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2025 marks five years of Aurora50

Graphic for blog post shows Aurora50 logo with text '2025 marks five years of Aurora50' with a collage of images: Top row, L-% HH Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Director of Aurora50; a female pilot speaking; Middle row L-R Bottom R L-R:
Suzanne Locke 14 April 2025
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We are so proud to celebrate our fifth birthday.

Back in 2020 we launched with the Pathway20 (now Pathway/ مسار women’s board accelerator – and just look at everything we’ve done in the half-decade since.

Aurora50’s first five years – in images

Graphic for blog post shows Aurora50 logo with text '2025 marks five years of Aurora50' with a collage of images: Top row, L-% HH Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Director of Aurora50; a female pilot speaking; Second row, L-R Pictured left: Dr Fatma Ridene, Senior Vice President of Clinical Development at M42, with Mariam Bint Jaber, a Human Capital Officer at Amana Medical and Rehabilitation Hospital LLC - Al Ain Branch, at Aurora50's Inclusive Workplaces Summit in November 2024. Pictured right: Mariam Bint Jaber types with her feet; A photo from Aurora50's NOORA women's network from a meet-up on 9 January 2025. The workshop focused on social capital and two male allies were invited to attend. In this photo, seven women sit at a table as Prof Dame Heather McGregor of Heriot-Watt University Dubai talks to them directly; NOORA first workshop, September 2023, NOORA members holding the NOORA lights the way placard, Megha Vijayvergiya, Accenture, Colakoglu Cagla, Accenture, Shruti Kapoor, The Emirates Group, Nada Al Zarooni, The Emirates Group, Stephanie Walters, The Emirates Group, ZAINAB MASHOOR, The Emirates Group, KHADIJA ARSANOVA, The Emirates Group, Eliza Leonidou, The Emirates Group; Third row, L-R NOORA workshop, November 2023 on addressing climate change challenges - members stand, Aurora50 co-founder Diana Wilde in pink shirt in middle; Pathway20 workshop, 2022 on Financial strategy; Fourth row, L-R audience watching the event at Aurora50's The Inclusion Summit 2023 in Abu Dhabi; People of determination from SEDRA working at Aurora50's The Inclusion Summit 2023 in Abu Dhabi; Aurora50's NOORA workshop, November 2023 on Women at the forefront Addressing climate change challenges,​ Roa El Bizri, TAQA, Eliza Leonidou, The Emirates Group, Farah Naz FCIBSE, AECOM; Bottom R L-R: Sara AlObeidli of FAB holds hands and smiles with Bedoor Alnaqbi, also of FAB, at the NOORA workshop Women at the forefront in November 2023; Alia Hraiz, TAQA speaking at NOORA workshop Women at the forefront in November 2023; Pathway20 workshop 2022 on ESG

‘Empowering every person to thrive’

Aurora50 Director HH Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan says: “Today we celebrate Aurora50’s fifth anniversary and, as we reflect on our achievements since our launch, it is a joy to see our network of allies and changemakers join us in demonstrating the values that have positioned the UAE as a leader in diversity, equity and inclusion, while driving significant economic growth.

“Our journey began with the Pathway accelerator for women, igniting a rebalance of gender equity at board level. At the time, women held just 3.5 percent of board seats in the UAE – today, that number has more than tripled. Along the way, we have built powerful partnerships, launched the NOORA community to engage women leaders and expanded our regional footprint across the GCC.

“Our work is just beginning. In addition to championing gender balance and continuing to support the integration of People of Determination, Aurora50 will work alongside corporates and government entities to ensure the integration of a workplace culture that empowers every person to thrive.”

Graphic of a quote showing Aurora50 logo top-left, a headshot of Aurora50 Director HH Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan bottom right, with her name alongside and a quote that says: “Today we celebrate Aurora50's fifth anniversary and, as we reflect on our achievements since our launch, it is a joy to see our network of allies and changemakers join us in demonstrating the values that have positioned the UAE as a leader in diversity, equity and inclusion, while driving significant economic growth.”

Aurora50: Looking ahead

We’re proud of how far we’ve come in just five years. But we’re not stopping here. Aurora50 will keep working with companies and government to create workplaces where everyone can succeed, regardless of gender or ability.

Thank you to all our partners, supporters, allies and changemakers who have contributed to this remarkable journey of transformation. 

Much like the Aurora Borealis lights up the sky, we are shaping a brighter, more inclusive future where every shade of talent can shine at work. The 50 in our name stands for the next 50 years, and we hope to help forge generations of inclusive leaders in that time.

Aurora50: A timeline of our first five years

Aurora50 logo at top and illustration of a timeline from top to bottom showing 2020 Aurora50 launch Pathway20 launch The Board Summit 2020 2021 Glow with AD Ports Group The Board Summit 2021 2022 UAE Non-executive Board Careers report AIM launch 2023 NOORA launch The Inclusion Summit 2023 Guinness World Records record-holder COP28 event Fixing the bAIs 2024 Aurora50 Advisory Council Inclusive Workplaces Summit GCC Board Gender Index Report Chapter Zero UAE launch 2025 All-new Pathway/مسار GCC Board Gender Index Report Majra Challenge finalist

Five years of Aurora50 milestones

2020

Aurora50 launch
Pathway20 launch
The Board Summit 2020

2021

Glow with AD Ports Group
The Board Summit 2021

2022

UAE Non-executive Board Careers report
AIM launch

2023

NOORA launch
The Inclusion Summit 2023
Guinness World Records record-holder
COP28 event
Fixing the bAIs

2024

Aurora50 Advisory Council
Inclusive Workplaces Summit
GCC Board Gender Index Report
Chapter Zero UAE launch

2025

All-new Pathway/مسار
GCC Board Gender Index Report
Majra Challenge finalist

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