INSEAD marks Women’s Day in Abu Dhabi

INSEAD, a major international business school, celebrated International Women’s Day 2013 with a seminar at its Abu Dhabi campus entitled “Inspire, Impact, Empower.” The event sponsored by A.T. Kearney featured influential women leaders in the Middle East who have left a significant footprint in areas from media and entrepreneurship to the arts.
The UAE, a pioneer for the empowerment of women in the region, has led the way in placing women in leadership roles in fields in both the government and private sector with more than two-thirds of the country’s government universities populated by women.
Inspirational speakers at the event representing the UAE, the rest of the Middle East and beyond, included Sadaffe Abid, social entrepreneur; Azza Al-Qubaisi, jewelry artist, sculptor and social entrepreneur; Camilla Hall, entrepreneur; Sara Ismail Mohammed, board member, CEO, Al Bashayer Investment Company, and Soraya Salti, president and CEO, MENA for Junior Achievement Worldwide, Injaz Al-Arab as well as Rebecca Hall, principal, A.T. Kearney.
Miguel Lobo, associate professor of Decision Sciences, director of Abu Dhabi campus, spoke about the contribution the UAE has made to the promotion of women in society. He said: “The UAE government has shown great foresight in promoting the educational and professional development of women.”
Hal Gregersen, senior affiliate professor of innovation and leadership, the Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, chaired professor of innovation and leadership, stressed the impact made around the world by women in a number of fields.
Haif Zamzam, an Emirati INSEAD MBA student, spoke of her own empowerment since joining the INSEAD program. She said: “One of the UAE’s greatest achievements is seen in the growing importance of Emirati women in society.
Rebecca Hall, principal, A.T. Kearney, said: “The INSEAD Women’s Day seminar has showcased that there clearly is a valuable female talent pool available here in the region.”