At the 2025 WE Convention in Dubai—one of the region’s largest and most dynamic gatherings for female empowerment—women in the C-suite took center stage to share how they are reshaping leadership in real time.
Key Themes and Speakers:
1. **Courage and Vision in Healthcare** Executive Director and CFO of AstraZeneca, Aradhana Sarin, opened with a powerful message: “Courage is important—especially the courage to push yourself forward and bring others with you.” In healthcare, she explained, the stakes are uniquely high. Leaders must juggle short-term efficiencies with long-term visions—like saving lives—while managing investor expectations. “We need to align strategy with purpose, and that requires real collaboration,” she said.
2. **Diversity and Empathy in Innovation** General Manager at Microsoft for the Middle East and Africa Growth Markets, Mirna Arif, underscored the role of diversity in driving innovation. “Diverse teams make better decisions.” She also challenged the narrative that top-level leadership is isolating. “They say it’s lonely at the top—but it’s not when you surround yourself with others who lead with empathy and authenticity.” This insight reflects a growing truth: women in the C-suite are redefining leadership culture by creating workplaces where people feel safe, heard, and valued.
3. **Customer Obsession and Culture in Retail** Group Director at Landmark Group, Nisha Jagtiani, offered a retail perspective rooted in agility. “If you want sustainable leadership, you must take care of yourself first.” She gave a frank look at the often-unseen pressures of corporate leadership: “There’s no playbook. It’s lonely. It’s hard.” With over 2,500 stores and a rapidly growing online presence, Jagtiani credited the company’s ongoing relevance to a deep obsession with the customer. “Culture is everything,” she added, noting that with 53,000 employees, it’s not enough to focus only on strategy—leadership must be human.
4. **Purpose and Pressure in Corporate Affairs** Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Philip Morris International, Andrea Gontkovicova, emphasized the importance of personal alignment. “Every manager should care for their people the way they want them to care for the customer.” Her approach showcases how women in the C-suite often prioritize empathy as a strategic tool—not a soft skill.
Overall Takeaway: Their stories offered a blueprint for what it really takes to lead in 2025—and why women in the C-suite are uniquely positioned to balance purpose, innovation, and people. Their experience highlights the reality for many women in the C-suite: leadership is rarely comfortable, but that discomfort is a signal that change is happening.
The WE Convention continues tomorrow, Sunday, with more thought-provoking conversations from leaders building the future.
