< Previous10 Women Visionaries, March 2024 NOOR SWEID Founder Global Ventures Steered by a wealth of experi- ence, Sweid is committed to empowering disruptive tech- nology companies and their emerging market founders, enabling them to address real-world challenges and create tangible global impact. As the founder, investor, and operator, her previous responsibilities encompass her position as the CIO at The Dubai Future Foundation, and her role as founder of the ZenYoga studio chain, which was later acquired by Cedarbridge. Sweid holds Bachelor’s Degrees in Finance and Econom- ics from Boston College, an MBA from MIT Sloan, and an early career as a consultant specialising in biotechnology and pharmaceutical strategy in the US. She is recognised by her membership in the inaugural class of the Finance Leaders Fellowship and her inclusion in the Aspen Global Leadership Network. She has been honoured as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum. A pivotal achievement in her career was her accomplish- ment as the fi rst Arab woman to successfully scale, IPO, and operate a public company in the MENA region. She achieved this milestone by listing Depa on the NASDAQ Dubai and the London Stock Exchange (DEPA:DU) for $1.1bn in April 2008. Beyond her achievements, Sweid plays an active role on the boards of companies within Global Ventures’ portfolio. She also holds the position of chairperson at the Middle East Venture Capital Association and serves as a director for MIT Sloan and TechWadi. Additionally, she holds the independent chairperson role for Clue Health. She is also an independent board member of Mondee Holdings since May 2022, as well as a board member of Education For Employment-Global (EFE-Global). About Global Ventures Global Ventures is a Dubai-based venture capital firm specialising in early-stage investments in growth companies across the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region. The fund focuses on globally scalable enterprise technology compa- nies, strategically investing in low-valuation markets to facilitate the scale-up of young enterprises into global markets. This approach aims to achieve multiple expansion and revenue growth. Leveraging the youth demographic, access to talent, and low valuation multiples, Global Ventures actively identifi es high-potential, globally scalable companies and facilitates their expansion through strategic and active investments. Global Ventures supports founders with a global perspective, invest- ing in growth-stage companies that drive transformation in emerging markets and beyond. The fi rm primarily targets revenue-generating start-ups with at least $1m in annual revenue in the MENA region but considers exceptions. Essentially, Global Ventures seeks start-ups that are revenue-generating, industry leaders, capital-effi cient, highly scalable, as well as possess a clear path to exit. INVESTMENTarabianbusiness.com 11 RETAIL HUDA KATTAN Founder and CEO Huda Beauty K attan, a pioneering force in the beauty industry, has dramatically reshaped the landscape of social media beauty infl uencers since founding Huda Beauty in 2013. Her journey into the world of beauty began with a burning passion for makeup, leading her to attend a renowned makeup training school in Los Angeles. It was there that she honed her skills to perfection, eventually providing services to a high-profi le clientele, including A-list celebrities and members of royalty. In 2010, as a professional makeup artist, Kattan was driven by a desire to extend her infl uence beyond the traditional boundaries of makeup artistry. This ambition gave birth to HudaBeauty.com, an online portal where she began sharing her extensive beauty knowledge and expertise. The blog quickly gained traction, becoming a go-to source for beauty enthusiasts worldwide. This online success paved the way for a pivotal moment in her career—the launch of her own line of false eyelashes. This product debut, which took place in Febru- ary 2013 at Sephora in The Dubai Mall, marked the offi cial beginning of the Huda Beauty brand. By 2015, Kattan had emerged as a signifi cant fi gure in the digital beauty world, her infl uence reaching new heights. The brand’s growth was further amplifi ed by the establishment of the fi rst Huda Beauty offi ce, a collaborative venture involving her husband and her sister, Mona Kattan. As the brand contin- ued to grow, its reach extended globally, with its much-coveted Lip Contour kits making their way into the prestigious Harrods department store in London, UK, by 2016. Today, Huda Beauty stands as a colossal brand in the beauty industry. Its expansive product line, which includes over 140 diff erent items, is a testament to Kattan’s relentless innova- tion and keen business acumen. The brand’s success is refl ected in its impressive annual sales, approximately $200m, contributing to Kattan’s estimated net worth of $400m as of May 12, 2023. Kattan’s journey from a passionate makeup artist to a global beauty mogul is a powerful story of vision, perseverance, and entrepreneurial spirit. About HB Investments Demonstrating a commitment to innovation, Kattan intro- duced HB Investments, steering various projects forward. In her pursuit of innovation, she went on to co-found the fragrance line Kayali in November 2018, with Mona Kattan playing a pivotal role. The debut Kayali collection, named Collection 01, featured four distinct fragrances: VANILLA 28, CITRUS 08, MUSK 12, and ELIXIR 11. This journey continued with the launch of Wishful Skin- care in 2020, initially with a single product and later expand- ing into a comprehensive skincare range. Following an invest- ment in the feminine care label Ketish, founded by Emaan Abbas in August, HB Investments unveiled plans to launch a new supplements brand, Humantra, in 2022. Founded by Date Catudal, Humantra, as the second brand emerging from the HB Investment fund and incubator, refl ects the Ketish founder Catudal’s journey as a cancer survivor. 12 Women Visionaries, March 202412 Women Visionaries, March 2024arabianbusiness.com 13arabianbusiness.com 1314 Women Visionaries, March 2024 Backed by a remarkable career trajectory, from marketing and public relations to becoming a thought leader in edtech and women’s empowerment, a key turning point for Semeshkina was seeing the gaps in the current educa- tional system, particularly in how it addresses the needs of modern learners which inspired her to venture into EdTech. Lectera.com was born out of a vision to make learning fast, practical, and directly applicable to career and personal growth. Another cr itical moment was acknowledging the challenges faced by women in the professional world, a realisation that led to the founding of the Women’s Empowerment Council (WEC). The aim was to create a plat- form and a community that not only supports women in their career journeys but also educates and advocates for greater opportunities. Technology as a tool for empowerment Throughout this journey, embracing technology as a tool for empowerment has been a consistent theme, whether it’s through Lectera.com’s innovative approach to online learn- ing or leveraging digital platforms for advocacy, technology has been central to Semeshkina’s mission of making educa- tion more inclusive and impactful. Her venture into investing in high-tech brands was not just about fi nancial investment but also about investing in her vision of a future where tech- nology plays a pivotal role in education and empowerment. At the forefront of educational innovation Adapting to evolving educational landscapes is a priority for Lectera.com, especially in the face of technological advancements and changing learning preferences. Just some of the ways they stay at the forefront of educational innovation is that they constantly update and develop new courses to stay relevant and address emerging trends. Their agile approach allows them to respond quickly to changes in the job market and technology. They understand that each learner is unique and employ person- alised learning algorithms to recommend courses and content tailored to individual needs and preferences. The platform is accessible across devices, making it easy for learners to access courses whenever and wherever they prefer. Using data analytics to gain insights into learner EDUCATION MILA SMART SEMESHKINA Founder and CEO Lectera.comarabianbusiness.com 15 behaviour and course eff ectiveness helps them refi ne their off erings and make data-driven decisions to enhance the learning journey. Women in leadership Through Semeshkina’s own experiences as a woman in lead- ership, facing and overcoming many challenges, she witnessed the barriers that women often come up against. This under- standing, along with her professional knowledge of these issues, led her to set up the Women’s Empowerment Council (WEC). WEC is making a real diff erence in empowering women by providing them with educational opportunities, mentorship, role models and chances to lead. More than just about helping women achieve personal success, this project is about building a community where women support and learn from each other. WEC is working towards having more women in every level of the professional world as they believe that when women are empowered, it helps everyone, contributing to the overall growth and development of society. Looking forward to 2024, the WE Convention Dubai, now scheduled for 20-21 April, promises bigger speakers, covering more topics on how to earn more and career paths. Lectera.com off ers courses on women’s empowerment, including a range of courses on leadership skills, negotiation and entrepreneurship specifically designed to empower women in their careers. WEC, on the other hand, focuses on creating a supportive community for women in leadership. There are also joint courses with women leaders on Lectera. Moreover, both Lectera.com and WEC actively collaborate with organisations and initiatives that promote diversity and women’s leadership. About Lectera.com With a global reach of over 3 million students from 60 coun- tries, Lectera.com off ers courses in multiple languages, Lectera.com offers a range of courses including on leadership skills, entrepreneurship, self-development, and women’s empowerment including English, German, Spanish, Hindi, and Russian. According to Semeshkina, going multilingual has been a game-changer and a huge part of their success in becoming a leading global educational platform. This is about making education accessible and comfortable for a diverse audience. More than that, offering courses in different languages refl ects a deep respect for cultural diversity. It’s not just trans- lating words; it’s about adapting the content to fi t into unique cultural contexts. Lectera.com ensure that everyone’s on the same page, regardless of their time zone or language via video calls, frequent updates, and using tools that help bridge any language barriers. Semeshkina says they have put in eff ort into understand- ing the unique needs and many of the courses are localised. “In short, it’s about being fl exible, open to learning, and always keeping the lines of communication open,” she says. “And, of course, having a fantastic team that’s as committed to our vision as I am makes all the diff erence.” The future for Lectera.com and WEC The WE Convention in April 2024 is set to be even more exciting and impactful, says Semeshkina. They are aiming to bring in a diverse line-up of speakers which already includes the chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan Cultural and Educational Institutions, HH Sheikha Dr. Shamma bint Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan; HH Sheikha Mozah bint Marwan Al Maktoum who serves as a Captain pilot of the Dubai Police Airwing; HH Sayyida Basma Al Said, founder of fi rst private mental health clinic in Oman; and a tennis star and entrepre- neur Maria Sharapova. Additionally, there will be panellists who will share their experiences and insights on women’s empowerment and success as well as sessions on leadership, entrepreneurship, work-life balance, and more, all designed to equip attendees with practical knowledge and inspiration. 16 Women Visionaries, March 2024 NISREEN SHOCAIR Group Chief Transformation Officer for Middle East, Africa and LATAM Beyond ONE MEA In addition to her current role, Shocair is also the founder Shocase Luxury, a company that enables mostly jeweller y and brands gain widespread recognition in the US, Asia, and Europe. Backed by a career focused on retail, sustainability, entertainment, technology, and fashion across the US, UK, Middle East, and Germany, she previously held the role of CEO of YOOX NET-A-PORTER Group in the Middle East. Prior to that, she helmed the MBC launch of a live-streaming shopping network, and in her role as the president of Virgin Megastore for MENA, she steered the company’s transformation in nine markets. Her wealth of experience across the digital, publishing, retail, and licensing within the music industry propelled the infl uence and the reach of Virgin Megastores in the Middle East. Throughout her career, she has assumed various leader- ship roles at key organisations such as Hearst, Viacom, Sony Music, and Bertelsmann. Under Shocair’s guidance at Beyond ONE, the company aspires to create an ecosystem that fosters a conducive environment for entrepreneurs and tech talent, with a specifi c emphasis on empowering women both inter- nationally and regionally. Her extensive skill set spans leader- ship, negotiation, technology startups, digital media, licensing, entertainment, home shopping, publishing, consulting, OMNI technology startups, and more. Beyond her corporate roles, she has carved a niche for herself as a profi cient media host and presenter, contributing to various television programmes, podcasts, live corporate events, and public gatherings. This diverse range of experiences attests to her multifac- eted capabilities in diff erent domains. She also extends her infl uence beyond professional pursuits, demonstrating a strong commitment to philanthropy. Her dedication is evident in her active involvement in causes related to humanitarian refugees and environmental conservation. About Beyond ONE Beyond ONE is revolutionising the digital landscapes for consumers in high-growth markets worldwide, positioning itself as a premier digital services provider. The company is dedicated to constructing a digital services aggregator platform with a foundation deeply rooted in telecommunications excellence. At the heart of their approach is a profi table growth strat- egy that empowers users, allowing them to subscribe once, access multiple sources, and pay only for the services they actively utilise. What distinguishes the Beyond ONE team is the diversity of skill sets within its teams, providing a collective perspective that enriches their innovative initiatives. The company’s strength lies in its understanding of risk dynamics and market specifi cs, enabling them to identify and leverage untapped opportunities. Simultaneously, Beyond ONE remains closely connected to global technology trends and financial markets, ensuring a high level of sophistication in their market strategies and product offerings. The core business structure of Beyond ONE seamlessly integrates a robust Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) brand port- folio, a commanding market presence, a reliable digital platform, and a consistent revenue stream. DIGITAL SERVICESarabianbusiness.com 17 President – Middle East, Indian subcontinent and Africa FedEx As President of FedEx Express’ Middle East, Indian Subcontinent, and Africa region, Kami Viswanathan is a pioneer driving trade connectivity and economic growth across diverse and rapidly developing markets. With over 20 years of experience spanning consulting, entrepreneurship and investing, she brings a transformational vision and unique perspective to her leadership role. Under Viswanathan’s guidance, FedEx is investing over $350m to establish a state-of-the-art regional hub at Dubai World Central airport. Spanning 57,000 sq m, the new facil- ity incorporates the latest automation technologies and sustainability practices. High-speed scanning and sorting systems enhance logistics effi ciency, while stringent environ- mental standards demonstrate FedEx’s commitment to oper- ating responsibly. Situated in the heart of Dubai South’s aviation and logis- tics district, the hub forms a vital component of the region’s expanding trade infrastructure. Its strategic location seamlessly connects global air cargo routes through Dubai's world-class airport to a comprehensive multi-modal transport network spanning oceans, roads and railways. For Viswanathan, the investment cements FedEx’s long-term role supporting regional economic development by facilitating increased trade fl ows and partnerships. “The new FedEx hub marks a pivotal stride in our growth strategy to build a more flexible, efficient, and smart network, to deliver outstanding services that fi t our customers’ needs. Harnessing cutting-edge technology, our hub at DWC in Dubai South exem- plifi es our commitment to transforming our operations through automation and building a smarter and more sustainable logistics network,” she said. Prior to leading FedEx’s expansion across the MEISA region, Viswanathan held various transformative roles over a distinguished career. She co-founded Lumina Datamatics, growing the educational technology fi rm to employ over 3,000 profes- sionals worldwide servicing markets in India, the US and Europe. Drawing on this experience of scaling a global busi- ness, Viswanathan also founded the cross-border investment fi rm work4.0 capital focusing on future skills and workplace innovation. Earlier in her career, Viswanathan guided multi- national strategies on market entry and joint ventures through her work with Arthur Andersen and Offi ce Tiger. She brings this wealth of expertise spanning consulting, entrepreneurship and investing to strategically drive FedEx’s vision and opera- tions across diverse growth economies. A noted business leader, Viswanathan is a member of the Harvard Business School’s Aspen Global Leadership Network community and lends her expertise to several philanthropic causes. She holds an MBA from Harvard and law degrees from India’s National Law School, exemplifying her dedication to lifelong learning. Under Viswanathan’s inspirational lead- ership, FedEx is playing an increasingly pivotal role support- ing regional development through innovative global infrastruc- ture, as economies rapidly transform both digitally and economically in a post-pandemic world. She remains focused on boosting interconnectivity and facilitating partnerships across dynamic new markets to advance shared prosperity. LOGISTICS KAMI VISWANATHAN18 Women Visionaries 2024 The Kingdom of Bahrain: Empowering women as catalysts for development in tourism and beyond Aligned with Bahrain’s Tourism Strategy (2022-2026), Fatima bint Jaff ar Al Sairafi , Sara Ahmed Buhiji, and Dr. Debbie Kristiansen highlight the kingdom’s commitment to empowering women in tourism with supportive measures and policies ism establishments for sector growth, aligned with Bahrain’s Tourism Strat- egy (2022-2026), she notes. “BTEA actively organises a comprehensive calendar of tourism and entertainment events to elevate tourism’s GDP impact and underscore Bahrain’s global tour- ism stance.” Key projects like Al Ghous Waterfront and Bahrain Bay Beach are underway, with major hotel and resort developments anticipated in 2024. Exhibition World Bahrain (EWB) EWB is one of the leading initiatives of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority as part of the kingdom’s commitment to attract business travel- lers, elevate business tourism, and support the diversifi cation of sustaina- ble sources of income for the kingdom. “Since its launch in November 2022, the venue has hosted several events managed and organised by national competencies, including Bahraini women determined to be creative and distinguished in the MICE industry,” says Buhiji. Women in the MICE industry Dr. Kristiansen notes the signifi cant impact of women in the MICE industry at EWB, both locally and regionally. “Celebrating International Women’s Day 2024 at EWB, we’re proud of our 40 percent female workforce and eight women in leadership roles,” she states. “Supported by the Ministry of Tourism and BTEA, EWB plans to host signifi - cant international events, including fi rst- time events in Bahrain.” BY SAADIYA AHMAD Fatima bint Jaffar Al Sairafi, Bahraini Minister of Tourism Sara Ahmed Buhiji, CEO of Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority Dr. Debbie Kristiansen, General Manager at Exhibition World Bahrain H.E. Al Sairafi acknowledges the significant achieve- ments of Bahraini women in various sectors, crediting “The vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa for the advancement of Bahraini women, supported by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.” She highlights a historic achievement, noting the appointment of four female minis- ters for the fi rst time: Dr. Jalila Al Sayyed Jawad Hassan, Amna Ahmed Al Romaihi, Noor Ali Al Khulaif, and Fatima Jaff er Al Sairafi in key ministries. Recognising Bahrain’s commitment to empowering women in various sectors, including tourism, Al Sairafi points out, “It encourages active participation in council initiatives for national develop- ment. The MOT highlights women’s vital role in tourism, with their representation in the Ministry and BTEA at 60 percent and 51 percent, respectively.” BRAND VIEW A focus on national talents Further adding, Buhiji reveals that BTEA takes pride in having numerous Bahraini female talents in various departments and divisions, holding various critical positions. “This refl ects Bahrain’s commitment to advancing women in various economic sectors, especially in the promising tourism sector at the national level,” she says. “The authority values its national workforce, who are an integral part of Team Bahrain, and has the capability of contributing eff ectively to enhancing national development paths, ensuring the desired sustainability targets are met, and achieving continuous progress to elevate the tourism sector.” Bahrain’s Tourism Strategy (2022-2026) The BTEA aims to par tner with government, private entities and tour-Next >