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Welcome to NOORA

The new community for talented and ambitious corporate women who lead with impact. Aurora50 takes immense pride in launching the ground-breaking NOORA initiative. We thank our esteemed founding partners: Accenture, Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), Emirates Group, ENOC and TAQA. Together, we are shaping a real-world community for like-minded and ambitious women. We hope to inspire many more organisations to join NOORA, and to collaborate for even greater impact.

Corporate women's network launches for its inaugural members

NOORA's partners

Abu Dhabi Distribution Co. the Client of Aurora50
Accenture the Client of Aurora50
Founding partner
Aramex logo
CBI (Commercial Bank International) logo
Clyde & Co logo
Ega the Client of Aurora50
Founding partner
The Emirates Group the Client of Aurora50
Founding partner
Enoc the Client of Aurora50
Founding partner
FAB (First Abu Dhabi Bank) logo
M42 logo
Taqa the Client of Aurora50
Founding partner

Testimonials for the NOORA Network

Aseel Moosa

Manager, Enterprise Effectiveness, The Emirates Group, and NOORA member

"What excites me about NOORA is the buzz and the energy that all of these like-minded female executives and women in positions of power bring to the table."

Katherine Hahm the Founding Partner of Aurora50

Katherine Hahm

General Counsel and Head of Ethics & Business Integrity at Emirates Global Aluminum (EGA)

“At EGA, we’ve always championed the advancement of women in our industry, understanding that their unique perspectives and skills are integral to our success. NOORA provides a much-needed platform for women to forge connections, exchange ideas and amplify their professional growth.”

Roa Elbizri

Sustainability Manager, TAQA, and NOORA member

“As a new mom, I wanted to prove that women can do it - they can do hard things. I could use the help of NOORA to achieve leadership positions. I expect NOORA to provide a platform for like-minded women to have difficult conversations about why women traditionally - especially in this region - have not been able to reach leadership positions, to help provide solutions and resources and pass it forward to other women.”

He Saif Humaid AI Falasi the Founding Partner of Aurora50

HE Saif Humaid Al Falasi

Group CEO, ENOC

“This partnership represents a strategic step for ENOC Group towards empowering our female employees and fostering an environment that champions their success, supporting their personal and professional growth, ultimately to benefit the entire Group as we strive for excellence together.”

Stephanie Walters

Customer Experience Manager, The Emirates Group, and NOORA member

“It's just so refreshing to meet so many like-minded women who are looking to forge some genuine connections and genuine relationships, to help us change and improve things for women in general.”

TJ Lightwala the Founding Partner of Aurora50

TJ Lightwala

Marketing Senior Practice Lead & Inclusion and Diversity lead in the Middle East, Accenture

“Being part of NOORA reflects our commitment to building a workplace culture that celebrates diversity and equality, fuelled by visionary leadership. Through tangible actions and unwavering support, we strive to create an inclusive organisation where women thrive and break through barriers, ensuring they reach their full potential.”

Elisavet Leonidou

Manager, Skywards Co-brand Programme, The Emirates Group, and NOORA member

“I've been exposed to incredible women, like-minded women, and I'm looking forward to learning from them, challenging each other and really having an open conversation in a safe environment.”

Oliver Grohmann the Founding Partner of Aurora50

Oliver Grohmann

Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Emirates Group

“The NOORA initiative dovetails with our continued efforts to empower all women at the Emirates Group, and we hope to inspire other businesses to follow suit. By combining resources, expertise and networks, we can accelerate the creation of a pipeline of women leaders who can make long-lasting impact.”

Megha Vijayvergiya

NOORA member from Accenture Middle East

“In all corporate environments, women face almost similar kind of stereotypes. Understanding from them how they have achieved their level, how they have handled the complexities - it’s just given inspiration to us.”

Nabil Almessabi the Founding Partner of Aurora50

Nabil Almessabi

Chief Human Resources Officer, TAQA

“NOORA will act as an important platform for networking and provide a community for professional women. At TAQA, we are committed to identifying opportunities that will empower and enhance the experience of our female employees and create an ecosystem where they thrive professionally and have fulfilling careers at TAQA.”

Khadija Arsanova

Sales and Service Manager, The Emirates Group, and NOORA member

“Women think differently and I would like to be part of motivating, inspiring and boosting the confidence of like-minded women, not just within but also outside the organisation.”

NOORA features

Dual chapters

NOORA features two distinct chapters - the lobby for first-time managers and the mezzanine for established leaders

Corporate and individual membership

  • Corporations nominate and sponsor talented women employees
  • Corporate women self-finance and join independently

Holistic engagement

Members will join face-to-face workshops and networking events. They can communicate online any time via the NOORA platform

Strategic inner circle

Members will cultivate invaluable connections, enhance leadership skills and refine career strategies. They will contribute their personal experiences for mutual growth - and learn from the best

Inclusive belonging

Members will experience an authentic sense of belonging, in this community crafted by and for corporate women

Driving change

Members will have the opportunity to tackle industry challenges, solve operational challenges and drive better business outcomes

NOORA membership journey

Transformative Workshops

Transformative workshops

A minimum of four power-packed workshops annually. All are to drive maximum impact for members and their organisations.

High Powerd Network Events

High-powered networking events

A minimum of two signature networking events annually, where members will forge invaluable relationships.

Online Noora Platform

Online NOORA platform

A virtual hub of continuous learning, resources, discussions and opportunities - for both members and their organisations.

NOORA benefits for corporations

Forge a dynamic, diverse workforce of excellence

Bolster retention of talented women, and foster a culture that supports their growth

Position your brand as a gender equality influencer

Hit gender balance targets, fuel innovative thinking and ensure future success

Cultivate a collaborative female community for mutual growth and support

Fulfil corporate responsibilities for ESG and UN SDG 5 (gender equality and women's empowerment

NOORA - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What does membership give me or our company?

 

Your annual NOORA membership gives you access to:
  • 4 UAE-based workshops (lunch included)
  • 2 signature UAE-based networking events (meal included)
  • 24/7 online NOORA platform.
Additional benefits (at no additional cost) include webinars, site visits to other member offices and mentorship opportunities.

Do I have to be UAE-based or do I have to work for a UAE company?

If you are not UAE-based you are warmly invited to join NOORA, but you must be prepared to travel to the UAE for workshops and networking events.

What is the investment cost for NOORA membership?

The investment cost to self-finance is normally Dh15,000 annually, paid upfront.
Corporations can choose between three tiers of package:
  • basic (1-9 members)
  • enhanced (10-14 members)
  • premium (15+).
All come with corporate discounts and differing benefits, to be discussed with our team.

What companies are part of NOORA?

 

ADDC, Central Bank International (CBI), Clyde&Co, FAB Bank and M42 Health have since joined.
Individual members come from ADIA, Carrier and Weatherford. There are over 80 members already.

What are the joining criteria to become a NOORA member?

 

Corporate members select staff themselves, once they have signed up to join NOORA as an organisation. Individuals apply to join.
For individuals, it is important you provide details of your professional background. We ask basic questions such as your job title, company and department, but also things like your level of management experience, how many years of work experience you have in total and the size of your company.
We vet each application personally. If your application is successful, you will receive an email from us (contact at aurora50.com) within five working days. It will contain a Stripe payment link.

Why is networking important to a woman’s career?

 

Research shows women climb the career ladder faster when they have a strong network, and that they network very differently to men, looking for organic relationships with shared experiences rather than alliances.
Women with a strong inner circle are nearly three times more likely to be promoted than those without one (Kellogg School of Management, 2019).
“If you are successful and well networked, you will be even more successful. This makes it a valuable asset, with a good return on investment.” Professor Dame Heather McGregor, Provost and Vice Principal of Heriot-Watt University Dubai – and a NOORA speaker – on the power of networks and social capital.

How is NOORA different from other networks?

 

We believe the Gulf needed a new network like NOORA because one simply didn’t exist – we looked!
There are networking groups for specialised industries, or for entrepreneurs, or there are internal company networks, but nowhere to meet like-minded, corporate career women in a safe, impartial space.
With NOORA, we don’t just run events or networking sessions: we offer upskilling with trained coaches and knowledge partners, workshops where you actively contribute and a ton of toolkits and resources.
We also offer a mentorship programme; after matching, we recommend meeting at least once a quarter.

What is the time commitment for NOORA?

 

NOORA sessions generally run from 8.30am – 1pm (normally on a Wednesday).
The location alternates between Dubai and Abu Dhabi around every two months (with site visits and webinars in between).
Dates are confirmed up to June so far for 2024. The full calendar can be found on the Events page of aurora50.com.
We urge NOORA members to personally attend the workshops to benefit from group activities, interactive projects and networking opportunities.
However, if they are unable to attend, they can access the virtual platform for the workshops learning materials (PDFs, videos etc).

What can I expect to do or learn through NOORA?

 

Workshops began in September (watch highlights from the first one on YouTube). In early 2024 alone, members have enjoyed a Dubai-based workshop on artificial intelligence, a site visit to The Emirates Group and a webinar on adaptive leadership, with our knowledge partner, Manchester University.
When you join, you fill in a baseline survey to assess your career goals and skills – this way, your needs directly feed into the sessions we run.
We focus on two key themes for each workshop: decarbonisation and digital disruption, such as AI.

Upskilling topics we’ve zoned in on from feedback so far include:

  • change management
  • effective networking
  • imposter syndrome & empathy
  • innovation and creativity
  • leadership and decision-making
  • effective networking
  • strategic planning & thinking

What is the long-term value of participating in NOORA for an organisation like ours?

 

With women accounting for just 31 percent of senior roles globally (Grant Thornton 2021), Aurora50 believes that social capital and a network is the missing piece in HR retention strategy.
A McKinsey study found that companies with higher gender diversity in leadership have a 21 percent higher likelihood of outperforming their peers.
The Aurora50 NOORA corporate women’s network will help your organisation be the driving force behind positive change:
  • Retain, empower and accelerate highly talented women employees: Our platform offers a nurturing environment where high performers (‘HIPOs’) can thrive, grow and contribute, by equipping them with career advancement skills and tools and cultivating a collaborative women’s community for mutual growth and support
  • Ensure future-ready success: Fuel innovative thinking and establish a high-achieving, diverse and dynamic workforce
  • Showcase diversity and inclusion: As a corporate partner, you’re signalling your commitment to diversity and inclusion and presenting your brand as a gender balance leader that fosters equal opportunity.
  • Align to global initiatives: Fulfil corporate social responsibility (CSR) requirements, including ESG goals. Our corporate partnership programme directly contributes to meeting the UN’s SDG 5, focused on gender equality and empowering women.
“If you are successful and well networked, you will be even more successful. This makes it a valuable asset, with a good return on investment.”
Professor Dame Heather McGregor, Provost and Vice Principal of Heriot-Watt University Dubai – NOORA speaker

NOORA - related posts

Networking advice & tips from our women NOORA members

From imposter syndrome to mentoring and getting the best out of women’s networks and business networking, here’s what some of our women leaders had to say.

6 August 2024

Image for blog post: What our members say about NOORA. Back (L-R) Elham Alawadhi, Roa El Bizri, Khadija Arsanova, Hala Al Safadi, Shurooq Altaher, Nada Al Zaroni. Front (L-R) Stephanie Walters, Samya Al Ghaithi, Mamatha Reddy, Rawan Ibrahim, Shruti Kapoor, Geethy Panicker, Noora Alsuwaidi. Image contains Aurora50 logo.

What our members say about NOORA

As NOORA celebrates its first anniversary, we asked some of our amazing members what a year in Aurora50’s corporate women’s network meant to them. Here’s what they had to say.

31 July 2024

How to make 1,670 connections in a year - NOORA word cloud. Clouds say (top to bottom, left to right): Top row (L-R): '19 speaker slots', '2 site visits', 'a new gender balance council', '40 visiting leaders, 286 attendees'; Middle row (L-R): '10 new skills learned', 'How to make 1,670 new connections in a year', '6 face-to-face meet-ups', '9 industries connected; Bottom row (L-R): '#womenempoweringwomen', '16 mentor partnerships, A50 NOORA - Aurora50's women's network logo

How to make 1,670 new connections in a year

As our women’s network, NOORA, turns one, we reflect on 9 things it did for members this year – including creating hundreds of new connections.

25 July 2024

Image contains the Aurora50 NOORA logo with tagline Aurora50's women's network, with illustration showing a woman looking sad sitting inside a brain with a series of different masks showing different emotions around her. Text reads: Imposter syndrome - Practical advice for the executive, manager or organisation

Imposter syndrome: Tips for the executive woman, managers and businesses

Do you feel like a fraud? It’s not you, it’s imposter syndrome – and you’re not alone. Practical tips and advice for you as an individual or manager to tackle this issue.

5 June 2024

Illustration of a woman with long brown hair in a yellow top and black trousers pointing at a network of people on a teal-coloured wall. Image by Mohamed Hassan from Pixabay

Why a woman’s business network – and social capital – matter

Women in business network differently. They must build, maintain and mobilise their network to help them rise

21 May 2024

High Powerd Network Events

2023: Aurora50’s Officially Amazing™ year in review

The big achievements from Aurora50 in 2023.

14 December 2023

Diana Wilde, co-founder of Aurora50, talks to Emirati woman at Aurora50 event

Emirati women leaders gave me faith in the power of community

On Emirati Women’s Day, Diana Wilde on how her Emirati friendships have given her faith in the power of community.

15 August 2023

The launch of corporate women's network NOORA on 31 July 2023 at the Women's Pavillion, Expo City, Dubai. From left to right: Nabil Almessabi, Chief Human Resources Officer, TAQA; Diana Wilde, co-founder, Aurora50; Nadya Abdulla Kamali, Country Managing Director, UAE, Accenture; Laila Saif, Director, Human Capital Strategy & Operations, EGA; Hend Al Rumaithi, Senior Director, Group Internal Audit & Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer, ENOC; and Oliver Grohmann, Group Head of Human Resources, Emirates Group. Credit: Aurora50

NOORA launch – in the media

Aurora50’s network for corporate women, NOORA, launched in July with founding partners Accenture, EGA, The Emirates Group, ENOC and TAQA; news of the launch was covered by publications across the Middle East.

6 August 2023

Press release: Accenture, EGA, Emirates Group, ENOC & TAQA partner with Aurora50 to launch NOORA

Research has revealed that networking allows women to form an inner circle and become leaders, helping private-sector organisations meet UAE targets for Emiratis and women in leadership

3 August 2023

graphic - 5 ways to be more assertive in meetings|Being assertive in meetings involves speaking up for others too. Here's what you can do during the meeting (graphic): During the meeting • Invite contributions from everyone. • Be encouraging. Pick up on and develop other people's ideas (but don't take the credit!). • Lead by example and set the tone for non-judgemental, inclusive and respectful behaviour.|Being assertive in meetings involves speaking up for others too. Here's what you can do pre-meeting (graphic): • Only invite people who need to be there. Large groups make some people feel far less comfortable, so they become less likely to contribute. • Distribute an agenda, to help people prepare. This will allow them to be more thoughtful with their responses. • Try an icebreaker if people don't know each other - get people to introduce themselves and warm up, and ease any tensions with a bit of fun.|Being assertive in meetings (graphic) - 3 things to say if you're interrupted (graphic): • Be direct: “Please let me finish my point.” • Introduce humour: “Hold on. I haven't got to the best bit yet.” • Push back with positivity: “It's great that you're so passionate about this, but I just need to finish my thoughts.”|Being asertive in meetings - executives have an average 17 meetings a week - 17 opportunities to be assertive|Being assertive in meetings (graphic) - Women are interrupted 50% of time in meetings|Being assertive in meetings (graphic) - how to start your meeting contribution. I'm sorry but (don't say this!)/ I'd like to say/ Can I just add

5 ways to be more assertive in meetings

Don’t start a sentence with ‘I’m sorry but’. Women get interrupted 50% of the time in meetings; here’s how to amplify your voice (and the voices of others).

2 August 2023

Diana Wilde, co-founder of Aurora50, speaking at the launch of corporate women's network NOORA on 31 July 2023 at the Women's Pavillion, Expo City, Dubai

Let NOORA light the way as a women’s network

Diana Wilde’s speech in full from the 2023 launch of the NOORA community.

31 July 2023

Noora for networking: How to help high-achieving women grow with your business|Quote from and picture of Professor Dame Heather McGregor, Provost and Vice Principal of Heriot-Watt University Dubai:

How to help high-performing women grow with your business 

The ROI of networking for executive women – and for their organisations

19 July 2023

Abstract illustration of a network centred to a glowing orb. Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay|Quote from Mishal Kanoo, Chairman, The Kanoo Group: “The idea is to always try to find ways to make people feel that they are equal in terms of opportunity.

Well-networked women rise with strong ties 

Three studies that prove women advance with a good network – but not in the same way as men 

26 April 2023

Illustration of birds flying over a bright yellow sunset. Picture courtesy Pixabay/ Mohamed Hassan

Why the Gulf needs a new women’s network

Aurora50’s new women’s network, NOORA, will ensure that GCC women in power never need to feel lonely, writes Diana Wilde.

13 April 2023

Sheikh Zayed Road at night | credit: Piqseqels.com

Social capital for board directors – how networking takes you the last mile

It is social capital that will take you all the way to a board directorship, says Prof Heather McGregor CBE.

23 May 2022

Upcoming Events

Photo of the solar panels field at Noor solar plant in Sweihan, Abu Dhabi

TAQA Noor Solar Park visit for NOORA members

NOORA founding partner TAQA invites NOORA members to visit the Noor solar park, the world’s largest standalone photovoltaic plant, in Sweihan, Abu Dhabi. This event offers a unique opportunity to explore the park’s innovative solar technology, gain insights from TAQA experts, and connect with like-minded women committed to sustainable energy and leadership in the UAE. […]

18 December 2024

Sara AlObeidli of FAB laughs and talks to two other women at the NOORA workshop Women at the forefront in November 2023.

NOORA webinar: LinkedIn: Tips and tricks to grow your reputation, network and career

Tips and tricks on using social media, particularly LinkedIn, to grow your personal brand and reputation online from Aurora50’s content strategist, Suzanne Locke. How are you presenting yourself online – and does it matter? How do you leverage, maintain and expand your network and connections? How do you grow and embed your reputation as a […]

16 January 2025

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The women’s network from Aurora50. A real-world community of talented, cross-industry corporate women ranging from first-time managers to seasoned leaders, with transformative workshops, high-powered networking and an online hub.