The Origin: She Grows, She Leads Women in Business Forum held

Muscat: The Origin: She Grows, She Leads Women in Business Forum, held yesterday, at the Crowne Plaza Muscat OCEC, was a groundbreaking event celebrating the achievements, resilience, and leadership of women across Oman and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.

Hosted by Gulf Leaders Circle (GLC), and Muscat Media Group (MMG), the forum brought together distinguished leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals to share their insights and chart a path for inclusive growth and innovation.

The forum was graced by Her Highness Dr. Taghreed bint Turki Al Said, Founder and CEO of the Learn and Inspire Center and My Book & Me Nursery, the forum’s theme, “She Grows, She Leads,” underscored the vital role of women in shaping the future of business and leadership.

Dr Taghreed delivered an inspiring keynote address, encouraging women to embrace their creativity and resilience while focusing on mental and physical health as essential components of success.

“Women are not only creative and innovative but are central to driving meaningful change,” she said, adding that balancing priorities and overcoming challenges with determination can pave the way to achieving goals."

“I feel the energy present in this hall. It is essential that women take care of their physical and mental health, as they are the foundation for success,” she added. She urged the audience to set clear priorities and overcome challenges on the road to achieving their goals.
 The forum highlighted the importance of mentorship, innovation, and inclusivity in leadership. This was reinforced throughout the day by a series of impactful discussions and insights shared by visionary women leaders.

Insightful panel discussions
The first panel titled “Overcoming Challenges in Business & Leadership” explored the obstacles women face in leadership roles and how to overcome them with grit and determination.

Elise Van Zeeland, Executive Director of Al Habib Medical Group, opened the discussion by sharing her own journey of resilience. “The path to success isn’t linear. We face challenges, but it’s how we rise from them that defines us,” she said, highlighting the importance of perseverance and adaptability in leadership.

Fatma Al Nabhani, a professional tennis and padel athlete and member of the Oman Padel Committee, shared her personal story of breaking barriers in the world of sports. “I started at five years old, and my vision was always clear: To be the best and to compete internationally. It wasn’t easy, but the support I received from my country was invaluable,” she remarked, reflecting on the determination required to excel in professional sports.

“I am proud to represent Oman and grateful for the unwavering support my country has given me.”

Areej Al Shaibani, Senior Manager Talent and Planning at Omantel, added her perspective on the importance of collaboration in leadership.
“Men and women are on the same journey, and it’s crucial that we support each other. The synergy between both genders can create a powerful force for change,” she said, emphasising the need for both genders to work together to overcome the challenges that arise in business.

“Inspiring Leadership – Breaking Barriers & Creating Opportunities for Women” was the topic for the second panel.

This session showcased visionary leaders who are creating pathways for other women to succeed, with a focus on mentorship, innovation, and fostering inclusive work environments.

The panel featured Sofana Dahlan, Founder and Managing Partner of Sofana Dahlan Law Firm; Dr. Siham Al Harthy, CEO and Chairman of Summu Real Estate, and Board Member of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Laila Al Hadhrami, Managing Director of C3 Cities; Rahma Al-Hasmi, Deputy VP Commercial at SOHAR Port and Freezone; and Dr. Budoor Al Mansour, COO and Co-Founder of Novo Genomics.

The discussion centered on how innovation and mentorship can help break barriers for women in leadership roles.

Empowering contributions
The forum also featured powerful contributions from other prominent leaders, including Rasha Al Nadhy, Marketing Manager at Yiti Sustainable City, who stressed the importance of sustainable business practices.

Nouf Abdullah Al Ruhili, Lawyer and Legal Consultant at Abdullah Al Moshyqri Law Firm, addressed the need for legal empowerment for women in business.

Siham Yousuf Al Kharousi, Empowerment Program Manager at Dar Al Atta, shared her perspective on the importance of community-driven initiatives in empowering women.

Sponsors played a key role in the success of this forum, with Sohar Port and Freezone serving as the strategic sponsor, Integrated Gas Company as the supporting sponsor, and the Oman Society for Human Resources Management (OSHRM) as the knowledge sponsor. Additional partners included Oman Banks Association (co-sponsor), Yiti Sustainable City (sustainability partner), Splash and Max (retail sponsors), Al Mashreqi Advocates and Legal Consultants (legal sponsor), and Dar Al Atta (growth partner).

A call for action
The “She Grows, She Leads” forum concluded with a resounding message: Women have the ability to lead transformational change in business and society. The event not only celebrated the achievements of trailblazing women but also provided a platform for meaningful dialogue, collaboration, and inspiration for future leaders.

“This forum is a testament to the strength and determination of women leaders who inspire us to dream bigger and aim higher,” said one of the attendees.