Arab International Women's Forum moves ahead in 2013 with new Board of Directors

The new Board, now 22 women and men high impact leaders coming from the upper echelons of business, finance, international institutions, academia, government, chambers of trade, public life and civil society, held its first Board meeting in Dubai, UAE on 9 December 2012.

- Mrs Haifa Al Kaylani
Founder Chairman, Arab International Women's Forum

- Mr Saad Abdul Latif
CEO, Asia, Middle East and Africa Division (AMEA), PepsiCo

- Mrs Raja Al Gurg
Managing Director, Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group

- Dr Shaikha Al Maskari
Chairperson, Al Maskari Holding, Chairperson, Tricon Group

- Dr Afnan Al-Shuaiby
Secretary General & CEO, Arab British Chamber of Commerce

- Ms Mona Al Moayyed
Managing Director,Y.K. Al Moayyed & Sons

- Mr David Arkless
President, Global Corporate & Government Affairs, ManpowerGroup

- Ms Sana Bardawil
Communications Director, Shell EP International Ltd

- Mrs Nadereh Chamlou
Senior Advisor to the Chief Economist for the MENA Region, The World Bank

- Ms Chiara Corazza
Managing Director, Greater Paris Managment Agency


- Ms Roxanne Decyk
Non Executive Director, Petrofac

- Ms Haruko Fukuda, OBE
Non Executive Director, Investec PLC

- Mr Warwick Hunt
Managing Partner, Middle East Region, PwC LLP

- Ms Sung-Joo Kim
Chairperson & CEO, MCM Worldwide Sungjoo Group

- Ms Raghda Kurdi
Vice President, Hayat Pharmaceutical Industries

- Ms Mei Sim Lai OBE DL
Principal, LiaPeters & Co

- Mr Guy Lallemand
Regional President Africa & Middle East, Pfizer Inc

- Professor Jean Pierre Lehmann
Founding Director, Evian Group

- Mr Robert Lyle
Director, Commonwealth Disaster, Management Agency (CDMA)

- Mrs Sylvia Perry
Finance Director, Arab International Women's Forum

- Ms Hanan Akram Saab
Managing Director, Pharamed

- Ms Niki Tzavela
Member of the European Parliament

The new Directors, ensuring the full representation of Arab countries and international countries on the Board, bring to AIWF a wealth of knowledge, experience and expertise that will strengthen the governance, direction and vision of this unique organisation, as it builds upon the success of its mission and supporting strategies for Building Bridges, Building Business within its initial eleven years.

AIWF has been an agent of change for women in the Arab region and set a high bench mark through its emphasis on and activity for skills and capacity building, training, economic competitiveness, sustainable human development and the empowerment of women to contribute to leading roles in the political, economic and social life of their countries.

Commenting on these appointments, Mrs Haifa Fahoum Al Kaylani, Founder Chairman Arab International Women's Forum, said, "The AIWF membership comes from all different cultures, geographic and business interests, so the Board appointments ensure that the diversity of its support is reflected in its governing body, a fact confirmed by the inclusion of men for the first time. Furthermore, AIWF is delighted to welcome to the Board, the outstanding qualities of the directors, all having personal achievement in their own fields and an impressive track record for creating projects for education and leadership both in their business and the community which they serve."

"AIWF will be enriched by each making a significant contribution in taking forward the AIWF current programme, with its focus on the development of young Arab women leaders and job creators. Collectively, the Board will be a tour de force, playing a pivotal role, in 2013 and beyond, in enhancing and expanding the AIWF influence with governments, regional development groups and the Arab private sector to establish and support investment in the region's most valuable resource, its people and in particular shaping a framework of a viable business climate within which women and young people of both genders receive an equal voice and access to opportunities," she added.