DIFC Global Women Symposium At A Glance
Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), in collaboration with AURORA 50, invites you to an exclusive event titled DIFC Global Woman Symposium: Shaping a New Narrative for the Future of Finance.
The event will address key issues related to gender diversity, equality, and empowerment within the financial sector to foster meaningful dialogue, share insights, and promote actionable strategies for advancing women's participation and leadership in finance.
Advocacy in Action
Gender Diversity
Leadership & Empowerment
Leadership & Empowerment
Inclusion & Mentorship
Agenda
Time: 8.30 am - 9:25 am
Registrations and Networking
Time: 9.25 am - 9:30 am
Welcome Address by Alya Al Zarouni, Chief Operating Officer, DIFC Authority
Time: 9.30 am - 10:30 am
A Fireside Chat: Breaking Barriers with Dame Susan
Speakers: Dame Susan Rice
Moderator: Amal Larhild, Partner - PwC
Panel 1: Gender Diversity Challenges in Finance
Time: 10:30 am – 11:00 am
This panel will discuss the current state of gender diversity in the financial sector, highlighting the key challenges that women face in terms of representation, career progression, and leadership opportunities. Join us to explore the root causes of these challenges and their potential solutions.
Speakers:
1. Driss Belemlih, EVP, Customer Delivery, EEMEA, Mastercard
2. Hermione Harrison, Head of Governance, M/HQ
Moderator:
Eleanor Slinger Regional Director New Statesman Media Group
11:00 am to 11:30 am
Networking Break
Panel 2: The Power of Mentorship: Nurturing the Next Generation of Female Finance Leaders
Time: 11.30 am - 12:15 pm
This panel will focus on the importance of mentorship in supporting the career development of women in finance, the benefits of mentorship for both mentors and mentees and explore different models of mentorship that can be effective in the financial sector.
Speakers:
1. Maria Ivanova, Managing Director, Citi Country Officer & Banking Head, Citi UAE
2. Malak AlSaffar, Country Manager – Bahrain, Visa
3. Mohammed AlBlooshi , Chief Executive Officer, DIFC Innovation Hub
4. Rafiaa Al Abbar, SVP, Head Of Human Ressources, Dubai Islamic Bank
Moderator: Amal Larhild, TLS ESG Leader, Global Fiscal Policy,
PwC Middle East
Panel 3: Driving Change - Best Practices for Creating Inclusive Financial Cultures
Time: 12.15 pm - 1:00 pm
This panel will discuss the importance of creating inclusive workplace cultures that support the full participation and advancement of women in finance. It will explore different strategies that organisations can implement to promote gender equality, such as unconscious bias training, flexible work arrangements, and parental leave policies.
Speakers:
1. Amna Al Owais, Chief Registrar, DIFC Courts
2.Ismahane Rahmouni-Deghdak, Chief Financial Officer - Gulf Countries, Schneider Electric
3. Nadia Boumeziout, Head of Sustainability and Information Governance, Zurich
Moderator: Anthony O’Sullivan, Partner, EY
1:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Symposium Recap & Call to Action
Speakers
Dame Susan Rice
Chair, GEFI Global Steering Group
Alya AlZarouni
Cheif Operating Officer, DIFC Authority
Maria Ivanova
MD, Citi Country Officer & Banking Head, Citi UAE
Mohammed AlBlooshi
Chief Executive Officer, DIFC Innovation Hub
Amna
Al Owais
Chief Registrar, DIFC Courts
Malak AlSaffar
Country Manager – Bahrain, Visa
Ismahane Rahmouni-Deghdak
CFO, Gulf Countries, Schneider Electric
Driss Belemlih
EVP, Customer Delivery, EEMEA, Mastercard
Rafiaa Al Abbar
SVP, Head Of Human Resources, Dubai Islamic Bank
Nadia Boumeziout
Head of Sustainability and Information Governance, Zurich
Hermione Harrison
Head of Governance, M/HQ
Amal Larhild
TLS ESG Leader, Global Fiscal Policy,
PwC Middle East
Anthony O’Sullivan
Partner, EY
Eleanor Slinger
Regional Director New Statesman Media Group
Supporting Partners
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