Gender diversity in finance & inclusive financial cultures

Driving change: Best practices for creating inclusive financial cultures

Panellists:

• Amna Al Owais, Chief Registrar, DIFC Courts
• Ismahane Rahmouni-Deghdak, CFO, Gulf Countries, Schneider Electric
• Nadia Boumeziout, Head of Sustainability and Information Governance, Zurich

Summary:

• In ESG, inclusivity and diversity is important
• Leadership should walk the talk
• Create a culture of open communication and feedback
• Public announcements make the company accountable
• Be attractive as an inclusive workplace
• The client base is diverse – so we must be too
• You don’t interview talent – they interview you
• Are there differences between industries – yes!

The power of mentorship: Nurturing the next generation of female finance

Panellists:

• Maria Ivanova, Managing Director, Citi Country Officer & Banking Head, Citi UAE
• Malak AlSaffar, Country Manager – Bahrain, Visa 
• Mohammed AlBlooshi, Chief Executive Officer, DIFC Innovation Hub

Summary:

• Mentoring is about qualities beyond industry experience
• Own your own progress
• Connect to the right leaders
• Men should mentor women and women should mentor men
• The mentor relationship is two-way – be invested and complement each other
• A structured process is needed: either institutional mentorship programmes – Citi Bank, Visa – or projects to build skills and give exposure, training programmes etc

Gender diversity challenges in finance

Panellists:

• Driss Belemlih, EVP, Customer Delivery, EEMEA, Mastercard
• Hermione Harrison, Head of Governance, M/HQ

Summary:

• An individual needs to take charge of their progress
• A meritocracy is needed in the ‘last mile’ and in promotions
• Move the discussion away from gender and into how to complement each other – females and males working in partnership
• £1 trillion wealth transfer to the next generation expected in 2023 ($18.3 trillion globally by 2030) – the ‘Great Wealth Transfer’
• Adapt to the next unexpected changes