Join Us at the Women Leadership Symposium
Be part of this transformative event as we celebrate the remarkable journeys of women leaders
who have overcome challenges to reach the top. This symposium provides a powerful platform
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07
March 2025
in-person Event
HER DRIVE, HER PASSION, HER LEADERSHIP
- Venue : DUBAI, UAE
- 05:30 PM - 08:00 PM
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GEC is thrilled to announce the third edition of the Women Leadership Symposium—an event dedicated to honoring the exceptional achievements of women in leadership. This year’s symposium shines a spotlight on the invaluable contributions women are making in technology, business, and marketing, promising an inspiring and empowering experience for all attendees.
Breaking the Glass Ceiling in Tech and Beyond
Women in tech continue to make bold strides, breaking through long-standing glass ceilings and achieving unprecedented growth in leadership positions. However, their influence doesn’t stop there. Across business and marketing, women are at the forefront of innovation, driving creativity and fostering growth.
By embracing diversity, empathy, and creative leadership, women are shaping the future of these industries and redefining leadership on their own terms. Their stories of resilience, determination, and success inspire the next generation to dream bigger, break barriers, and challenge the status quo—not just in tech but across every field.
Showcase inspiring success stories
Foster meaningful connections
Empower and uplift one another
Encourage more women to step into leadership roles
Together, we can drive positive change, redefine leadership, and pave the way for a more
inclusive and equitable future.
Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate, learn, and grow alongside exceptional women leaders.
Join us as we inspire and empower each other to reach new heights.
What is the "Elephant in the Room"?
The “elephant in the room” refers to the uncomfortable topics we avoid addressing, even when they’re obvious. While these conversations can feel awkward or daunting, confronting them head-on leads to greater truth, freedom, and authenticity.
From an early age, we’ve been drawn to the unspoken and taboo, yet openly discussing such issues remains a challenge. Fear often holds us back—fear of offending others, creating conflict, damaging our image, or facing negative consequences. We hesitate, concerned about making
things worse, being misunderstood, or becoming disliked.
However, true freedom and leadership stem from the courage to tackle uncomfortable conversations. Addressing the elephant in the room fosters authenticity, builds trust, and strengthens teams, laying the foundation for meaningful relationships and impactful leadership.
Don’t Miss This Unique Opportunity!
This is your chance to face the “elephant in the room” and engage in candid conversations thatdrive positive change. Join us for a thought-provoking session that will inspire, empower, andchallenge you to embrace authenticity and courage.Be part of the dialogue that shapes the future. Together, let’s uncover the truth, break barriers,and lead with authenticity.
Speakers 2024
Sona Saha Das
Head - Data Strategy and Governance
Oma Martins
Associate Director and Head, IT GRC
Oma Martins
Associate Director and Head, IT GRC
I am a Strategic Business Leader and Technology Consultant with over a decade of experience in IT Governance, Risk and Compliance (IT-GRC) across multiple sectors, including consulting, finance, and telecommunications. I have a strong reputation for advising globally on the deployment of emerging technology solutions, delivering transformational technology assurance projects that minimize risks and deploying cutting-edge technologies to enhance risk monitoring and compliance efficacy.
Over the years, I have guided the implementation of IT policies and regulations in Africa, Latin America, Middle East, UK, and US, creating cohesive IT operations management frameworks for businesses. As an Associate Director in IT Governance, Risks and Compliance (IT-GRC), I lead a team of IT-GRC specialists and have implemented proactive risk management processes, achieving high IT compliance standards in this role.
With a broad consulting experience, I deliver 2nd and 3rd line IT assurance services. I have led complex projects, prioritizing client satisfaction and adherence to set standards. I am an established team leader with excellent stakeholder management skills.
I hold certifications as a Certified Information Security Auditor (CISA) and Certified in Risk and Information Systems
Somy Varghese
Head of Digital Transformation and Technology
Somy Varghese
Head of Digital Transformation and Technology
Somy Varghese stands as a visionary luminary in the realm of digital transformation, with an impressive 24-year journey. As the Head of Digital Transformation and Technology at Etoile Group, Somy is a linchpin in the leadership team, celebrated for her decisive leadership and strategic prowess that transcends the realms of digital, technology, and change management. Renowned for orchestrating 360° digital transformations, Somy's influence extends across diverse business units, digital channels, and retail stores, consistently delivering measurable business outcomes. She remains steadfastly committed to consistently implementing strategies and methods to conduct "Business with Excellence." Somy's customer-centric ethos and focus on change management have fostered a culture of innovation, strategically adopting technologies for a sustainable competitive advantage. A sought-after influencer and recipient of multiple awards, she has skilfully established her unique position in the industry. Her indelible mark on the industry is a testament to her forward-thinking mindset and unwavering commitment to pushing boundaries, making her a standout figure in the ever-evolving landscape of digital transformation.
K.U. Shankri
Managing Director
K.U. Shankri
Managing Director
Mrs Shankari is an Electronics and Communication engineer from India who started her computer business 25 years ago in 1998. Over the years, she expanded her business. From a humble beginning of one showroom at the Khalid Bin Waleed Street, Bur Dubai, today she manages four showrooms in Dubai and owns another distribution business in India.
The company has consistently been recognized and awarded "Best Reseller" & "Best Dealer" by major brands such as Toshiba, Acer, Lenovo, ASUS & HP.
She is also involved in different charity events and contributed significantly to underprivileged children and people in need. During one of the disastrous floods in India in 2015, she arranged for the collection and distribution of more than 3000 kgs of food and clothing to the flood victims. During this COVID-19 pandemic, she organized the repatriation of over 375 stranded workers to Tamil Nadu and other parts of India. She has also helped several helpless families return to their homeland when they were in dire straits due to financial losses suffered during the pandemic and had no financial means to support themselves and their families. She also continues to support poor students with financial support for their education.
The company has consistently been recognized and awarded "Best Reseller" & "Best Dealer" by major brands such as Toshiba, Acer, Lenovo, ASUS & HP.
She is also involved in different charity events and contributed significantly to underprivileged children and people in need. During one of the disastrous floods in India in 2015, she arranged for the collection and distribution of more than 3000 kgs of food and clothing to the flood victims. During this COVID-19 pandemic, she organized the repatriation of over 375 stranded workers to Tamil Nadu and other parts of India. She has also helped several helpless families return to their homeland when they were in dire straits due to financial losses suffered during the pandemic and had no financial means to support themselves and their families. She also continues to support poor students with financial support for their education.
Tatiana Novikova-Yamshchikova
CEO & Founder, Shopfever group
Dhwani Sejpal
VP Treasury Transformations, Finesse Global
Vidya Subramanian
Senior Marketing Specialist
Vidya Subramanian
Senior Marketing Specialist
“Driving growth through secure narratives | B2B Marketing | Cybersecurity”
Self-motivated & multifaceted marketing professional, passionate about maximizing profit with effective digital marketing campaigns through value-adding content. Eager to support in building an impeccable brand value for the focal organization. Skilled in collaborating with cross-functional teams, demonstrating exceptional communication skills, and developing potential opportunities favoring the organization’s goals. Possess 6+ years of experience across verticals with a fair share of knowledge in procurement, enterprise sales, & drug manufacturing.
Dr. Mary Jane Alvero
Al Mahdi Group Chief Executive Officer
Yasmin Juma Almheiri
Chairperson , Doctor in Social Relationships at Workplace
Sonal Dawda
Head of Marketing & Corporate Communications
Aisha Abdalla Al Marzooqi
Corporate Communication Expert
Prof. May El Barachi
Head of School of Computer Science | IT
Prof. May El Barachi
Head of School of Computer Science | IT
Prof. May El Barachi is the Head of School of Computer Science at University of Wollongong in Dubai. An Egyptian Canadian Computer Scientist, and Smart Technology Expert with degrees in Telecom. Engineering, Computer Engineering, and Computer Science, Prof. El Barachi possesses width and breadth of knowledge in the areas of Computer Science, IT, and Engineering. Prof. El Barachi is also a public speaker who participates in large-scale public events and speaks about technology-related topics, such as: Digital transformation, smart cities, emerging technologies & their related opportunities, demystifying complex technologies, and professional training in alignment with the industry needs.
Hima Karanath Renandranadhan
Head of Sales and Marketing
Hima Karanath Renandranadhan
Head of Sales and Marketing
With over six years of experience in IT and e-commerce, I am a passionate and results-oriented
sales leader who thrives on developing new business opportunities and building lasting
relationships with customers. As the Head of Sales at SUDO Consultants, I oversee the sales
strategy and execution for the company's cloud-based products and services, leveraging my AWS
certification and technical knowledge.
My core competencies include sales management, customer relationship management, quality
assurance, and problem solving. I excel at researching and identifying new leads and potential
sectors, planning and prioritizing sales activities, maintaining accurate and up-to-date sales
information and reports, qualifying and developing prospects, and ensuring customer satisfaction
and feedback. I also collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure product quality
and alignment with customer needs and expectations. My mission is to drive sales growth and
customer loyalty by delivering innovative and reliable cloud solutions that meet the evolving
demands of the IT industry.
Agenda
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5:30 PM-6:00PM
Registration & Networking
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6:00PM-6:10PM
Welcome remarks
Anushree Dixit-Global Head, Content Strategic Alliances
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6:10PM-6:50PM
The Power of Diversity: Why Women’s Voices Matter in Tech Innovation
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6:50PM-7:00PM
Lucky Draw
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7:00PM-8:00PM
High Tea
Partners 2024
Memory Partner
Apparel Partner
Confectionery Partner
Supporting Partners
Beauty Partners
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