Qatar Business Women Award Supreme Jury meets to choose 2008 winners

The Qatar Business Women Award Supreme Jury met yesterday at Qatar Chamber of Commerce & Industry headquarters to ratify the suggestions of the Assessment Panel and choose the QBWA 2008 winners for this inaugural award.

Launched in December 2007 under the auspices of Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Misnad, the QBWA was created to identify and recognize Qatari women who contribute to the country's society and economy through their significant professional and entrepreneurial achievements.

The QBWA will recognize two categories of business women, professionals and business owners.

The Qatar Business Women Award is being promoted and organized by a partnership comprising the Qatar Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Qatari Business Women Forum and Qatar Shell.

Mr. Adel Al-Mannai, Board Member of Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry and member of QBWA Supreme Jury said,

"QBWA was delighted to have such a capable and qualified pool of candidates. The Supreme Jury had a very daunting task, as so many of the candidates have demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities, achievements and have distinguished themselves through their contributions to Qatar's society and economy."

The Supreme Jury members are experienced, successful and respected professionals in the fields of public service, private industry and academia who have offered their time and expertise to support and encourage the vision of Her Highness and the QBWA and their belief in the competence, determination, creativity and diligence of Qatari women.

The QBWA 2008 Supreme Jury members were announced at a press conference held last month and consist of:

H.E. Dr. Khalid Bin Jabor Al Thani, MD - Vice President, Permanent Elections Committee. Dr. Khalid, a medical doctor by practice, also holds a Master's Degree in Health Care Administration.

He has served as Assistant Medical Director and Managing Director at Hamad Medical Corporation.

Dr. Khalid has also served as the Under Secretary for the Ministry of Health, as Chairman of the Licensing Committee for Practicing Medical Professionals in Qatar and as a Board member for the Supreme Council for Family Affairs.

Since 1998, Dr. Khalid has performed as Vice Chairman of the Al Jabor Group.

As Vice President of the Permanent Election Committee, Dr. Khalid was directly responsible for the election of the first woman to hold office in the Gulf in April 2003.

H.E Dr. Lulwa Bint Abdullah Al-Misnad - Assistant Secretary General, Gulf Organization for Industrial Consulting.

Dr. Lulwa holds a PhD in Economics "Evaluation of public policy programs within the context of socio-economic development", from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. She is the Assistant Secretary General of Industrial Investment Promotion Sector for the Gulf Organization for Industrial Consulting.

Her Excellency serves as Board member of Al Khor - Qatar Academy.

QF, GCC Consulting Authority for Supreme council, Qatar International Petroleum Marketing Co. LTD, Carnegie Mellon Advisory Board, Hamad Medical Corp, and Kahramaa.

H.E. Sheikha Hessah Bint Khalifa Bin Ahmad Al Thani - UN Special Rapporteur on Disability. Sheikha Hessah is a founding member of the Qatari National Committee for People with Special Needs.

She has a Bachelor's Degree in Social Sciences and Sociology and a Master's Degree in Social Planning and Social Services with an emphasis on social care programs for deaf children.

She has served as the Assistant Director in the Office of the Consort of the Emir of Qatar, and Director of International Affairs at the Supreme Council for Family Affairs.

Sheikha Hessah is a member of the Family Development Centre in Qatar, the Arab Network of Non-Governmental Organizations in Egypt and the Arab Council for Childhood Development in Egypt.

H.E. Sheikha Hanadi Bint Nasser Bin Khalid Al Thani - Founder and Chairperson of Amwal. Sheikha Hanadi holds Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Economics from Qatar University and University of London, respectively.

Named Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2005 and Woman CEO of the Year by Middle East CEO Institute in 2006, Sheikha Hanadi has founded Amwal, Al Waab City and Qatar National Competitiveness Council.

She was selected by Arabian Business magazine as one of 2007's 100 Most Influential Arabs, and by Financial Times in 2008 as among the Top 20 Global Banking and Finance Women Role Models.

Sheikha Hanadi is a fervent community supporter and serves as Board member on the Arab Women's International Forum.

Mr. Adel Abdel Rahman Issa Al Mannai - Board Member of Qatar Chamber of Commerce & Industry (QCCI).

Mr. Rahman serves as Managing Director of Tayseer Group of Companies' 55 businesses.

He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Information Technology and Masters in Business Administration.

He is an active and principle member of QCCI.

Mr. Ahmad Mahdi Al Majed - Chairman of Al Majed Group. Has a degree in Civil Engineering from Denver Colorado, USA.

Mr. Ahmad serves as Board member of Qatar's National Health Authority and is a member of Qatar University's Board of Regents.

Mrs. Aisha Alfardan, Vice-Chairwoman of Qatari Business Women Forum (QBWF) said,

"The QBWA is committed to recognizing the increasingly valuable role Qatari women play in the development of society and the economic growth of the country. QBWA is dedicated to inspiring Qatari women to believe in their abilities and pursue professional and personal excellence."