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The NOORA Diaries: The journey for NOORA’s corporate women members

A photo from Aurora50's NOORA women's network (with logo) 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, the group of 35 women gathers for a staged group photo.
Suzanne Locke 5 February 2025
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Welcome to the NOORA diaries.

NOORA – Aurora50’s dynamic network connecting and empowering corporate women across the GCC – offers its members a unique experience.

Throughout their year-long membership, NOORA members gather at least every two months for enriching workshops, networking opportunities and discussions.

This blog post will serve as a window into their journey, a rolling diary capturing the highlights, insights and inspiring moments from each NOORA gathering. Join us throughout the year.

You can find out more about joining NOORA, with a corporate package or as an individual, at aurora50.com/noora.

Coming up in 2025 for NOORA members

  • 19 February: Aramex site visit
  • 10 March: Iftar & networking at the Palace, Abu Dhabi

  • 19 March: Webinar: Stress, anxiety & chronic pain – Taking back control

  • 16 April: Webinar: Heroes in disguise

  • APRIL TBC (week 17): Site visit: Emirates Expo City

  • 30 April: Webinar: Stages of career progression

  • MAY TBC (week 19) Workshop: ‘Find your voice’ coaching

  • MAY TBC (week 21) Networking: Speed mentoring, Dubai

  • JUNE TBC (week 25) Workshop: Negotiation skills & storytelling

  • JUNE TBC (week 26) Webinar: Hormonal stages & your career

  • JUL (WEEK 29) Webinar: Corporate wellness – Employee wellbeing & work-life balance

  • SEPTEMBER TBC: Graduation ceremony for cohort 2

  • SEPTEMBER: NOORA cohort 3 begins

  • SEPTEMBER TBC: Networking/ workshop, Dubai

  • OCTOBER TBC: Webinar

  • OCTOBER TBC: Site visit

  • NOVEMBER TBC: Workshop: Upskilling, Abu Dhabi

  • DECEMBER TBC: Webinar

Find out more about NOORA at aurora50.com/noora – we offer corporate packages and individual places for corporate GCC women. There are at least six face-to-face meet-ups per year. #NOORAlightstheway #womennetworkinguae #sdg5genderequality #womeninbusinessuae #womeninuae #womenempowerment #womenempoweringwomen #networkinguae

NOORA workshop on returning to work after extended leave/ informal networking, 11 February 2025

We held a relaxed, outdoor meet-up for our NOORA women’s community in the serene gardens of University of Birmingham Dubai, blending meaningful face-to-face networking with an insightful workshop on navigating the return to work after extended leave.

We delved into managing the emotional conversations that often arise during this transition, creating a safe space for open dialogue and shared experiences. A huge thank you to coach Bibi Sheikh for guiding us with wisdom and warmth. As she beautifully said, “Thank you for your vulnerability, honesty, time and support for each other.” 🌱

Aurora50 NOORA workshop on returning to work after extended leave, and networking session, in the gardens of Birmingham University Dubai on 11 February 2025. L-R: Haifa Al Shahrani, Govt & International Affairs Administrative Coordinator, ENOC; Amrita Thakur, Global Talent Manager, Aramex; Fawzia Alhashmi, Crew Performance Manager, Emirates; Aseel Moosa, Manager Enterprise Effectiveness, Emirates; Saskia Vulturius, Project Manager, Emirates; Adenike Oyenuga, Crew Performance Manager, Emirates; Banan Al Mansoori, Social Affairs Executive, ENOC; Manar Al Ramhi, NRL ICAD Molecular Diagnostics, M42; Arwa Alawlaqi, Senior Supervisor - Planning, EGA; Haya Abulaila, Manager, Human Resources, TAQA; Nada Chreih, Senior Associate, TAQA; Roxane Deschambault, Global Learning and Development Director, Aramex; Shruti Kapoor, Vice President - IT Product & Delivery - Web & Mobile, Emirates; Marwa AlRamsi, Senior Engineer, TAQA; Samya AlGhaiti, ICLDC Al-Ain Patient Affairs, M42; Khulood AlMarri, Financial Accountant, TAQA; Bibi Sheikh, Coach, Coachresults; Maitha Al Suwaidi, Head of Finance & Risk Compliance, ENOC; and Maitha Al Jaberi, Protocol Executive, ENOC.
Aurora50 NOORA workshop on returning to work after extended leave, and networking session, in the gardens of Birmingham University Dubai on 11 February 2025. L-R: Fawzia Alhashmi, Crew Performance Manager, Emirates; Roxane Deschambault, Global Learning and Development Director, Aramex; Amrita Thakur, Global Talent Manager, Aramex; Adenike Oyenuga, Crew Performance Manager, Emirates; Banan Al Mansoori, Social Affairs Executive, ENOC; and Maitha Al Jaberi, Protocol Executive, ENOC.
Aurora50 NOORA workshop on returning to work after extended leave, and networking session, in the gardens of Birmingham University Dubai on 11 February 2025. L-R Aseel Moosa, Manager Enterprise Effectiveness, Emirates; Roxane Deschambault, Global Learning and Development Director, Aramex; Arwa Alawlaqi, Senior Supervisor - Planning, EGA; and Samya AlGhaiti, ICLDC Al-Ain Patient Affairs, M42
Aurora50 NOORA workshop on returning to work after extended leave, and networking session, in the gardens of Birmingham University Dubai on 11 February 2025. L-R Khulood AlMarri, Financial Accountant, TAQA; Nada Chreih, Senior Associate, TAQA; Marwa AlRamsi, Senior Engineer, TAQA; and Haya Abulaila, Manager, Human Resources, TAQA.
Aurora50 NOORA workshop on returning to work after extended leave, and networking session, in the gardens of Birmingham University Dubai on 11 February 2025. Picture of a long shot of women talking and working on an exercise in the gardens with a stream down the middle.
Aurora50 NOORA workshop on returning to work after extended leave, and networking session, in the gardens of Birmingham University Dubai on 11 February 2025. L-R Fawzia Alhashmi, Crew Performance Manager, Emirates; Rwan Ibrahim, Cloud & Infrastructure Associate Manager, Accenture; Banan Al Mansoori, Social Affairs Executive, ENOC; Maitha Al Suwaidi, Head of Finance & Risk Compliance, ENOC; Maitha Al Jaberi, Protocol Executive, ENOC; Manar Al Ramhi, NRL ICAD Molecular Diagnostics, M42; Shruti Kapoor, Vice President - IT Product & Delivery - Web & Mobile, Emirates; and Haya Abulaila, Manager, Human Resources, TAQA.
Aurora50 NOORA workshop on returning to work after extended leave, and networking session, in the gardens of Birmingham University Dubai on 11 February 2025. L-R (standing) Haifa Al Shahrani, Govt & International Affairs Administrative Coordinator, ENOC; Adenike Oyenuga, Crew Performance Manager, Emirates; Bibi Sheikh, Coach, Coachresults; and (sitting) Nada Chreih, Senior Associate, TAQA; Arwa Alawlaqi, Senior Supervisor - Planning, EGA; Samya AlGhaiti, ICLDC Al-Ain Patient Affairs, M42; Amrita Thakur, Global Talent Manager, Aramex; Aseel Moosa, Manager Enterprise Effectiveness, Emirates and Marwa AlRamsi, Senior Engineer, TAQA.
Aurora50 NOORA workshop on returning to work after extended leave, and networking session, in the gardens of Birmingham University Dubai on 11 February 2025. L-R Fawzia Alhashmi, Crew Performance Manager, Emirates; Rwan Ibrahim, Cloud & Infrastructure Associate Manager, Accenture; Banan Al Mansoori, Social Affairs Executive, ENOC; Maitha Al Suwaidi, Head of Finance & Risk Compliance, ENOC; Maitha Al Jaberi, Protocol Executive, ENOC; Manar Al Ramhi, NRL ICAD Molecular Diagnostics, M42; Shruti Kapoor, Vice President - IT Product & Delivery - Web & Mobile, Emirates; and Haya Abulaila, Manager, Human Resources, TAQA.
Aurora50 NOORA workshop on returning to work after extended leave, and networking session, in the gardens of Birmingham University Dubai on 11 February 2025. L-R Haifa Al Shahrani, Govt & International Affairs Administrative Coordinator, ENOC; Maitha Al Suwaidi, Head of Finance & Risk Compliance, ENOC; Manar Al Ramhi, NRL ICAD Molecular Diagnostics, M42; Nada Chreih, Senior Associate, TAQA; Aseel Moosa, Manager Enterprise Effectiveness, Emirates; Marwa AlRamsi, Senior Engineer, TAQA; Khulood AlMarri, Financial Accountant, TAQA; and Saskia Vulturius, Project Manager, Emirates.
Aurora50 NOORA workshop on returning to work after extended leave, and networking session, in the gardens of Birmingham University Dubai on 11 February 2025. L-R: Fawzia Alhashmi, Crew Performance Manager, Emirates; Rwan Ibrahim, Cloud & Infrastructure Associate Manager, Accenture; Amrita Thakur, Global Talent Manager, Aramex; Adenike Oyenuga, Crew Performance Manager, Emirates; Banan Al Mansoori, Social Affairs Executive, ENOC; Maitha Al Jaberi, Protocol Executive, ENOC; and Shruti Kapoor, Vice President - IT Product & Delivery - Web & Mobile, Emirates.
Aurora50 NOORA workshop on returning to work after extended leave, and networking session, in the gardens of Birmingham University Dubai on 11 February 2025. L-R Fawzia Alhashmi, Crew Performance Manager, Emirates; Rwan Ibrahim, Cloud & Infrastructure Associate Manager, Accenture; Banan Al Mansoori, Social Affairs Executive, ENOC; Maitha Al Suwaidi, Head of Finance & Risk Compliance, ENOC; Maitha Al Jaberi, Protocol Executive, ENOC; Manar Al Ramhi, NRL ICAD Molecular Diagnostics, M42; Shruti Kapoor, Vice President - IT Product & Delivery - Web & Mobile, Emirates; and Haya Abulaila, Manager, Human Resources, TAQA.
Aurora50 NOORA workshop on returning to work after extended leave, and networking session, in the gardens of Birmingham University Dubai on 11 February 2025. L-R Haya Abulaila, Manager, Human Resources, TAQA; Maitha Al Suwaidi, Head of Finance & Risk Compliance, ENOC; Haifa Al Shahrani, Govt & International Affairs Administrative Coordinator, ENOC; Bibi Sheikh, Coach, Coachresults; Aseel Moosa, Manager Enterprise Effectiveness, Emirates; Roxane Deschambault, Global Learning and Development Director, Aramex; Arwa Alawlaqi, Senior Supervisor - Planning, EGA; Samya AlGhaiti, ICLDC Al-Ain Patient Affairs, M42; Manar Al Ramhi, NRL ICAD Molecular Diagnostics, M42.

Informal desert meet-up by Year 1 NOORA members, 27 January

It is several months since the 2023/24 cohort of NOORA left but its members remain deeply connected and supportive of each other. This footage, taken by NOORA leader Tijana Pejak Krizanovic, is from an informal desert gathering the women themselves organised.

It is a testament to their commitment, and shows how powerful it is when women build, nurture and treasure their professional relationships.

A special shout-out to Fawzia Al Hashemi, from The Emirates Group, for continually stepping up since the first NOORA workshop in September 2023, and organising monthly meet-ups for the community.

LinkedIn webinar, 16 January

Aurora50’s content strategist, Suzanne Locke, gave a one-hour session on using LinkedIn to manage your professional brand, with tips and tricks to grow your reputation, network, connectiond and career, to answer the question we commonly ask NOORA members: How are you presenting yourself online – and does it matter?

You can find out more in the blog post she’s written on LinkedIn tips and tricks.

Screenshot from Aurora50's NOORA webinar on LinkedIn - Growing your personal brand online, showing speaker Suzanne Locke in corner, Aurora50 NOORA logo and logos for NOORA's founding partners, Accenture, EGA, Emirates Group, ENOC and TAQA.

NOORA social capital workshop, 9 January 2025

A transformative day of learning, inspiration and connection, this time in collaboration with our knowledge partner and workshop host Hult International Business School in Dubai.
 
The day was packed with thought-provoking discussions, including a powerful session by Professor Dame Heather McGregor, Provost and Vice Principal of Heriot-Watt University, Dubai on the importance of social capital – how building meaningful relationships and leveraging networks can shape careers and foster success.
 
Namrata Kamath, dean of HULT University Dubai, led an engaging workshop on mastering communication, offering practical strategies for navigating difficult conversations with confidence and clarity, challenging members to practice and show their voice on the spot.
 
We were also honoured to have two male managers, Sergey Akhmetov, EVP Midstream from EGA, and Ben Lindley, Vice President of EK Airport Services from Emirates Group, joining us as male allies, bringing fresh perspectives and contributing to our conversations on inclusivity, growth and women empowerment.
 
Find out more about male allyship in our blog post

A photo from Aurora50's NOORA women's network (with logo) 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, the group of 35 women gathers for a staged group photo.
A photo from Aurora50's NOORA women's network (with logo) 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 veiled women network.
A photo from Aurora50's NOORA women's network (with logo) 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, eight women gather around a table to work on an exercise.
A photo from Aurora50's NOORA women's network (with logo) 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, women listen to a talk on social capital by Prof Dame Heather McGregor of Heriot-Watt University Dubai.
A photo from Aurora50's NOORA women's network (with logo) 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.
A photo from Aurora50's NOORA women's network (with logo) 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, three women network.
A photo from Aurora50's NOORA women's network (with logo) 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, five women network.
A photo from Aurora50's NOORA women's network (with logo) 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, women gather during the workshop.
A photo from Aurora50's NOORA women's network (with logo) 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, one man speaks while women gather.
A photo from Aurora50's NOORA women's network (with logo) 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, one of the men speaks while women listen.

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