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Aisha Alqabandi highlighted the event’s significance in celebrating and elevating Kuwaiti and Khaleeji women who have made significant strides in leadership roles.
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The panelists shared their unique journey as women in leadership positions, insights, and the challenges they have overcome, providing the audience with inspiring stories of resilience and success from diverse perspectives.
The American Business Council – American Chamber of Commerce Kuwait (ABCK-AmCham Kuwait), in collaboration with the leading biopharmaceutical company MSD, recently hosted “Stories of Leadership from Women in Kuwait and the Gulf” at the prestigious Waldorf Astoria Hotel.
The event attracted a diverse and influential audience, gathering to celebrate and discuss the remarkable achievements of women leaders in the region.
The event commenced with a welcome note from Aisha Alqabandi, who highlighted the event’s significance in celebrating and elevating Kuwaiti and Khaleeji women who have made significant strides in leadership roles.
The program began with Ms. Lama Chalhoub, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar Lead at MSD, sharing inspiring insights from her career, including the importance of allyship and support on the leadership journey.
She also touched on the significant transformation that Kuwait has witnessed in recent years, reflecting a positive shift towards gender equality. Lama’s extensive experience and achievements set a motivational tone for the event as she called for the pursuit of a future where no one suffers the consequences of preventable diseases.
“Stories of Leadership from Women in Kuwait and the Gulf”
This session featured a panel moderated by Dr. Arezou Harraf, Founder and CEO of Learn & Evolve LLC and Vice Chair of ABCK-AmCham Kuwait. Distinguished panelists included: Dr. Lubna Al-Kazi, Professor at Kuwait University and Founder and Director of the Women’s Research and Studies Center, which is presently in charge of implementing the gender component of the Kuwait National Development Plan and the Vision 2035 of New Kuwait; Dr. Manal Al-Hasawi, Founder and Managing Partner of Think Tank Strategy Consulting and Chairman of the Kuwait Society for Strategic Planning.
She has been advising government members on strategy development, implementation, and communication for change for over ten years; Ms. Shaima bin Hussein, Managing Partner at H projects and Chairperson of the Association of Small & Medium Enterprises of Kuwait. Her main focus is on women’s financial literacy, educating them on the fundamentals of investment and financial planning.
The panelists shared their unique journey as women in leadership positions, insights, and the challenges they have overcome, providing the audience with inspiring stories of resilience and success from diverse perspectives.
Empowering women’s health
The second session focused on women’s health, moderated by Stephanie Tasrini, Associate Director for Communications at MSD in the GCC region.
The esteemed panelists included Dr. Hamad Bastaki, Head of the Communicable Disease Control Division at the Ministry of Health in Kuwait. With extensive experience in public health, Dr. Bastaki has significantly improved vaccination coverage and digitalized vaccination records in Kuwait, Dr. Fatheya Salama, Director of Sidra Pharmacy.
Dr. Salama is a highly accomplished healthcare professional with over 23 years of experience in hospital pharmacy and leadership, and Ms. Lama Chalhoub, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar Lead at MSD, who discussed the importance of women taking ownership of their health for better public health, given the central role they play in the wellbeing of their families and communities.
This session emphasized the importance of taking control of women’s health and thriving. Before the panel discussion began, a poll was conducted to engage the audience, and a video on HPV awareness was shown.
Both sessions featured Q&A segments, providing attendees with opportunities to gain further insights from the speakers. The event wrapped up with recognitions and a group photo, followed by closing remarks by Dr. Arezou Harraf, expressing gratitude to all attendees and participants for their engagement and contributions.
The event ended with a networking lunch, providing attendees an opportunity to connect and further discuss the day’s inspiring sessions.
The “Stories of Leadership from Women in Kuwait and the Gulf” highlighted the significant contributions of women leaders in the region and emphasized the importance of empowering future generations.
The event provided a platform to explore and educate the audience on HPV awareness, advocacy, and the unique experiences of women in leadership. ABCK-AmCham Kuwait is proud to have facilitated such an impactful event, fostering dialogue and inspiration among the region’s leaders.
