Latest news with #womenleadership
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) women reclaim purpose and power at 2025 international women's day retreat
As the ECOWAS region commemorates 50 years of regional integration, the ECOWAS Commission reaffirmed its commitment to gender empowerment through a landmark retreat held from 28 to 29 May 2025 at Zuma Rock, Niger State, Nigeria. Organised by the Directorate of Human Resources, in collaboration with the ECOWAS Amazon Executives, the two-day event was a rescheduled celebration of International Women's Day (IWD), postponed from March to ensure inclusive participation across cultural and religious lines. The retreat brought together the female staff of the ECOWAS Commission across board for a dynamic programme of reflection, dialogue, and empowerment. Coinciding with ECOWAS Day on 28 May—the founding date of the Community in 1975—the gathering carried symbolic weight, linking the institution's regional journey with the personal and professional aspirations of its women. The second day, featured the core training and empowerment activities, beginning with opening remarks by Mrs. Kete Gillis-Harry, Principal Officer for Career Management&Training, followed by a goodwill message from Madame Marième Sy, Vice President of the ECOWAS Amazon. Her words set the tone for a transformative day grounded in the values of leadership, authenticity, and purpose. Participants engaged in an interactive training session delivered by Otive Igbuzor, PhD, Founding Executive Director of Centre LSD (Leadership, Strategy and Development). With modules titled Empowering Women for Leadership: Overcoming Barriers and Advancing Equality and Promoting Women's Financial Independence: Pathways to Sustainable Empowerment, Dr. Otive challenged participants to dismantle systemic limitations, embrace purpose-driven leadership, and unlock their full potential. A standout moment of the day was the 'Experience Sharing' segment led by Mrs. Enife Atobiloye, Partner at TRANSEARCH. Drawing from her expertise in executive search and leadership development, she inspired participants to build their capacity with strategy, emotional intelligence, and a commitment to authenticity. The retreat's dynamic format also included team-building games, reflective exercises, and a quiz competition — all reinforcing the key themes of growth, self-discovery, and empowerment. These moments were guided by the facilitation team from the Directorate of Human Resources, whose support ensured the programme's coherence, professionalism, and impact. In her concluding remarks, ECOWAS Amazon President Madame Marième Sy offered an inspiring call to reflection, encouraging women to define success on their own terms and to lead with authenticity and courage. The retreat underscored that gender empowerment is not a peripheral agenda, but a foundational pillar in the realisation of ECOWAS Vision 2050 — building an ECOWAS of Peoples. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Daily Mail
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Scandal star Bellamy Young DEMANDS the show returns as she weighs in on current political climate
Scandal star Bellamy Young is calling for the popular political thriller to return amid the current turbulent political backdrop – and she's even revealed the cast would leap at reprising their characters. The 55-year-old actress famously played Melody 'Mellie' Grant in the series, the no-nonsense powerhouse who started as the First Lady of the United States before running as a Republican presidential candidate and going on to become the first female President of the United States. Speaking exclusively to at the New York Women in Communications Matrix Awards, where she was an honoree, Bellamy proclaimed that she is 'through' with men leading the country. On the red carpet at the Ziegfeld Ballroom, she also revealed that the cast of Scandal have fond memories of the series and would love the opportunity to take the story further. Bellamy said: 'So our sweet Kate Burton was president for like a week when we shot this, but yes, I was the first elected. When is it going to happen [in reality]? I'm so through with this!' She continued: 'We're well past - if you look at the state of the world - we're well overdue for any sort of diversion from our historic path. 'But even being in the care of the women tonight of New York WICI (Women in Communications Inc.) as they plan for this event, we are given to a certain degree of thoughtfulness and attention to detail that I think would be really strategically important in running a thorough formation.' There has never been a female President of the United States, although Kamala Harris fought for the top job as the Democrat nominee in the 2024 Election. Hillary Clinton also ran against Donald Trump in the 2016 Presidential Election. Scandal ran on ABC from 2012 to 2018 across seven seasons. Created by Shonda Rhimes, the political thriller is set Washington, D.C., and focuses on Olivia Pope's (Kerry Washington) crisis management firm and its staff, as well as staff at the White House and surrounding political scene. The cast starred Tony Goldwyn as Fitzgerald Grant III, President of the United States, Darby Stanchfield as Abby Whelan, Katie Lowes as Quinn Perkins, Jeff Perry as Cyrus Beene, Joshua Malina as David Rosen, and Scott Foley as Jake Ballard. When asked whether there have been conversations about Scandal returning to television screens, Bellamy expressed her desire to revisit the show. She added: 'So I wish that that were implemented. All the actors would show up anywhere tonight and start filming. We would love it. 'Shonda has always been clear that she knew where the story started and she knew where the story ended, but never say never. 'She also didn't know where the future was going when she started and finished that story, so who's to say? 'Maybe there's an itch she might be looking to scratch. I can only put it into the ether.' Besides Bellamy, this year's Matrix honorees also included Kristen Welker, Moderator of NBC's Meet the Press; Leslie Berland, EVP, Chief Marketing Officer, Verizon; Nkechi Okoro Carroll, writer, showrunner, producer; and Dustee Jenkins, Chief Public Affairs Officer at Spotify. Teneshia Jackson Warner, Founder and CEO of Egami Group was also honored, as well as Lucy Kaylin, Editorial Director of Hearst Magazines. This year's theme is Leading Luminaries and the honorees are luminaries who are lighting the path of success and influencing the future. Speaking to on the red carpet, Kristen Welker said that it was 'an incredible honor' to be recognized by the New York Women in Communications. 'Several of my colleagues at NBC News have won this award; Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb and the great Andrea Mitchell, who's here tonight presenting me with my award,' she enthused. 'So it's a pinch me moment. I don't know how I'm going to get through my remarks after Andrea speaks. It really is incredibly humbling, so I'm excited.' 'If I could go back and talk to my teenage self, I would say, always believe in yourself,' Kristen, 48, continued. 'People are going to doubt you all along the way, when you're starting, when you're in the middle of your career, even when you get your dream job, and the one thing that gets you through all of those trials and tribulations is to believe in yourself and to surround yourself by a loving group of friends and family and to have a great team. 'It's all about community.' The glitzy event was hosted by none other than media personality, podcaster, and attorney, Rachel Lindsay, who made history as the first Black female lead of The Bachelorette. 'It's one of those events where I feel like the energy in the room is so infectious,' she told 'It's just such an honor to be here, to be standing before people who are just here to support women, not just who are currently doing it, but investing in the people that are going to do it. 'So that's just really cool. I'm just like, I'm just happy to be invited.'
Arab News
21-05-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Inaugural Middle East Fortune women's summit brings together female leaders
RIYADH: The first Fortune Most Powerful Women International summit in the Middle East convened in Riyadh this week. The event brought together a global network of female leaders from business, government, investment, tech and policy sectors. 'As women, we often find ourselves needing to prove our capabilities more when it comes to our careers,' said Dr. Giovanna Carnevali, executive director of master planning at ROSHN Group. 'At the same time, we bring deep passion to our work and put our heart and soul into everything we do. I always say that what truly matters is letting your work speak for you.' Speaking to Arab News during the event, Carnevali said her career in Saudi Arabia reflected the country's transformation. 'The experiences I have had here are unique. Living and working in the Kingdom has been a continuous journey of growth, and I am truly grateful for what the country has offered me and to women more broadly,' she said. From geopolitics and sustainability to artificial intelligence and banking, the forum's sessions highlighted how Saudi Arabia — and its women — are reshaping the global conversation on leadership. Lubna Olayan, chair of Saudi Awwal Bank, talked about how Vision 2030 had already surpassed its workforce target for women and called for greater ambitions. 'We need to set a new benchmark,' she told moderator Diane Brady. 'In my company, we now have 36 percent women. When we started hiring women in 2001, there was just one.' Olayan, the first Saudi woman to chair a bank and join a public board, said real progress depended on investment in leadership. 'We need to bring more women into decision-making roles. If the candidates are equal, I'll back the woman — because we're still behind,' she added. Technology was another recurring topic. Prof. Lilac Al-Safadi, CEO of IKONIC Educational Holding, outlined Saudi Arabia's position as an emerging AI powerhouse. 'The Kingdom has trained more than 60,000 AI professionals and launched the world's first cognitive city — not just smart, but fully AI-integrated,' she said. And Ellie Rubenstein, co-founder of Manna Tree and one of the first US food investors to enter the Saudi market, said demand in her sector was shifting fast: 'Seven years ago, we were seen as a food security fund. Today, it's about wellness. The consumers here — especially women — are driving that shift.' She emphasized the importance of understanding what women wanted: 'It's not just about selling products. Brands need to speak to values — wellness, empowerment, sustainability. Women here are not just shaping their families. They're shaping their country.'
Trade Arabia
20-05-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Lubna Olayan to open Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit in Riyadh
Lubna Olayan, one of Saudi Arabia's most prominent business leaders, who has appeared 12 times on Fortune's Most Powerful Women in Business list, will open the Fortune Most Powerful Women International Summit in Riyadh today (May 20). Olayan will set the tone for the two-day gathering, which marks Fortune's first international Most Powerful Women summit in the Middle East — a milestone moment that reflects the Kingdom's focus on advancing women's leadership in business. The summit will also feature an unprecedented presence of senior Saudi female officials, representing leadership across multiple sectors of government, including: • Princess Haifa Mohammed Al Saud – Vice Minister of Tourism • Dr Hala Al-Tuwaijri – President, Saudi Human Rights Commission • Dr Einas bint Suleiman Al-Eisa – Deputy Minister of Education • Adwa Al-Arifi – Assistant Minister for Sport Affairs, Ministry of Sport • Farah Ismail – Deputy Minister, Sectoral and Regional Development, Ministry of Economy and Planning These leaders will speak on how women in government are driving progress in key sectors—from economic diversification and education to wellness and tourism demonstrating the depth of Saudi Arabia's women leaders as the country continues to implement its Vision 2030 reform agenda. Taking place at The St. Regis Riyadh on May 20 and 21, the summit will convene around the theme 'A New Era for Business: Partnering for Global Prosperity.' It will bring together more than 150 of the world's most influential women—including CEOs, policymakers, and entrepreneurs—from 35 countries to explore new models of inclusive growth, innovation, and international cooperation. As part of the opening day, Fortune will also unveil its 2025 Most Powerful Women in Business list, celebrating the achievements of leading female executives and further elevating the event's global resonance. Joining the summit's roster of global leaders is Theresa May, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (2016–2019), who will headline the closing session on May 21. In a conversation moderated by Ellie Austin, Editorial Director of Fortune Most Powerful Women, May will offer her insights on fractured global alliances, climate leadership, and the role of bold, ethical leadership in navigating geopolitical uncertainty. The summit's wider speaker roster includes senior executives from FedEx, Goldman Sachs, Mastercard, Marriott International, Microsoft, and other Fortune 500 companies, as well as international public sector. In addition to business and policy discussions, the Summit will spotlight women driving change across culture, media, and sport. On Day 2, a special MPW Spotlight on Women in Sports will feature Adwa Al-Arifi, Assistant Minister for Sport Affairs, in conversation with Noor Nugali, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Arab News. Al-Arifi will highlight the country's growing investment in women's sports, from school leagues to elite training centers, and its broader impact on public health and societal change. This will be followed by 'Playing to Win: Women, Sports, and Breaking Barriers', featuring: • Aalia Al-Rasheed, Head of Women's Football, Saudi Arabian Football Federation • Zam Zam Al Hammadi, Fighter, Professional Fighters League • Rasha Alkhamis, President of the Saudi Mixed Martial Arts Federation • Mashael AlObaidan, Rally Driver
Mail & Guardian
18-05-2025
- Business
- Mail & Guardian
A woman leading the African Development Bank would be a strategic investment
African Development Bank Group headquarters in Le Plateau, the business district of the Ivorian capital Abidjan. - (Photo by ISSOUF SANOGO/AFP via Getty Images) As the African Development Bank (AfDB) prepares to elect its 10th president next month, its shareholders should seize the strategic opportunity of naming a woman to fill this critical post. All five candidates have impressive credentials, and they have each offered compelling visions for leading this vital institution at a critical time for Africa's nearly 1.5 billion people. It is reasonable to assume that any of them could perform the job competently. But only one of the candidates is a woman, so it is also worth asking what additional effect her election could have. Since its founding in 1964, the AfDB has been led exclusively by men. This pattern reflects the persistent underrepresentation of women in the top leadership roles of international institutions around the world. The This group has been steadily shrinking in recent years, because institutions such as the International Monetary Fund, the World Trade Organisation, the European Investment Bank and the World Meteorological Organisation have elected women to the top job for the first time. These elections reflect a global consensus that the leadership of these institutions should mirror the gender composition of the societies that serve. Africa needs smart, determined and visionary leadership to tackle its pressing problems, from climate change and unemployment to infrastructure deficits. Fortunately, there is no shortage of African women who fit that bill. Across the continent, we have distinguished ourselves as ministers of finance, central bank governors, chief executives, economists, and development experts. Many of us have risen through the ranks in multilateral institutions, combining local knowledge with global experience. It is not a question of whether African women are qualified — it is a question of whether we will be given the platform to lead. Unfortunately, women across Africa continue to face systemic barriers to accessing power and influence. While progress has been made in some countries, gender inequality remains entrenched in many spheres of public and economic life. Women are often sidelined from the highest echelons of political and financial decision-making, even when they demonstrate exceptional competence and leadership. Given this context, electing a woman to lead the African Development Bank would send a powerful signal. The AfDB is a pillar of development on the continent, responsible for financing critical infrastructure, promoting economic integration, and shaping the future of Africa's economy. It is also at the forefront of efforts to combat the disproportionate effect of poverty on women, and to expand their access to education, jobs and digital connectivity. Were girls and young women to see someone who looks like them leading the AfDB, it would expand their vision of what is possible. It would shift mindsets — not just among women, but also among men — about who belongs in leadership positions. The symbolic power of a woman president at the AfDB would ripple far beyond the bank's headquarters in Abidjan. It would reach rural schools in Malawi, startup hubs in Nairobi and parliamentary chambers in Abuja. For the millions of African girls growing up in societies where their ambitions are often curtailed by social expectations, this could offer thrilling evidence that change is possible. Choosing a woman could also benefit the AfDB's performance, because research consistently shows that diverse leadership leads to better outcomes, greater innovation, and more inclusive decision-making. At a time when Africa's people need bold, inclusive and transformative leadership, the shareholding nations of the AfDB have an opportunity to answer that call with a historic election. is a GWL Voices' member and is its president and co-founder. This global organisation is made up of 76 women leaders who have held high-level positions in governments and international organisations. Its main mission is to promote gender equality and effective multilateralism.
