Women Board of Directors launches Ambassadorship Program to advance female leadership in automotive and mobility
Dubai, U AE – Dubai-based Women Board of Directors' (WBD) inaugural Ambassadorship Program to advance inclusive leadership across key industries in the Middle East has appointed Sanaa Ouahmane, CEO of AWR Mobility and AWR Trading, as its first Brand Ambassador for Women in Mobility. The recognition highlights her two-decade track record of automotive and mobility stewardship in the UAE and MENA region.
The program aims to empower senior executives to lead strategic dialogue around diversity, innovation, and sustainability, while spotlighting the transformative impact of these leaders across emerging and legacy industries.
As part of the program's official launch, WBD hosted its first Auto & Mobility Roundtable on 22 April, in collaboration with AWR Mobility, AWR Trading, and DiliTrust. The event featured a keynote address by Sanaa Ouahmane, who shared insights from her personal and professional journey, and discussed the evolving opportunities for women in the traditionally male-dominated automotive field.
The roundtable also convened several female industry execs to explore themes such as rethinking leadership, advancing sustainable business practices, and expanding career pathways for women in STEM, operations, and customer-centric roles.
Sanaa Ouahmane is recognized as a pioneer in her realm. In her current position, she has driven significant innovation and growth, transforming SHIFT Car Rental into a market front-runner with a fleet of over 13,000 vehicles across more than 16 locations nationwide. She also launched SUBSCRIBE ME, a car subscription platform offering flexible mobility solutions. With nearly twenty years of experience, Sanaa has led business transformations, including at Almana Group in Qatar, and has overseen AWR's diversified portfolio.
Her commitment to fostering a thriving organizational culture is exemplified by initiatives she led like the award-winning 'I CAN WOW' program, which earned the company the the Dubai Quality Group's 'Organizational Culture' Award in 2023. Sanaa's leadership and influence in the mobility sector has also been recognized through multiple industry accolades, including the prestigious title of CEO and Trailblazer in the UAE's Mobility Sector.
Commenting on her ambassadorship with WBD, Sanaa said: 'It's an honor to take on this role and contribute to a meaningful shift in how we view leadership across the mobility landscape. Opportunities like these create the perfect spaces that we need to empower more women in decision-making roles, and collectively work together to unlock fresh perspectives that open the door to smarter services, more inclusive experiences, and stronger connections with the communities we serve.'
She added: 'At AWR Mobility and AWR Trading, we believe that progress is driven by challenging the status quo and driving forward with intention, and these are principles that align closely with those of the Women Board of Directors. This shared vision makes this ambassadorship a natural fit. Together, we are committed to cultivating environments where every voice is valued, where every perspective brings meaningful change, and where women can lead across industries, not just in mobility, but everywhere women deserve to have a seat at the table.'
'The launch of our ambassadorship program marks a transformative leap forward for Women Board of Directors,' said Poonam Chawla, founder and Chief Visionary Officer of WBD. 'This isn't just another initiative — it's a movement to rewrite the rules of leadership. We are calling on visionary executives across all industries to join us as change-makers in this critical mission. Together, we will elevate exceptional women leaders to their rightful places of influence, shatter the glass ceilings that hold organizations back from true excellence, and transform boardrooms into engines of innovation through diverse perspectives.'
The Auto & Mobility Roundtable — which was attended by a select audience of key decision-makers — additionally explored talking points such as how female leaders help bring new perspectives to develop new products and services that meet the needs of a diverse and specific customer base, and how with female inclusion in leadership teams, strategies become more creative, customized and experiential.
About Women Board of Directors (WBD):
WBD is a UAE-based high-powered networking and training platform dedicated to bridging the gender gap and promoting female representation at C-level and on corporate boards. It brings together influential leaders — both women and men — to create impactful initiatives that support and elevate women in business across various sectors.
(https://www.womenboardofdirectors.com/)
AWR Mobility and AWR Trading
AWR Mobility and AWR Trading are key business units within the AW Rostamani Group, focused on providing innovative solutions across the automotive and mobility sectors. AWR Mobility is a leading player in the UAE's mobility landscape, offering services such as SHIFT Car Rental, which has grown into a market leader with a diverse fleet and extensive corporate clientele.
The division also launched SUBSCRIBE ME, a pioneering digital car subscription platform. AWR Trading, on the other hand, oversees a broad portfolio of automotive-related businesses, including partnerships with global brands like Total Energies, Ceat Tires, and Amaron batteries. Together, these divisions contribute to the growth of the mobility sector by embracing innovation, operational excellence, and strategic partnerships to meet the evolving needs of customers across the region.
About DiliTrust:
DiliTrust provides the DiliTrust Governance suite, designed to overcome the challenges of digital transformation for legal departments, boards and committees. This unified, intuitive, and user-friendly SaaS platform meets the highest international security standards. It includes different modules, such as digital board and committee management as well as management of legal entities, contracts, litigation, and disputes.
Contact:
Sushmita Bose, Chief Brand Officer, sushmita@womenboardofdirectors.com.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
38 minutes ago
- Khaleej Times
Dubai Metro Blue Line: First station, train capacity, key features explained
Dubai Metro is speeding towards its newest network, the Blue Line, with new details revealed Monday. With its futuristic design, the world's highest metro station, and the first Metro line crossing Dubai Creek, the anticipation is real. With just 4 years away to open, the new network links the Green Line and Red Line. It will connect residential areas to Dubai International Airport in just 20 minutes, and reduce traffic congestion by 20 per cent along the roads served by the Blue Line. It also connects to the Dubai Silicon Oasis, a major urban hub. The Dubai Ruler laid the foundation stone today, marking a new chapter in the emirate's transport sector. From route to design, parking to key elements; here's all you need to know. Stations, route The Blue Line will link to the Red Line at Centrepoint Station, and the Green Line at Creek Station. It consists of 14 stations, divided between two routes. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. The first route, with 10 stations, starts from the Green Line's Creek station, and passes through Dubai Festival City, Dubai Creek Harbour, Ras Al Khor, before reaching International City 1, which includes an underground interchange station. The route continues towards International City 2 and 3, extending to Dubai Silicon Oasis and up to Academic City. The second route, with four stations, starts at Red Line's Centrepoint station, passes through Mirdif and Al Warqa, concluding at International City 1 Interchange Station. Easing congestion, connecting communities The Blue Line is not just another innovation; it is strategically crafted to serve residents where they most need it. Reducing travel time, easing congestion, and connecting vital areas to each other, the new network seeks to make life easier for daily commuters — students being a key demographic. The Blue Line connects to Dubai Academy City, which is projected to accommodate over 50,000 university students by 2029, and Dubai Silicon Oasis, one of the emirate's major urban centres. The new line will cut traffic congestion on its served routes by 20 per cent. Providing a direct connection between Dubai International Airport and nine key areas, travel will only take between 10 and 25 minutes. The project also serves the aspirations of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, which aims to create a '20-minute city.' This concept ensures that more than 80 per cent of essential services are within a 20-minute travel time for residents. Size, passenger capacity The Dubai Metro Blue Line spans 30km, with 21km in its first route, and 9km in the second. With the completion of the project, Dubai's total rail network will expand to a total of 131 km, comprising 78 stations and 168 trains. It can carry a maximum of over 850,000 passengers per day, based on the scale of the stations. By 2030, riders are expected to reach 200,000 per day rising to 320,000 daily commuters by 2040. Naming rights, first station A station on the Blue Line could be named after your business. During the groundbreaking ceremony, it was announced that Emaar had secured the naming rights for the first station, Emaar Properties, for ten years, starting from its official inauguration in 2029. The next phase will include announcements regarding naming rights for other stations along the Blue Line. The first station on the network is also the world's highest metro station, designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), the renowned American architectural firm behind Burj Khalifa. Integrating natural light through glass ceilings on towering walls, earthy tones, and a fusion of stone and metal, the design fuses the old and the new. Its innovative look embodies the Dubai vision of a 'gateway to the future.' Community oriented-features The stations have parking spaces, electric scooter racks, taxi stands, and areas for private car drop off and pick-up, along with accessible parking spaces for People of Determination. It also provides charging points for electric vehicles, and is designed to seamlessly integrate with other modes of transport. The Blue Line has nine elevated stations and five underground stations. The exterior design of the elevated stations was inspired by the shape of a seashell, while the interior design of the stations reflects seven thematic models: Heritage, Earth, Air, Fire, and Water. Economic benefits By 2040, the project is projected to yield a benefit-cost ratio of 2.60 (Dh2.60 in benefits for every Dh1 spent). The total anticipated benefits will exceed Dh56.5 billion by 2040. These benefits include substantial savings in time and fuel, reduced accident-related fatalities, and lower carbon emissions. The Blue Line is also expected to appreciate the value of land and properties near stations by up to 25 per cent. The network is also the first transport project in Dubai to fully comply with green building standards, achieving Platinum Category certification.
Khaleej Times
38 minutes ago
- Khaleej Times
Golden Visas, contests: How Dubai attracted over 350 gaming firms
Hundreds of game developing companies have set up their bases in Dubai after the emirate announced a specialised programme for the industry. The city is now home to more than 350 companies, with 260 of them categorised as specialised game developers. Launched in November 2023, the Dubai Programme for Gaming 2033 (DPG33) has seen more than 60 new companies established in the emirate, of which 12 per cent are large global companies. This marks a 16.6 per cent growth rate in the number of companies in the industry since the launch of the programme. The gaming industry has emerged as one of Dubai's most promising economic sectors in recent years. Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the DPG33 to position Dubai among the world's top 10 global gaming hubs over the next decade, with 30,000 new jobs and a $1 billion boost to GDP by 2033. The programme is overseen by Dubai Future Foundation (DFF). According to Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of DFF, the gaming sector 'holds unprecedented economic potential', and Dubai will offer opportunities to innovators and creators. 'The industry offers a wealth of unprecedented opportunities thanks to the supportive ecosystem for entrepreneurs and innovative ideas in advanced technology sectors, particularly game development, which is a key driver in enhancing Dubai's global competitiveness and in achieving the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda,' he said. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. As part of DPG33, Dubai offers a gaming residency to deserving candidates. As part of this, a gaming certification and long-term residency is granted to accomplished and talented professionals in the video game industry. In September last year, the UAE's 10-year Golden Visa programme was expanded to include top gamers, content creators, and industry professionals. As part of these efforts, several events and competitions have been held in Dubai this year. Last month, Dubai Police collaborated with the Dubai Esports and Games Festival to conduct a competition where participants were tasked with creating a game to win a portion of the Dh10,000 prize pool. In April, over 800 C-Suite executives and enthusiasts from 32 countries gathered for a gaming convention in the emirate.
Khaleej Times
2 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Dubai Metro Blue Line: What world's highest station by Burj Khalifa architects will look like
UAE is a land of the world's 'mosts' — the fastest, the biggest, the richest. And now the Emirates has added another crown to its urban landscape, the world's highest metro station under the Blue Line network. The Dubai Ruler, a visionary long associated with the Metro's history, laid the foundation stone of the first station of the new network — Emaar Properties — set to begin on September 9, 2029, once again choosing the iconic number nine. The station's design looks futuristic, to say the least. It involves a portal-like structure, invoking a literal 'gateway to the future', part of Dubai's vision. Design masterminds A natural first question is: Who designed the world's highest station? On Monday, it was revealed to be none other than the creative minds behind the world's tallest tower, Burj Khalifa. The renowned American architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) have also designed the Olympic Tower in New York, and the Sears Tower in Chicago. Standing at a height of 74 metres (242 ft), the station has 3 levels, and includes layers of stunning architecture. At first glance, its towering walls rise to the skies while remaining firmly rooted in Earth, with warm, natural tones and textures. The ceilings have glass panels, allowing sunlight to stream into the platforms and the lobby. The platform seems to emerge from the walls of the station, while a pedestrian bridge connects passengers to the metro line. Natural stone and metals blend together in classic Dubai fashion, embracing tradition and modernity. Jura limestone bronze metal will form the wall panels, while the floor tiles are made of granite. The Blue Line's design was earlier unveiled in October 2024, when a station model showcased a large, oval-shaped design arching over the tracks, different from the fully-enclosed stations that are currently in use in the Red and Green Lines. The current design is starkly different from the earlier model, constructing large vertical walls around the platform, while also retaining the typical metro terminal arch used in the Red and Green Lines. The station stands as a mini-community, with electric vehicle charging points, spaces for drop off, and parking for users surrounded by lush green spaces. Set to transport 160,000 passengers per day by 2040, the station will take commuters to their destination, and a little closer to the future.
