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The Saudi French Business Council (CAFS) and Nest Accelerator have launched the GLOBAL WOMEN LEADERS INNOVATION FORUM – Saudi French Edition in Riyadh with the strategic support of the G100 Women Economic Forum, on 7 October at the Federation of Saudi Chambers.
The event aimed to promote female leadership, entrepreneurship, and innovation in Saudi Arabia and France, aligning with the strategic objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 to empower women as key drivers of economic diversification and social transformation.
The forum featured keynote speeches, presentations, and experience sharing by Saudi and French women leaders, businesswomen, and entrepreneurs.
Agenda:
- Welcoming speech by Dr. Mohamed Ben Laden, President of CAFS
- Welcome speech by Ms. Lamia Hanafi, CEO & Founder of Nest Accelerator, and President of Startup Ecosystem & Innovation at G100 Women Economic Forum
- Welcome speech (Video) by Dr. Harbeen Arora Rai, Founder of the Women Economic Forum (WEF)
- Keynote speech by Mrs. Aljohara Al-Mandil, Head of Digital Innovation Lab, Jeel by Riyad Bank
- Keynote speech by Mrs. Alaa Abdulaal, MISK 2030 Leader, and Chief of Digital Economy Intelligence at the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO)
Panel Discussion 1
Theme: Redefining Power and Growth: Female Leaders Orchestrating Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 Transformation
Moderators:
- Ms. Lamia Hanafi, Founder of Nest Accelerator and President of Startup Ecosystem & Innovation at the G100 Women Economic Forum
- Mrs. Joy Omoregie, GTM Sales Acceleration Lead – EMEA, AWS GenAI Innovation Centre, Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Speakers:
- Dr. Safiya Alshibani, Vice Dean of Academic Affairs, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University
- Mrs. Isabelle Bébéar, Director, Head of International & European Affairs, Bpifrance
- Mrs. Hadeel Faranasi, Women Entrepreneurship Team Leader, Monsha’at
- Mrs. Mélanie Guilldou, CEO, Lagardère Travel Retail Saudi Arabia
- Mrs. Maria Medvedeva, Vice Chairwoman, Skyro, First Female ex General Manager of MasterCard Saudi Arabia & Bahrein
Panel Discussion 2
Theme: Saudi–French Visionary Women Innovators: Engineering Tomorrow’s Global Tech Landscape
Moderators:
- Mrs. Abeer Alsaiari, Communication Manager, Engie Saudi Arabia
- Mrs. Joy Omoregie, GTM Sales Acceleration Lead – EMEA, AWS GenAI Innovation Centre, Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Speakers:
- Mrs. Mirna Al Ali, Founder of HerStory & Business Development Director, Rasi Consulting
- Mrs. Julie Barbier, CEO & Co-Founder, Merit (Saudi unicorn)
- Mrs. Marie-Laure Boulot, Former Director of KAUST Enrichment Programs Office, and Country Manager, Dokever Saudi Arabia
- Mrs. Cecilia Pueyo, Founder of Bonjour Saudi
- Mrs. Arwa Shafi, Vice President, The Garage
- Closing Remarks by Ms. Lamia Hanafi, Founder & CEO of Nest Accelerator and President Startup Ecosystem & Innovation G100 Women Economic Forum, and Mrs. Nour Al Rammah, Director of Government Relations & Public Affairs, Engie Saudi Arabia
- Networking Reception
CAFS extends its sincere appreciation to ENGIE for their generous sponsorship and invaluable support, which were instrumental to the success of this event.
