Latest news with #womenempowerment
Zawya
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Zawya
Athar Festival 2025 announces Amy Roko as Maheerah Programme Ambassador
This year's edition expands to three days with a new industry-wide networking event Riyadh – Saudi Arabia: Athar Festival 2025 has teamed up with Saudi creative icon and influencer, Amy Roko, who will take centre stage as ambassador of the third edition of the widely popular Maheerah Programme. This women empowerment initiative returns this year with new momentum, new faces, and a bold new direction, while introducing an extended three-day format. Known for her fearless voice and strong presence, Amy's appointment marks a new chapter for Maheerah Programme, as she embodies the values of authenticity, ambition, and community that lay at the heart of Maheerah. As ambassador, she will play a key role in amplifying the programme's mission, supporting women in the industry, and growing the reach of the network. Highlighting the significance of this new chapter, Bassel Kakish, Chief Executive Officer of Publicis Groupe Middle East & Turkey said, 'Maheerah has grown into something truly special. What began as a program has become a real platform, bringing women together to learn, connect and grow. As we continue building a supportive community of like-minded women within the Kingdom's creative industry, this year marks an exciting new chapter. With a bigger and bolder program ahead, and Amy Roko joining us as ambassador, we're amplifying everything Maheerah stands for. We can't wait to meet the inspiring women joining us this year.' Commenting on these latest developments, Kamille Merchant, Athar Festival Director, said: "Maheerah has become one of the most meaningful initiatives at Athar Festival, growing from a programme to a network in just three years, marking a significant step in its evolution. Together, we are deepening our commitment to empowering women across every level of the creative industry. This is fittingly reflected by the appointment of Amy Roko as ambassador, which we are confident will bring new energy and more visibility to the programme." Reflecting on her appointment as the new Maheerah Programme Ambassador, Amy Roko, said: 'It's refreshing to be part of something that actually gets what it means to be a woman in this space: loud, ambitious, real, and unapologetically herself. Maheerah creates a space where women can be heard, supported, and celebrated for who they truly are, and I'm proud to be contributing to that kind of movement.' Applications for this year's Maheerah Programme officially open on 22 July and will run until 10 September. For the first time, the programme will run across three days during Athar Festival 2025, featuring enhanced content and a new industry-wide networking event open to all women in the Maheerah Network. Just as the festival itself prepares to return bigger, bolder, and more dynamic, so too will this year's Maheerah Programme, offering a deeper, more connected, and more impactful journey for participants. Maheerah Programme is part of the Maheerah Network, an initiative by Athar Festival and powered by Publicis Groupe. For more information and to apply to the programme, visit -Ends- About Athar – Saudi Festival of Creativity Athar - Saudi Festival of Creativity, presented by Motivate Media Group and TRACCS, is Saudi Arabia's foremost creative marketing event. Aligning with Saudi Vision 2030, Athar sets the stage for leaders, decision-makers, and emerging talent to connect, share insights, and drive creative endeavours across the Kingdom's burgeoning sectors. For more information, please visit:
Associated Press
2 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Symetra Launches ‘Empower Her Future'
BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul 22, 2025-- Symetra Life Insurance Company, a national provider of life, retirement and employee benefits insurance products, today announced the launch of a new web-based resource dedicated to providing women of all ages with valuable tips and information. Empower Her Future aims to help women navigate their financial journeys, addressing the unique challenges and opportunities they face throughout different life stages. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: 'Symetra understands that the path to financial freedom can look different for women. With Empower Her Future, we've put together some of our best resources, and gathered stories and insights from our own lives to help women tap into their strengths and create the financial future they envision,' said Trinity Parker, senior vice president and chief marketing officer at Symetra. Women currently control over $10 trillion of U.S. household financial assets. That figure is expected to climb to $30 trillion in the next 3-5 years, and by 2030, women will hold nearly 67 percent of the nation's wealth. 1,2 Yet research consistently indicates that women, despite increasing participation in the economy, often encounter a financial literacy gap and may lack confidence in managing certain financial areas, such as investing and retirement planning. To help address the knowledge gap, Empower Her Future offers a robust, accessible platform to assist women in building their financial knowledge and confidence. Organized by life stage — 'Finding your footing,' 'Balancing life and money,' and 'Rebuilding or Retiring' — key features include: 'Symetra understands that the path to financial freedom can look different for women. With Empower Her Future, we've put together some of our best resources, and gathered stories and insights from our own lives to help women tap into their strengths and create the financial future they envision. Whether they're just getting started or starting over, we're here to help women feel empowered every step of the way,' said Trinity Parker, senior vice president and chief marketing officer at Symetra. To learn more, visit About Symetra Symetra Life Insurance Company is a subsidiary of Symetra Financial Corporation, a diversified financial services company based in Bellevue, Washington. In business since 1957, Symetra provides employee benefits, annuities and life insurance through a national network of benefit consultants, financial institutions, and independent financial professionals and insurance producers. For more information, visit 1Women are gaining power when it comes to money – here's why that's a big deal, CNBC, May 3, 2022 2Women as the next wave of growth in US wealth management, McKinsey & Co., July 29, 2020 View source version on CONTACT: Diana McSweeney (425) 256-6167 [email protected] KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA WASHINGTON INDUSTRY KEYWORD: PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONSUMER WOMEN INSURANCE FINANCE CONSULTING BANKING SOURCE: Symetra Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 07/22/2025 12:30 PM/DISC: 07/22/2025 12:31 PM
Zawya
2 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Emirates NBD signs UN Women's Empowerment Principles, reinforcing commitment to women's leadership
Dubai, UAE: Emirates NBD, a leading banking group in the Middle East, North Africa, and Türkiye (MENAT) region, has officially signed the United Nations Women's Empowerment Principles (WEPs) further affirming its commitment to advancing female empowerment and leadership. Emirates NBD's long-term goal is to ensure that 25% of all leadership positions are held by women by 2027. This pledge follows a series of strategic initiatives that aim at accelerating gender equality while maintaining global standards for female representation across its workforce. Shayne Nelson, Group CEO at Emirates NBD, said: 'Signing the UN Women's Empowerment Principles provides further momentum to the impressive efforts we have undertaken here at Emirates NBD to champion women in the workplace. Empowering women at every level of Emirates NBD is something we are deeply committed to. Looking forward, we will continue to accelerate our action to increase female leadership, achieve gender equality at all levels and encourage more women to pursue careers in banking.' Dr. Mouza Al Shehhi, Director of the UN Women GCC Liaison Office, commented: 'We are delighted to welcome Emirates NBD as a signatory to the Women's Empowerment Principles (WEPs). This commitment reflects the Bank's dedication to advancing gender equality and fostering an inclusive workplace culture. Importantly, it mirrors a strong shift nationwide toward embedding gender parity within its national development agenda. As the UAE accelerates its journey towards a knowledge-based and sustainable economy, empowering women across all sectors is not just a social imperative, it is a strategic enabler of innovation, resilience, and long-term prosperity. We look forward to supporting Emirates NBD in implementing the WEPs framework and continuing its journey towards empowering women across all levels of the organisation.' Eman Abdulrazzaq, Group Chief Operating Officer and Group Chief Human Resources Officer at Emirates NBD, said: 'By signing the UN Women's Empowerment Principles, we demonstrate our dedication to advancing gender equality, particularly our goal of ensuring that 25% of leadership roles are held by women by 2027. Our initiatives, including an expanded maternity policy, flexible working arrangements, and the Career Comeback Programme, are designed to create an inclusive environment where women can thrive and reach their full potential. We are already seeing positive outcomes, with women representing over 40% of our global workforce. This exceeds global benchmarks, and we will continue to invest in initiatives that foster female leadership.' Vijay Bains, Chief Sustainability Officer and Group Head of ESG at Emirates NBD, commented: 'Women represent half of the world population and investing in their empowerment plays a huge role in advancing gender equality and inclusive economic growth. As a key participant in the economic ecosystem, banks have immense influence in making a change towards women empowerment. At Emirates NBD, we are proud to act as an agent that enables employment and share of voice of women in the community. We strongly believe that when women have access to resources and opportunities, they can positively influence societal development.' To support female empowerment and leadership, Emirates NBD has introduced a variety of pioneering initiatives, including: Expanding its maternity policy and introducing paternity and adoption leave Offering flexible work options, allowing employees to work remotely within the UAE Launching the Career Comeback Programme, facilitating the reintegration of women returning to the workforce after a career break Providing targeted training and leadership development opportunities for women, alongside bank-wide training on unconscious bias Signing global initiatives such as the UAE Gender Balance Pledge in 2023 and integrating the UN Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality into our sustainability strategy Implementing female-focused facilities across our offices including dedicated parking, breastfeeding areas, and women's social networking programmes These initiatives not only underscore Emirates NBD's leadership in promoting female empowerment but also set the foundation for continued progress toward achieving its gender equality objectives. The WEPs offer guidance to businesses on advancing gender equality and empowering women in the workplace, marketplace, and community. Developed by UN Women and the UN Global Compact, the WEPs are aligned with international labor and human rights standards and emphasise the role businesses play in fostering gender equality. By joining the WEPs, Emirates NBD reaffirms its commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, working collaboratively with other stakeholders to promote business practices that empower women. -Ends- About Emirates NBD Emirates NBD (DFM: Emirates NBD) is a leading banking group in the MENAT (Middle East, North Africa and Türkiye) region with a presence in 13 countries, serving over 9 million active customers. As at 31st March 2025, total assets were AED 1 trillion, (equivalent to approx. USD 272 billion). The Group has operations in the UAE, Egypt, India, Türkiye, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Austria, Germany, Russia and Bahrain and representative offices in China and Indonesia with a total of 839 branches and 4,539 ATMs / SDMs. Emirates NBD is the leading financial services brand in the UAE with a Brand value of USD 4.54 billion. Emirates NBD Group serves its customers (individuals, businesses, governments, and institutions) and helps them realise their financial objectives through a range of banking products and services including retail banking, corporate and institutional banking, Islamic banking, investment banking, private banking, asset management, global markets and treasury, and brokerage operations. The Group is a key participant in the global digital banking industry with 97% of all financial transactions and requests conducted outside of its branches. The Group also operates Liv, the lifestyle digital bank by Emirates NBD, with close to half a million users, it continues to be the fastest-growing bank in the region. Emirates NBD contributes to the construction of a sustainable future as an active participant and supporter of the UAE's main development and sustainability initiatives, including financial wellness and the inclusion of people of determination. Emirates NBD is committed to supporting the UAE's Year of Sustainability as Principal Banking Partner of COP28 and an early supporter to the Dubai Can sustainability initiative, a city-wide initiative aimed to reduce use of single-use plastic bottled water. For further information on Emirates NBD, please contact: Ibrahim Sowaidan Senior Vice President Head - Group Corporate Affairs Emirates NBD e-mail: ibrahims@ Burson Dubai, UAE Email: emiratesnbd@
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Delaine A. Deer Launches "Voice of Impact", a 12-Session Leadership Program for Women in Male-Dominated Industries
Built for real-world leadership, the program equips marginalized women with the strategy, confidence, and community to rise without burnout or compromise NEW YORK, July 21, 2025 /CNW/ -- Delaine A. Deer, leadership coach and founder of ProWorks Hive, has launched Voice of Impact, a 12-session coaching program designed for women ready to lead in industries where their voices have long been underrepresented—construction, tech, and corporate leadership. Despite growing conversations around diversity, women—especially women of color and LGBTQ+ professionals—continue to face barriers. Only 10% of construction executives are women (BLS, 2023), nearly half of women in tech report workplace discrimination (Pew, 2023), and Black women are promoted at just 58% the rate of white men (Lean In, 2023). Voice of Impact addresses these disparities directly, offering practical tools, coaching, and community to help women break through bias and lead with impact. The program is a systems-level response to leadership inequality. Designed by Deer with support from industry advisors, Voice of Impact equips women with actionable strategies to apply immediately in their careers. The experience blends expert coaching, leadership development, and continuous support via the ProWorks Hive platform—an exclusive online network for peer engagement and mentorship. "For too long, women have been told to 'lean in.' But without the tools to navigate systemic bias, that's not enough," said Deer. "Voice of Impact gives them the skills, strategy, and support to not only claim their seat at the table—but to thrive in it." Participants in the inaugural cohort receive founding member status and lifetime access to ProWorks Hive. Program modules cover leadership branding, confident communication, negotiating promotions, and building a bias-resistant mindset. About Delaine A. Deer and ProWorks Hive Delaine A. Deer is a leadership coach, speaker, and founder of ProWorks Hive. With 20+ years of experience in project leadership and inclusive development, she helps women and marginalized professionals lead with clarity, confidence, and systemic impact. ProWorks Hive is a leadership accelerator that supports professionals navigating male-dominated spaces through coaching, community, and strategic career insight. Women ready to stop being overlooked and start leading on their own terms can apply now for the Voice of Impact inaugural cohort. Learn more or join the waitlist at Media Contact: founder@ Photo - View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE ProWorks Hive View original content to download multimedia: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Zawya
4 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Contact Insurance Brokerage joins forces with UN Global Compact to champion ESG and women in leadership
Cairo: Contact Financial Holding continues to solidify its role as a key development partner in the Egyptian market by championing initiatives that promote good governance, transparency, and equal opportunity, with a strong focus on the economic and social empowerment of women. As part of this commitment, Contact Insurance Brokerage, the Group's insurance brokerage arm, has officially joined the UN Global Compact Network Egypt (UNGCNE), while also supporting UNGCNE flagship women empowerment program, 'Bloom with Purpose.' This Pearson-certified program is designed to equip women in mid-management positions with the strategic leadership skills, emotional intelligence, and decision-making capabilities necessary to advance into senior executive roles—contributing to a more inclusive and resilient business environment in Egypt. By joining the world's largest corporate sustainability initiative, Contact Insurance Brokerage takes a bold step toward deepening its commitment to responsible business practices. This partnership not only strengthens the company's leadership position within Egypt's insurance sector but also unlocks opportunities to scale its sustainability impact through access to global knowledge, tools, and capacity building platforms. including business accelerators in key areas such as Business & Human Rights, Climate Ambition, SDG Innovation, and Business Integrity. In addition to the Sustain360 program, UNGCNE's flagship capacity-building program focused on developing core ESG competencies across the private sector, along with full access to the UN Global Compact Academy, the UN's premier digital learning platform offering practical, on-demand training to help businesses integrate sustainability into strategy, operations, and leadership. 'At Contact Insurance Brokerage, we believe that women's empowerment and good governance are not merely social responsibilities; they are fundamental pillars for building strong and sustainable institutions. Our partnership with the UN Global Compact Network Egypt (UNGCNE) is a natural extension of our vision to cultivate a workplace rooted in diversity, equality, and innovation, where equal opportunity is a core value guiding everything we do,' stated Mrs. Nehal Break, Chairman and Managing Director of Contact Insurance Brokerage. 'We consider women's empowerment a strategic priority, essential to achieving sustainable economic growth and strengthening our competitiveness as a leading company in the Egyptian market. This partnership offers a framework of global standards and best practices that will help translate our vision into action while generating measurable impact across our business and the broader community. We hope this step marks the beginning of a broader journey of impactful initiatives in the near future,' Mrs. Break added. 'We value our collaboration with Contact Group, though our partnership with Contact Insurance Brokerage reflects a strong alignment with our mission. Their support for Bloom with Purpose initiative stands as a clear testament to their commitment to empowering women in decision-making roles,' commented Mrs. Walaa El-Husseiny, CEO of the UN Global Compact Network Egypt. Mrs. El-Husseiny added 'This partnership lays the foundation for impactful, long-term cooperation that we believe will resonate across Egypt's financial sector and labor market. The active engagement of private sector leaders like Contact Insurance Brokerage is essential to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and strengthening women's leadership across the country.' It is noteworthy that this partnership clearly reflects Contact Insurance Brokerage's long-standing commitment to creating a positive and sustainable societal impact. It aligns with the group's strategic direction of supporting key societal priorities, including gender equality, quality education, decent employment, and good governance, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.
