Welcome to Aurora50
Aurora50 is a social enterprise working with leading organisations in the Middle East to accelerate gender balance in the boardroom.
In 2019, Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan and Diana Wilde co-founded Aurora50 with a simple yet powerful vision – to move the needle on the most pressing challenges of our times: Gender equality In the boardroom.
Research shows that increasing women’s representation on corporate boards improves business outcomes in multiple ways, ranging from increased revenues and profits to strengthened ESG performances. Nevertheless, progress has been alarmingly slow.
Ultimately, we aim to accelerate gender diversity on boards by developing women to become board-ready and connecting them to the leading organisations, and their boards in the Middle East.
Empower stakeholders to rebalance the ecosystem to achieve gender balance for the next generation
Support boards to achieve gender balance by making them part of the solution. Connect seasoned directors with women in the early stages of their board careers and develop a robust pipeline of competent female board directors.
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: We celebrate differences, and create safe spaces for different perspectives to be explored.
- Integrity: We act with uncompromising honesty and integrity in everything we do.
- Discretion: We respect the privacy and confidential information shared with us.
- Accountability: We empower each other to take ownership of our actions, words, and results.
- Teamwork: We achieve more when we collaborate, and all work together.
- Innovative: We encourage thoughtful, creative, and inspirational ideas and challenge the status quo.
- Awareness: Work closely with top media companies to raise awareness of gender inequality and encourage people to pursue different, more gender-equal futures.
Initiatives for Social Impact
Aurora50 initiatives make it simple for leaders, companies and boards to support United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) #5 of Gender Equality.
Our distinctive initiatives support women to discover what it takes to build a successful board career, how to really add value in the boardroom and receive the best preparation for a sustainable board career.
Pathway20 unites the most competent and talented women from leading organisations in their early board careers. The 12-month programme aims to bolster the pipeline of capable female board directors while also offering participants opportunities to network with boards who have upcoming independent board appointments.
Manarat is an exclusive platform for women on listed boards. Manarat women help to empower other competent women aspiring to become independent directors and benefit themselves by being exposed to board opportunities.
Manarat is an exclusive platform for women on listed boards. Manarat women help to empower other competent women aspiring to become independent directors and benefit themselves by being exposed to board opportunities.
Boards on Board club is a networking platform for board directors (male and female) who are available to connect with board-ready women and perhaps mentor a future female board director.
The Board Summit brings together the region’s board director community to look closely at how gender diversity can transform boards.
The Board Summit brings together the region’s board director community to look closely at how gender diversity can transform boards.
Aurora50 membership connects companies to a rich talent pool of qualified women ready to join a company board.
Aurora50 Training offers programmes to equip companies with the tools for change. This range of targeted and bespoke courses will build the necessary understanding of gender equality in workplaces.
Aurora50 Training offers programmes to equip companies with the tools for change. This range of targeted and bespoke courses will build the necessary understanding of gender equality in workplaces.
Diversity Ambassadors Initiative recognises CEOs who drive progress and accountability for women’s advancement in the private and public sectors.
Our founders
Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan
Entrepreneur, philanthropist, and published author, Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the co-founder of Aurora50, CEO of Alliances for Global Sustainability, and Founder of the Circle of Hope foundation. In addition, she serves as a member of the UAE’s Circular Economy Council, Yale’s Center for Environmental Law and Policy Advisory Board and the Industry and Academic Advisory Board for the Academy of International Business MENA. In 2020, the Emirates Green Building Council appointed her as Honorary President.
A graduate of the University of Cambridge, holding a Masters degree in Sustainability Leadership, Sheikha Shamma is a well-respected industry expert on sustainability, thanks to her business and academic endeavours in the field.
Diana Wilde
Diana is an impact entrepreneur and the co-founder of Aurora50.
A business and finance graduate from the University of Westminster, Diana Wilde is a business leader with 20+ years of experience across strategy and business development. Diana has substantial experience growing businesses in the information services, training, and events industry. She has a degree in Business and Finance, and is certified in Advanced Design Thinking from IDEO.
Diana has always been passionate about making a difference and building communities, particularly in the area of diversity and inclusion.
Diana is also a committee member for the Association of Corporate Treasurers (Middle East).
Aurora50 Team
Daniel Dean
Performance Manger
Kamille Marchant
Operations and Logistics
Tori DaHarb
Sales
