Meet our Founding Mentors
To have the most impact, we need mentors from all walks of life. Our founding mentors are a hugely diverse group of women - the one thing they all have in common is that their stories and journeys are truly inspirational
Julia Berridge
GENERAL MANAGER TOM FORD BEAUTY MIDDLE EAST
Estée Lauder Companies - Middle East
Prestige beauty
Unique Offering
Tips on how to succeed in the corporate world
Key Takeaway
Success in the corporate world at an entry level is down to a positive attitude and can-do energy more than anything else
Soma Gardi
Founder
SG Legal Consultants
Law
Unique Offering
Insight and understanding
Key Takeaway
Perseverance and hard work always wins
Aliya Chandia
Previously Lazard Middle East (DIFC)
Financial Services, Regulation & Legal
Unique Offering
Previous mentoring experience both as a mentor and mentee
Key Takeaway
Understanding how to achieve work life balance at different stages of life and creating opportunity for growth at every stage.
Kate Instone
Creative Director
Blush
Interior design
Unique Offering
A wealth of knowledge and experience in my field
Key Takeaway
Determination, hard work and listening to your colleagues and the client. Asking for help
Chandini Misra
Principal
Repton Al Barsha
Education
Unique Offering
Diverse pathways
Key Takeaway
I am currently a female leader in a network which is predominantly male and challenge preconceived notions daily
Sophie Ghavidel
Director
PRCO
Public Relations
Unique Offering
As a female entrepreneur with a proven track record, I hope I can pass on the lessons and tools I’ve learned in my 15 year career in Dubaï in a relevant and inspiring way.
Key Takeaway
Always keep going and stay positive. Tomorrow is another day.
Lucy Bruce
Founder
Harmony House
Education and Welfare
Unique Offering
Empathy, connections, opportunity
Key Takeaway
Take every opportunity, meet everyone, believe in yourself
Sophie Thomas
Founder
The Growth Pod
Management Consultancy
Unique Offering
With a background of serving to clients and leading internal functions I can help develop practical and fungible skills to advance your career
Key Takeaway
Whatever you do, you need to make sure it aligns with your values, passion and purpose. Do not be a square peg in a round hole - that's the route to burnout.
Sufeena Hussain
IAM Entertainment
Entertainment / Media
Unique Offering
Market knowledge
Key Takeaway
Priya Mehta
Founder
Naturally Pri
Holistic Wellness
Unique Offering
Holistic approach to wellness and scientifically backed information
Key Takeaway
Certifications and education is very important in this field, along with the passion for all things wellness
Catherine Craig
CFO
Discovery Landco
Real Estate
Unique Offering
Journey to C-Suite
Key Takeaway
Resilience!
Sharon McCafferty
Manager Strategic Projects
Dnata
Aviation, travel and logistics
Unique Offering
Decades of project management & driving change. Supporting empowerment of women
Key Takeaway
Independence brings choice and freedom. It's worth the hard work!