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
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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