Latest news with #womeninbusiness
Zawya
16-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Visa launches new edition of She's Next Program in Saudi Arabia to empower women entrepreneurs
Three winners will be awarded a share of USD 60,000 in equity-free grants Haya Sawan, one of Saudi Arabia's leading fitness experts and a prominent wellness entrepreneur, joins as the program's mentor Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Visa (NYSE: V), a global leader in digital payments, today announced the launch of a new edition of its global advocacy initiative, She's Next in Entrepreneurship, in Saudi Arabia, in partnership with Saudi Awwal Bank (SAB) and Monsha'at. This latest initiative builds on Visa's long-standing commitment to champion women-led business across the region. Until July 21, 2025, women entrepreneurs in Saudi Arabia are invited to apply for the chance to secure funding, mentorship, and national exposure. Five finalists will be selected and announced on August 1. They will go on to participate in a pitch event and final judging on September 2, where three winners will be awarded a share of USD 60,000 in equity-free grants. She's Next in Entrepreneurship opens the doors to women from all sectors from established business owners to emerging entrepreneurs with bold ideas and high-growth potential. The Main Prize winner will receive USD 30,000, while the Runner-Up and People's Favorite will receive USD 20,000 and USD 10,000 respectively. Haya Sawan, one of Saudi Arabia's leading fitness experts and a prominent wellness entrepreneur, joins She's Next in Entrepreneurship as the program's mentor. Through her leadership across multiple ventures, including SheFit, Playball Saudi, and her role on the board of the Saudi Surfing Federation, Haya has become a champion of women's empowerment through health, entrepreneurship, and community engagement. Ali Bailoun, Visa's Regional General Manager in KSA, Bahrain and Oman, said, 'Every edition of She's Next has shown us that women entrepreneurs in Saudi Arabia are not just building businesses. They're helping drive long-term economic change. Our Women SMB Digitalization study found that one in two women business owners want to grow by expanding their products or services, and one in five are actively looking to improve their financial and budgeting skills. These insights reinforce why programs like She's Next matter. It's not just about funding. It's about giving women founders the recognition, mentorship and support they need to scale with confidence. Together with SAB, Monsha'at, we're proud to help create a more inclusive entrepreneurial landscape, where more women-led businesses can thrive and shape the country's future economy in line with Saudi Vision 2030.' Lama Ghazzaoui, Chief Financial Officer at SAB said, 'Women-led businesses in Saudi Arabia are not only growing but also transforming industries and creating a lasting impact. Through She's Next, we proudly support visionary entrepreneurs with the resources they need to scale their businesses. At SAB, empowering women in business is not a one-off initiative; but a core part of our commitment to building a more dynamic and inclusive economy.' She added, 'In line with Saudi Vision 2030, we see more women lead across diverse sectors, driving innovation and meaningfully contributing to the national economy. With She's Next, we are not just offering financial support but creating a community that uplifts and equips women to lead confidently.' Monsha'at commented: 'At Monsha'at, empowering women entrepreneurs is central and a powerful catalyst for national prosperity. When women are equipped with the right tools, mentorship, and access to capital, they become pioneers of innovation, creators of sustainable employment, and builders of resilient communities. Through flagship initiatives like She's Next, we proudly invest in the next generation of female founders who are actively shaping Saudi Arabia's future and advancing the transformative objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.' She's Next in Entrepreneurship follows a series of successful editions in Saudi Arabia focused on fashion, gaming, and sports. This launch returns the spotlight to the wider entrepreneurial community, amplifying the voices and visions of women who are driving innovation, creating jobs, and building the future of Saudi business. In 2023, the International Trade Centre (ITC) and Visa GCC's collaborative 'SheTrades' and 'She's Next' initiatives trained 340 women from six countries, supporting over 12,000 women employees. Since 2020, Visa has invested around $3M in over 250 grants and coaching for women SMB owners through the She's Next grant program globally including in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait. To learn more and apply for the Visa She's Next program, applicants must submit a short application form on the dedicated website. About Visa Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers and businesses globally. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at About Visa, and @VisaCEMEA.
Globe and Mail
10-07-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Cydcor's Vera Quinn Named Finalist for CEO of the Year by the Los Angeles Business Journal
Recognition highlights record growth, performance, and purpose-driven leadership Agoura Hills, California--(Newsfile Corp. - July 9, 2025) - Cydcor is proud to announce that CEO and President Vera Quinn has been named a CEO of the Year finalist by the Los Angeles Business Journal as part of its 2025 Women's Leadership Symposium & Awards. The annual event celebrated transformational women leaders in Los Angeles, honoring individuals who are making significant contributions to both business and community leadership. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: Quinn was selected from hundreds of nominees for her visionary, people-first leadership style that has helped fuel Cydcor's rapid growth, innovation, and purpose-driven culture. "I am incredibly honored to be named a finalist alongside so many accomplished and inspirational women," said Quinn. "It's energizing to see the influence women leaders have on both business and the community." A Year of Impact and Expansion The recognition comes on the heels of a banner year for Cydcor. Under Quinn's leadership and with strong momentum continuing into 2025, the company achieved double-digit revenue growth for the second consecutive year in 2024, a record in its more than 30-year history. Cydcor has expanded into new industries capitalizing its core strength as a leader in outsourced sales for Fortune 500 and emerging companies. In 2025, Cydcor earned its ninth consecutive DIRECTV Dealer of the Year Revolution Award, further cementing its reputation for excellence in performance and partnership. The company was recently named a Best Place to Work in Los Angeles for the 13 th time, underscoring a culture built on opportunity, development, and results. About Cydcor For three decades and counting, Cydcor has provided customer acquisition solutions to Fortune 500 and emerging companies in a wide range of industries. Cydcor has mastered the power of building relationships with consumers while harnessing technology to acquire, grow, and retain customers for its clients. Founded in 1994, the privately held company is based in Agoura Hills, California. For more information, visit
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cydcor's Vera Quinn Named Finalist for CEO of the Year by the Los Angeles Business Journal
Recognition highlights record growth, performance, and purpose-driven leadership Agoura Hills, California--(Newsfile Corp. - July 9, 2025) - Cydcor is proud to announce that CEO and President Vera Quinn has been named a CEO of the Year finalist by the Los Angeles Business Journal as part of its 2025 Women's Leadership Symposium & Awards. The annual event celebrated transformational women leaders in Los Angeles, honoring individuals who are making significant contributions to both business and community leadership. Vera Quinn, CEO of Cydcor — 2025 LABJ Women's Leadership Award Finalist To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: Quinn was selected from hundreds of nominees for her visionary, people-first leadership style that has helped fuel Cydcor's rapid growth, innovation, and purpose-driven culture. "I am incredibly honored to be named a finalist alongside so many accomplished and inspirational women," said Quinn. "It's energizing to see the influence women leaders have on both business and the community." A Year of Impact and Expansion The recognition comes on the heels of a banner year for Cydcor. Under Quinn's leadership and with strong momentum continuing into 2025, the company achieved double-digit revenue growth for the second consecutive year in 2024, a record in its more than 30-year history. Cydcor has expanded into new industries capitalizing its core strength as a leader in outsourced sales for Fortune 500 and emerging companies. In 2025, Cydcor earned its ninth consecutive DIRECTV Dealer of the Year Revolution Award, further cementing its reputation for excellence in performance and partnership. The company was recently named a Best Place to Work in Los Angeles for the 13th time, underscoring a culture built on opportunity, development, and results. About Cydcor For three decades and counting, Cydcor has provided customer acquisition solutions to Fortune 500 and emerging companies in a wide range of industries. Cydcor has mastered the power of building relationships with consumers while harnessing technology to acquire, grow, and retain customers for its clients. Founded in 1994, the privately held company is based in Agoura Hills, California. For more information, visit Media ContactGail Michalak805-277-5525gmichalak@ To view the source version of this press release, please visit 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
Forbes
08-07-2025
- General
- Forbes
Build Strategic Influence When You're Not In The Male Inner Circle
Yann Dang, Aspire Coaching | Leadership & Emotional Intelligence Coach for Women in Male-Dominated Industries | Host of The Balanced Leader. In male-dominated industries, many high-performing women rise through grit, expertise and results. Yet despite their proven value, they often find themselves on the outside of critical influence circles—especially when those circles are part of a long-standing male inner circle. They have a seat at the table, but not always a voice that drives decisions. Influence Requires More Than Access Visibility isn't the same as influence. You can be present in the room and still feel invisible in the conversation. You can share an idea—then watch it gain traction only when someone else repeats it. In my work as a leadership coach for high-achieving women, I've seen this play out repeatedly: capable, strategic leaders whose contributions are essential, yet whose power remains conditional. The reason isn't lack of ability; it's lack of strategic influence. The Influence Gap Isn't About Likability—It's About Strategy Influence is relational. It hinges on how others perceive your credibility, clarity and presence—especially when you're outside the male inner circle. But here's where it gets complicated: Many women feel conflicted about how to show up in these spaces. They don't want to compromise their values, self-censor or play into outdated norms. So they hold back. They wait for fairness. They resent the system—and understandably so. The Influence Shift: From Frustration To Authentic Connection Influence isn't about belonging. It's about being understood—even by those who don't look like you or come from the same networks. To gain access, leaders must expand their toolkit—and often flex behaviors traditionally outside their comfort zone. The goal? Move from oppositional positioning to strategic partnership without losing authenticity. But before that shift can happen, a deeper challenge must be acknowledged ... When Frustration Becomes Self-Sabotage In my work with senior women in male-dominated environments, I've seen how resentment—however justified—can erode strategic clarity. When a woman begins to believe 'they won't listen anyway' or 'they only promote each other,' she may stop showing up with influence in mind. She becomes guarded in meetings, short in emails or reactive in tone. Over time, the very behaviors meant to protect her power start to undermine it. Instead of positioning herself as a thought partner, she's perceived as emotionally distant or resistant to feedback. Instead of seeking allies, she avoids those who hold influence—especially those inside the male inner circle. Instead of asking clearly for what she wants, she waits for recognition that may never come. This isn't a flaw—it's a protective response. But one that quietly reinforces the very power dynamics she's working so hard to change. Influence Requires Intentionality, Not Approval Strategic influence doesn't mean people-pleasing or passivity. It means knowing how to: • Speak directly without defensiveness • Frame ideas in ways that resonate with others' priorities • Build trust before challenging the status quo • Ask for what you need—even when it feels risky This kind of leadership is nuanced. It's not about being louder. It's about being heard—because your message is tailored, timely and anchored in authority. A Real Example Of Strategic Influence In Action A senior leader I worked with was frustrated by being excluded from key strategy discussions. Her instinct was to pull back—stop offering ideas unless explicitly asked. Instead, she chose a different path. She identified a shared priority with the COO, proactively shaped a solution and presented it with clarity and confidence. By aligning her message with the broader business need—and delivering it with grounded authority—she gained influence not by force, but by focus. That one move repositioned her as a trusted strategic partner. Building Influence Is A Long Game—But It Starts With One Shift Influence isn't granted. It's cultivated. And it begins the moment a leader stops waiting for permission—and starts leading with clarity, composure and conscious connection. For women navigating the dynamics of the male inner circle, this shift is everything. Because you don't need to change who you are to be influential—you need to trust that your voice, when used strategically, is powerful. Forbes Coaches Council is an invitation-only community for leading business and career coaches. Do I qualify?
BBC News
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Bromsgrove competitive eater Leah Shutkever calls being female an advantage
A competitive eater has said being a woman in an area dominated by men gives her an edge, after she ate a dozen burgers in 10 minutes for her latest Shutkever, who lives in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, has been a professional competitive eater since 2018 and has her own YouTube said she had broken 40 Guinness World Records, including the most lasagne eaten in 30 seconds and the most jelly snakes eaten in 30 seconds."Being a woman has been a great advantage, because being underestimated is the greatest [tool]," Ms Shutkever said. She added that she enjoyed her job because she was competitive and she liked representing women in her Shutkever said she "fell into" competitive eating in 2013 by doing challenges at local restaurants, before being scouted for a Japanese TV show."They loved the idea that I was a woman and I beat the men," the former interior designer said. She said her feats have included eating a three-kilo burrito in about six minutes, as well as a challenge involving the Swedish fermented fish surströmming."The smell stays on your skin, on the walls of your house, embedded in the memory part of your brain," she said of the surströmming Shutkever likened herself to a professional sportsperson, saying she had many years of experience and knew how to manage challenges she made a YouTube video on her own, she took on challenges that were not high-risk for someone at her level, she she attempts a world record there is a team present to support her, and when she appears on TV shows there are risk assessments and on-site paramedics, she added. For her latest challenge last month, Ms Shutkever had to eat as many burgers as possible in 10 minutes."I'm a bit of an old hand at it now, so I know how I'm going to feel afterwards," she said, adding that she often feels "heavy" after a challenge but not post-challenge routine usually includes a long drive home, drinking lots of water, and going to the gym for cardio exercises if she feels up to said that, despite her day job, she still enjoyed food outside of work."I still love food, I'm a foodie," she said. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
