First-Ever Regional “Women In Automotive” Forum Launches In Dubai

For the first time in the Middle East and North Africa, an automotive conference is being held that focuses on women in and around the automotive industry. The conference will explore how female professionals and consumers in the automotive industry can be empowered.

The themes of the event include Increasing Gender Diversity in the Automotive Industry, highlighting and Enabling Women in Leadership Positions, and Reaching and Serving Female Consumers Today and Tomorrow. The forum will be conducted at the Ritz Carlton DIFC on December 5, 2018, from 7 pm to 10 pm.

Alan Whaley, Chairman AMENA Auto said, “By bringing together the movers and shakers of the automotive industry, we will not only cultivate new ideas, but take steps to propel the automotive industry to the forefront of gender diversity and women empowerment.”

The Women in Automotive Forum is made possible thanks to the valuable support of title sponsors Nissan and Michelin, as well as strategic partners and members of the automotive association who have joined hands to answer the question of how to empower and enable female professionals in the industry as well as cater to female customers more effectively.

The conference highlights TED-Style Keynote Spotlight Series and a special panel with an all-star lineup featuring top executives from the automotive industry, leaders in women empowerment, as well as celebrity influencers.

Speaker Lineup

Alex Hirschi, Supercar Blondie
Samar  Elmnhrawy, Head of HR, Nissan
Orsolya Kenézy, Director of Dealer Network Development, Nissan
Ines Pintenat, Head of Consumer Experience, Michelin
Hanan  Sobati, Founder, Arabian Gazelles
Sarah Chambers, Head of HR, FCA Middle East
Michael Leonard, Managing Partner, Aspiriti Recruitment
Melissa Murray, Partner, Bird & Bird
Justin Ashton, Sales Director, CDK Global
Dr. Saeeda Jaffar, Managing Director, Alvarez & Marsal
Rana Nawas, Gender Parity Expert, Host of When Women Win
Jorge Bialade, General Manager, Yalla Motor
Eleni Kitra, Head of Automotive & Financial Services, Facebook
Alan Whaley, Chairman, AMENA Automotive Association

A special whitepaper will be published post the conclusion of the forum which will contain relevant impressions and insights gained at the conference. It will also include proposed actions for the automotive industry to consider in support of gender diversity.

By highlighting the roles of women leaders and role models, the conference will provide a platform and inspire women everywhere. Systematic improvements will be introduced to make it easier for women to enter the industry. The conference will also explore options tackling work/life balance, how to achieve upward mobility, and how women may not be punished for going on maternity leave.

AMENA hopes to overcome traditional misconceptions and share best practices to support female consumers in innovative ways by reaching and serving them. The region’s market is changing rapidly; the automotive industry must adapt to serve new customers. For instance, the Saudi Arabian government recently started allowing women to drive, meaning a new infrastructure must be put in place in the region to cater to female customers.

Female professionals and automotive executives are cordially invited to register for this special event here.