Arab International Women’s Forum (AIWF), a non-profit organisation for economic and gender equality, has appointed new directors to its board.

The new board, now 22 women and men, are high-impact leaders coming from the upper echelons of business, finance, international institutions, academia, government, chambers of trade, public life and civil society.

Directors include Haifa Al Kaylani, founder chairman of the AIWF, Saad Abdul Latif, CEO, Asia, Middle East and Africa division, PepsiCo; Raja Al Gurg, managing director, Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group; Dr Shaikha Al Maskari, chairperson of Al Maskari Holding and Tricon Group; Dr Afnan Al-Shuaiby, secretary general & CEO, of Arab British Chamber of Commerce; Mona Al Moayyed, managing director, YK Al Moayyed & Sons; and David Arkless, president, global corporate & government affairs, Manpower Group.

Also Sana Bardawil, communications director, Shell EP International; Nadereh Chamlou, senior advisor to the chief economist for the Mena region, The World Bank; Chiara Corazza, managing director, Greater Paris Managment Agency ; Roxanne Decyk, non-executive director, Petrofac; Haruko Fukuda, OBE non-executive director, Investec; Warwick Hunt, managing partner, Middle East Region, PwC;  Sung-Joo Kim, chairperson & CEO, MCM Worldwide Sungjoo Group; and Raghda Kurdi, vice president, Hayat Pharmaceutical Industries.

In addition, Mei Sim Lai, OBE DL, principal, LiaPeters & Company;  Guy Lallemand, regional president Africa & Middle East, Pfizer; Professor Jean Pierre Lehmann founding director, Evian Group; Robert Lyle, director, Commonwealth Disaster, Management Agency (CDMA); Sylvia Perry, finance director, AIWF; Hanan Akram Saab, managing director, Pharamed; and Niki Tzavela, member of the European Parliament.

The new directors, ensuring the full representation of Arab countries and international countries on the board, brings 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.

 “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,” Al Kaylani said.

“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 concluded. – TradeArabia News Service