AmCham Abu Dhabi’s WOMEN ACHIEVE Initiative Celebrates Its Fifth Anniversary “WOMEN ACHIEVE in The Year Of Zayed”

WOMEN ACHIEVE, a women’s advancement initiative launched by AmCham Abu Dhabi’s Women in Business Committee, celebrated its fifth anniversary on March 15, 2018 at The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal. The symposium featured keynote addresses by The Honorable Barbara A. Leaf, U.S. Ambassador to the U.A.E., Virginia Grebbien, Chief of Staff, Parsons Corporation and Asantewaa Engmann, U.A.E. Operations Manager, UPS. In addition, Emirati executives from SEDRA Foundation, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company and Capital Health Screening Centre participated on an interactive panel.

AmCham Abu Dhabi Chairman Sharief Fahmy addressed the sold-out crowd in his opening remarks. “The AmCham Abu Dhabi Women in Business Committee has been working diligently to empower women in the workplace by organizing numerous events, programs and initiatives that benefit members and WOMEN ACHIEVE Ambassadors. U.A.E. continues to highlight the contributions of women in the workforce. In recognition of the Year of Sheikh Zayed, I am proud of the committee’s hard work in launching various initiatives across Abu Dhabi in support of the vision for the nation.”

“This symposium marks the 5th anniversary of the Women in Business Committee’s WOMEN ACHIEVE Initiative, which coincides with International Women’s Day and the U.S. National Women’s History Month which is celebrated in March,” said Dareen Zoughbi, Chairperson, AmCham Abu Dhabi’s Women in Business Committee. “It is a special celebration today as it also falls under the Year of Zayed. The late founding father has played an influential role in advancement and support for women empowerment in the U.A.E and the region.”

Ambassador Barbara Leaf provided insights on U.S. and U.A.E. efforts to support female empowerment. She reflected on her 30 years as a diplomat as well as her role as U.S. Ambassador to the U.A.E. She noted “Almost nothing has impressed me more about this remarkable country I have served in for over three years than the women I have met, from pioneers in aviation, space, science, engineering, medicine and sports to women breaking the very highest glass ceilings and entering the C-suite of major private sector firms as well as those launching their own businesses.” Ambassador Leaf also noted the legacy of Sheikh Zayed, the U.A.E.’s founding father, and his support of women in the U.A.E.

Following the keynote speeches, Dareen Zoughbi moderated a Q&A session with the Honorable Barbara A. Leaf, Virginia Grebbien and Asantewaa Engmann. The panelists highlighted three lessons which they learned during their careers and experience. They also discussed what women should do differently to help shift the paradigm and promote female empowerment in the workplace.