In honor of International Women’s Day, The American Chamber of Commerce in Saudi Arabia (AmChamKSA) held a virtual panel on the topic of “Winning Strategies for American Companies in Saudi Arabia to Attract and Develop Women Leaders.”
Keynote remarks were provided by Martina Strong, Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia, who highlighted the importance of U.S. companies’ support of women’s leadership and career development in the Kingdom. Chargé d’Affaires Strong stated that “American businesses in the Kingdom large and small are at the forefront of promoting an inclusive economic recovery from COVID and economic growth in Saudi Arabia. Through their efforts, they are promoting empowerment, entrepreneurship, and economic opportunities, and helping to achieve the Vision 2030 goal of expanded space for women in Saudi Arabia’s workforce and in leadership positions.”
Panelists were Penelope Naas, the UPS President for International Public Affairs and Sustainability, and Dana Al-Ajlani, ExxonMobil Saudi Arabia VP of Public and Government Affairs.
Naas provided a global perspective on how U.S. companies can support women leaders and women-owned businesses. Naas explained, “Saudi Arabia is on a rapid trajectory of transformation, and we are seeing women actively and proactively participating in a robust economy that is becoming increasingly entrepreneurial. For us at UPS, it is critical to do our part to give these women the tools they need to succeed. We are moving our world forward by encouraging women to be brave and to pursue their entrepreneurial goals by providing them with the knowledge they need to start exporting their products to global markets.” Naas also provided solid examples of programs that can be undertaken by organizations of any size in Saudi Arabia, noting that she “believes in the power of providing capacity building and networking, which enables women to be unstoppable. Supporting women-owned businesses is the right thing to do and a smart business decision as well – when you support a woman, you support a community.”
Al-Ajlani shared personal experiences participating in and overseeing company-sponsored training and mentorship programs for women and said those programs are a critical component of what American companies can do to help women advance in their careers. Al-Ajlani championed the benefits of capitalizing on diversity as “it strengthens us by promoting unique viewpoints and challenging each of us to think beyond our traditional frames of reference.” She also shared pride in initiatives at ExxonMobil, noting that “by fostering an inclusive work environment, our organization provides a blueprint for how to leverage its belief in diversity to create a competitive advantage, enabling teams and individuals to be more innovative, resilient, and better equipped to navigate the complex and evolving global energy business.”
International Women’s Day is celebrated around the world on March 8 and is considered a global celebration of the achievements of women – socially, economically, culturally, and politically. This year’s theme, #ChoosetoChallenge, highlights the need to challenge norms that hinder such achievements from becoming realities.
AmChamKSA’s Women in Business Committee advances women’s leadership and career development in Saudi Arabia through events, networking, and outreach programs. In order to join AmChamKSA, the Women in Business Committee, or to learn more about the organization, membership criteria and application procedures can now be accessed throughAmChamKSA.com.
For more information, please contact AmCham KSA