman and Bahrain


Visa

moderator

Kiran Haslam

Chief Marketing Officer


Diriyah Company

moderator

Dr. Antoinette Sarasin Gianduzzo

Director of Biomolecular Restoration, Nutrition & Lifestyle


The Küsnacht Practice

moderator

Talal AL-Ajmi

Founder and CEO


Vi Markets

moderator

Lujaina Mohsin Darwish

Chairperson


Mohsin Haider Darwish LLC - Infrastructure, Technology Industrial and Consumer Solutions and Oman State Council Member

moderator

Sahar Hamad Al Marzouki

Director & Owner


Al Faris International School

moderator

H.H. Princess Noura Bint Faisal Al Saud

Founder


Global Culture House

moderator

Amira Sajwani

Managing Director of Sales & Development


DAMAC Properties

moderator

Tarek Youssef Hosni

Chief Executive Officer


Jamjoom Pharma

moderator

Alison Rehill-Erguven

Chief Executive Officer


Cenomi Centers

moderator

Esin Güral Argat

Vice President of the Board


Gürok Group

moderator

Natasha Matos-Hemingway

Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer (CCMO) of video on demand (VOD)


Shahid

moderator

Moon Baz

Creator Partnerships Lead, Middle East, Africa and Turkey


Meta

moderator

Wesley Pabis

Chief Executive Officer


Augmento

moderator

Marloes Knippenberg

Chief Executive Officer


Kerten Hospitality

moderator

Mona Kattan

Founder


Kayali Fragrances

moderator

Anne-Laure Malauzat

Partner


Bain & Company, Middle East

moderator

Sima Ganwani Ved

Founder and Chairwoman


Apparel group

moderator

Lana Khalaf

General Manager


Microsoft Qatar

moderator

Susanne Mikhail

Regional Director


UN Women Office for the Arab States

moderator

Halima Aden

Somali-American Activist and Fashion Model


moderator

Meryem Uzerli

Turkish-German Actress


moderator

Anas Bukhash

Entrepreneur & Interviewer


Bukhash Brothers Co.

moderator

Yusra Mardini

Syrian Swimmer


IOC Refugee Olympic Team

moderator

Maguy Bou Ghosn

Lebanese Actress


moderator

Sawsan Albahiti

Saudi Opera Singer and Vocal Coach


moderator

Nour Al-Ghandour

Egyptian TV Presenter & Actress


moderator

Sham AlZahabi

Scientist/Founder & CEO


Dao Derma Skin Clinic

moderator

Evlin Abdullah-Khalifa

Miss Universe Bahrain 2022


moderator

Yasmina Zaytoun

Miss Lebanon 2022


moderator

Annabella Hilal

TV Presenter


MBC and MTV

moderator

Dania Akeel

Motorsport Athlete


moderator

Dina Shabib

Founder and Managing Director


Etijah Coaching & Consulting Services

moderator

Amnah Yaqoub 

Founder and CEO 


Smartista

moderator

Dareen Barbar

Guinness World Record Holder, Athlete, and Fitness/Life Coach


Adidas MENA- Tedxalquoz

moderator

Lama Al Oraiman

Kuwaiti Space Ambassador and Co- Founder


Ignition

moderator

Sara Sabry

Astronaut, Engineer, Entrepreneur, Advocate


Deep Space Initiative

moderator

Michelle Lusby

Bespoke Lead Designer


Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Middle East & Africa

moderator

Hady Hajjar

Co-Founder


HuManagement

moderator

Cedric Haddad

Celebrity Stylist and Owner


#StyledByCed

moderator

Razan Alazzouni

Fashion Designer


moderator

Denise Soda

Chief Executive Officer


Basil Soda Fashion House

moderator

Selma Benomar

Founder and Creative Director 


SB Creations 

moderator

Ruwaida Abela Northen

Founder and Managing Director


JRN Consultancy

moderator

Sonal Vara- Parmar

Founder & CEO


IAM Entertainment

moderator

Sarah Al Ayed

Co-Founder and Partner


TRACCS

moderator

Manar Elamin

CEO


Sparkle Media Services

moderator

Hadley Gamble

International Journalist and Presenter


moderator

Muna AbuSulayman

UNDP Goodwill Ambassador


moderator

Sara Murad

Senior TV presenter


MBC group

moderator

Lubna Abdulaziz

Saudi Presenter, Actress, and Social Media Influencer


moderator

Mahira Abdel Aziz

Actress & TV Host


moderator

Sally Moussa

International Speaker, Journalist and Presenter


moderator

Mariam Farag

Global Keynote Speaker & Founder


Humanizing Brands

moderator

Ramia Farrage

Senior Producer and Presenter


Forbes Middle East

moderator

Nancy Bahmad

Journalist/Presenter


Forbes Middle East

moderator

Samar Khouri

Online Editor


Forbes Middle East

moderator

Jayda Shoukry

Content Producer


Forbes Middle East

Agenda

Forbes Middle East- Women’s Summit 2023

• Arrival and Check-In At Fairmont Riydah

17:30 – 18:30

• Sunset Reception and Guided Tour of At-Turaif, World Heritage Site

Forbes Middle East- Women’s Summit 2023

08:30 – 09:30

• Registrations Open And Networking Coffee
• Power Breakfast Hosted by Visa

09:30 – 09:40

Wellness Session: Mindful Meditation For Inner Peace

Experts from JOALI take us through breathing exercises to help us stay balanced and grounded.

09:40 – 09:50

Musical Performance

• By: Sawsan Albahiti, Saudi Opera Singer and Vocal Coach

09:50 – 10:00

• Welcome Remarks By Khuloud Al Omian, CEO And Editor-in-Chief Of Forbes Middle East

10:00 – 10:10

• Welcome Remarks By H.H. Princess Noura Bint Faisal Al Saud, Women’s Summit Chair

10:10 – 10:30

Fireside Chat

Strength In Resilience: The Journey From Refugee To Olympian (EN)

• With: Yusra Mardini, Syrian Olympian Swimmer
• Moderated by: Ramia Farrage, Senior Producer & Presenter, Forbes Middle East
Olympic swimmer Yusra Mardini tells her story, revealing how she overcame life’s challenges to pursue her dreams and succeed at the highest level.

10:30 – 10:40

Spotlight Session

Authenticity Unleashed: Finding Fulfillment In Work & Life (EN)

• By: Anas Bukhash, Entrepreneur & Interviewer, Bukhash Brothers Co.
Anas Bukhash shares some valuable tips to cultivate work-life fulfillment in our everyday lives.

10:40 – 11:00

Fireside Chat

Accelerating The Longevity Agenda (EN)

• With: Shaista Asif, Group Chief Operating Officer at Pure Health
• Moderated by: Ramia Farrage, Senior Producer & Presenter, Forbes Middle East
Shaista Asif shares her views on founding and building the largest healthcare company in the region focused on the vision of longevity.

11:00 – 11:25

Panel Discussion

Rising To The Top: Leveraging Initiative & Intuition To Overcome Challenges (EN)

• With: Dr. Saeeda Jaffar, GM for the GCC at Visa, Wesley Pabis Founder at Augmento.com and Moon Baz, Creator Partnerships Lead, Africa, Middle East, and Turkey at Meta
• Moderated by the Expert: Hoda Mansour, Commercial International Bank Board Member and CIB Board Head of Sustainability Committee
Dr. Saeeda Jafar, Wesley Pabis, Moon Baz, and Hoda Mansour explore the many challenges in life and in business and how they can leverage their power to achieve success.

11:25 – 11:50

Panel Discussion

How Transformational Leadership Is Key To Sustaining A Family Business (EN)

• With: Lujaina Mohsin Darwish, Chairperson of ITICS at Mohsin Haider Darwish, and Sahar Hamad Al Marzouki, Director and Owner of Al Faris International School
• Moderated by: Hadley Gamble, International Journalist and Presenter
Lujaina Mohsin Darwish and Sahar Hamad Al Marzouki debate the core values that drive growth and innovation in family businesses, the role of women within these legacies, and how they are developing in an evolving landscape.

11:50 – 12:10

Fireside Chat

Face The Future Of Aesthetics: Driving Industry Forward Through Inclusivity, Diversity And Ethics (EN)

• With: Agnes Lim, Vice President of EEMEA Area at Allergan Aesthetics, an AbbVie company
• Moderated by: Ramia Farrage, Senior Producer & Presenter, Forbes Middle East
Agnes Lim discusses how the aesthetics industry is evolving from being associated with vanity to being about empowering confidence and what this means for the women that use it.

12:10 – 12:20

Spotlight Session

Why Should Women Invest In Trading? (AR)

• By: Talal Al Ajmi, Founder & CEO, VI Markets
Talal Al Ajmi sheds light on women’s role in the world of finance and how they are being empowered through regional initiatives and AI.
.

12:20 – 12:40

Fireside Chat

The Balancing Act: Equality & Leadership (EN)

• With: Alison Rehill-Erguven, Chief Executive Officer at Cenomi Centers
• Moderated by: Hadley Gamble, International Journalist and Presenter
Alison Rehill-Erguven discusses the importance of workplace diversity and equality in the Kingdom.

12:40 – 13:00

Fireside Chat

The Science Behind Reverse-Aging (EN)

• With: Dr. Antoinette Sarasin Gianduzzo, Director of Biomolecular Restoration, Nutrition & Lifestyle at The Küsnacht Practice
• Moderated by: Sally Moussa, International Presenter
Dr. Antoinette Sarasin Gianduzzo explores the factors that influence our biological age, how we can take more control of our lifespans, and how we can choose to live smarter to help us live longer.
.

13:00 – 14:00

Lunch

14:00 – 14:30

Workshop

The Fashion Code: A Workshop On Fashion Confidence And Empowerment (AR)

• By: Cedric Haddad, Celebrity Stylist and Owner of #StyledByCed

14:30 – 14:45

Spotlight Session

Change The Rules, Don’t Leave The Arena (EN)

• By: Sima Ganwani Ved, Founder and Chairwoman, at Apparel group
Sima Ved gives some important entrepreneurial lessons for furthering female empowerment in society.

14:45 – 15:05

Fireside Chat

Cultivating Opportunities For Creative Entrepreneurship (AR)

• With: H.H. Princess Loulwa Bint Yazeed Al Saud, Founder of +966
• Moderated by: Nancy Bahmad, Senior Presenter at Forbes Middle East
H.H. Princess Loulwa Bint Yazeed Al Saud discusses the many opportunities in Saudi Arabia for startups and how the kingdom is helping them to raise money and create feasible business plans.
.

15:05 – 15:30

Panel Discussion

Championing Representation In Beauty (EN)

• With: Mona Kattan, Founder of Kayali Fragrances, and Halima Aden, Somali-American Activist and Fashion Model
• Moderated by: Muna Abu Sulayman, UNDP Goodwill Ambassador
The faces of fashion and beauty are evolving to represent all in a diverse world. Mona Kattan and Halima Aden discuss the importance and power of inclusion in their industries and how they’re working to address the power balance.

15:30 – 15:45

Spotlight Session

Overcoming Adversity Behind The Screen (AR)

• By: Actress Maguy Abu Ghosn

15:45 – 16:10

Panel Discussion

Repackaging The Future Of Saudi’s Tourism And Hospitality Industries (EN)

• With: Kiran Haslam, Chief Marketing Officer at Diriyah Company and Marloes Knippenberg, Chief Executive Office at Kerten Hospitality
• Moderated by: Samar Khouri, Online Editor at Forbes Middle East
Kiran Haslam and Marloes Knippenberg explore the vision and inspiration behind Saudi Arabia’s dreams of becoming a global hub for tourism, what this means for Saudi women in the workforce, and how the kingdom intends to bring its ambitions to life.

16:10 – 16:30

Fireside Chat

Unravelling The Myths Of The Entertainment Industry (EN)

• With: Meryem Uzerli, Turkish-German Actress
• Moderated by: Mahira Abdel Aziz, Actress & TV Host
Meryem Uzerli tells us her story of reaching the top of her field and gives us a glimpse into the highs and lows behind succeeding in the entertainment industry.

16:30 – 16:50

Fireside Chat

Leading the Way: Empowerment And Engagement In The Pharma Industry (EN)

• With: Tarek Youssef Hosni, Chief Executive Officer at Jamjoom Pharma
• Moderated by: Jayda Shoukry, Content Producer at Forbes Middle East
Tarek Youssef Hosni discusses the evolving and growing role of women in the pharma industry and how they are empowering others.
.

16:50 – 16:55

Spotlight Session

Beyond the Glass Ceiling: Women the Ultimate Multi Taskers (AR)

• By: Mahira Abdel Aziz, Actress & TV Host

16:55 – 17:20

Panel Discussion

Building The Credibility To Go Global (AR)

• With: Nour Al Ghandour, Egyptian TV Presenter & Actress, Sawsan Albahiti, Saudi Opera Singer and Vocal Coach, and Hady Hajjar, Co-Founder at HuManagement
• Moderated by: Sara Murad, Senior TV Presenter at MBC Group
Nour Al Ghandour, Sawsan Albahiti, and Hady Hajjar reveal how they found the courage and inspiration to pursue their chosen paths regionally and how they are building solid foundations to grow internationally.

17:20 – 17:40

Fireside Chat

Advancing Gender Equality In The Middle East Workforce (EN)

• By: Anne-Laure Malauzat, Partner at Bain and Company
• Moderated by: Sally Moussa, International Presenter
Ann-Laure Malauzat explores the gender gap in the Middle East ecosystem, how it is evolving, and what support is still needed to achieve equality in the workforce.

17:40 – 18:00

Panel Discussion

Strategies For Achieving Gender Equality And Promoting Diversity & Inclusion (EN)

• With: Lana Khalaf, General Manager at Microsoft Qatar, and Annabella Hilal, TV Presenter at MBC and MTV
• Moderated by: Mariam Farag, Global Keynote Speaker & Founder of Humanizing Brands
Lana Khalaf and Annabella Hilal debate what more solutions and initiatives should be invested in to promote equality, diversity, and inclusion in their sectors, and how technology and communication can help power the change.

18:00

Closing Remarks

20:00

Gala Dinner And Recognition Ceremony
Exclusively for Speakers, Awardees and Platinum Ticket Holders

A specially curated dining experience will be held at Diriyah’s The Bujairi Terrace.

Forbes Middle East- Women’s Summit 2023

08:30 – 09:30

• Registrations Open And Networking Coffee
• Power Breakfast Hosted by Visa

09:30 – 09:40

Wellness Session: Channelling Independence & Courage Mindfully

Experts from JOALI take us through breathing exercises to help us clarify our thinking.

09:40 – 09:50

Welcome Remarks By Forbes Middle East

09:50 – 10:15

Panel Discussion

How Women Are Contributing To Sustainable And Transformative Change (EN)

• With: Amira Sajwani Managing Director of Sales & Development at DAMAC Properties, Pakinam Kafafi CEO at TAQA Arabia, and Dr. Aisha Bin Bishr, Global Digital Magnate, Vice Chairwoman of the Board Emaar, Former Founding Director of Smart Dubai
• Moderated by the Expert: Hoda Mansour, Commercial International Bank Board Member and CIB Board Head of Sustainability Commiftee
Amira Sajwani, Pakinam Kafafi, Dr. Aisha Bin Bishr and Hoda Mansour uncover what the cities and homes of the future will look like and how they will interact and connect to offer women more opportunities, more time, and more unified lifestyles.

10:15 – 10:30

Spotlight Session

Leading Women In Hotels & Hospitality (EN)

• By: Esin Güral Argat, Vice President at Gürok Group
Esin Güral Argat discusses how women are changing the game in non-traditional industries and explores what the hospitality industries are doing to empower female entrepreneurs.

10:30 – 10:55

Panel Discussion

Elevating Elegance: Insights On Style, Confidence, And Authenticity (AR)

• With: Selma Benomar, Founder and Creative Director at SB Creations and Denise Soda, Chief Executive Officer at Basil Soda Fashion House
• Moderated by: Nancy Bahmad, Senior Presenter at Forbes Middle East
Selma Benomar and Denise Soda give their insights into navigating the world of fashion and the challenges and opportunities they have overcome and embraced along the way.

10:55 – 11:25

Workshop

Trading Workshop (AR)

• By: Talal Al Ajmi, Founder & CEO at VI Markets
Talal shares some insights on the Yasmeen initiative which focuses on empowering women through trading.

11:25 – 11:50

Panel Discussion

Reach For The Stars: Sending Arabs Into Space (AR)

• With: Lama Al Oraiman, Vice President at Ignition Kuwait, and Sara Sabry, CEO at Deep Space Initiative
• Moderated by: Lubna Abdulaziz, Saudi Senior Presenter
Lama AlOraiman, Co-Founder of Kuwait’s first space exploration and research company, and Sara Sabry, the first Egyptian astronaut and Arab woman to go into space, discuss the Middle East’s ambitions in exploring the universe.

11:50 – 12:15

Panel Discussion

Going for Gold: Strategies for Women Entrepreneurs to Build Resilience, Perseverance, and Success (EN)

• By: Dania Akeel, Motorsport Athlete, Dina Shabib, Founder and Managing Director at Etijah Coaching & Consulting and Amnah Yaqoub, Founder and CEO at Smartista
• Moderated by: Ali Bailoun, VP, Regional General Manager for Visa- KSA, Oman and Bahrain
Dania, Dina and Amnah explore how women entrepreneurs can learn valuable business lessons from female athletes. From sefting goals and persevering through adversity to building strong teams and marketing their successes, there are many parallels between the world of business and sports. This discussion will feature successful female athletes and entrepreneurs who will share their experiences and insights.

12:15 – 12:40

Panel Discussion

Lighting The Way For Female Founders (EN)

• With: Ruwaida Abela Northern, Founder of JRN Consultancy, Sara Al Ayed, Co-Founder and Partner at TRACCS and Sonal Vara-Parmar, Founder and CEO of IAM Entertainment
• Moderated by: Manar El Amin, CEO at Sparkle Media Services
Female entrepreneurs are innovating across sectors, but women-led startups are still woefully underfunded compared to men. Ruwaida Abela Northern, Sara Al Ayed and Sonal Vara-Parmar discuss why this is and what challenges need to be overcome.

12:40 – 13:40

Lunch

13:40 – 14:10

Workshop

A Masterclass On Looking And Feeling Empowered (EN)

• By: Mona Kattan, Founder at Kayali Fragrances
Mona Kattan shares her tips on crafting your image to reflect success, confidence, and strength.

14:10 – 14:25

Spotlight Session

Embracing Inner Beauty: Rejecting Plastic Surgery Pressures (AR)

• By: Sham Zhabi, Founder at Dao Derma
Sham Zhabi explores the societal pressures that women face regarding their appearance, discusses the importance of self-acceptance, and challenges the notion of external beauty being a determinant of women’s worth.

14:25 – 14:40

Spotlight Session

Breaking Barriers By Trusting Your Intuition (EN)

• By: Dareen Barbar, Guinness World Record Holder, Athlete, and Fitness/Life Coach
Dareen Barbar discusses the importance of breaking down stereotypes and taking control of your mindset to decide your future. We will learn how we can be the best version of ourselves and become our own role models.

14:40 – 15:05

Panel Discussion

Road To Runway: The Junction Between Fashion And Luxury Auto (EN)

• With: Razan Alazzouni, Fashion designer, and Michelle Lusby, Bespoke Lead Designer at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
• Moderated by: Mariam Farag, Global Keynote Speaker & Founder of Humanizing Brands
Luxury cars are not just for gefting around—they are a work of art and a fashion symbol. Razan Alazzouni and Michelle Lusby discuss where the two paths of design cross and how this is aftracting more women into luxury showrooms.

15:05 – 15:25

Fireside Chat

Between Banking And Education: The Shared Struggles Of Women In The Region (EN)

• With: Sahar Hamad Al Marzouki, Director & Owner at Al Faris International School
• Moderated by: Ramia Farrage, Senior Producer & Presenter, Forbes Middle East
Sahar Hamad Al Marzouki shares her experience of moving from banking to education and the common challenges women face in both industries.

15:25 – 15:50

Panel Discussion

Finding And Chasing Your Purpose (AR)

• With: Evlin Khalifa, Miss Universe Bahrain 2022, and Yasmina Zaytoun, Miss Lebanon 2022
• Moderated by: Nancy Bahmad, Senior Presenter at Forbes Middle East
Evlin Khalifa and Yasmina Zaytoun have represented their countries on a global scale with the eyes of the world on them. They relive their experiences and share their tips for success.

15:50 – 16:10

Fireside Chat

Women Leadership And The Rise of Streaming Platforms In The MENA Region (EN)

• With: Natasha Matos-Hemingway, of video on demand (VOD), Shahid
• Moderated by: Sally Moussa, International Presenter
As traditional media and entertainment moves aside for the relentless rise of the streaming platforms, Natasha Matos-Hemingway looks at how women are driving transformation in the industry.

16:10 – 16:25

Spotlight Session

Surging Women’s Employment In The Arab States (EN)

• By: Susanne Mikhail, Regional Director at UN Women Arab States
Susanne Mikhail delves into how the Arab world is increasingly encouraging women to enter and thrive in work, life, and business, and the impact it’s having on society and economies across the Middle East.

16:25

Closing Remarks

17:00

Check-Out From Fairmont Riyadh

Partners

Hosting Partner

Hospitality Partner

Technology Partner

Event Partners

Educational Partner

Retail Partner

Travel Partner

VIP Dinner Partner

Media Partners

Gift Partners

Conference Location

Fairmont, Riyadh

About Forbes Middle East

Forbes Middle East is a licensee of Forbes Media and extends the Forbes brand of journalism across the Arab world. Forbes Middle East’s distinctive editorial style attracts a readership of Arab leaders, entrepreneurs, C-level executives, government officials and investors united by a belief in the spirit of free enterprise and entrepreneurial values.Across the region, Forbes Middle East sets the pace for preemptive business journalism. By uncovering trends and anticipating opportunities in the regional marketplace, each monthly issue brings top executives the information critical to their success – in both Arabic and English language editions. The magazine researches and publishes original rankings, based on methodologies set by Forbes Media.

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