Women of Egypt Network

⭐️ ⭐️ Celebrating Women in Agribusiness: HADEER WAEL, Marketing Director, AL BAHEYA MISR Hadeer Wael, from El Mahalla El Kubra in Gharbia Governorate, credits her early leadership skills and character development to the education she received at nun-run schools. She believes her teachers played a significant role in shaping her personality and instilling a sense of responsibility. During her school years, Hadeer served as the president of the student parliament and was actively involved in various extracurricular activities during her preparatory stage. She later joined Tanta University, where she studied Business Information Systems at the Faculty of Commerce. While still a student, she started working at a financial and marketing investment company, where she discovered her passion for marketing. Balancing work and studies proved challenging, especially since the company was based in Cairo. Eventually, Hadeer left the job but continued to work as a freelance business developer, a role she still pursues to this day. After graduating in 2020, Hadeer decided to further her education and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Business Development and Marketing. She has worked with several companies in her field while maintaining her freelance work. Eventually, she joined Al Baheya Misr, a company specializing in poultry and hydroponic farming in Minya Governorate. As the company expanded into exports, Hadeer took on the role of Marketing Manager, embarking on a new and exciting chapter in her career. To equip herself for this challenge, Hadeer enrolled in specialized courses and training programs in export. She also participated in the WIB-Agri-business Program, which provided her with valuable insights into the agricultural sector and its export potential. The program has not only deepened her understanding of export strategies but also connected her with other women in the field. These relationships have been professionally enriching, and she values the network she has built. Hadeer hopes the program will be repeated, allowing her to gain even more insights and further enhance her expertise in this vital sector. —— The WiB Agri Egypt Program a collaboration between the SmartAgri Egypt project and the Women in Business Network (WiB), aims to empower female entrepreneurs in Egypt’s agribusiness sector. Funded by the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through sequa gGmbH, the program focuses on enhancing leadership skills, market readiness, and economic growth. The program, which included 18 participants, selected 4 to showcase their work at the Food Africa Fair 2024, Africa’s largest international exhibition for the food and agro industries, held from December 3-5, 2024, at the Egypt International Exhibitions Center. Women in Business Network - WIB

Jomana Bakry promised her dad that she would earn the title of “Doctor” in her own way. Jomana Bakry is a Human Resources and Development Manager. She lost her father, a university professor, at the age of 18. While it was his dream for her to become a doctor, she chose to study Business Administration, promising her father that she would earn the title of “Doctor” in her own way. Her professional journey began in tourism as a call reception agent. Within three years, she was promoted to Public Relations Supervisor. However, her mother’s illness forced her to leave Marsa Alam and return to Cairo to care for her. There, she worked as an admin at an English language center in a renowned university and enrolled in an MBA program, which she completed with distinction in 2020, despite losing her mother before the final exam. After her mother’s passing, she moved to Alexandria with her brother and pursued a diploma in mental health to support individuals and adolescents dealing with life challenges. In 2023, she earned her PhD with a dissertation titled: “The Impact of Psychological Empowerment and Transformational Leadership on the Relationship Between Service Quality and Behavioral Deviations of Human Resources in Egypt’s Service Sector,” which was highly praised for integrating management practices with psychological well-being. She had held leadership roles in Learning and development in HR departments at hotels in Marsa Alam and international in Soma Bay. She currently holds the position of Human Resources Development Manager at an international company specializing in advertising, marketing, and providing consulting services to the healthcare sector and global pharmaceutical companies. Dr. Jomana Bakry I.

Rasha Ernest Launches “Ahlam Meshabka” Grant for Inclusive Performing Arts. Rasha Ernest, this year’s recipient of the AFAC Performing Arts Award, has launched the “Ahlam Meshabka for Inclusive Performing Arts” grant, supported by The Arab Fund for Arts and Culture (AFAC) in collaboration with the Scientific and Cultural Renaissance Association (Jesuit Cairo). The "Ahlam Meshabka" grant aims to create a space for artistic expression and creativity by breaking down barriers and opening new horizons for diversity. By supporting artists with diverse abilities, the initiative seeks to build a more inclusive society where everyone's unique talents are celebrated. The grant will support the production of a physical theater performance in Cairo from January to September 2025. Selected artists will embark on a three-stage journey: 1- Capacity Building: A four-month intensive training program to enhance artistic skills and knowledge. 2- Performance Development: A four-month period dedicated to designing and rehearsing the performance. 3- Public Performance: A public performance in Cairo to share the artists' work with the community. Eligibility Criteria To apply for the "Meshbakah Dreams" grant, applicants must: Be between 18 and 35 years old. Commit to at least 85% attendance in training sessions (averaging two per week) over nine months. Be available for three performances in Cairo. Application Deadline: December 31, 2024 For Apply: https://2u.pw/XnpCJxlA Rasha is an accomplished Disability Inclusion Consultant, Trainer, and Social Entrepreneur with 15+ years of expertise in cultural development, disability advocacy, and inclusive program design. She is the founder of “iHelp,” Egypt’s pioneering platform for disability inclusion, and has a proven track record of implementing sustainable strategies, delivering impactful training programs, and driving cultural inclusivity in alignment with Egypt’s 2030 National Strategy. Ahlam Meshabka Facebook page: https://lnkd.in/dNQv2kXu #womenofegypt Rasha Ernest

⭐️ ⭐️ Celebrating Women in Agribusiness: FARIDA EL KASSAS, Public Relations & Sales Manager, MONTRADE GROUP Farida El Kassas graduated in 2017 with a Bachelor of Business Administration from London, equipping her with a solid foundation in business principles and global market insights. Currently working at Montrade Group as a Public Relations & Sales Manager in Cairo, Egypt and a Managing Partner at Montrade for Food Industry. Prior to her current positions, Farida was the Business Development Manager at MontradeGroup where her main responsibility was finding ways and solutions for developing the business and creating a marketing base in order to attract different types of customers. Her professional journey began with a role in sales at a procurement company in London, where she developed essential skills in client relations, negotiation, and strategic communication—key competencies that fostered her confidence in navigating fast-paced environments. Shortly after, she joined Amazon Launchpad as a consultant for start-ups, where she gained invaluable expertise in business scaling, innovative thinking, and effective problem-solving. This role allowed her to sharpen her analytical skills and deepen her understanding of market trends and product positioning, enriching her versatility as a business professional. In 2018, Farida joined her family’s enterprise, Montrade Group, a leading player in the import and export of commodities. With its early 2000s expansion into poultry farming and agriculture, the company reflects Farida’s commitment to fostering growth and innovation across sectors. A driven and passionate learner, she believes that “every day is an opportunity to learn something new,” a principle that fuels her vision of developing the family business further as a lasting legacy. Montrade Group is a family-owned company established in 1987, aiming to always advance the national economy and economic development. Hence; what started as a company for importing feed ingredients, on to parent-stock breeders, hatcheries, broilers, poultry processing, feed production and a slaughter house, it is now considered one of the leading companies in the poultry industry in Egypt. They take pride in the heritage and the values that define them. They foster a culture of inclusivity and collaboration, where every member of their team is valued and empowered to contribute their unique talents towards their collective success. Montrade Group consists of a holding company and an expanding family of enterprises, each interconnected to form a seamless cycle in their journey to chicken production and driven by a shared vision of excellence and innovation. Farida has a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from Hult International Business School and a Dogwood Diploma from the British Colombia Canadian International School. She an active volunteer for charitable and social causes. —— Farida El Kassas Women in Business Network - WIB

Masar Ekhteyary: Aspire's Initiative to Transform Concepts of Manhood Under the slogan "Positive Manhood is a Community Responsibility," Aspire Community Transformation, the "Masar Ekhteyary” program on Sunday, December 15, 2024 a program that is funded by the Embassy of the Netherlands in Egypt. This initiative aims to train and engage men through a series of workshops designed to foster an environment where they can realize their full potential. The program is intended to help young men rediscover their identities while developing their skills, values, talents, and dreams, all while enhancing their understanding of their roles in society. By tackling entrenched societal norms, the program introduces a new concept of "positive masculinity" through empowering activities. Notably, it employs a 360-degree approach, focusing on not just the participants but also involving their families, teachers, students, and community leaders. The launch ceremony commenced with remarks from Aspire officials who expressed gratitude to Peter Mollema, the Ambassador of the Netherlands in Egypt, and Caroline Nassif, the embassy's program officer, for their support and funding of the project. The officials emphasized that the program's foundation had been laid, with the embassy providing crucial resources to help realize the vision behind “Masar Ekhteyary.” Nanis Yousry, Aspire Community Transformation Director, discussed the program’s objective of cultivating a healthy and balanced community. She noted that the initiative has received overwhelming support from the men involved, with 1,500 participants to date and a goal to reach 12,000 over the next three years. During the ceremony, Bassem Emad, CEO of Aspire, encouraged workshop participants to become ambassadors for changing traditional notions of manhood within their communities. A significant moment of the event included the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Aspire, represented by BassemEmad, and the Embassy of the Netherlands in Egypt, represented by Ambassador Peter Mollema. This agreement aims to enhance family stability in Egyptian society and foster relationships characterized by mutual understanding and respect, leading to stronger and more cohesive communities. Raymond Barsoum, the Project Manager, shared that Aspire has conducted around 15 awareness sessions targeting men, along with two family-focused events, utilizing experiential learning and interactive exercises to foster community engagement. The event showcased various activities reflecting the "Masar Ekhteyry” program's distinctive approach to addressing masculinity issues in Egyptian society. Aspire Consulting InternationalEmbassy of the Netherlands in Egypt

«مسار اختياري» .. برنامج «أسباير» لتغيير الصورة النمطية لمفاهيم «الرجولة» تحت شعار «الرجولة الإيجابية مسئولية مجتمعية»، أطلقت «أسباير» للتحول المجتمعي، بالتعاون مع السفارة الهولندية في مصر، الأحد الموافق 15 ديسمبر 2024، حفل برنامج «مسار اختياري»، لتدريب وإشراك الرجال عبر ورش متنوعة، بهدف خلق بيئة تدعمهم لتحقيق كامل إمكانيتهم. ومن المفترض أن يساعد البرنامج المشاركين من الشباب والرجال على إعادة اكتشاف أنفسهم وهويتهم، إضافة إلى تطوير مهاراتهم ومواهبهم وقيمهم وأحلامهم، مع تعزيز وعيهم بدورهم في الحياة. ويسعى البرنامج من خلال معالجة الأعراف والمفاهيم المجتمعية الراسخة والموروثة، إلى تقديم مفهوم جديد لـ«الرجولة الإيجابية» عبر أنشطة تمكينية متنوعة. كما يتم تنفيذ البرنامج باستخدام نهج شامل 360 درجة، حيث لا يركز فقط على الرجال، بل يشمل أيضًا الأشخاص المحيطين بهم، مثل الطلاب، المعلمين، الأسر، قادة المجتمع. وبدأ حفل الإطلاق بكلمة قدم خلالها المسؤولون في «أسباير» الشُكر إلى بيتر موليما، السفير الهولندي في مصر، وكارولين ناصيف، مسؤولة البرنامج بالسفارة،  لدعم المشروع وتمويله. وأشار مسؤلو «أسباير» أنهم قاموا بوضع حجر أساس البرنامج، ومن جهتها قدمت السفارة الهولندية كافة سُبل الدعم لتحقيق رؤية القائمين على «مسار اختياري». وتحدثت نانيس يسري، مديرة «أسباير» للتحول المجتمعي، على الهدف من البرنامج، الذي يسعى لخلق مجتمع صحي متوازن. وأضافت أن منهج البرنامج لاقى إقبال واستجابة كبيرة من قبل الرجال المشاركين. وتابعت «يسري» أن البرنامج شارك به 1500 شخص حتى الأن، وتستهدف «أسباير» الوصول إلى 12000 في الثلاث سنوات المقبلة. وخلال الحفل، أوضح باسم عماد، الرئيس التنفيذي لـ«أسباير»، أنه دعى المشاركين في الورش إلى أن يكونوا سفراء بين مجتمعاتهم لتغيير الصورة النمطية عن مفهوم «الرجولة». وشهد الحفل قيام «أسباير» متمثلة في باسم عماد والسفارة الهولندية في السفير بيتر موليما، بتوقيع مذكرة تفاهم بينهما تهدف إلى تعزيز استقرار الأسر في المجتمع المصري، وبناء علاقات أسرية يسودها التفاهم والاحترام المتبادل، مما ينتج عنه مجتمعات قوية ومتماسكة. وأوضح برسوم أن  فريق«أسباير» نظم خلال الفترة الماضية، نحو 15 جولة من الجلسات التوعوية المخصصة للرجال، وجولتين من الفعاليات العائلية، للاستفادة من التعلم التجريبي والتمارين التفاعلية والأنشطة المجتمعية. وشهد الحدث العديد من الفعاليات التي جسدت تفرد نهج برنامج «مسار اختياري» في معالجة قضايا الرجولة في المجتمع المصري. Aspire Consultancy Embassy of the Netherlands in Egypt

Ola Ibrahim Wins Best Business Leader of the Year 2024 Award By Middle East Summit of Excellence Ola Mahmoud Ebrahim, leader and innovator, recently recognized as the “Best Business Leader of the Year 2024” by the Middle East Summit of Excellence, is known for her transformative approach to digital and recurring services and strategic business development. She currently serves as a Global Digital & Recurring Services SME (Subject Matter Expert) at Schneider Electric, where she drives value through recurring services by developing ARR (Annualized Recurring Revenue) guidelines, pricing strategies, and contract lifecycle management, creating a significant impact for global clients and her organization. Ola’s career reflects dynamic leadership and a commitment to empowering professionals to achieve their potential. A strong advocate for women in STEM, she inspires young talent and promotes inclusivity in tech and business leadership. Through her social media presence and professional initiatives, Ola motivates others to embrace innovation, overcome challenges, and lead with purpose. Her dedication to growth and collaboration has made her a key figure in the global business landscape. Ola Mahmoud Ebrahim is a distinguished leader and innovator, recently recognized as the "Best Business Leader of the Year 2024" by the Middle East Summit of Excellence. Known for her transformative approach in digital and recurring services and strategic business development, she currently serves as a Global Digital & Recurring Services SME (Subject Matter Expert) at Schneider Electric. In her role, Ola shapes standards and policies that drive value through recurring services, covering areas like ARR (Annualized Recurring Revenue) guidelines, pricing strategies, and contract lifecycle management, contributing substantial impact to global clients and her organization. Her career is marked by dynamic leadership and a commitment to empowering professionals to reach their potential. Ola is a passionate advocate for women in STEM, inspiring young talents and championing greater inclusivity in tech and business leadership roles. Ola’s influence extends through her social media presence, and professional initiatives, where she motivates others to embrace innovation, push boundaries, and lead with purpose. A role model for aspiring leaders, her dedication to excellence and collaborative growth has solidified her as a pivotal force in the global business landscape. Ola Mahmoud Ebrahim

⭐️ ⭐️ Celebrating Women in Agribusiness: MARIAM SHENOUDA, CEO and VICE CHAIRMAN, Overseas Arab African Company for Agriculture Mariam Shenouda is the CEO and Vice Chairman of the Overseas Arab African Company for Agriculture. They growcitrus fruits, mangoes, custard apples, and seasonal crops like wheat, maze, beans, and potatoes. “From where I currently stand”, says Miriam, “we have come a long way in terms of institutionalizing our business, attempting to expand our product basket in order to expand our market, improve on our processes and agricultural practices and build a reliable and experienced tier of middle management and technicians. As a family business, unfortunately our primary functions such as securing finance and business development remain centralized in the hands of the family”. After the passing of her father, Miriam abandon her corporate marketing job to join her brother in managing, sustaining and growing the family business. “Moving from corporate marketing to farming was a huge career shift for me. My motivation was upholding my father’s dream and life, keeping the extended family tie strong and transforming the business from being run by the single patriarch into an institution that follows systems and procedures”. As a marketer, she was naturally drawn and intrigued by market development and she has knocked on the door of export several times in the past few years. Selling to export traders or packing houses has always been their safest strategy to sell their produce, and eliminating the middle person the more logical course. At the present time in their business cycle, Mariam is hoping they can move away from traditional farming towards creating a complimentary industry whereby they flatten the curve imposed by traditional farming and conventional trade methods. “The reasons for joining Women in Business (WIB) program was to remain updated with what is new in the ways and techniques of the agricultural business. Working within a small traditional family business model can limit the amount of exposure one can have to a relevant industry and it takes an intentional effort to remain in the loop of the industry.” Miriam adds, “Also wanted to rub shoulders with like-minded women professionals and expand my network with these women as well as the Egyptian institutions offering support in the agriculture business.” —— The WiB Agri Egypt Program a collaboration between the SmartAgri Egypt project and the Women in Business Network (WiB), aims to empower female entrepreneurs in Egypt’s agribusiness sector. The program is funded by the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through sequa gGmbH. The program, which included 18 participants, selected 4 to showcase their work at the Food Africa Fair 2024, Africa’s largest international exhibition for the food and agro industries, held from December 3-5, 2024, at the Egypt International Exhibitions Center. Women in Business Network - WIB

Apple CEO Meets eJaby Founders Menna Shahin and Maxim Haartsen to Explore Their App and Discuss Potential Partnership During his recent visit to the UAE, Apple CEO Tim Cook met with four app developers who are building apps that address solutions to real-life needs in their communities. Among them were Menna Shahin and Maxim Haartsen, co-founders of eJaby (the global brand of Tekeya). They discussed how their app promotes sustainable shopping and explored potential partnership opportunities with Apple. Founded in 2022, eJaby, is an eco-friendly e-commerce marketplace, which has officially launched in the UAE! It empowers customers to shop sustainably while enjoying premium-quality products at exceptional value. eJaby offers a curated selection of overstock products, including food, beverages, and non-food items, all of which meet high-quality standards despite being considered surplus due to factors like shelf life. By connecting customers directly with suppliers, eJaby not only provides unbeatable deals but also helps reduce waste and promote a more sustainable shopping experience. More than just a marketplace, eJaby is revolutionizing the shopping experience and creating a movement toward conscious consumerism. It allows shoppers to make eco-friendly choices without compromising on quality or value, proving that sustainability and affordability can go hand in hand. Menna Shahin (She/Her) eJaby by Tekeya Global

🌟 Raghda Abdel Maksoud has been selected as a speaker at the prestigious NAHA World of Aromatherapy XII, Beyond Aromatics VI Conference & Tradeshow, taking place in Tampa, Florida, October 23-25, 2025! Raghda will present “Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Science in Sacred Blends,” an in-depth exploration of ancient Egyptian aromatic plants and oils. Her session will highlight their cultural and therapeutic legacy, traditional preparation methods, modern applications, and the science supporting their role in wellness. Raghda’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. With over 26 years of experience in the Medicinal Aromatic Plants and Spices (MAPS) and essential oil industries, she has built a global career specializing in sustainable sourcing, supply chain management, and business development. She is the founder of Ebers Aromatherapy and the NAHA-approved Ebers School of Aromatherapy, where she teaches internationally, advocating for safe and sustainable aromatherapy practices. As NAHA’s International Director for Egypt and the International Relationship Chair, Raghda organizes global study tours and connects aromatherapists worldwide. Beyond this, she’s an ambassador for the Airmid Institute, working to preserve aromatic traditions globally. From leading projects in Egypt, India, Albania, and beyond to teaching in schools and hospitals across the USA, Raghda’s dedication to blending ancient wisdom with modern science has made her a true leader in the field. Raghda AbdelMaksoud