From starting their own business to managing family business and acquiring leading roles in major companies, women across the Arab world have been shattering ceilings left right and center!
Forbes recently published its list for Power Businesswomen in The Middle East 2020, and we couldn’t help but be extremely proud. The list featured Emirati, Egyptian, Saudi, Lebanese, and Moroccan, among other Arab women.
The list included ten Egyptian women. Here’s all you need to know about them!
Mona Zulficar
Ranked 24 on the list, Mona Zulficar is the Founding Partner and Chairperson of Zulficar and Partners Law Firm. Zulficar has been a practicing attorney for over 30 years, and has played a key role in drafting legislations as an adviser to several government entities. In 1994, she was selected as one of the Global 100 young leaders of the 21st Century, by Time Magazine.
Pakinam Kafafi
Since 2013, Pakinam Kafafi has been the CEO of TAQA Arabia, a leader in energy distribution across Egypt. With nearly 25 years of experience in the Energy and Investment Banking sectors, Kafafi ranked number 31 on Forbes’ list.
Elham Mahfouz
Elham Mahfouz is the CEO of Commercial Bank of Kuwait, the second oldest bank in Egypt. She was previously Deputy CEO and Acting CEO, and recently earned the 33rd spot on the Forbes’ list.
Yasmine & Farida Mohamed Farid Khamis
These two sisters jointly run a family business, which has been the go to source for any Egyptian family who wants to buy a carpet; Oriental Weavers. Yasmine and Farida, who are daughters of prominent businessman Mohamed Khamis, are the Executive Board Members of the leading retail brand. The sisters ranked 40 on the list.
Hend El Sherbiny
Dr. Hend El Sherbiny, who ranked as number 53 on the list, is the CEO of Integrated Diagnostics Holdings (IDH), which is an industry leader in Egypt, and a leading consumer healthcare company in Africa. Her passion is making a difference in people’s lives.
Mervat Zohdy El Sayed Soltan
As the Chairperson of the Export Development Bank of Egypt (EBE), Soltan led the bank to increase its assets to more than $3.2 billion and generate revenues of $138 million up to June 2019. She is the bank’s first female chairperson, and ranked as number 60.
Reem Asaad
Ranked as number 69, Reem Asaad is the CEO of Raya Contact Center. Asaad returned to Egypt after fifteen years of experience in information technology & financial services in the USA. She is also a member of several distinguished associations, such as the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt.
Hoda Mansour
Hoda Mansour is the Managing Director of SAP Egypt. Since she was appointed in February 2018, the company has recorded its best performance since its establishment. Mansour is Egyptian-British, and ranked as number 75 on the list.
Abir Leheta
Abir Leheta is the CEO of Egytrans, one of the leading companies in the field of transport and logistics in Egypt. Leheta earned the spot of number 81 on the list.
Noha El Ghazaly
Noha El Ghazaly is the Managing Director and Head of Investment Banking at Pharos Holding for Financial Investments. With a track record of impressive achievements and over 10 years of financial services and investment banking experience, El Ghazaly ranked as number 92 on the list.
