Confirming its commitment to championing women's empowerment and leadership in the Kuwaiti banking sector

Kuwait, 25 September 2024

Burgan Bank recently hosted the “Empower Her” seminar as part of its dedicated efforts to empower women in leadership positions across society. The event, held at the Four Seasons Hotel under the auspices and sponsorship of Sheikha Dana Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, gathered a distinguished audience of around 200 participants, including prominent figures in the Kuwaiti banking and various sectors, to share valuable market insights and experiences and expand the network of impactful female industry leaders. The “Empower Her” seminar is the latest testament to Burgan’s commitment to fostering gender equality and diversity in the workplace and encouraging women’s professional advancement as market leaders and decision-makers in the Kuwaiti private sector.  
“In a market that is evolving and expanding at a phenomenal speed, our hope for keeping up and leading with innovation lies in diversity and equality,” said Mr. Naqeeb Amin, General Manager – Human Resources and Development for the Group at Burgan Bank. “As a leader in human capital development and social responsibility, it is among our top priorities to constantly advance our capable talents and pave a smooth path for all outstanding calibers to lead Burgan Bank into a future of sustainable, inclusive growth. Today, we are in the presence of numerous female figures who have left a lasting mark on Kuwait’s banking and financial industry and continue to inspire women in our community to believe in their unique potential and pursue their dreams.”

“Talent development is a hallmark of Burgan’s success as an employer, a business, and a corporate citizen,” said Ms. Fatma Ahmad, Acting Senior Manager – Learning and Development at Burgan Bank. “As part of our robust human capital investment strategy, we continue to tailor programs and initiatives that address our employees’ various needs for growth and development. On our mission to empower female talents, we are proud to hold more spaces for women to share their stories, pass on valuable experiences, and express themselves in a safe and inclusive environment. With the ‘Empower Her’ seminar, we are delighted to add yet another milestone in Burgan’s dedicated women empowerment journey which centers on providing female professionals with tools, inspiration, and networking opportunities, as well as equipping them with strategic skills to drive meaningful change.”
Among the event’s attendees were leaders from Burgan Bank as well as representatives from KIPCO Group, leading Kuwaiti banks, Kuwait Institute of Banking Studies (KIBS), Kuwait Banking Association (KBA), and Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS). 
The seminar also hosted the prestigious keynote speakers, Dr. Amani Bouresli, former Minister of Commerce, Minister of Planning and Development Affairs, and current Independent, Non-Executive Board Member at Burgan Bank; Dr. Louise Lambert, advisor, professor, and researcher in Middle East Journal and Positive Psychology; and Laurence Harvey, diversity champion, inclusion advocate, and unconscious bias expert. The speakers discussed the impact of female empowerment in the workplace, the importance of sponsorship and providing support, and solutions to help women overcome the challenges they face in their careers. They also addressed the biased perceptions that women often encounter and discussed strategies for transforming these biases into collective synergy. Other topics included the role of male allyship in supporting women's growth and success, which is considered a critical factor in creating a more inclusive and equitable environment.

In addition, the seminar hosted two panel discussions on female leadership strategies, managing organizational transformation, and advancing women in leadership roles, which was represented by inspiring female leaders like Eng. Sara Akbar (Kuwaiti chemical petroleum engineer, women's rights advocate, and co-founder and former CEO of Kuwait Energy), Dr. Mona Al Khawari (Director of the Child Protection Office at the Ministry of Health, Founder and Executive Director of Kuwait National Program for Child Protection), and Dr. Suad Al-Faqaan (Olympic Champion and Kuwait University Professor of Science and Biology).

The 'Empower Her' seminar follows the great success of the 'Empower Her' summer internship program for talented undergraduates. The internship program hosted 18 young women who had the opportunity to learn from Burgan’s leading female figures and gain first-hand practical experience across the Bank’s various departments. Other successful women empowerment initiatives include Burgan’s 'Lean In Circle,' a women empowerment program that explores and addresses all challenges faced by women in the workplace, diminishing any obstacles that slow down their professional or personal growth. These women empowerment initiatives fall under the 'Empower Her' umbrella, which is built on three key pillars: the Lean In Circle, the Female Summer Internship Program, and the Empower Her Seminar, all designed to foster women's leadership and development.