Speakers


Dr. Gabi Kratochwil

Chairwoman GAWBL-Summit 2018, Founder & Owner CrossCultures Network, Germany


Building bridges across cultures, connecting people and empowering women are strategic imperatives for successfull economics and sustainable development on a global scale. They are key drivers of creativity, innovation and growth so to find answers to the many challenges of our 21st century.

H.E. Ouided Bouchamaoui

Nobel Peace Prize Laureate 2015, Tunisia


Janina Kugel

Chief Human Resources Officer and Member of the Managing Board of Siemens AG


We value diversity as the inclusion and collaboration of different thinking, backgrounds, experiences, expertise and individual qualities across all organizational levels. Diversity strengthens our innovative capacity, unleashes the potential of our employees and thereby directly contributes to our business success.

H.R.H. Princess Doaa M. Ezzat

Founder & Owner, Friends Zone Academy, Jeddah, KSA


Let‘s work together hand in hand for child support, spreading love and peace amongst people in the world.

H.E. Haifa Fahoum Al Kaylani

Founder & Chairwoman Arab International Women‘s Forum, UK


As a development economist, I am committed to equality of opportunity and moving the dialogue from access to inclusion. Hence closing the gap between the economic opportunities available to men and those available to women should therefore be a top economic priority for all policy makers.

Jasmin Arbabian-Vogel

President Association of German Women Entrepreneurs (VdU), Germany


Women represent the most important potential for economic growth: as employees, as managers, as entrepreneurs and as company founders. Unlocking these potentials and empowering women economically is the task and duty for the leaders of tomorrow.

Petra Justenhoven

Assurance Leader and Member of Management Board PwC Germany and PwC Europe, Germany


Anyone looking to succeed in global competition must be progressive and make the best possible use of the diversity and the opportunities of a changing world. At PwC, we invest in diverse talents and an inclusive culture to deliver on our purpose: “build trust in society and solve important problems.” However, female talents often do not tap their full potential or opt-out of their corporate careers before developing into leadership roles. This is why I engage to pass on my experience as a female leader and mentor to next generations' female talents.

Ursula Schwarzenbart

General Manager Talent Development and Global Diversity Management, Daimler AG, Germany


Companies which are good companies for women are also good companies for men but not the other way around.

Elvira Lefting

Managing Director, Finance in Motion, Germany


Creating an enabling environment in which female business leaders can thrive is key to sustainable development and prosperity anywhere. Required action is multifaceted ranging from training tailored to the needs of female talents to legislative changes providing the necessary stimulus and frame for female business leaders to develop and shape society.

Nadereh Chamlou

Former Senior Advisor The World Bank, USA


We face unprecedented global challenges where every single person’s knowledge and skill could make a difference in the search for solutions. We can no longer afford to waste or neglect half of the world’s talent and creativity pool.

Regine Sixt

Senior Executive Vice President Marketing, SIXT SE, Germany


Ivonne Kuger

Vice President Operations, Munich Airport International GmbH


Men and women enhance our economy with their management styles and spirit. Society is diverse. Enterprises seeking success should be diverse as well. Anything else would be a waste of talent and thus a waste of competitiveness.

Sonja Kuch

Global Diversity & Inclusion, Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Germany


I am convinced that a corporate culture focused on the inclusion of people with their different experiences, skills and cultural backgrounds is the key driver of creativity, innovation and invention and it is decisive for the competitiveness and future viability of every company.

Ines Gensinger

Ines Gensinger, Head of Business & Consumer Communications & Analyst Relations, Microsoft Deutschland GmbH, Germany


Leadership is a matter of personality and, more and more, requires refined social skills. That’s part of the change. Because good leadership has always existed, but the requirements have changed.

H.E. Reem Badran

Vice-President and Board Member Amman and Jordan’s Chamber of Commerce, Jordan


Alia Al Rifai

Head of Shareholder Controlling Siemens AG, Munich


Your gender, your ethnicity, your color or race do not define your journey. The biggest barriers are the ones within us; be bold and be open to new ideas and never fear failure.

Aisha Hussein Alfardan

Vice Chairwoman, Qatari Businesswomen Association, Personal Advisor to the Chairman, Alfardan Group Holding, Qatar


Reducing gender inequality and improving the status of women contributes to higher rates of economic growth and greater macroeconomic stability.

Julia Arnold

Managing Director International Economic Relations, The Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry (DIHK), Germany


Being supportive to other gifted female leaders can make a huge difference in an environment that still makes it hard for many women to fully exploit their talents and realize their visions. This conference provides plenty of opportunities for fruitful exchange and for establishing networks of supporters across borders and industries. Moreover, the German Chambers Network – with several offices also in Arab countries – offers attractive programs to foster female entrepreneurship and to promote female leaders. Please grab these opportunities with both hands and don´t forget to keep the ladder on the building – so that other women can climb up.

Dr. Julia Sperling

Partner McKinsey, UAE


The prosperity of any economy depends on its competitive edge. One of the most essential premises for that is the availability of qualified professionals. Many countries are not yet fully realizing this potential – especially in women. To contribute our fair share in addressing this, I am committed to exploring new concepts and approaches to promote gender parity within McKinsey&Company and also more broadly through the "Initiative Chefsache" – a network of leaders committed to making gender balance a top management priority.

Deena A. Al Faris

Vice President Al Faris Caviar Farms, Founder Qamrah Brands, KSA


Remind me with you to call us the women to own our aspiration, believing in our power to step up to our potential with confidence enjoying the purposeful world. You are ready to embrace ambition.

H.E. Lyutha Al-Mughairy

Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary of the Sultanate of Oman to the Federal Republic of Germany


Follow your mind - Listen to your instincts - Work hard and never give up.

Bassant Helmi

CEO Global Project Partners & Co-Chair of the Digital Arabia Network (#DAN), Germany


The digital technology will impact our lives and will disrupt the way we are doing business. What chances and challenges does digitalisation bring for the Arab world ? How can the digital transformation be an instrument for women empowerment and how is it going to affect women's labour market and financial inclusion?

Doris Köhn

MD, ret., KfW Development Bank


Edith Weymayr

Managing Director & Divisional Board Member Mittelstandsbank Southern Germany, Corporate Clients, Commerzbank AG, Germany


Women are different, think different and lead in a different way. Due to their female perspective, they are especially able to sell innovative and unusual strategies. That’s the reason why they are so important for business globally. Cultural awareness, knowledge and empathy are of particular importance if we want to create effects in the economic empowerment of women. I strongly believe that “looking beyond the horizon” will help to provide the necessary environment.

Malek Dardour

Cluster Head for GCC, Maghreb, Egypt, MEA Expansion & Head of Regional Marketing MEA Beauty Care Retail, Henkel, Germany/Tunisia


We are all unique individuals with unique competencies. What makes the difference is the association of individuals, women and men from different origins, around a common purpose.

Dr. Dalia Abu Samra-Rohte

Deputy CEO German Emirati Joint Council for Industry & Commerce (AHK), Director Abu Dhabi Office, Regional Coordinator Business Development, Bavarian Representative in the UAE


Only by leveraging the talent and capabilities of women the Gulf countries can deliver their ambitious master plans in diversifying their economies!

Dino Fortunato

UNIDO Chief Technical Advisor, Italy


Women represent an untapped potential for sustained economic growth and inclusive and sustainable industrial development. Enhancing women’s entrepreneurship can have a significantly positive impact on the overall economic system at global level.

Hanan Saab

CEO & Managing Director, Pharmamed, Lebanon


Any sustainable vision for the future must tap into the potential and valuable contributions of women.

H.E. Dr. Khouloud Daibes

Ambassador of the State Palestine


Palestine.

Monique Morrow

CTO | Chief Technology Strategist, Switzerland


I am very excited about the forthcoming German‐Arab Women Business Leaders Summit 2018, as an opportunity to exchange best practices for multi-cultural business development and tapping in on new insights from academia. We can learn from these exceptional innovators who are charting the path toward success in our multi-cultural 21st century and beyond. This summit is for everyone!

Markus Milwa

International Relations & Corporate Networks, Christiani, Germany


Education is a basic human right, yet persistent inequalities in education cripples the lives of millions of women and girls, worldwide. With a quality education, women and girls can break the vicious cycle, and shape the world according to their aspirations. Empowering women and girls means empowering societies as a whole. It's one of the strongest foundations for lasting peace and sustainable development.

Marita Mitschein

Managing Director, SAP Training and Development Institute, Senior Vice President Strategic Investments, Growth Plan Lead for SAP Middle East and North Africa and Member of SAP’s Global Executive Leadership Team, SAP UAE


In today’s ever changing business world, diversity is key to success. Diversity is not limited to gender, but includes age, ethnicity, cultural background, etc. We can all can learn from each other and personally I love and thrive working in a very diverse environment.

Carla Everhardt

Attorney-at-Law (Germany) und Associate Partner Rödl&Partner, Germany


Just like in wildlife, diversity is key to success in the world of economics. In order to enter bold new paths and to generate creative, future-oriented solutions, it takes the efforts of multidisciplinary teams covering all facets of variety - gender, cultural background, age, experience, expertise and individual qualities – to unfold inspiration, to unlock potentials and to create powerful synergies. Leaving stereotypes and outdated categories behind, brilliant minds may thrive and join forces to shape the world of tomorrow – not only for business enterprises, but for our human society as a whole.

Sarah Rizk

LLM, Attorney, Amereller Legal Consultants, Egypt/Germany


The largest untapped resource in the Arab world is the integration of women in the economy. Unlocking this enormous potential will improve overall economic performance at basically no cost.

Hildegard Vogelmann

Programme Director, Economic Integration of Women in the MENA Region – EconoWin, GIZ, Germany


When women work, economies win! According to McKinsey Global Institute bridging the gender gap until 2025 would add USD 0,6 trillion to the annual GDP of the MENA region.The integration of women is a social AND economic imperative.

Daria Revina

Founder Women in Green Energy, Qatar


Women in Green Energy initiative was born out of my passion and determination for renewable energy development, taking its stance as the most prominent and wide spread source of energy. Being myself a female professional in this industry for many years now I realize the importance of wider participation and leadership of female professionals to make a green energy revolution our reality. There so many ambitious and talented professionals and businesswomen out there who are meant to become the driving force of this transition regionally and globally.

Susan Sahori

Co-Founder and Executive Director (BFTA), Bethlehem Fair Trade Artisans, Palestine


Palestinian women are becoming more involved in sustaining their families’ life since it has become very essential living under such instable political situation. Empowering women socially and economically is our trend, through heritage and culture we are realizing a positive change.

Dr. Birgit Thoben

Former Project Leader Innovation Management Global Corporate Research (CR), Robert Bosch GmbH, CEO Future.Solutions, Germany/Switzerland


My passion is to kindle unexpected and innovative connections and actively support them to turn into practical innovations. I achieve this by leveraging creativity, by lateral thinking, by connecting people, and by facilitating serendipities and fortunate coincidences. I combine management, science and art, using design thinking and lateral-venture experiments to nurture unexpected ways of generating ideas and creating successful business model innovations.

Leila Aljassmi

Founder & CEO of Health Beyond Borders, UAE, Dubai


Alejandra Ramirez

Women Program Director ReDI School of Digital Integration, Germany


The future is digital. Women need to be part of building a better future for all!

Sophia Hatzelmann

Founder and Managing Director ahc GmbH, Germany


I never accepted a “no” based on tradition and routine. Always have the imagination and endurance to find new paths and solutions.

Aysha Suleiman

Group Director of Human Resources & Development Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone Government of Ras Al Khaimah, UAE


No one can make you successful; the will to succeed comes from within.

Karl Hinterleitner

Senior Editor & Chairman of Staff Council, German Television ZDF, Capital Bureau, Germany


Change is female.

Annette Roeckl

CEO, Roeckl Handschuhe & Accessoires GmbH & Co. KG


Excellent education, entrepreneurial talent and forward-looking ideas are not a question of gender but of attitude. Women in leading positions shouldn’t be a minority; they are our role models and inspiration at the same time.

Dr. Ogarit Younan

Founder and President of the Board of Trustees of AUNOHR (Academic University for Non-violence and Human Rights), Lebanon


As Erich Fromm wrote in “To Have or To Be”, it is indeed our conscientious choice to give a humane existential meaning to our life, in an intimate friendship with the values of non-violence, freedom, justice and love.

Astrid Frohloff

TV Anchorwoman, ARD, Germany


Power is not given to you, you have to take it!

Rana El Chemaitelly

Founder, The Little Engineer® Beirut, Lebanon


Freedom to dream.

Honey Thaljieh

Corporate Communications Manager, FIFA, Palestine


When we empower women, we empower the whole of society

Dr. Ingy Rasekh

Managing Partner of AMERELLER Legal Consultants Cairo Office, Egypt


As an African Proverb says: “If you educate a man, you educate an individual but if you educate a woman, you educate a nation”. Giving women access to education and supporting them through programs that har¬ness the power of women entrepreneurs will, without doubt, foster economic growth. To all women out there: Dream Big, Set Goals, Never give up, Believe in yourself, Believe in Tomorrow!

Maha Farid Shirah

Founder/ Executive Manager, SHEWORKS Riyadh, KSA


Nothing will stop you from taking the next step except you, you are your worst enemy and your best friend, and don't be afraid of failure, because it is your first stone to success.

Nejiba Bouzaiane Khalfallah

Founder EPI Solutions Business Development Director MENA Region Telepin, Tunisia


Nermine El-Tahri

Assistant Sub-Governor Central Bank of Egypt, Egypt