Peru 

Cintya Nataly Ananos Alcazar

Industrias San Miguel

www.groupism.com

Cintya started working in her family business of supplying high-quality beverages at fair prices. At a very young age she began learning the business from the ground up. Today she manages a team of more than 2000 people and oversees production operations, sales management, and distribution of the highest quality soft drinks in the Peruvian and Chilean markets, where brands such as Kola Real, Sabor de Oro, Cielo, Loa, Cool, Kero, Generade, 360 Energy Drink and Deli Kranch stand out. Cintya is the main promoter of sustainability and circular economy and plans to have the company be carbon neutral by 2040.  

Monica Margot Tambini Avila

Notaria Tambini & Tramite Facil EIRL

www.notairatambini.com & www.tramite-facil.com

Mónica is a lawyer, professor, writer of several law books, lecturer, international consultant, businesswoman and founder of TAMBINI Notary and creator of Trámite Fácil. Her expertise in process simplification for more than 30 years provides efficient solutions to entrepreneurs and business people in Peru and abroad. She is recognized for establishing the first organization of legal and notarial services of its kind in the country. She also created Trámite Fácil, a system that works with artificial intelligence has transcended borders, successfully facilitating the document management of citizens and the internationalization of any company in the world by creating branches, contributing to worldwide trading commercial exchange worldwide

United States

Dr. Karyn Koven

Language Bird

www.languagebird.com

Dr. Koven is a life-long learner and career educator. She uses her passion and experience as a high school teacher, counselor, and administrator to create and lead innovative programs to change ways teachers teach and students learn on a global scale. Founded in 2015, LanguageBird provides accredited, live, one-to-one, personalized, online language instruction.  Dr. Koven has created a virtual community where students gain a deeper understanding of language and culture and develop a broader world view. They offer 15 world languages and celebrate diversity, culture, travel and globalization and relationship building through their lessons, creating a memorable education experience in language learning.

Angie Lin

Assured Asset Management (SG) PTE &  Assured Asset Management (HK)

www.assuredam.com

Angie honed her financial skills in the UK and in Hong Kong over her career.  In 2017, she formed her own asset management company that focuses on private investment opportunities, Assured Asset Management.  Since then, the company has grown into a successful and respected firm with a global reach.  The company has adapted from just bridging Asian capital to US quality credit investment to developing their understanding and network in the new markets and expanding their investment from mere credit to equity and from very late stage to growth stage.  Angie believes in partnering with visionary entrepreneurs and providing them with the resources they need to succeed. 

Malavika Vivek

Avasoft

www.avasoft.com

Mal Vivek is the CEO and managing partner of Avasoft, a products and solutions company headquartered in the United States, that leverages technology to achieve transformational results for their clients. She comes from a strong data science background initially starting out in computational biology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center’s Center for Molecular Oncology and from there, she went on to build Avasoft’s digital transformation practice in 2020. Avasoft is now a leader in the transformation industry and has successfully led several enterprise digital transformation engagements for many Fortune 1000 clients over their fifteen-year tenure. 

 

Bahrain

Nawal Yousuf Alsabbagh

Nawal Since 1989

www.nawalsince1989.com

Nawal is the founder and CEO of Nawal Flowers which she started in 1989. She has won the prestigious Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum’s top prize against a list of some 120 Middle Eastern entrepreneurs. As an accomplished artist, Nawal treats her flower arrangements as paintings rather than just a bouquet of flowers. She is an Artentrepreneur and also owns an Art Gallery. Recently, Nawal has expanded her entrepreneurship business in Health and Beauty. She owns the Health Lab, which caterers healthy organic meals and Sorelle Beauty Salon. Recently. She launched “Adara Training Center” for Beauty Institution, Technical and Vocational training. 

Nahed Eshaq

PLAN Concept, D. Haus W.L.L.

www.dhausonline.com

Nahed Eshaq is a dynamic multilingual professional with over 20 years of extensive experience in Art, Design, Landscaping, and Architecture. Her company, D Haus, was founded 4 years ago and is already a renowned retail home furniture business in Bahrain and the Middle East. She is also the Founder & Managing Director of PLAN Concepts, and she founded The Fleurologist, a pristine flower & design concept, and Link Atelier Bahrain, the local gateway to a world of lush furniture and accessory brands. She also runs her own art gallery, Art Link, and is an advocate for young artists of all mediums.

Dr. Waheeda Juma Al Doy

GRIP Group

In 2012, after a 15+ years of working with the UN High Commission in Bahrain, working with women and children who were victims of violence and persecution and afterwards she joined the Economic Development Board in Bahrain, Waheeda opened a private school for students to make a difference in the lives of young people, offering life skills they need to become contributing members of society. Soon founded another company GRIP.  It focuses on creating and acquiring playgrounds, providing sports courses, equipment and providing well-balanced food.  In addition they offer international competitions in partnership with the Ministry of Youth & Sports. 

Bangladesh

Noor Akter Jahan

Noor Organic Food & Kitchen

Noor began her company in 2010 with just 10 employees and today it is a well-known food supply chain business with more than 320 employees. The company specializes in offering Bengali, Thai, Chinese, Indian and continental foods while also offering catering services.  Noor Organic Food & Kitchen provides high quality food confirming health and hygienic standards with affordable price within the reach of target consumers. The company’s priority is to bring the best and most relevant products for people, wherever they are, whatever their needs, throughout their lives. The corporate Motto of Noor Organic Food is “Healthy Food for Better Life”.  

Sabina Quayum

Angelina Wellness & Beauty Care

Establishing her business in 2008, Sabina started in her house with just 5 employees.  Starting with just an initial investment of $3000 she built her business day by day and today has 20 wellness and beauty care centers around the city.  She had a desire to support rural women and established 10 beauty and wellness centers in remote areas of Bangladesh to support them. Today she has 450 employees who are dedicated, trained and skilled workers. Her achievements show that with determination, passion, hard work and a clear vision, it is possible to overcome challenges and create a successful business while fostering positive change for people.    

India

Manasa Garemella

kindlife

wwww.kindlife.in

Manasa is the co-founder of kindlife, India’s fastest growing wellness platform for young India (on average, consumers are under the age of 34) founded in 2020. kindlife offers over 700+ toxin-free brands for beauty, personal care and nutrition.  All brands are either plant-based, organic, eco-conscious or cruelty-free.   The company also offers to over 300,000 subscribers health and wellness educational videos, blogs and more, learning from experts across the industry. Manasa’s background is in marketing, digitization and health and wellness. With over 1.0 million visits every month online, kindlife is in the top 15 beauty platforms in India.

Shivani P. Patel

Exechon

www.exechon.co.in

Shivani spearheads Exechon, a firm that specializes in avant garde pharma packaging solutions. Hailing from a family with a rich tradition of pharma entrepreneurship, innovation and healthcare, Shivani took the entrepreneurial plunge in 2007 setting up the state-of-the-art manufacturing plant near Vadodara in Gujarat, India.  Over the last decade, Exechon has continued to carve a niche for itself providing best-in-class quality and customer-centric solutions in a highly competitive market.  In addition, the company has expanded its offerings to include the packaging and creation of medical devices.  Exechon customers are among the top 30 pharma exporters from India, the US and Europe. 

Rutvi Vyas

Vedant Group

www.vedantinternationalreschool.org

In 2004, Rutvi set up Vedant International Schools and has not looked back.  With experience running schools across her region, she continues to expand in India.  And Dubai will be the next target with a branch to open in the next few years.  Rutvi’s plan is to provide quality education and cater to the needs of young learners in diverse regions.  Her schools range in offerings from pre-school to high school.  Her dedication to providing innovative work in the areas of school curriculum, leadership, creativity and teacher education has earned her an excellent reputation in the past several years. 

Jordan

Reem Albaghdadi

Rimara Pak & Diamond Plastic

www.rimarapak.com  & www.diaplast.com

Reem co-founded her company in 2005, developing and manufacturing high quality plastic cutlery-the first business in Jordan to introduce such offerings. The product line also includes hygenic napkins, sanitized wet wipes and meal kits. One of her primary clients is the airline industry. Starting with Qatar airlines as a client, she soon added Royal Jordanian Airlines & DANATA which supplies many airlines. She also contributed the establishment of the Industrial Women’s Council of the Amman Chamber of Commerce, the first of its kind in the chamber. Reem has won several awards in recognition of her achievements and engagement with several Jordanian business organizations. 

Mongolia

Sosordulam Monkhor

UlemJ Cashmere LLC

www.ulemjcashmere.com

Sosordulam started UlemJ Cashmere LLC in 1995, which makes the company one of the oldest in the field of cashmere. Throughout this time she has established the largest cashmere supply chain within 12 out of 21 provinces of Mongolia creating its own sustainable raw material suppliers. The company established 14 professional cooperatives of raw material suppliers which are supporting the livelihood of about 80,000 herdsmen.  Since 2004, their second main focus was to produce value added cashmere fiber to supply foreign and local companies. They export products such as washed and dehaired cashmere, yakdawn, camelwool and sourced wools. 

Gandolgor Purevjav

Ganabell Group

wwww.ganabell.mn

Gandolgor is a Human Resources Consultant, Success Coach, and Founder of Ganabell Group which consists of Ganabell Institute, Ganabell Digital School, Ganabell Coach Center, Ganabell Solution, Business Plus LLC, and Ganada LLC. They focus on consulting, edu-tech, importing and smart solutions. She was a pioneer in introducing the “Life Coach” service in Mongolia by coaching thousands of business leaders to succeed internationally. She is an author of five bestseller self-help books and holder of many intellectual products.  She also established Tahe Mongolia which imports Spanish products-cosmetics and hair products-to Mongolia.  It is now a national brand with 21 distribution centers.  

Tserendulam Tsevegmed

Tansag Trade LLC

Tserendulam is Tansag Trade, started in 1997, is the pioneer in the Arkhangai province, providing 30% of all goods in the region.  The company’s products include food, household, beauty, cultural and furniture goods.  They also sell clothing imported from Turkey and China.  The company also owns a department store in the city center and has 1 or 2 branches in each of the sectors in the province. Tserendulam’s goals are to become a manufacturer in her province as well.  They wish to grow the only food manufacturing company in the province which has access to many raw materials such as meat, milk, fur and rawhide.  

Pakistan

Nighat Shahid

Shan Industries
www.hinz.pk

Shan Industries was established by Nighat in 1992 and is an apparel and hosiery manufacturer and supplier of innerwear.  The company offers an extensive range of women’s, men and children’s innerwear, outwear and casual wear.  It has its own brand, Hinz, and has been selling its products locally and exporting to the UK.  Hinz is also one of the leading knitwear brands in Pakistan. Nighat’s philosophy is  to run her business honestly, fairly and with objectivity, responsibly and sustainably.  She is very involved in supporting entrepreneurs and her community at large.  She was also president of the Faisalabad Women’s Chamber of Commerce & Industry. 

Huma Waheed

The United Insurance Company of Pakistan, LTD
www.theunitedinsurance.com

The company was established in 1959 and Huma assumed a leadership role in 2003. The United Insurance Company of Pakistan Limited was operational in Pakistan including East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). UIC operating more than 100 branches all over Pakistan. UIC doing General business including Group Health Insurance, Travel Insurance (Health), Travel Bonds & Guarantees, Livestock and Crop Insurance.  Huma’s experience in corporate law and IT has enabled her to help build the infrastructure, supplying innovation and modernization to the processes and to better serve their clients. She is also the Vice Chair of UIG Group of Companies providing additional business services and brokerage houses.  

Philippines

Gladeys “Jill” Santos

Jill Santos & Co.
www.jillsantos.com

Gladeys Santos is the Founder & CEO of Jill Santos & Company, a full-service Philippine-member firm of DFK International based in UK and IC & Partners based in Italy with 5 offices in Philippines and 204 partner firms in 90 countries around the globe. The 14-year old company is focused on professional services such as accounting, auditing, law, business consulting and real estate offerings including sales & property management. The offices are in The Philippines and in Cambodia.  Her numerous awards include ASEAN Woman Entrepreneur which she received from the Princess of Thailand and a business leadership award from the Italian Chamber of Commerce. 

Sri Lanka

Nishani Fernando

Manisha Exports (PVT) LTD
www.manishaexports.IK

Manisha is a Sri Lankan manufacturer and 100% exporter of coconut fiber and coconut substrates.  The company was established in 2017 and is recognized as a leading manufacturer of world-class coconut fiber solutions. Nishani started working in the business in 2005 and has a vast knowledge of the industry. The business has five production facilities which support and employ a large base of Sri Lankan women.  What sets Manisha apart is its capacity to combine traditional knowledge with modern high-tech production methods to produce eco friendly products with premium quality. Nishani’s goal is to develop substrates such as grow bags, coco pots, coconut briquettes and more sustainably product lines

Tania Polonnowita Wettimuny

IAS Holdings (pvt) Limited
www.iasholdings.com

After 20 years of experience in the logistics and supply chain management, Tania launched her own company in 2017 in a very male-dominated industry.  Today the business has five operating companies within its portfolio. IAS companies focus on contract logistics and consultancy business, managing over 225,000 sq. feet of warehousing space providing a plethora of value additions to its customers. The subsidiary companies include APS Logistics International, Inter Air & Sea Logistics, Kerry Logistics Sri Lanka, CWF Logistics and Climata (Pvt) Limited – a company with a focus on education in climate change and sustainability. 

Italy

Marina Barone

Ilas S.r.l
www.ilasgroup.it

The company was started in 1951 by her father which was one of the main Italian coachbuilders for companies such as Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini, etc. She and her brother set up a spinoff when the company was sold in 2002 and after his tragic death in 2003, Marina took over the running of the company.  They specialize in subassemblies in metal sheet, fuel and oil tanks for cars and motorcycles in aluminum, steel and inox.  Marina and her team are working on the transformation if ILAS towards a new vision of the industry as per the 4.0 future guidelines. 

 

Gabriella Marchioni Bocca

Lamebo S.R. L
www.lamebo.it

The 54-year-old company is the main Italian producer of splitting band knives which are used in tanneries, shoe manufacturing, processing of foam, synthetic and cork factories and fur processing among other uses.  Gabriella has been involved with the family business since 1984 and continued to excel in her leadership capabilities in the company reaching her current position in leading the company and growth.  She is also deeply involved in her community, the chamber, trade associations, local government and in other associations.  She and the company are focused on strengthening their work to focus on sustainability, gender and ESG conditions.  

Pia Cittadini

Cittadini Spa
www.cittadini.eu

Pia worked from 1969 in the historic family business of husband and she became President of Cittadini Spa after his passing .  The company has been producing technical twines, braids and nets for industry, fashion, aquaculture, fishing and automotive sectors for the last 90 years.  It has become the leader in all kinds of technical yarns for a range of industries and also has the capability of producing customized products. Focusing also on the environment and impact of its productions on sustainability issues, machinery, lighting, reduction of water usage and management of waste water have been top priorities. R&D is also a priority following their “green philosophy” and is leading to new product designs.  

Anna Maria Grazia Doglione

Fondalpress SPA
www.fondalpress.it

Anna Maria joined her family business after her studies in mechanical engineering in 1983. She learned every aspect of the business and in 2015 she took over as President of Fondalpress SpA in 2015.  The company produces high pressure die-casting parts of aluminium alloys for the automotive, textile, electromechanical, hydraulic, furniture, lighting and renewable energy sectors.  Under her leadership, the production capacity grew from 3,000 tons of die casting products to 15,000 and grew her exports from 26%-46%. She has ambitious growth plans adopting innovative processes to increase production efficiency. Anna Maria has earned many awards and also is proud to be representing women in this sector.

Licia Mattioli

Mattioli S.P.A
https://mattioli.it/

Licia is a lawyer by training but in 1995 she and her father acquired the oldest Turin goldsmith company which had been established in 1860. In 200, the company was renamed to Mattioli but the company’s success continues to be based on a fine balance between tradition and modernity with high-quality craftsmanship. Licia’s philosophy not only includes offering fine quality jewelry and watches but she is also committed to creating jobs and growth opportunities for her fellow countrymen and women. Licia had the esteemed honor to be presented with the Cavaliere del Lavoro, a prestigious award established in 1923, by the Present of the Republic.  

Portugal

Maria Claudia Teixeira de Azevedo

Sonae SGPS SA 
www.sonae.pt

Claudia has been with Sonae since 1994 after working in different businesses and sectors in her early career.  She rose through the ranks of this family-owned company gaining experience in several facets of running the company.  Her roles included running Sonae Investment Management between 2001 and 2018 which was dedicated to managing investments in information technology for retail and telecommunications.  She became CEO of Sonae Capital in 2013. Sonae Capital is a publicly listed company with a diversified portfolio of investments in energy, real estate, tourism, fitness and industry. Claudia also sits on the boards of several other Sonae companies. 

Serbia

Mirjana Markovic

Apotekarska Ustanova Galena Lab Beograd
https://galenalab.rs

Mirjana started her career managing different drug wholesalers but in 2001, she and her family established the family pharmacy. At the same time she started a new business, establishing of the drug wholesale Inopharm d.o.o. which was completely dedicated to providing the necessary unregistered medicines for the Serbian market. She gained insight into the functioning of the global drug supply system and realized opportunities for sustainable growth.  Galena Lab has 3 pharmacies, a laboratory for the manufacturing of compounding drugs, a laboratory for the production of galenic drugs and a quality control laboratory for testing of raw materials and finished products. 

Spain

Maria Jose Cascajo

H.C. Clover Productos y Servicios

https://cloverty.com/en/ww

Maria launched HC Clover (Cloverty)  in 2008 after gaining experience working in the pharma industry.  The company is a nutraceutical and pharmaceutical CDMO. After surviving several challenges over time, it has continued to grow. It has produced and developed more than 700 products to date and currently has two manufacturing plants in Spain and one in Brazil.  Their overall production capacity is more than 2,000 million soft gelatine capsules.  Cloverty also donates 15% of total sales to social causes, both national and international.  Maria believes that “a company does not only exist to maximize shareholders value but also exists for the sake of the people living in a society.” 

Turkey

Vennas Akyol Haznedar

Akyol Gida Turizm Otel Insaat Petrol Ticaret Limited
www.vennbutikotel.com

Vennas is a true entrepreneur having started her first venture, a cafe in Samsun Airport in 1998.  She proceeded to then opened 4 additional businesses.  Her expansion involved full service restaurants, car parks, catering to airlines and a boutique hotel, all under the name “Venn.” Her airline catering company was one of only three companies in the country to be offering these services.  And she was the first and only female entrepreneur in the world to offer such services.  The business grew to providing to domestic and international airlines in the Black Sea and Anatolia. 

Nur Gokman

Hitit
www.Hitit.com

After an extensive career in Computer programming and systems development with Turkish Airlines (a rarity to find a woman in the sector), Nur embarked on a risky journey over 30 years ago to help to found Hitit, which is the first company in Turkey in the aviation infomatics sector.  At the time, she started with just two computers and one fax machine and has built the company into one of the largest aviation tech companies in the world. The business developed one of the first loyalty software products in the industry-a frequent flyer program-which became widely used by 40 airlines. 

Dr. Gokce Yildrim Kalkan

Simsoft Computer Technologies, LTD
www.simsoft.com.tr

Dr. Kalkan helped to establish Simsoft, which operates in simulator systems, games, visual systems, defense, aviation and space.  It is one of the fastest-growing IT companies in Turkey and EMEA region.  Simsoft’s many products include simulators being used by both national and international civil and military organizations. Their commitment to diversity and inclusion and ethical values has been recognized by Deloitte as well as several other entities. Their most recent award is the “Fastest Export Increasing Woman Entrepreneur Company.”  Simsoft has consistently pushed the boundaries of innovation and creative problem solving, bringing the company to a high standard of achievement.  

United Kingdom

Pinky Ghadiali

NetwomenCo & NetwomenUS
www.netwomen.co   www.netwomen.us

For 20 years Pinky had a very successful career as an optometrist but felt something was missing. She founded Women in Networking Edinburgh (WiNE) in 2015, based in Edinburgh Scotland. The company focused on bringing together like-minded women who were interested in supporting and encouraging each other.  She furthered the reach and formed Netwomen.co in 2020 based in the UK and in the US, which offers courses and networking. Her self-confidence coaching and leadership courses are designed to help women overcome personal and professional issues while the personal development programmes use a blend of neuro linguistic programming (NLP), institute of leadership and management coaching. 

Bolivia

Denise Hurtado Castedo

BPO Center
www.bpocenter.com.bo

Denise has more than 22 years of experience in human talent management. Her 41-year-old company focuses on outsourcing and all facets of human resource management such as and Head Hunting, Business Process Outsourcing, Organizational Climate Management and Culture Alignment, Leader Assessment and Development, Executive and Team Coaching, Outplacement Management, Compensation and Smart Remuneration. Denise has influence the processes of change and transition towards good Human Management practices in several companies throughout Bolivia. She is the leader of the main work environment tool, LEADING EMPLOYER, which measures nearly 60 work environments in companies per year, and promoter of the resource community, human rights and best practices.  Denise has business relationships in Argentina, Spain, Costa Rica, Peru and the United States.

Rosario Paz Gutierrez

Farmacorp S.A./Nexocorp
www.farmacorp.com

Right after graduating from university in 1994, Rosario joined the family business in the pharmaceutical industry and started working as CEO of Farmacias Santa Maria. Rosario is part of the third generation of the family of Dr. Osvaldo Gutiérrez Jiménez, who founded the Gutiérrez Pharmacy in 1937, in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. In 1995 Rosario started the expansion plan to increase the market share of the pharmacy in Santa Cruz. Rosario led the growth of the company to become Bolivia’s biggest Pharmacy Chain representing 63% of the national Market Share with 178 stores distributed throughout the country today. The company’s business units are in Bolivia. However, they have suppliers from all over the world. Rosario looks forward to further growth throughout the South American marketplace.

Peru

Rocio Lockett

Metax Industria & Comercio SAC
www.metaxsac.com

Rocio studied in London and received her masters in architecture. After several years working in the architectural field, she decided to join her family business and learned the business from the ground up. She has managed the 40-year-old business which manufacturers Biomedical Equipment, Hospital and Institutional Furniture. They offer personalized products, with modern and safe design, based on the needs of their users. This allows them to guarantee well-being and comfort for all users. Metax Industria are experts in equipping health establishments under the turnkey modality. They are now upgrading to new automated and robotic machinery, ioT and digital transformation which will make them a “smart factory.” The company does business in Peru and they want to expand to other neighboring South American countries such as Ecuador and Bolivia where the need for their products is great.

United States

Monica Hernandez

Mas Global Consulting LLC
www.masglobalconsulting.com

Monica has 20+ years experience in the Technology space. Born and raised in Colombia, she moved to the US at the age of 21, after earning a software engineering degree in Colombia. Monica started her IT career in Texas, gained experience in the corporate world and started MAS Global 9 years ago. The company is a mid-size Agile software development and IT services company based in Florida with nearshore development hubs in Medellin, Colombia. Most recently, she started a foundation called MAS Future as part of MAS Global’s commitment to community impact and to continue to deliver on the promise that MAS is More. The company does business in the US, Colombia, Argentina and Mexico. Monica would like to expand to Canada and Europe and hopes to recruit more talent from Asia.

Wendy Lieber

Content Bacon
www.contentbacon.com

Wendy Lieber is the entrepreneurial cofounder and CEO of ContentBacon, an inbound marketing resource that builds brands people know, like, trust, and buy from. Wendy has a passion for helping customers figure out and communicate their stories and their “whys” so that it resonates with target audiences. Content is her 2nd start-up. Prior to Bacon, she led her first company, Athena Marketing, a small boutique strategic marketing agency, for fourteen years. Her focus helps clients use marketing strategies to enhance the value of their business. Wendy is a member of Entrepreneur’s Organization and a Board of Trustee for Women in Distress. The company’s clients are primarily in the United States but she has had clients in England, Switzerland, Canada and South America. Her team members are throughout the US, Mexico and the Philippines. Wendy would love to find clients anywhere in the world as her company’s strengths in creating more value for companies is of a global nature.

Michelle Klassen Merrigan

Mana Group Holdings
www.themanaboutique.com; www.mkadvisors.org; www.manapacific.com

“MK” began her career in humanitarian aid, working frequently in resourcerestricted environments. Since 2010, MK has worked to facilitate and accelerate the adoption of strategic solutions for resource equity needs, while also educating policymakers to support smart, affordable technologies that enable creative financial models. MK created an innovative model that allows for emerging technologies to be fielded, and commercialized at scale, inside of the communities that need the solutions most. Knowledge transfer, female empowerment, economic development, and clean climate solutions are the very foundation of this vision. MK’s personal mission statement: “To alleviate suffering in every room I am in.” Michelle has business incubations or partnerships in 22 Pacific Island Countries, 17 Sub-Saharan African Countries and in the US. She is most interested in working in developing economies where resource resilience (sustainable energy & water & enduring agriculture) is challenged.  

Pooja Chandra Pama

ACE Foods
www.acefoods.com

Pooja Chandra Pama is widely recognized as a businesswoman, entrepreneur, humanitarian, and philanthropist. Single-handedly responsible for the establishment, implementation and oversight of multiple entrepreneurial enterprises, she also serves as the President and driving force behind several collaborative businesses. Through her business savvy and experience, innovation, ethical tenacity and commitment to approaches that support teaching both process and content, she has touched tens of thousands of lives, creating practical opportunities, supported and guided by experienced mentorship. Although her entrepreneurial successes are diverse, spanning healthcare, finance, real estate, and talent acquisition, her impact is best embodied in the work of ACE Health Foundation, an organization characterized by its emphasis on corporate citizenship. The company does business in the United States & India and is interested in growing to the Middle East and Africa.

Wendy Pease

Rapport International
www.rapporttranslations.com

Wendy Pease is the President/Owner of Rapport International, a language services company that provides high quality written translation and spoken interpretation in over 200 languages. She’s the author of the book “The Language of Global Marketing”, and the podcast host of the “Global Marketing Show”. Wendy’s passionate about connecting people across languages and cultures. She lived in Mexico, Taiwan, and Philippines where she fell in love with differing cultures and came to understand that we are all human, no matter the language we speak. She has a BA from Penn State and an MBA from Tuck School at Dartmouth College. Rapport is currently doing business in the US, Canada, Belgium, Japan, China, Kenya, Philippines & Germany. They wish to expand further in Germany, Scandinavian countries and Belgium.

Bangladesh

Ferdousi Begum

Midway Agro Ltd

Midway Agro was established in 2003 as the first Thai-Bangladesh joint venture. It started as a shrimp culture farm and expanded into integrated, sustainable farming involving fish, poultry, dairy and organic farming. Ferdousi has overcome natural disasters, economic hardships and political instabilities to keep her business healthy and running well. The company has received numerous awards from the government for their sustainable practices and its commitment to biodiversity. She has also overcome being one of the few women in the industry. Ferdousi hopes to create agritourism to expand the “farm to table” concept. Midway does business primarily in Bangladesh but a few of their products are sold worldwide. They hope to continue selling their products in the US, Canada, UK & Australia.

Nishat Imran

Simni Ship Recycling Industries

Nishat established her company in 2016 after dreaming of starting a ship recycling business. Bangladesh, India and Pakistan recycle the most ships in the world and she saw the potential to start her own company in the industry. Soon she will be one of the first companies to be a ”fully green yard” designed by a German consultancy firm and approved by the government. Raised by a single mother, Nishat learned at an early age how important it is to be a strong woman and to be involved in your community. The company does business today with the US, UK, Singapore, Hong Kong and UAE. Nishat hopes to expand also into the European market

Raisa Mahbub

Aqua Foods Limited

Raisa is the Managing director of Aqua Foods Limited and is the founder of 2 Spoons Restaurant and Café. She also owns Brides and Maiden boutique. Aqua Foods has two major cold storage facilities for exporting fish and to lease out to other suppliers as well. In a very male-dominated sector, she begun selling processed fish to local & international market and now her company has grown to employing over 300 people. Raisa plans to establish soft shell crab farms in the coastal areas of Bangladesh to further her product line. The company exports to Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, Saudi-Arabia and Oman. Raisa intends to expand into Europe and is looking to set up in England or Brussels.

Britt Ludvigsen Sakata

Texprego

For almost twenty years, Britt has worked to be a catalyst for change in the Bangladeshi garments industry. Her close relationship with manufacturers has been an engine for knowledge transfer between Bangladesh and Peru, contributing to the development of the country’s garments industry. In 2009 she founded Texprego, manufacturing and distributing products to four global brands employing more than 12,000 people through its supply chain, 66% of them are women. Britt received a Bachelor of Fine Art from Rotterdamse Modeakademie Marja Van Riel, the Netherlands; she studied Industrial Engineering at Universidad de Lima, Peru and graduated from Harvard Business School. Britt primarily exports to Spain, Brazil, the USA and has subsidiaries in Japan, Hong Kong, Mexico and Argentina. They would like to enter Africa, China, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Sweden.

Dubai

Farida Abdalla Kamber al Awadhi

Cinmar Design, Leading Edge, Asrar Public, APID, GBF

www. Cinmardesign.com

Farida was one of the first women to start working in the interior design field in the UAE. For 33 years she has grown the business and is the president of the Association of Professional Interior Designers based in Dubai. She started by designing a children’s shop on one of Dubai’s main streets. Now her firm designs offices, banks, restaurants and hotels. Farida not only provides stunning and unique interior design schemes but she also offers opportunities for upcoming designers by offering her expertise and skills to support students and young talent. The company currently does business in the UAE but Farida wishes to expand beyond the Gulf area.

India

Sonal Gandhi

Verga Attachments & Veerya Attachments

www. verga.biz

Sonal’s companies were founded in 2006 and focuses on the design and manufacturing of custom attachments for construction, agriculture & forestry prime movers. In 2008, they decided to become the world’s largest attachment manufacturer and grow the business globally. Today they have doubled their capacity to export 75 containers a month to parts of the world. Their employee base went from 20 to 650 and they are now also focusing on agriculture which will add to their product mix. Sonal is proud of their growth, their ISO9001 and ISO14001 certifications as well as their commitment to their employees. The company is doing business in many countries in: North America, Europe, Australia & New Zealand and India. Now, with their focus on agriculture, they wish to continue the growth in these areas with their new products.

Geeta Goradia

Jewel  Consumer Care PVT LTD

www.jewelbrushes.com

Hailing from the illustrious family of Mahatma Gandhi, Ms Goradia was brought up with the ideals of simplicity, discipline and freedom. Over her career, Ms Goradia has gone from giving tuitions, to working as a Management Trainee in a Steel plant, an acting stint (on TV), working in a bank, being a lecturer in Business Economics at M S University. She established a small-scale toothbrush manufacturing unit in 1993 whose consistency in high quality products. Today they produce a range of oral care and household hygiene products. As one of Asia’s largest manufacturers, she has gained recognition in the Oral Care industry. The company does business in over 20 countries and wishes to expand to African nations and South America.

Rashmi Sahoo

Bisweswar Foods Private Limited

www.bisweswarfoods.com

Rashmi’s background is international and Indian Cuisines, having been trained in food processing & packaging from Switzerland and Italy. She is the Founder and Director of Bisweswar Foods Private Limited (BFPL) and also is the director of her family business M/s Om Oil & Flour Mills. She began BFPL in 2014 to become and Indian food processing company engaged in manufacturing a wide range of agro-based nutritious products. The product ranges from flours, breakfast cereals and gluten IWEC 2022 AWARDEE BIOGRAPHIES / PAGE 7 OF 21 free flours to newer lines like cookies. The company enhances the nutritional value of frozen, ready to eat foods. Rashmi has won numerous awards throughout India. The company’s primary market is India but Rashmi wishes to expand globally and is in discussions with the UAE. She would also like to expand to the UK and Canada.

Indonesia

Dewi Leona Kauw

PT Saridewi Natural Kosmetik-Skin Dewi

www.skindewi.com

Dewi Leona Kauw is the youngest born in her family with two other siblings. She was born in Jakarta, but had the opportunities to go through her younger education in Singapore, and higher education in the U.S. Graduated as a chemical engineer from University of Washington – Seattle, Dewi founded Skin Dewi – a leading premium Indonesian organic and skin care brand. Dewi’s life mission is to empower more souls to grow while concurrently contributing and impacting to the people around them. The company would like to expand into south east Asia with their products-Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand.

Japan

Chie Amai

Reina Ltd.

www.reinaltd.com

After quitting work to stay home and raise a family, Chie started an import/export company. She focused on unique and natural products. She began importing luxurious items, especially fur and leather. She formed her own line of items under the brand name “MOSAIQUE de CHIE.” Her work and lines are highly regarded in fashion circles around the world. She has a flagship story in Tokyo and one on Madison Avenue in New York City. She was recognized as one of the Leading Women Entrepreneurs of the World in Paris in 2002. Today she continues her unique style and brand. Chie wishes to continue to grow her brand worldwide.

Tomomi Sugahara

Natuck Co. & Emerald Club

www.ej-club.jp

Tomomi worked for a few corporations prior to founding her own company in 2007, NATULUCK. The company focuses on offering meeting spaces for working professionals. About 3 years later in 2010, she began her next venture, Emerald Club, an organization which supports and connects female entrepreneurs. It has over 1700 registered members with 8 branches in Japan. Last year, she started her latest venture, Eve Channel, an online networking system specifically geared towards sharing information and connecting female entrepreneurs around the world. Tomomi is a serial entrepreneur! Tomomi works in South Korea, Mongolia and Vietnam. She wishes to expand to Singapore and the Americas.

Rumi Yamamura

NGeneral Incorporated Association-Let Me Think

www.letme-think.com

Let Me Think is a trading company dealing with many different product lines. Rumi was the only female lawyer in her city as she began her career. After years of practicing, in 2015, she decided to open her own company, creating great and equal opportunities for women to work outside of the home. The company exports Japanese foods, antiques and many IWEC 2022 AWARDEE BIOGRAPHIES / PAGE 10 OF 21 other product lines to other Asian countries. It continues to expand in Asia. Their new markets now to Serbia and Montenegro and hope to continue growth throughout Europe. regina@letme-think.com The company is doing business throughout Asia and they are expanding to other countries in Asia as well as to Serbia and Montenegro.

Philippines

Maria Pilar Sibal

Phoenix Publishing House
www.phoenix.com.ph/

Maria became the EVP of her 63-year-old family business in 2001 and under her leadership, Phoenix is not only a textbook company but is a committed partner in all areas of education in the Filipino community.  They offer teacher training and professional development, training for school administrators, financial aid, learning management systems and other instructional materials in all facets of education.  They supply textbooks for 15 Filipino International Schools in 7 middle eastern countries. Maria looks forward to further provision of textbooks but also developing holistic digital learning solutions for students and teachers. 

Taiwan

Pei-Chi Margaret Chiang

Fuzhou Hot Springs Gold Club & Han Yuan Wellness
www.fzhotspringsgolf.com

After her education, in 2010 Pei-Chi began working in her family’s real estate and hospitality businesses and within a year had become the head of club operations at their golf course in Fujian overseeing 200 employees. She now owns and operates the facility which was built out of an unproductive muddy wasteland, creating a “garden” which is both environmentally and financially positive for the area. With multiple responsibilities, she managed to also receive an EMBA from the Univ. Of Southern California. She is currently the CEO of the Fuzhou Hot Springs Gold club & is developing the Han Yuan Wellness Retreat Center in Taiwan.

UAE

Adriana Usvat Diea

FLC Group
www.flc-me.com

A first-generation entrepreneur with 18+ years of international experience, Adriana’s company specializes in increasing the market share of FMCG, Fashion, Lifestyle brands through Integrated Marketing Solutions. She has led FLC Group to grow from a Brand Activation agency to a well-known 180-degree Shopper Marketing and Consumer Engagement Agency in the Middle East and now India. Focusing on business scalability and innovation, she is ready for the next industry change in Advertising & Marketing. Adriana looks to technology, live demos, ecommerce, virtual & augmented reality and real experiences to take over conventional marketing tools.

England

Melanie Chevalier

Creative Culture
www.creativecultureint.com

Having a multicultural upbringing in countries like Taiwan, Brazil, Cameroon, France and Spain, it was only natural that she would build her career on challenging the status quo of internationalization and traditional models to offer a much more effective and qualitative approach by building global success on cultural intelligence and insights. Founding the company in 2008, she is a proud award winner of the 2021 Female Frontier’s Championing Change category, which celebrates women constantly pushing the boundaries of equality, gender balance, Mélanie is very active in promoting DEI and has developed innovative initiatives to allow brands to successfully navigate complex inclusion pieces in diverse multicultural environments. Creative Culture works in 120 countries and would like to continue to grow and create new partnerships around the world.

Italy

Loretta Forelli

Effipi SRL
https://www.forellipietro.it

After Loretta’s studies she wanted to dedicate herself to journalism. However, after a tragic accident where she lost 5 family members, she joined the management of the family business. Over the years, the business grew into Forelli Pietro and a group of three other companies producing brass and bronze ingots, bars, profiles and precision mechanical machining. Loretta runs the business with her sons and pays particular attention to ethical, social and environmental issues. She is not only involved in business organizations, she also was president of Brescia Red Cross for 9 years and continues to be involved in the community. The company does business with EU countries and would like to grow in the Asian region.

Serena Tosa

Tosa Spa
www.tosagroup.com

The company, which focuses on stabilization and safety of loads, was started in 1979 by Serena’s father. He bought two other companies focusing on packaging systems and strapping machines (among the first companies to invent and patent the strapping head) and built them all where they now are highly skilled on producing end-of-line solutions. Upon his early departure in 2006, Serena became the CEO and continued to grow the TOSA Group and their three companies along with her brother. Serena takes pride in not only growing the company but in the bond they make with their employees. The company produces in Italy, France and Spain. Their machines reach 115 countries and they are beginning to approach the Asian market. They are also considering opening a new subsidiary in the United States and Germany.

Rosanna Ventrella

Sys-Tek Societa Benefit S. R. L
www.sys-tek.it

In 1996, Rosanna started her own ITC company, SYS-TEK, which focuses on customized software and management programs. She also obtained authorization to practice as a Chartered Accountant in 2007. Through professional experiences in South and North of Italy, she has been able to improve her skills in web marketing, business development and ITC consultant. The company is in the process of becoming a B Corporation. In her spare time she likes to design and manufacture mannequins with recycled materials. The company is also a sponsor of the Dragonette Torino Onlus (dragon boat racing) and a young curling team, the 3S Sys-Tek. The company does business in Italy and Spain currently and is open to growing anywhere where their services can be utilized.

Portugal

Isabel Azevedo

Frigocon S. A.
www.fricon.pt

Fricon which was established by Isabel’s father in 1976. She started working in the company at the age of 16 and the rest is history. She gained experience in all facets of the business and now is the Chairwoman of the Board. The company’s refrigeration products have expanded over the 46 years they have been in business to include domestic refrigerators, beverage and ice cream freezers as well as retail food refrigeration. Supermarkets account for more than 85% of their business. Now the company is making improvements in their factories and are moving to complete the computerization of the lines. Isabel.azevedo@fricon.pt The company is doing business in 115 countries spread across 5 continents. For 2022 and beyond, Isabel plans on entering & strengthening their products in Australia, New Zealand, India, US, France, Mexico, Nigeria, Indonesia & North Africa.

Serbia

Dragana Calija

Saint Di & Co doo, Order Engine Limited
www.saintdi.com; www.orderengine.com

Dragana Čalija is the owner and CEO of Saint Di & Co doo, and OrderEngine ltd. She is a woman IT entrepreneur and her companies are in the information technology sector. She started her business after working in the corporate world for a few years. OrderEngine is a software solution for distributors and wholesalers that offers a more efficient ordering process. Dragana is proud winner of Success Flower Award for Best Woman Exporter Entrepreneur in 2020 issued by Association of Business Woman in Serbia and the “Kosta Mirosavljević” Award for the best female entrepreneur in 2021 issued by Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Vojvodina, Serbia. Dragana wishes to expand the company to the UK and the food industry there and after that, New York City for its tourism and hospitality.

Olgica Samoilovic

Hedera Vita Ltd.
www.hederavita.rs

Olgica honed her skills early on in her business before she created Hedera Vita in 2011. It was her dream to create handmade soaps which they are still known for today. From there, the company grew to creating other natural cosmetic products using all natural ingredients. They choose natural raw materials from organic farming and each ingredient has its reason for being part of the product. All products are anti-allergen, do not cause any problems nor contain any aggressive active substances, so they are suitable even for people with sensitive skin. Olgica focuses on health, happiness and the beauty of their consumers. The company works in Serbia and exports to the US, Canada, Germany, Switzerland, Macedonia, Slovenia, Croatia, Dubai and more countries. Olgica wants to strengthen and grow the brand anywhere in the world.

Spain

Maite Gasso Casademunt

Lola Casademunt
www.lolacasademunt.com

Maite joined the family business, Lola Casademunt after finishing her design studies. The company is 40 years old, having been established by her mother Lola who began the company in her house in Barcelona. Today the business is a pioneering fashion company that has both clothing and accessories. Maite took over the role as president in 2018 after the company was focused just on accessories. She brought the creativity of the fashion clothing line to the business and today, both lines offer 4 annual collections and are considered trend setters with their unique brand stamp. The company does business in Andorra, Belgium, Cyprus, France, Italy, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Portugal, Ireland and Spain. Maite is working to find partners in Austria.

Elena Betes Novoa

Rastreator
www.rastreator.com; www.redventures.com

Rastreator was born in Spain in 2009 as a result of the experience of Confused.com, the first website in the United Kingdom that allowed the user to compare insurance prices in a single panel. It has revolutionized consumer buying and contracting by providing comparison pricing across the insurance industry. Elena is the Founder of Rastreator which is the umbrella company for several brands. She is also a serial entrepreneur. Her platform also functions in Mexico, Turkey and India through Preminen and through their European operations in Spain and France. She has created other spinoff companies and created an umbrella holding company, Penguin Portals to house all of her companies. elenabetesnovoa@gmail.com The company will continue to grow and offer other services throughout the world.

Miriam Fuertes Quintanilla

Grupo Fuertes
www.groupofuertes.com

After her education, in 2002 Miriam founded a catering and event management company called Promenade which she still owns and manages today. In 2003 her family recruited her to work in their business, Grupo Fuertes. Over 18 years through internal training and promotion, she has assumed the Executive Management of the Company. Grupo Fuertes is a holding company with 100% Spanish capital and a strong agri-food core. Its portfolio consists of 20 companies across various sectors and its philanthropic outreach covers a range of sports, social and health sciences. Miriam is also the first female VP of the Murcia Chamber of Commerce. The company currently has a presence in over 100 countries. They wish to continue improving and growing and creating quality jobs across the board.

Silvia Canela Vinas

Eines Canela S.L.
www.canelatools.com

Silvia started working in her family metallurgical business while she went to school and earned her degree and rose to executive. She apprenticed in all departments of the company from production to logistics to accounting and sales. Today she is teaching and training her two daughters to find success in the business. Having opened in 1967, the company focused on welding and sub-contracting jobs but is now the manufacturer of tools for indexable inserts. Over the years the company took their business globally and sells on 5 continents. Their products are sold in most industrialized countries. The company works on 5 continents with subsidiaries in Portugal, Germany, USA, Chie and Malaysia. They are interested in expanding to new markets needing their products.

Peru

Erika Cavero Paz

Argos Consulting Group SAC
www.argoscg.com

Erika launched Argos in 2008 after spending time in the corporate world.  The company focuses on consulting and management system training, ISO management systems (including business continuity, security and anti-bribery) implementations and audits.  For 23 years Argos has supported over 200 companies to improve their management systems and now working for the revitalization of businesses post pandemic. Erika also was part of the founding group of the Assoc of Women Entrepreneurs in Peru and she supports the development and growth of women entrepreneurs.  She is also very involved with the Lima Chamber of Commerce and the Women Entrepreneurs Commission.

Jessica Rodriguez

Art Atlas SRL
www.artatlasperu.com

 

Jessica is the Co-Founder and CEO of Art Atlas Peru launched in the year 2000.  It is a textile company created with an environmentally conscious philosophy, using only natural and organic fibers in the making of their high-quality knitwear sweaters exported to high end brands in many countries.   Launched as a socially driven enterprise, Art Atlas employs more than 250 employees directly and 300 indirectly.  The company has contributed to the development of the region by promoting the participation of artisan cooperatives and micro enterprises.   Jessica’s brand, ANNTARAH, is a Peruvian Clothing Brand with many stores in Peru. 

United States

Dima Ghawi

Dima Ghawi, LLC
www.dimaghawi.com

Dima is the founder of a global talent development company with a primary mission for advancing individuals in leadership. Through keynote speeches, workshops, and executive coaching, Dima has empowered thousands of professionals across the globe to expand their leadership potential. In addition, she has provided guidance to business executives to help them understand the value of gender diverse leadership, and to develop a multi-year plan for advancing diverse leaders from within the organization. Dima draws from two decades of corporate experience leading global teams and developing future leaders worldwide. She has worked for several Fortune 100 companies including IBM, Merrill Lynch, and Intuit.

Merrilee Kick

BuzzBallz & Southern Champion
www.buzzballz & www.southern-champion.com

Merrilee is the only woman-owned distillery/winery/brewery combination in the United States.  The company makes ready-to-drink cocktails called BuzzBallz, as well as spirits like rum, vodka, gin, bourbon and some private label brands.   The products are sold in 50 states and 21 countries and the company employs over 250 employees in Texas. She started the company when she wanted a beverage to drink near her pool and could not find a good spirit/drink that also had the right packaging. She began mixing up cocktails in her garage, using store-bought ingredients and a hand-crank pop-top machine. Thus began her journey to create a multi-million-dollar business.

Margery Kraus

APCO Worldwide
www.apcoworldwide.com

Margery Kraus is the founder and executive chairman of APCO Worldwide, a global advisory and advocacy communications consulting firm headquartered in Washington, D.C. She helps clients be catalysts for progress and specializes in public affairs, communication and business consulting for major multinationals. She pioneered one of the industry’s earliest practices in corporate responsibility and the development of public/private partnerships. Prior to APCO, Margery assisted in creating and developing the Close-Up Foundation. She is chairman of the board of the Women Presidents’ Organization and a trustee of the Catherine B. Reynolds Foundation, Institute of Public Relations and American University.

Monica Varas

Varas Insurance Brokerage, LLC
www.varasinsurance.com

Monica has 25 years of experience serving different industries as CEO and CFO. Her latest goal was to create a brokerage that will be able to serve any company in any part of the world. Her main target for the next 3 years is to focus on companies exporting and/or importing products or services in the following sectors: information technology, finance, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, automotive, and machinery.  Monica tries her best to educate her clients and participate in many different seminars with different associations to make sure that they understand the risks and coverages they need to be fully protected and mitigate loss.

 

Bahrain

Wedad Abdulla Bubshait

Abdulla Fouad Medicat Supplies and Services
www.afmssc.com

The company has served the healthcare sector in Saudi Arabia through its extensive range and state of the art medical consumables and diagnostics equipment for over 35 years. It covers a wide range of healthcare requirements, including diagnostics, rehabilitation, radiopharmaceuticals, sanitation, medical consumables and supplies. AFMS is the first to acquire a license to handle & transport radioactive materials in Saudi Arabia. And it is particularly focused on Invitro diagnostics as well.  AFMS’s services are utilized in the Ministry of Health, in hospitals, armed forces, etc. The company was an essential part of COVID testing and provision of supplies

Bangladesh

Kaniz Almas Khan

Persona Hair & Beauty Limited
www.persona.com.bd

Kaniz is regarded as a leading beauty expert and a successful businesswoman in Bangladesh. She founded her company in 1998 and now has 11 beauty outlets and 6 men’s outlets with over 1.7 million customers. Kaniz is also the Founder-President of Beauty Service Owners Association of Bangladesh and also the Brand Ambassador for Sunsilk Shampoo, Jui Hair oil and Square Toiletries. For this work, Kaniz received countrywide recognition as an expert in hair care and inspired many small entrepreneurs to get involved in this business. At the same time, she started editing the country’s first lifestyle and fashion beauty magazine ‘Canvas’.

Hasina Mohiuddin Chowdhury

Royal Food Products 
www.royalfoodproducts

Hasina is the founder of the renowned Green Harvest Agro and Royal Food Products which she founded in 2009.  The company started with 6 employees and now has over 200 employees who focus on creating indigenous quality sweets, confectionary and baked goods, working from their own food manufacturing plants (2 in Bangladesh).  They provide catering, fast food and packaged products. Hasina also established an Agro farm which produces a variety of dairy products as well, offering organic agro products.  The company strives to stay ahead of the competition and continually works on research and development to bring innovation and new products into the region. 

Nasrin Meghla

Prantik Marine Services
www.prantik.net

Nasrin started her business in 1998 with her husband.  The company is a service-oriented company, owning small ships and has a shipping agency, a crewing agency, and is an enlisted ship repair company of Chittagong Port Authority, Chittagong Dry Dock, BSC, and Bangladesh Navy. Nasrin changed her fate, being a woman in a very under-represented industry where a patriarchal society prevails. She attributes her confidence, competence, skills and passion as the strengths she possesses to prevail and become a successful woman entrepreneur. Commitment, superiority, safety and reliability stand at the forefront of her operations as well. 

India

Archana Aggarwal

Gems N Jewels
www. gemsnjewels

Archana Graduated in Gemology from Mumbai launched her own label in 2003. The collection is wonderful mix of everyday tinkles to stunning festive wear from radiant rubies to grandiose green and brilliant blues, and more. The collection is a palette of happy vibrant, rich colors. Do drop to see our fabulous jewels on display. Jewels by Archana are characterized by intricate craft, spectacular design and undeniable glamour. In her own words “Every piece I make is a style statement.” Archana has always believed in the power of craftsmanship and also focuses on creating signature Pieces which can be handed down for generations.

Jaya Devi Cholayil

Cholayil Private Ltd

www.cholayil.com

Jaya founded her holding company in 2005- JULLAAHA- a clothing brand manufacturing KALAMKARI, BATIK & HAND PAINTED apparels, thereby creating employment for many women in Chennai & promoting this hand-crafted art form. She has worked closely with CRAFTS COUNCIL OF INDIA, to preserve & promote traditional Indian crafts & textiles. She is also Co-founder of SADHEV- luxury Ayurveda, making exotic personal care products, with the Ayurvedic knowledge passed on to her family over a 200-year-old timeline.  She also founded FARM TO TABLE, an organic store, which deals with the organic produce from their Cholayil farm, thereby promoting healthy living. 

Harsha Gandhi

Pure Temptation Private Limited

www.puretemptation.com

Harsha founded her company in 2008, a Company that is focused on making a mark in the Indian and World chocolate industry. Six months after forming the company, she came up with a sugar cone filled with chocolate with the world- renowned brand name “Chocoblast.” Only 8 companies in the world make this type of sweet.  However, Pure Temptation was the first in the world to innovate packaging that keeps the product fresh for 12 months. They distribute their products to 40,000+ outlets through a distributor network of 400+. New products are being launched such as instant drink mix, cookies, cream waters and more.

Jordan

Reem Badran

Alhurra for Management & Business Development 
www.alhurraco.com

Reem is the Founder and Chairwoman of AlHurra for Management and Business Development Consultancy Company which she founded in 2009.  The company renders boutique services in financial restructuring, investments, policy issues for governments and business operations.  The services are offered to public, private and non-for-profit organizations in Jordan and the region. Reem is also a partner with ABS (Advanced Business Services Company) and is the Gold representative of SAP/ERP systems.  Reem was also the first woman in Jordan to run the Amman Chamber of Commerce and Jordan Chamber of Commerce.  They have also worked in Syria and Iraq. They also have offices in Abu Dhabi and the USA.

Philippines

Maria Pilar Sibal

Phoenix Publishing House
www.phoenix.com.ph/

Maria became the EVP of her 63-year-old family business in 2001 and under her leadership, Phoenix is not only a textbook company but is a committed partner in all areas of education in the Filipino community.  They offer teacher training and professional development, training for school administrators, financial aid, learning management systems and other instructional materials in all facets of education.  They supply textbooks for 15 Filipino International Schools in 7 middle eastern countries. Maria looks forward to further provision of textbooks but also developing holistic digital learning solutions for students and teachers. 

Taiwan

Pei-Chi Margaret Chiang

Fuzhou Hot Springs Gold Club & Han Yuan Wellness
www.fzhotspringsgolf.com

After her education, in 2010 Pei-Chi began working in her family’s real estate and hospitality businesses and within a year had become the head of club operations at their golf course in Fujian overseeing 200 employees. She now owns and operates the facility which was built out of an unproductive muddy wasteland, creating a “garden” which is both environmentally and financially positive for the area. With multiple responsibilities, she managed to also receive an EMBA from the Univ. Of Southern California. She is currently the CEO of the Fuzhou Hot Springs Gold club & is developing the Han Yuan Wellness Retreat Center in Taiwan.

UAE

Adriana Usvat Diea

FLC Group
www.flc-me.com

A first-generation entrepreneur with 18+ years of international experience, Adriana’s company specializes in increasing the market share of FMCG, Fashion, Lifestyle brands through Integrated Marketing Solutions. She has led FLC Group to grow from a Brand Activation agency to a well-known 180-degree Shopper Marketing and Consumer Engagement Agency in the Middle East and now India. Focusing on business scalability and innovation, she is ready for the next industry change in Advertising & Marketing. Adriana looks to technology, live demos, ecommerce, virtual & augmented reality and real experiences to take over conventional marketing tools.

Azerbaijan

Gulbaniz Mammadova

Princeps Legem LLC
www.prlegem.com

Gulbaniz founded the company in 2013 after working in the corporate world for several years.  She took the skill sets and knowledge she developed and set up the company to focus on specialized training and certification for international oil and gas companies. Princeps Legem is one of the very few companies in Azerbaijan providing these services as well as reducing risks and improving quality service for an impressive list of local and international companies such as Halliburton, The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan and more.  Gulbaniz is looking forward to expanding her services beyond Azerbaijan. 

Italy

Diana DeBenedetti

Niva Gelso SRL
www.nivagelato.com

Diana started her first gelato shop in 2005 after opening a restaurant and earning a Michelin Star.  The company currently has 2 shops in Turin, one in Cannes and 2 in Lisbon. Niva’s artisanal ice cream is made without semi-processed products and is made traditionally with local ingredients.  Seasonal fruit is the key ingredient and Diana sources them from local farmers.  The milk comes from pastures in the Italian Alps and she uses Piedmontese hazelnuts, roasted ground coffee and hand-crushed dark chocolate, preserving elegant aroma and flavor. She also has mobile trucks bringing ice cream to foodies in Turin and beyond. 

Giorgia Garola

SCAM Company
www.scam-technology.com

Giorgia Garola represents the second generation of the family business which was started in 1930 and is the CEO. The company is a leader in thermotechnics -the heat, chemical and petrochemical exchange sector with a long experience in the design, planning and construction of plants exported to 70 countries.  Its manufacturing line includes pumps, air ejectors, vacuum, thermo-compressors, steam condensers and more.  She has been a woman entrepreneur in a male-dominated industry and has been successful in bridging the gap and gaining respect as well as growing the company and its reputation.  Her plans include expansion of their product lines. 

Giovanna Prandini

Morenica Societa Agricola A.R.L.
www.perladelgarda.it

Giovanna was in the insurance and financial sector until 2006 when she sold her companies and founded her winery, Perla del Gara. Her agri-business deals with wine, olive oil and milk in the Lombardy region of Italy which is a primary agricultural region. Her company has been recognized with a sustainable certificate as she produces wine by gravity to protect natural aromas and indigenous grapes.  It is the first winery in the area to have this process to protect the environment. She represents the agriculture sector on the board of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Brescia.

Lucia Viscio

Viscio Trading SRL A Su
www.visciotrading.it

 

Lucia represents the third generation of entrepreneurs operating in the home sector, manufacturing a variety of tableware, kitchen & cooking items, home textiles and seasonal home products. She continues to develop and modernize logistical processes to make the distribution of their products to the various countries more efficient and continues to develop a network of retail stores as well to better serve the customer.  She also oversees a magazine which disseminates information on sector economic news, tax consultancy and architectural innovations.  She manages a network of over 40 sales agents in Italy and about 40 people in their international markets.

Portugal

Sandra Santos

BA Glass
www.baglass.com

 

Since 2014, Sandra leads, as CEO of BA Glass.  The company has 3,800 employees, distributed over 12 factories, in 7 countries: Portugal, Spain, Poland, Germany, Greece, Bulgaria and Romania, and an annual revenue of 950 million euros. With over 100 years of history, BA Glass is one of the largest producers of glass containers for the food and beverage industry, producing eight billion bottles annually and exporting to over 70 countries. BA’s distinguished performance in its sector is particularly due to its culture of entrepreneurship and the continued practice of its values (Heart – Humility, Emotion, Ambition, Rigour and Transparency).

Russia

Larisa Manicheva

Syasstroy Bread-Baking Plant LLC
www.polyanitsa.com

 

After her education, Larisa worked for more than 15 years as HR director of major international companies, as development director, and since 2010 she has been the CEO of one of the main bakery plants in St. Petersburg which she started in 2015. Having taken over a failed and abandoned plant, she has brought the company forward, running the production in the bakery plant using modern, quality European standards. Production increased from 20 tons to 180 tons of product per year. Also, since 2018, she has been actively engaged in a program to support small and medium-sized businesses in the sphere of exporting. 

Spain

Pilar Martinez-Cosentino

Grupo Cosentino
www.cosentino.com

Pilar is the executive vice president of Grupo Cosentino, a global company created in 1979 that produces and distributes innovative surfaces for the world of architecture and design. The company, family-owned, distributes brands such as Silestone® or Dekton® in more than 110 countries. Pilar Martínez-Cosentino leads a strategic plan that advocates for international expansion and mobility of people. She supports an active gender equality policy and employs 5,300 people around the world, of which 2,000 are located in Almeria. 

Karin Lindahl

Indiska
www.indiska.se

Before starting to work at Indiska, Karin worked for 6 years as a consultant at McKinsey & Company. She focused her work in the retail sector and specialized in turnarounds and transformations.  She then was appointed CEO in the summer of 2017 and a few months later, she took over ownership of 100% of the shares of the company.  Indiska was founded in 1901 by a Swedish woman who opened one store in central Stockholm based on Indian home products and grew to include fashion.  It also expanded to Norway and Finland.  The company focuses on offering sustainably produced goods for wardrobe and home.

Turkey

Nehir Boyacioglu

Vahaa
www.vahaa.co

 

Nehir is the co-founder of Vahaa and works as Head of Strategy and Business.  Vahaa is a smart agriculture startup that combines vertical hydroponic agriculture techniques with IoT technology which provides clients to grow fresh and clean fruits and vegetables in the middle of the city all year round. With the Vahaa Hanging Garden, clients can grow products such as lettuce, arugula, mint, basil, and thyme on their walls. Nehir started working as a managing partner in a venture builder, designing and managing impact-driven entrepreneurship programs funded by one of European development agencies. She also worked as an innovation consultant in Arya Women Investment Platform.

Muberra Eresin

Eresin Hotels
www.eresinhotels.com.tr

 

Muberra spent several years abroad in many different hotel positions before returning to Turkey and joining the luxury hotel group, Eresin Hotels.  She helps to guide and promote the hotels as well as help in the creation of their next venture, creating a hall of residence for university students. Their 4-and 5-star hotels are known throughout Turkey and attract visitors from around the world. The luxury Eresin Hotels Sultanahmet is an Istanbul “Boutique Museum”, the first of its kind in Turkey. Muberra was recognized by CNBC as the most successful woman of the year in the field of Tourism and Hotel Management.

Dr. Dilek Kazan

BacPolyZyme Bioengineering Ltd
www.bacpolyzyme.com

Dr. Kazan is a full Professor at Marmara University, and also served as the Chair of the Department of Bioengineering at Marmara Un. between 2012 and 2015. Dr. Kazan’s research ranges from Chemical Engineering to Bioprocess Engineering. Her research interests are in white biotechnology, bioprocess engineering, biobased materials and omic technologies. Recently, she founded Bacpolyzyme Biioengineering Ltd. Şti. to commercialize her research products. With the knowledge gained from the projects and research activities performed, her most important mission is to achieve research activities through using bioprocess engineering tools within the green chemistry approach to contribute the creation of sustainable environment and society.

Perú

Maria Benavides

 

Molles del Peru SAC

 

Maria’s family business is Los Incas Lima Hotel, an independent hotel which has done business in the United States, Chile and Brazil.  Maria also began a children’s clothing company 30 years ago, Sniff which focuses on traditional Spanish fashion.  They began a franchise in Bolivia and have increased internet sales over the years.  She also took on the franchise for Pili Carrera, a Spanish brand which also sells children’s clothing.  And now, they are selling together and exploring joint internet sales as well to strengthen their distribution and brand.

Maria Feijoo Avila

Maderera Nueva Era SAC

www.madereranuevaera.com

 

At 18 years old I realized a woman’s life could be more than mothering and being a wife. Thus, I started working for Maderera Nueva Era, a company specializing in wood and wood products.  I began differentiating us from our competitors by demonstrating our active role in society and by identifying 5 new wood species that could be commercialized in our country. Our mission is to continue this work to make sure our rainforest is not predated by informal wood companies. We believe it is necessary to find one’s purpose in life and we strive to find it through our work.

United States

Liliana Gil Valletta

Cien Plus & Culturintel
www.cien.plus  www.culturnitel.com

 

Lili is an award-winning entrepreneur, recognized cultural intelligence® expert, A.I. tech innovator and World Economic Forum Young Global Leader. As an immigrant from Colombia, who came to U.S. at the age of 17 without speaking English, she embodies the American Dream going from corporate executive turned entrepreneur. After a successful corporate career she co-founded CIEN+ and CulturIntel.  With offices in the U.S. and Latin America, her firm offers big data analytics, consulting and marketing solutions to help leaders successfully drive growth and impact with diverse market segments. Some of her clients include Capital One, CVS/ Aetna, Google, Merck, PepsiCo, Prudential, among other Fortune 500’s.

Dao Jensen

Kaizen Technology Partners
www.kaizentechpartners.com

 

Dao has been in the tech industry for over 20 years and founded Kaizen Technology Partners LLC in 2013 as the first 100% female minority owned Born in the Cloud Focused SI/VAR in the San Francisco Bay Area. Kaizen helps Fortune 500 Enterprise clients optimize, strategize, and procure cloud technologies. Some of Kaizen’s marquee clients are: SAP.com, AT&T, Tesla, NASDAQ, PayPal and Bed Bath and Beyond. Kaizen also works with many medium businesses and startups. Kaizen launched “The Office of the Cloud” in 2016 with Storm Ventures to help clients share successes and failures in their cloud projects as well as help more women create careers in the cloud economy.

Rohena Miller

Niche Marketing
www.nichemktg.com

Since 1990, Rohena Miller has been a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategist who partners with corporations developing internal and external programs to expand their inclusion footprint in corporate social responsibility and supplier diversity. As a solution to inequity in supplier diversity, Rohena also developed Planet Mogul, a company which works to diversify the pipeline by providing tools for middle school students to explore industries through the proprietary Moguls-in-Training Workbook which helps to influence studies in science, technology, engineering and math. Rohena has been recognized as one of the Top 45 most influential figures in the 45-year history of the National Minority Supplier Development Council.

Caron Ng

Nuset Inc
www.nusetlock.com

NU-SET, a global lock manufacturing division formed to digitally transform a third-generation business empire. Caron is recognized as an Enterprise Women magazine’s 2017 “Enterprising Women of the Year” for blending her industry expertise with visionary thinking. She has graduated from University of California, Berkeley and many programs such as Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Initiative, UCLA Management Development for Entrepreneurs, Toyota Pilot Mentorship Program, and Harvard Business School OPM. Caron is a visionary leader who is changing the narrative of lock solutions by adapting legacy systems of the lock hardware industry to be at the forefront of the IoT-revolution.

Carolyn Rodz

Circular Board, Inc-Alice
www.helloalice.com

Featured in Entrepreneur, Fortune, Inc., and Fast Company, Alice was founded by Latina three-time entrepreneur Carolyn Rodz. Alice is a free AI-driven website, prioritizing women and underrepresented founders, that helps business owners find the right path to start and grow their companies. Carolyn has helped raise billions of dollars of capital for innovative organizations, created a luxury retail line that sold in over 400 stores worldwide, and later launched a global marketing firm. Carolyn was recognized by Inc. as a “17 Women to Watch in 2017,” by Entrepreneur Magazine as a 2016 “Woman to Watch,” and was selected to participate in the United Nations Foundation Global Accelerator.

Bahrain

Khariyah Abdulla Al Dashti

Capital Trading & Industry
www.ctibh.com

Khairyah is the General Manager and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors at Capital Trading and Industry Company- a family manufacturing business set up 40 years ago. She helped to grow the business to achieve success in plastic, nylon, polythene and various furnishings. They are Bahrain’s leading manufacturer of foam & mattresses and polythene.  Khairyah was nominated as the first Arab businesswoman for the Excellent Industrial Field Award 2015 from the World Association of Women Entrepreneurs (FCEM – Femmes Chefs d’Entreprises Mondiales). She also has received many other awards and is very active in economic empowerment and youth.

Fatema Abdulkhaliq Al Dilawer

Nissan Construction & Investments

Fatema started her career working for the National Bank of Bahrain for 23 years.  She left the bank and with her husband, started a family business in the field of transportation and construction in 2004. Today the company has transformed under her leadeership into a powerful multi-million dollar real estate  business maily focusing on leasing and properties trading.  In addition, the company constructs multi-story buildings and import building material and furniture. She holds many roles in the community and was honored to reprsent the Kingdom of Bahrain in attending several international conferences and forums

Sabah Khalil Almoayyed

Intellect Resources Management W.L.L. & Subsidiaries
www.irmbh.com

Mrs. Almoayyed is the Managing Partner of Intellect Resources Management W.L.L., a management consultancy firm and Chairperson of Flat6Labs Bahrain. Intellect Resources focuses on taking measures to contribute to and fostering knowledge creation, embracing innovative technology and support entrepreneurial activities. Sabah also holds the position of Board Member of L’azurde Company for Jewelry (publicly listed) in Saudi Arabia and holds other board seats in important organizations. She is widely recognized as a veteran banker and an advocate of promoting innovation, leadership and entrepreneurship within industries and organization and is a regular speaker at various regional and international forums.

Dr. Sara Al Reefy

London Breast Care Centre
www.londonbreastcarecentre.com

Dr. Al-Reefy is the first female Arab surgeon to qualify as an Oncoplastic breast surgeon from London. With an interest to help change the current management of breast cancer in the Arab world, Dr. Al-Reefy returned to Bahrain determined to implement the necessary changes to provide the best possible care for women diagnosed with breast cancer. Dr. Al-Reefy founded and led the one stop breast clinic at King Hamad University Hospital, prior to opening the London Breast Care Centre Bahrain. She is a winner of the Bahrain Entrepreneurship Award in the category of female entrepreneur of the year 2016 handed by the crown prince of Bahrain.

Batool Mohammed Dadabhai

Dadabhai Group of Companies/Affinity by Batool
www. affinitybybatool.com

Batool started working in the family business, in their travel sector.  Later she joined their advertising & signage business, working there for 15 years as a director where she learned all the basic business skills which groomed her to adapt to the ups and downs of the business world.  Her father encouraged her to open her own fashion outlet which she did, calling it Affinity by Batool.   The company is a luxury boutique for creative attire using fine fabrics.  The boutique customizes each piece and has a collection of ethnic as well as fusion outfits to suit everyone’s taste and preferences.

Bangladesh

Fatema Begum

Daily Fair

www.dailyfair

Fatema took over her husband’s business upon his death.  Unable to sustain the company, she closed it and reopened the retail store in 2007 under the name, Daily Fair. Her company has several locations throughout the country and is one of the pioneers of home delivery as well as a supplier of transportation and competitive prices to numerous small-scale retailers. They also export spices, vegetables and different food items.  Their latest project is “One Vehicle, One Stop” mobilizing “vehicle stores” throughout the city.  Also Daily Fair is launching an organic food brand.

Noor Jannat Nipa

Needle Work

www.needlework.com

Noor A Jannat Nipa, Founder & Proprietor of Needle Work, introduced her fashion house in 2000 when she was in school through her first exhibition in Chittagong, Bangladesh. Earlier she had been in London and established a name for herself there. Today, her retail label ‘Needlework’ looks set to revolutionize the fashion market with its strong focus on wear-ability and glam-quotient and has been recognized as one of the leading manufacturer in the fashion industry. Noor is especially appreciated for her work with raw jute materials nationally. She has received many recognitions and awards in the industry.

Syeda Karim Mini

Malancha

www. malancha.com

Syeda Mahbuba Karim Mini, Managing Director of `Malancha’ is a successful woman entrepreneur in the Catering and Restaurant business in Bangladesh. She started her business in 1995. Her company Caters Weddings, Conferences and other events. Her restaurant provides high quality food confirming to local tastes, health and hygienic standard with affordable price within the reach of target consumers. Now to face the challenges of corona pandemic she extended her business into importing medical equipment like PPE, Mask, Oximeter etc.  As a hobby Mini works as a freelance painter and she had many solo exhibitions in different places around the world.

India

Ruchita Bansal

Izhaar By Core Designs
www.izhaar.co.in

Ruchita started designing cards when she was trying to help her son with his school projects. It spread into a small, in-home workshop with no capital and became Core Designs. What began as a hobby soon blossomed into a marketing success story that met the demand of a worldwide clientele for something unique, distinctive, exclusive and sustainable.  The business grew to include gift packages and creations and became Izhaar (meaning “expression”) which she started in 2013. It is now spread over across 9 cities and overseas with three showrooms, six franchises and a branch in Kathmandu.

Shahnaz Husain

Shahnaz Husain Group
www.shahnaz.in

After marrying at age 15, Shahnaz decided to devote herself to beauty and wellness, learning cosmetic chemistry and cosmetology. She then worked for leading institutions like Helena Rubinstein, Christine Valmy, Swarzkopf, Lancome and Lean of Copenhagen. While training in London, she studied Ayurveda which convinced her that it could offer the ideal answers to modern cosmetic care. She started her own business on her verandah in 1971 and has not looked back.  Today she is a Harvard Case Study on Brand Creation and a Subject at Harvard and part of the Business History curriculum on “Emerging Markets,” in recognition of the international market she created for Ayurvedic beauty care.

Usharani Manne

Polmon Group of Companies
www.polmon.com

Usharani has an electronics engineering degree and an MBA and first worked for a large semiconductor company. She established Polmon Instruments Ltd., a company specializing in Measuring & Control Instrumentation and Automation solutions for the Life Sciences industry in 1987. Usha’s foresight and vision have been instrumental in shaping the growth story of Polmon, which is today a successful company with 350 plus employees and a 1300+ customer base. Usha oversees the key portfolios of Finance, HR and Administration for the company, and she defines systems and policies as well.  Usha also has taken over as the 20th Chairperson of FLO Hyderabad for the year 2020-21.

Indonesia

Prita Kemal Gani

LSPR Communication & Business Institute
www.lspr.edu

Prita was appointed to become the Chairperson of PERHUMAS (Public Relations Association in Indonesia) from 2011 to 2014 and she is the only woman ever to be the Chairperson of this organization. In 2015 she was selected as Asia Pacific Entrepreneurial Winning Women^TM Ernst & Young. Today, besides The Founder and CEO of LSPR Communication & Business Institute, she is also The President of ASEAN Public Relations Network. She also has her own radio program called “PR Corner and Woman on Top Empowering Women Through Leadership,” a 60-minute monthly radio program featuring interviews with great women leaders.

Shinta Widjaja Kamdani

Sintesa Group
www.sintesagroup.com

Shinta took over her family’s 100-year-old business and established the Sintesa Group in 1999. She is responsible for the Management and Expansion of the Group’s interests in Indonesia. The Sintesa Group is an Indonesian group with 16 subsidiaries, which operate in the Property, Energy, Industrial Products, and Consumer Products. She was educated at Harvard and holds several board seats including the Indonesia Business Coalition for Women Empowerment.  Her company is focused on gender equality and in meeting Sustainable Development goals.  She is involved with the UN Alliance which is committed to accelerate the private sector to reach SDG goals.

Kristiina Kytoharju

Griya Villas and Spa & Santai Hotel
www.thegriya.com & www.santaibali.com

My name is Kristiina Kytoharju and I come from Finland, but live in Bali, Indonesia. I am a mother of one daughter, and live together with her, and my husband. Together with my husband, I am the owner of an award-winning hotel called the Griya Villas and Spa, and the owner of Santai Hotel. Before this, however, I moved from country to country as I worked for Nokia for 11 years. In my free time, I enjoy travelling to meditation retreats all over the world and I help other people through guiding meditation groups on a weekly basis.

Inke Maris

Inke Maris & Associates
www.inkemaris.com

Inke Maris founded Inke Maris & Associates in 1987 in Jakarta, and She has been CEO suntil her passing in 2021. She has been responsible for developing and taking IM&A to a leading position in the domestic Public Relations industry working with government institutions such as the Ministry of Health, Tourism, and Social Affairs.  Today She is contributing to the work of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in Indonesia focusing on Financial Inclusion and Health, as consultant and working partner, and advising national and multi-national companies. Her prior experience was as a Newscaster and Reporter for BBC London, Overseas Services, and then for national television.

Mongolia

Enkhnasan Lutaa

Takhi Joint Stock Company
www.takhico.mn

The company was formed in 1931 as a garment factory but today, the company is focused on real estate, property management services and foreign and domestic trade and investment.  Enkhnasan has been the CEO since 2010. They continue to expand their clients and will be developing a mixed use “edutainment IT Center shortly.  Enkhnasan’s experience includes high-level government civil service as well as business management. Her activities include supporting social responsibility in the areas of the disadvantaged and education.

Italy

Gabriella Fantolino

FantolinoDistribuzione Societa Agricoala A. R.
www.fantolino.it

After a brief experience as a teacher, in 1985 Gabriella joined the family business as controller, and in 1999 she became CEO. Fantolino’s core business is focused on poultry farming with “cage free”, “free range” and “organic” production of fresh eggs production for consumption, through large retailers and traditional distribution. In 2016 Gabriella launched a new logo, brand and vehicles adding a new product lines such as egg-pasta, organic sauces, panettone, torcetti, biscuits and rice. Over the years she has been appointed Director of many boards of agricultural companies and other prestigious institutional positions.

Tantulli Leonardo

Fibro Service SRL

Tantulli has a degree in surveying and joined her grandfather’s building company. Then, she was one of the very few women involved in the building industry. She took the company over in 2014 when she lost her husband. In addition to the building company, they have been focused on environmental recovery and decontamination.  Working in this arena, she pursued engagement with public administration in her area which has become one of their main clients.  The company will also move into recycling and re-use of waste.

Silvia Stupino

RCA Imballaggi Flessibili SRL
www.rcaimballaggi.com

Silvia started in her family business but in 2002, she took over the business branch related to the design of flexible packaging and created her own company which specializes in printing on complex films, bags and reels of plastic films, coupled with aluminum or laminated by extrusion. Flexible packaging has the primary purpose of packaging and protecting products of different nature from air, dust, humidity and light but at the same time, having an important visual impact, facilitates their sale through advertising that is transmitted with the wrapping.  Since the beginning, her business has grown and is constantly evolving.

Portugal

Isabel Maria Furtado

TMG
www.tmg.pt

Isabel has worked in the family business since 1984 and in 2008, she became CEO of TMG Automotive.  The company has grown 6-fold since she took over.  TMG specializes in supplying interiors for premium car makers and is one of the largest in Europe.  They have a joint venture in North America and an industrial plant in China for the automotive business. TMG supplies 40 markets, primarily in Europe.  Isabel hopes to expand into the health and wellness market using technical textiles and is a member of the United Nations Global Compact.

Spain

Meritxell Bautista

Fabricat & Fabricat TV
www.fibracat.cat  & www.fibracattv.cat

 

Meritxell co-founded Fibracat which is the leading global telecommunications operator in Catalonia and she holds the position of president of Fibracat TV as well.  She is focused on giving visibility to women who work in the IT sector who often are very powerful but invisible. Today she is a tireless fighter for making ICT Women visible in the telecommunications sector and for women’s empowerment in positions of responsibility in creating an egalitarian society. 60% of her management team are women.  Meritxell just received the 2020 DonaTIC award from the government of Catalonia for her successful business career

Lina Mascaro

Grupo Mascaro
www.mascaro.com

 

Lina Mascaró is the chairwoman of Grupo Mascaró, which includes the brands Mascaró and Pretty Ballerinas, dedicated to footwear manufacturing and commercialisation with headquarters in Menorca. She joined the family business after a time and with her sister, a new stage of international development was opened, with a focus on the creation of brand and design, and strengthening the network of its own stores. In the last year, the company has produced 420,000 pairs of shoes and exports 70% of its turnover (around €30 million), compared to the barely 5% it exported when the sisters joined the project started by their grandfather.

Sweden

Katja Lindvall

Moving Floor Gotland AB
www.movingfloor.se

 

Katja’s background is in the farming industry.  She joined the company 10 years ago in its early stages.  The idea of Moving Floor is to keep farm animals on rotating floors in order to clean efficiently, prevent diseases and in the end secure food safety. Moving Floor is the first product to automatically clean the area where the animals lay. The company is an important component to the world’s food supply, assuring that in raising livestock there is less use of antibiotics, a 95% lowered ammonia emission and increased profitability for the farmers. Katja has initiated the Chinese market entry and is a crucial part of that team.

Peg Soderberg

Moving Floor Gotland AB
www.movingfloor.se

Peg is the owner, CEO and part of the founding family at Moving Floor.  She has been the CEO for the past 10 years and has brought the company from early R&D stages to full commercialization.  Moving Floor is automatic cleaning for animal pens. The system automatically cleans 15 times per day which increases hygiene, saves labor and improves production results. Peg has great entrepreneurial skills and has succeeded in commercializing the company’s innovation bringing it to over 100 farms.  In addition, the company has initiated collaboration with numerous universities and industry clusters.  Her background is in international business and also from the farming industry.

Turkey

Aytul Ercil

Vispera Information Technology Limited
www.vispera.co

 

Prof. Erçil has 25 years of experience in academia. She was the founding partner and CEO of Vistek which focused on applying research results to solve business problems. She later sold the company to a German corporation, ISRA Vision A.G. She then co-founded Vispera which is a retail image recognition and analytics company serving grocery and supplier retailers allowing the companies to have a digitized view of their stores. Vispera is one of the 2 world leaders in image processing solutions for retail monitoring. She is also is co-founder of Rebuslabs. Aytul is also an angel investor and board member at Kagider – Turkish women entrepreneurs organization.

Asli Zulug

Guru Saglikli Gida Sanayi Limited Sirketi
www.pachacips

Dr. Zulug holds a Phd and has both a business and food engineering background.  After working in food safety, she created a functional food for people needing extra collagen to help heal their bones and strengthen them in general.  Her company is the producer of PACHA, the world’s first and unique natural collagen and protein chips. She developed the brand in her laboratory at Ozyegin University and worked with the Ozyegin University Gastronomy and Culinary Arts department, which inspired her to produce a source of collagen not only in a very natural and practical, but also a very delicious form of food.

United Kingdom

Gill Thorpe

The Sourcing Team
www.sourcing.co.uk

Gill has 30 years as a qualified buyer with The Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply.  She is founder of The Sourcing Team which was established in 1996 (an is now a certified B’ Corp) and focuses on creative, sustainable marketing and branded products. Gill has a passion for ethical and sustainable sourcing particularly around human rights, focusing on supporting gender diversity, driving change for more sustainable procurement practices and collaboration to protect both people and planet.   She has won several awards including WEConnect Europe Woman’s Business Enterprise of the Year Award 2020.  She is also Founder and Chair of the WBE Council since 2015. 

 

Perú

Beatrice Ciabatti

Ilaria Jewelry Stores
www.ilariainternational.com

Ilaria was started 24 years ago as a design house for silverware for the home.  Beatrice took over the company from her mother and expanded the business into handmade Peruvian Culture jewelry that keeps alive Peru’s traditions.  They have been voted as a favorite brand in Lima several times.  Beatrice also diversified into 5 additional product lines to produce silver jewelry for every day wear as well. In total they have developed 18,000 different designs and provided over 100 jobs for local artisans.  Ilaria also now has franchises which they hope to grow throughout South America and the US.

United States

Elizabeth Berman

Continental Food & Beverage/Inca Kola
www.incakolausa.com

Elizabeth began her career as a public school teacher before joining her father’s business in 1998, Inca Cola.  In landing a contract with Coca Cola shortly thereafter, and becoming one of Coca Cola’s first Latina-owned bottlers, Elizabeth has worked tirelessly to lead Inca Kola into becoming a universal brand in the Hispanic community.  Her work, mission, dedication and community focus has led her to numerous awards, board seats and US Senate recognition from her home state, New Jersey.  She has also developed her own brands, selling a variety of grocery items such as rice, coconut milk, casaba, corn meal, etc.

Renee Fraser

Fraser Communications
www.frasercommunications.com

Renee Fraser, Ph.D. is the founder and CEO of Fraser Communications the largest female owned and led integrated advertising agency in Southern California. Fraser Communications is a $30 million firm creating, producing and placing media campaigns in digital, social, as well as TV, radio, and outdoor. Renee serves on the Boards of Wise and Healthy Aging, Girls Inc., The Red Cross and NAWBO-LA as well as the national board of 2020 Women on Boards.  Renee was honored as one of the “50 Most Influential Women” by Los Angeles Magazine for her many contributions in civic leadership and LA’s Most Influential 500 by Los Angeles Business Journal.

Teresa Lawrence

Delta Personnel
www.deltapersonnel.com

Teresa was born in Cuba and went to the United States as a child in 1973 to escape tyranny. She began working at the age of 14 by bagging groceries, and eventually worked her way up to the position of advertising account executive and an executive at a large architectural firm. She & her husband took over a staffing agency, knowing nothing about the industry. In 2000, Teresa became the sole owner of Delta Personnel and faced Hurricane Katrina in 2005. She struggled to keep the company afloat and has continued growing ever since that time, more than tripling their revenue.

Mamta Narula

Ultimate Media
www.ultimatemedia.us

Mamta Narula, Originally from New Delhi, India, is a prominent business and media personality in the South Asian community in the United States. She is the CEO of Ultimate Media – a leading marketing and event management company that helps companies market their products and services to the US South Asian population. Ms. Narula is the driving force behind the Asian American Heritage Festival, which has become the largest Asian festival in the East Coast. Ms. Narula has hosted several popular TV and radio shows, Bollywood and corporate events and has established a strong reputation as an entertaining and flamboyant media personality. Her passion for serving the community and bringing a positive change with her leadership skills, sets her apart.

Dr. Rebecca Thomley

Orion Associates
www.orionassoc.net

Rebecca is responsible for all aspects of Orion Associates, a management organization, and its 12 related companies, which include for-profit and non-profit organizations. Since becoming CEO in 2000, the company has grown forty-two times in size, now serving more than 10,000 individuals in Minnesota, Utah, Tennessee, Colorado, Oklahoma and Ohio. Orion Associates provides financial services, human resources management and training to these organizations in addition to management services to unrelated organizations. For the past 5 years, two of the related companies have been on the Inc Magazines’ 500/5000 for fastest growing companies. In 2016, Rebecca was awarded Inc.’s Top 50 Women Entrepreneurs in America, ranking 21st.

Sonali Vijayavargiya

Augment Ventures
www.augmentventures.com

Sonali is an entrepreneur, investor, mentor, technologist, curious traveler and a mom. She is the founder of Augment Ventures. Starting her career with Price Waterhouse Coopers, she managed M&A, privatization and administered US Aid projects.  She then branched out and formed her own company nine years ago. Sonali works with and invests in exceptional teams transforming the way we live and work using software and smart hardware to impact energy, sustainability and health and wellness.  Her clients include entrepreneurs, technologists and CEO’s. She serves on several boards of directors and has won numerous awards.

Bahrain

Sawsan Albulhassan

Al Bustani  Group
www.al-bustani.com

Sawsan started her career in banking where she held various positions for 23 years. While working in the banking industry, Sawsan invested in her Family Business (Al Bustani Group founded in 1987) in 2006. In 2015, Sawsan left banking and moved to manage the whole Family Group as Executive Director (CEO). The company specializes as a wholesaler of fresh fruits and vegetables importing from Asia, Middle East, Europe, North America, South America and Africa. Complementing the business line, the Group added a Bakery and Café Business Line in 2003.  The company is considered the top three in the Kingdom for importing as Wholesalers of Fresh Fruits & Vegetables.

Shaikha Hend Salman Mohamed Alkhalifa

Rashid Investment Holdings
www.landmarkgroup.com

Shaikha, who is a member of the Royal Family of the Kingdom of Bahrain, started her career working for the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs and eventually became the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Rashid Investment Holdings in 2007.  She also currently holds a number of other key board positions in prestigious business organizations in Bahrain including the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry.  The Rashid Group is focused on retail, real estate and leisure and is functioning in several Gulf region countries and other Arab countries.  The growth includes offering items for families from clothing to household goods.

Khulood Al Qattan

Prime Advisory W.L.L.
www.primeadvisorybh.com

Khulood began her career in banking and after 25 years, joined her brother in Prime Advisory which is a company working in investments & real estate.  With her accounting degree, she expanded and opened other businesses as well including Al Qattan Accounting Services.  She also started Business Point which is a business center and it has become very successful in Bahrain.  Khulood is a true entrepreneur and is heavily engaged with the Bahrain Business Women’s Society and on the board of several other companies.

Ahlam Yousiff Janahi

My Bakery, Bahrain Horizon
www.mybakery.com.bh

Ahlam has been active in the Bahrain business sector for three decades as the managing director and owner of My Bakery, Bahrain Horizon.  She is also a president and the founding member of the Bahrain Business Women’s Society.  She started her bakery in 2009 and most recently also set up The Event Makers, in partnership with international event French designers, which is an event management company.  She has won several international and national awards in her 35 years of business and has helped to bring many progressive changes to the Bahrain society, focusing on empowering women in business.

Dr.Lamya Ahmed Mahmood

Dr. Lamyas Laser Specialist Dental Center
www. drlamyas.net

Dr. Lamya is the first female in the Gulf to complete her Masters Degree is Laser Dentistry.  She founded the Lasweer Specialist Dental Center as well as Medline Medical Equipment.  She also owns Dr. Lamyas LLC property management company in the USA. She also has a healthy resort and interests in other integrated medical centers.  In addition, she has invested in startup companies in the US focused on medical supplies and architectural products. Dr. Lamya’s centers have been recognized and have won numerous awards.  She wishes to continue growing all of her companies and to continue to invest in relevant startups.

Bangladesh

Rekha  Alam Chowdhury

RSAL Company Limited

Rekha Alam Chowdhury is the Managing Director of RSAL Company Ltd, which specializes in edible oil, solar energy & electronics. She started her first venture, R.S. Metal Box and Rekha Mustard Oil in 2012. RSAL has today flourished as one of the biggest conglomerates of Bangladesh. Under her dynamic leadership, RSAL continued to grow more other businesses in diverse fields Agro, and Food & Beverages. Rekha was also the Former Counselor and Former Acting & Panel Mayor of Chittagong City Corporation Bangladesh and was a director of the Chittagong Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

Ivy Hasan

Dolls House

Ivy started her business in 1996 and developed it into a leading manufacturer and retailer engaged with costume and jewelry related works, ethnic fabric, khadi, hand loom, silk, muslin and Jamdani which specially represent the heritage) in Bangladesh. Dolls House stands as one of the leading designer and manufacturers of exclusive range of ladies wear. Ivy is also involved with various organizations and organized Fashion Shows workshops and trainings, participated in various tv shows, magazine interviews and talk shows. She is passionate about social justice and training the workforce.

Shamim Murshed

Sam Syndicate (Pvt.) Ltd.

Shamim Murshed Chairman of Sam Syndicate (Pvt) Ltd, which is a leading shipping & logistic service provider in Bangladesh. Her work with clients extends distinctive policy for improving commercial performance. She has designed successful strategies on marketing, cargo handling, and airline loyalty. In addition, she is also involved with the indenting and import of all kinds of machinery equipment.  Shamim supports social activities, education and orphanage institutions. She is a member of many social organizations in Bangladesh and also an active Member and Director of Chittagong Women Chamber of Commerce & IndustrySam Syndicate (Pvt.) Limited.

China

Chandrika Chunilal

Capital World Trading, Ltd.
www.capitalworld.com.tw

Chandrika’s father ran a small embroidery business, which perhaps was the inspiration to have a flourishing career in fashion in the future. Capital World specializes in yarns, fabrics and finished apparel.  She joined the family’s 40-year-old business and helped it expand into textiles and garments and eventually became its CEO until her passing from COVID in 2022. Her vision for the company is to be a global apparel manufacturer which core values in which the customer comes first, keeping them at the forefront in all aspects of product design, production and delivery. Chandrika is the Past President of the Indian Association based in Shanghai. Chandrika has lived in Hong Kong,Taipei, and currently resides in Shanghai.

India

Kiran Chopra

Punjab Kesari Publishers Pve. Ltd
www.punjabkesari.com

Punjab Kesari Publishers Pvt. Ltd. are pioneers in printing, publishing and distribution of newspapers.  Kiran oversees the company and faces the challenges today in printing and media.  She has begun new technologies, electronic and social media programs and recently started Punjabkesari Electonic Media & will have a Youtube Channel in the future to further reach more viewers. Kiran has won many awards and has authored many books as well.  She also started and chairs the J. R. Media Institute which provides opportunities and placement for upcoming journalists, anchors and reporters.

Sangita Reddy

Apollo Hospital Group
www.apollohospitals.com

Dr. Sangita Reddy is passionately committed to transforming healthcare system through technological advancements and she is accelerating positive transformation for effective healthcare service delivery. As an influential policy maker and reformist, she is actively engaged with governments and industry bodies on aspects of public health and policy development.  Sangita is focused on setting benchmarks in futuristic health care projects enabling IOT, AI, Data Analytics, drone tech and Block Chain. In an initiative to build a healthier India, Dr. Sangita Reddy launched Mobile Clinics equipped with high-end technology for advanced screening of NCDs for reaching the masses who do not have easy access to affordable and quality healthcare.

Kalli Purie

India Today Group
www.indiatodaygroup.com

The India Today Group is India’s most respected and diversified media conglomerate that has created an enviable legacy of trust, leadership and admiration. A serial entrepreneur at heart, Kalli brings a rich experience in running a wide range of media properties from 5 television channels, a digital newspaper, championing world class events, to devising a social media strategy for the group. She has also spearheaded the launch of 5 new web portals, 22 niche mobile first, digital channels across platforms. Kalli is leading one of the most-awarded and celebrated team of journalists in a futuristic newsroom that she helped build, apt for the multimedia, multi-device world we live in.

Indonesia

Irma Malibari

DEKA Insight
www.deka-research.co.id

Irma established DEKS in 1993, starting with just 1 secretary and 2 staff members. Initially they only worked in the Indonesian market.  She became the rep in Indonesia for ESOMAR, a global association based in Netherlands.  After that, her business expanded to Asia, Europe and the Americas. DEKA has become one of the leading market research companies in Indonesia.  She also added new companies under the DEKA group and continues to grow the company in retail consulting, research operations, digital marketing and strategic transformation consulting for companies. She also opened a business in Myanmar. Her goal is to leave a legacy for Indonesian women to make a difference.

Monica Mohindra

Pandawas Villas – Bali
www.pandawasvillas.com

Monica started her career at UniLever in India. She moved to Indonesia and worked in fashion retail for 12 years before deciding to break out on her own.  She was drawn to tourism and has spent the last 25 years earning a wealth of international experience in hospitality while living in Bali. She created, conceptualized, constructed, launched and executed villas, hotels, and a complete vacation rental brand.  In addition, she developed a fashion line – Think Earth. Monica is now planning to broaden the perspectives of tourists to include visits to healthy and sustainable, amazing places and enjoying wonderful experiences – “It’s cool to be sustainable.”

Mongolia

Purevbadam Khad

Mongolian National Circus
www.circus.mn

For more than 20 years, Purevbadam worked as an accountant for the Mongolian Ministry of Transportation where she oversaw 100 state agencies and authorities. The Mongolian circus, which was in full bloom in 1980s, was totally left aside and many talented circus artists immigrated into US, Europe and other countries. In 2006, Purevbadam purchased the circus which was in a very bad state. Today, the Mongolian National Circus has become a profitable and award-winning organization. Their international circus artists, frequently participate in international tournaments successfully, earning many medals and prizes and the circus hosts different entertainment shows, including concerts and TV shows such as “Voice Mongolia”.

Jargalmaa Munkhbayar

Tumur Trade LLC

Jargalmaa started her career at the State Garment Factory and worked her way up in management until the factory was closed after being privatized.  She then established her own company in 1992 and has not looked back.  She started mass manufacturing of safety clothes, sportswear and school uniforms with high quality and wide-ranging designs. Today they operate with 200 highly qualified employees, from which 20 are people with disabilities. They cooperate with 10 subcontractors as well.  Jargalmaa initiated dialogues with the Government of Mongolia to foster and develop Garment Industry in Mongolia, which was left behind in 1990s during and has helped in restoring the industry to the country.

Taiwan

Sally Yeh

Ever Shine Y&F Co, Ltd.
www.evershineyf.com.tw

Founded in 1992, Ever Shine Y&F specializes in the design, development and marketing of vsrious knitted fabrics.  It became the first certified knit trading company in Taiwan and one of the top 20 well-known fabric suppliers in the world. Customers include such well known brands as Polo, J.C. Penney and DKNY. In 2004, Sally established EverShine I&F, an international fashion fine clothing agency. Sally’s belief lies in “integrity, persistence, professionalism and kindness to employees.”  Her company has donated over 70,000 coats to underprivileged and has supported 921 primary schools in remote areas.

Italy

Anna Maria Gandolfi

Carrosseria Fiume Carservice Brescia

www.carrozzeriafiume.com

Anna Maria is the Owner of the ‘Carrozzeria Fiume Carservice Brescia’, a full-service automobile repair and maintenance company.  Since 2007, Anna Maria has also been the Managing Director of INRETECAR Network which brings together over 1000 car repair companies throughout the country to oversee and strengthen the industry.  Anna Maria is also on several boards of directors and is a manager of the project area supporting improvement of services at work aiming the inclusion of young people and adults in the labor market for Bottega Artigiani school. For 10 years she also was the president of the Female Entrepreneurship Committee of the Brescia Chamber of Commerce. 

Brigitte Sardo

Sargomma-Forniture Techniche Industriali S. R. L.
www.sargomma.it

Sargomma, founded in the 1980’s, is a manufacturing company supplying components which help to operate several different vehicles. Brigitte joined the family business in 1985, working her way up and now she owns the business.  Brigitte has grown the company through innovative thinking. She established joint ventures in Turkey and in the United States among other new initiatives she began. Brigitte also created with her daughter, an independent film production company based in London, GRAN TORINO PRODUCTIONS. She also supports Radio Immaginaria, the first and only teen web radio in Europe.  She also holds many seats on boards and is engaged with the start-up community as well.

Portugal

Manuela Medeiros

Parfois
www.parfois.com

Manuela started her career in the textile industry before creating Parfois, a women’s fashion accessory business in 1994 with just one store.  She began growing and opening other stores and offering franchises.  In 2001 Parfois expanded to France, Italy, Germany and opened in many other countries as well.  In 2004 they acquired a large building housing their headquarters and logistics center.  In 2014 they also began online sales and toady they have more than 1000 stores all over the world.  Parfois has a strong commitment to the community but keeps a low profile as Manuela feels “that they do not want CSR to promote their own image but rather to help solve real problems.”

Spain

Arancha Manazanares Abasolo

Ayesa
www.ayesa.com

Arancha Manzanares is the Executive Vice President of Ayesa, a multinational ETC (engineering, technology, consulting) firm, which has more than 4500 employees and is present in 17 countries. With a PhD in Industrial Engineering, she is passionate about technology and information systems. Her unique vision of the world of engineering has allowed the company to secure its position as a major international player in the world of ICT and a leader in technology in Spain and around the world, in countries such as Mexico, Panama, Ecuador and Colombia. She is married and has four children.

Montserrat Rossell

Altinco Agro S. L.
www.altinco.com

Montserrat is a chemical engineer who began her career working for a large firm.  She also began teaching and aftermarrying, set up a small restaurant Featuring Catalan cuisine.  She also founded two companies and then worked at a company that manufactured agronomic application products.  In 1995 she was a founding partner in Altinco S.L., a company dedicated to the design, manufacture and marketing of products for the nutrition, protection and stimulation of plants. Through innovation and working alongside the farmer, Altinco creates efficient and competitive agronomic solutions that add value to the farmer and respect for the environment.

Sweden

Maria Frykman

Nordic Kidswear AB
www.isbjornofsweden.com/en

Maria Frykman is the co-founder and owner as well as CEO of Nordic KidsWear AB, which is a brand providing functional outdoor wear for children in the range of 0-16 years.  Maria has a degree in Master of Science in Engineering and Marketing as well as a career within Accenture during 1995-2005 as a Management Consultant, mainly focusing on Change Management and Human Perfomence.  In 2005, Maria became an entrepreneur and founded Nordic KidsWear AB together with another female entrepreneur in Sweden. The business is global and its focus is to be sustainable in all aspects.

Karin Lindahl

Indiska
www.indiska.se

Before starting to work at Indiska, Karin worked for 6 years as a consultant at McKinsey & Company. She focused her work in the retail sector and specialized in turnarounds and transformations.  She then was appointed CEO in the summer of 2017 and a few months later, she took over ownership of 100% of the shares of the company.  Indiska was founded in 1901 by a Swedish woman who opened one store in central Stockholm based on Indian home products and grew to include fashion.  It also expanded to Norway and Finland.  The company focuses on offering sustainably produced goods for wardrobe and home.

Turkey

Zehra Cataltepe

Tazi AI Systems
www.tazi.ai

Zehra Cataltepe is the CEO and Co-Founder of tazi.ai, one of four Gartner Cool Vendors Worldwide in AI Core Technologies.. At Tazi, her aim is to help transform machine learning into a technology that can be used easily and is useful for everyone. Zehra has worked at Bell Labs and in Siemens Corporate Research. In academia, she has been teaching graduate level Machine Learning and Pattern Recognition courses and has supervised 6 Ph.D. and 21 M.Sc. theses. She has 18 patents and over 90 publications on theory of machine learning and its applications in finance, health, energy and transportation.

Sultan Tepe

Tepar Kekstil Sanai Ve Ticaret A.S.
www.tepar.com

Sultan Tepe is an Electric and Electronic engineer and CEO of Tepar Filament Yarns Corp which produces innovative filament and recycled yarns. The company was formed in 1992 and began to export cotton waste for recycling to more than 35 countries around the world. They were the 1^st company in Turkey to export to China in 1996. During her 25-year tenure, Sultan oversaw operations and strategic planning that resulted in net profit increases in more than 30 percent and resulted in 3 patented technologies. The company’s vision is “A Better Life, A Better World.”

Perú

Patricia Dalmau de Galfre

Universidad Le Cordon Bleu SAC
www.cordonbleu.edu.pe

Patricia is General Manager of University Le Cordon Bleu and member of its Organizing Committee responsible for the fulfillment of the economic and administrative goals. She also manages the Le Cordon Bleu Peru Institute. She has proposed revolutionary changes in gastronomy education with a thoughtful, technical curriculum that prepares the student to assume service and business roles in the industry. Her work has been recognized by national and foreign institutions for her innovative work and successes. She holds degrees in tourism, hotel management, cuisine technology and business. Patricia also sits on several industry related boards in Peru including the Lima Chamber of Commerce.

United States

Verna Meng

Vee International, Inc.
www.blushnovelties.com

Verna worked as a system engineer for a market data feed company for a few years before 911 when she lost her job. She started a translation company helping the big Chinese community located in Flushing, NY. After a few years, she met many business owners who came from China and looking for opportunities in the United States. Among them, was in individual who had a connection in China who was manufacturing adult toys. We started our business 12 years ago and the rest is history. Today we have two factories overseas, a sales office in LA and a distribution center, headquarters in NY.

Claudia Mirza

Akorbi
www.akorbi.com

Claudia Mirza is the CEO and co-founder of Akorbi, the 3rd fastest-growing language service provider in the world. What started as a small document translation business has now become a group of six companies providing solutions for the global economy including telephonic and video interpretation technologies, multilingual and technical staffing, multilingual contact centers, in-person interpretation, learning services and localization. Claudia’s vision and leadership has driven Akorbi to become the 8th fastest-growing woman-owned/led company in the world, according to the Women Presidents’ Organization and American Express, and has kept Akorbi on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies for the last consecutive four years.

Dr. Rebecca Thomley

Orion Associates
www.orionassoc.net

Rebecca is responsible for all aspects of Orion Associates, a management organization, and its 12 related companies, which include for-profit and non-profit organizations. Since becoming CEO in 2000, the company has grown forty-two times in size, now serving more than 10,000 individuals in Minnesota, Utah, Tennessee, Colorado, Oklahoma and Ohio. Orion Associates provides financial services, human resources management and training to these organizations in addition to management services to unrelated organizations. For the past 5 years, two of the related companies have been on the Inc Magazines’ 500/5000 for fastest growing companies. In 2016, Rebecca was awarded Inc.’s Top 50 Women Entrepreneurs in America, ranking 21st.

Afghanistan

Afsana Rahimi

Shayar Media Services
www.shayar.af

Afsana worked for 10 years for Kellid Group of Companies (media and print) and started her own company in 2014. In a very male-dominated sector, she began selling and placing media ads, providing A-Z media services to businesses and organizations. The business has grown to 36 employees, supporting them in 34 different provinces in and around Afghanistan. She hopes to develop government contracts but has had a difficult time breaking the barriers for women in this field in her country. Afsana serves as a good role model to the younger female generation to step into entrepreneurship and business in Afghanistan.

Bahrain

Sonya Jahani

Maya La Chocolaterie
www.maya-la-chocolaterie.com

Sonya Janahi is the Founder & CEO for Maya La Chocolaterie and its parent company, ‘The Living Concepts’; a hospitality and F&B consultancy mandated to inspire home-grown innovative concepts turning them into international franchise names. Sonya founded the company over 10 years ago as the first artisan chocolate brand in Bahrain and has since evolved it into a successful GCC-wide franchise synonymous with some of the best chocolatiers in the world. Sonya is also actively involved in the rest of the Group’s subsidiaries which extend to investment and financial, administration, HR and IT consultancies; architecture, interior design and construction

Bangladesh

Rozina Akter Lipi

Regal Freight Forwarding Agency

Rozina Akter Lipi worked in a shipping company for several years and had a dream to establish a world class Shipping Agency on her own. After working for few years she obtained a shipping license and established her own freight forwarding & shipping company, Regal Freight Forwarding Agency, as well as an Indenting Firm & Travel Agency. She is a Director of The Chittagong Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry and is involved with many other social organizations. Her dream is to expand more business for the socio-economic development of the country as well for the society.

Dr. Munal Mahbub

Anowara Trading
www.mamco.me

Dr. Munal and her husband started her Trading company in 2012,” Anowara Trading,” in Chittagong. In time the company became a leading importer and re-seller of food grains, mechanical and hardware products and imports of reconditioned vehicles, along with heavy industrial equipment in Bangladesh. They also provide support and services to all major industries, contractors and traders in the region. They recently set up an overseas representative company under the name -“MAMCO General Trading LLC” in Dubai, UAE. and Golden Grains, Australia. She is also Chief Executive Officer at Surgiscope Hospital Ltd. and set up a free medical clinic offering treatment and medicine to almost 1000 patients a month.

Kamrun Malek

Azadi Printers Ltd. & Kohinoor Electric Printing Press Ltd.
www.edainikazadi.net

Kamrun Malek is the Chairman of Azadi Printers Ltd & Kohinoor Electric Printing Press Ltd (KPPL). She is a successful women entrepreneur in the trade of quality Printing, Print Media, Publishing Sub-Sector and Packaging Industry in Bangladesh. She is also the Executive Editor of the Daily Azadi & Proprietor of KOLAHAL DAIRY AND POULTRY FARM an Agro based Hatchery industry in Chittagong Bangladesh. Kamrun established an educational institute and is also involved in orphanage institutions to support rural and less privilege girls and women to motivate them in her business for being self-dependent.

Abida Sultana

A.S. Technical

Abida Sultana is the Sole Proprietor of A.S. Technical. The company is involved as an International importer, tender bidding & Indenting system Integration of Railway Tracks and Rolling Stock in Bangladesh. She is also the Proprietor of other sister concerns of A.S. Technical. Abida established an educational institute and is involved in orphanage institutions to support the rural and less privilege girls and women to motivate them in her business for being Independent. Abida is an active Director and Senior Vice President of Chittagong Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

China

Rebecca Branham

B&L Group, Inc.
www.blgroupinc.com

Rebecca has over 30 years of experience in the field of investment, engineering and education consulting. She has rich expertise in Goverment Affairs, Public Relations. Business Development, Admin Management and Education. She founded B & L Group Inc. 12 years ago and in 2014, she founded CPWOMAN to help professional women and women entrepreneurs by providing education and business consulting. Rebecca has won numerous awards including: 50 Outstanding Asian American Business Leaders Award and China Women Entrepreneurs Award. She has a great passion on promoting women leadership and diversified workplace. She is also a member of the Dell Entrepreneurial Network.

Cui Feng Lyu

Shanghai Smart Cargo Supply Chain Management Co, LTD
www.cjsmartcargo.com

Cui Feng is Co-Founder Managing Director of CJ Smart Cargo Group, a heavy cargo transportation and supply chain management company. Currently, she is also the Director of the China WTO Africa Affairs Committee / Shanghai Representative Office and China-Africa Business Council. For three consecutive years she has won the China Shipping Award and was elected in 2016 to the Shanghai Hongkou District People’s Congress. In 2002, She co-founded Qingdao Smart Cargo with two other partners and in 2009, established a wholly-owned subsidiary—Shanghai Smart Cargo in Shanghai. Over the years, CJ Smart Cargo Group have been setting up branches all over China and overseas, especially in Africa.

Monique Maissan

Waste2wear & Vision Textiles
www.waste2wear.com

Monique is a China-based Dutch entrepreneur specializing in sustainable fabrics made of recycled plastic bottles. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Textile Engineering and has over 20 years of experience in the textile industry. Monique is the driving force behind Waste2Wear, a company providing eco-textiles from recycled materials, and Waste2Weave, a social impact program aiming to improve the livelihood of women in India and around the world. She constantly strives to have an innovative company that focuses on the need for a larger social impact and environmental consciousness.

Jingbo Wang

Noah Holdings, Limited
www.noahwm.com

Mrs. Jingbo Wang is the co-founder of Noah and has been the Chairwoman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer since Noah’s inception. From May 2000 to September 2005, Ms. Wang worked in several departments and affiliates of Xiangcai Securities, a securities firm in China. Mrs. Wang served as the head of the private banking department at Xiangcai Securities from August 2003 to September 2005, where she established the securities firm’s wealth management business. Mrs. Wang received her masters degree in management and bachelor degree in economics from Sichuan University in China, and also graduated from the Global CEO Program of China Europe International Business School in 2009.

Renee Wang

Castbox
www.castbox.fm

Renee is the CEO and Founder of Castbox, an award winning global podcast platform that enables anyone to easily find, access, create and enjoy spoken audio content. Prior to founding Castbox, Renee was a global app monetization expert at Google in user acquisition, optimization and publisher engagement where she contributed 42% of Google’s new app revenue. She was the 7^th employee and Android engineer at Umeng and was one of the earliest Android developers in global sphere.

Ling Yang

Geneplus
www.geneplus.org.cn

Ling is the CEO of Geneplus which was established in 2015. Headquartered in Beijing, the company focuses on the precise need of cancer prevention and treatment relying on high throughput sequencing and high-performance computing platforms. Headquartered in Beijing, it has set up business branches in Suzhou and Shenzhen. It covers 19 provinces, 170 key cooperative hospitals and more than 600 cooperation experts. Prior to founding the company, she was the director of key laboratory of clinical molecular diagnosis at BGI, Shenzhen. Ling has won awards for her work in the prevention and treatment of SARS and for scientific and technological progress, genome sequencing, etc.

India

Neha Arora

Alphasan Health Solutions BVBA
www.alphasanhealthsolutions.be

Neha is well- known in the animal health industry, as she is keen on the topics like health, nutrition & practicing innovations for animal care products. Neha started Alphasan in 2007 & accelerated the overseas sales & prepared the company as a major player on a global platform. The company has become the main producer for top pharma companies of India & became the largest producer of animal health products in India in 2017. She has also received an award as the best exporter from U.P. State government in India. She also keeps on top of topics like hygiene, food safety, fitness, diet plan, organic & natural food resources.

Neha Garg

Khyber Service Station
https://www.indiamart.com/company/11308781/

Neha took her business from one petrol pump in Delhi to other parts of northern India and setting up the company’s own petroleum and lubricants distributorship for industrial use. In the future, she plans to work with the Government of India towards promoting a more eco friendly fuel alternatives like LPG and creating necessary ecosystem for electric cars. Neha is an active member of the FICCI Ladies organization, PHD Chambers of Commerce, SAARC Chambers of Women Entrepreneurial Council, former First Lady of Rotary International Delhi and Master Trainer for Kiwani’s International.

Alpana Kirloskar

CKiara Lifespaces, Pvt. Ltd.
www.kiaralifespaces.com

Alpana achieved a degree in architecture and worked in the family construction business. She also started an interior design firm designing model apartments for several real estate firms and private homes. She also started to venture into construction on her own as well and started ‘Kiara Lifespaces’, a construction company which focuses on providing housing for the mid income segment with improved amenities and infrastructure. KiARA Lifespaces is driven by design aesthetics, quality, and commitment. She is now working on Kiara Residency, a project of 288 apartments which is an affordable blend of thoughtful floor plans, attentive layouts and modern elevation amidst a distinctive landscape.

Jordan

Abeer Qumsieh
Better Business
www.betterbusiness.com.jo

Abeer Founded Better Business in 2003 with the aim of creating cultures of excellence and development for Corporations and Organizations with the objective of developing their Human Resources. Today she continues to run Better Business as the leading firm for human capital development and has founded two new ventures which include Experdice; an online platform for human capital development serving the Middle East and GCC Market and The Escape Hunt Experience Jordan; a global franchise offering unique “escape the room” adventures to the public and corporate clients for team building and learning purposes. She focuses her philanthropic work on aiding women and youth to become business leaders in different industries.

Mongolia

Tungalag Damba

Denimon LLC
www.urban.mn

Tungalag Damba is the Chairman of the Board of Directors at Denimon LLC and President of Professional Federation of Mongolia Sewing Industry. She is a founder of a leading clothing brand, URBAN, winning the Best Fashion Design in 2015 Goyol Fashion Show. URBAN distributes its clothing lines through 14 brand stores in the capital city / 15 distribution centers in rural areas. Under her leadership, the company has become a leading SME in Mongolia and the Best Tax Payer 2017. She was named the Best Entrepreneur of Khovd Province in 2016 and selected into 2018 Fortune – the US Department of State Global Women Mentoring partnership program.

Narantuya Erdeneochir

Snow Fields Co., Ltd.
www.facebook.com/SnowFieldCashmere/

Narantuya graduated as a Pediatrician at Saint Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University in 1992. After graduation, she moved to Japan in 1993 working as a Mongolian language teacher at JICA. In 1996 she started working at Venti-Uno, a company that sells Mongolian Cashmere in Japan for 8 year. Based on her extensive working experience at Venti-Uno, Narantuya has help open a factory in Mongolia. In 2006 she also finished internship at Shimaseiki corporation as programmist of a knitting machine. Narantuya received the 2014 Lady Entrepreneur by MNCCI, Honorary Medal of Labor by MWCA 2015, Altan Gadas/Polaris” medal on 2016.

Ulziimaa Naidandorj

Yalguun Accessories
www.yalguun.mn

Ulziimaa’s father was a lama /monk/ and her mother was running a bakery factory. She learned from her mother how to run a business and when she was attending her university, she began selling brand products from Hong Kong, Italy, France, and Dubai to Mongolia. She learned all about trading, selling goods and dealing with customers. In 2015 she was studying for her MBA at University of Economics and Finance in Mongolia and began understanding how to mix her passion for design into a business model. She bravely started Yalguun Accessories and since then has been expanding her business one day at a time.

Philippines

Rosemarie Bosch-Ong

Wilcon Depot, Inc.
https://wilcon.com.ph

Rosemarie Bosch-Ong is currently serving as the Senior Executive Vice President-Chief Operating Officer of Wilcon Depot, Inc, an automotive and building retail corporation. She has spent more than three decades in managing the company. She has held positions in Marketing, Administration and Operations. She served as the Former Treasurer of the Philippine Association of National Advertisers (PANA) Foundation. She is also currently serving as the President of Wilcon Builders’ Foundation, Inc. (WBFI), a Director and the Vice President for Research and Information of Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) and a Director and the Chairman Committee on CSR and Public Relations of Philippine Constructors Association (PCA).

Gregoria Simbulan

R. G. Simbulan & Partners Corp.
www.simbulan.com.ph

Gregoria “Gigi” Gamboa-Simbulan is the Executive Vice President of R. G. Simbulan and Partners Corp., a construction company, and contractor of ID Fit-out works. Concurrently, she is the CFO setting direction for the Finance and Treasury functions. Prior to becoming a full-pledged entrepreneur, Gigi was a senior manager in a development bank, managing investment portfolios and trust accounts. Gigi holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Economics from the University of the Philippines, completing both with honors. Her chamber work enabled her to pursue advocacies for small business and to find true expression of CSR.

Taiwan

Vivian Kao-Chi

Angel Purple Investment Holding Limited

Vivian started her company in 2015. She invests in medical, cultural, financial, educational & real estate sectors in order to enhance and revitalize the culture of the traditional Chinese people. She is working to revitalize the culture of the traditional Chinese people and developing brands that contribute to society such as Fulu Shouxi. She also has a nutritional supplement import company. Her life philosophy is “to enhance the quality of life and create value for life.” She has held many positions on boards of directors including the Presidency of the Taiwan Women Entrepreneurs Association currently.

Shu-Fang Ou

Universal Vision Biotechnology Co., Ltd
www.eyecenter.com.tw

Shu-Fang transitioned from a professional physician into a professional business leader, starting up her small vision clinic 25 years ago. She has built the company into the largest chain medical service corporation in Taiwan and even established branches in China. Unlike other industries, providing medical care is restricted by many stipulations, which contribute to the relatively more conservative and closed nature of this industry. The company has gradually developed a complete internal education and training system and encouraged all staff members (including Ou) to receive ongoing further education and absorb new knowledge. The company also cultivates potential management personnel through its education and training system to maintain their competitiveness.

United Arab Emirates

Her Excellency Sara Al Madani

Sara Al Madani Fashion
https://www.facebook.com/iamsaraalmadani

Her Excellency (HE) Sara Al Madani ventured into the business world at a time when very few Emirati women dared to do so. Defying gender and cultural norms, she started her fashion label Rouge Couture, now known as Sara Al Madani Fashion Design, at the age of 15. Eager to give a new twist to the abaya (the robe-like dress worn by some Muslim women), she went on to create dozens of unconventional designs of the traditional garment and opened three branches of her boutique in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Following her early success, in 2014 Al Madani, now 30, was selected by Sheikh Sultan Al Qasimi, ruler of the UAE emirate of Sharjah, as a board member of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI). As a result, she is now known by the honorific Her Excellency.

Australia

Jamila Gordon

LumaChain
www.lumachain.io

Jamila Gordon is the founder of LumaChain, a blockchain company that brings certainty and trust to global supply chains. Her former roles include Group Chief Information Officer of Qantas Airways and CIMIC, and prior to this, as a global executive with IBM Europe. She is currently on the board of Jayride Limited and on the Advisory Board of VentureCrowd. Jamila’s personal story is remarkable. She came to Australia at the age of 18 having escaped the Somali civil war alone and being homeless in Kenya. A champion of diversity and inclusion, Jamila has served on a range of NFP boards including La Trobe University, CareerTrackers and CareerSeekers.

Portugal

Leonor Freitas

Casa Ermelinda Freitas
www.ermelindafreitas.pt/

Leonor Freitas initially started her career as a social worker. After her father’s death, she took on the family wine making business which had started in 1920. At the time the company exclusively sold unbranded wine in bulk. In the late 90s she ventured into producing and bottling her own brands, making her mission to produce quality wines in all market levels. In 2004 she left the Health Department to run the wine business full time. Since then she has achieved national and international notoriety with her wines with over 1000 awards.

Spain

María Helena Antolin Raybaud

Grupo Antolín
http://www.grupoantolin.com/en

María Helena is Director, Vice-chair and member of the Board of Directors of Grupo Antolin, an automotive manufacturing company. She is currently also director of Marketing, Communication and Corporate Affairs. Maria designed the strategy to expand in France, Germany and Italy, catering to clients in 25 countries. Maria has also been an external independent adviser and on the CSR Committee of Iberdrola Renovables, S.A., a company engaged in renewable energy. She also holds many other positions and on April 1, 2016, she was appointed President of SERNAUTO, Spanish association of manufacturers of equipment and components for automotive.

Rocio Hervella

Prosol SA
www.prosol.coffee

Rocio is the CEO of Prosol, a dominant coffee company in the world. She has a degree in Law and several Masters degrees. Her career has been always related to the world of coffee. In 1998 she founded PROSOL with two main associates and almost seventy other small partners. Today, she owns the company with another partner and serves as the CEO. PROSOL offers soluble coffee, cereals and coffee-based beverages and compatible capsules for clients in more than 30 countries around the world. PROSOL employs more than 250 people and is a valued player in the industry.

Montse Marti

Martiderm
www.martiderm.com

Montse is an entrepreneur with 30 years of experience. Her expertise is in branding and marketing for her company. Her background was working for different companies in the food, drinks, agrochemicals and cosmetic products. She has been working in the family business since 2004, developing their brand worldwide with successful development of MartiDerm. Currently Montse is leading corporate investment in new business opportunities in cosmetics to enlarge MartiDerm’s group portfolio. She is spreading their RSC program based on the 3 “s’s”: Sustainability, Solidarity and SmartAging.

Sweden

Ulrika Nilsson

Secure State Cyber AB
www.securestatecyber.com

Ulrika began her career working on IT projects at a bank and in the Swedish healthcare system. In 2005 she started her own company. In 2013 she received the “Company Owner of the Year” award in her hometown and in 2015 she was invited to participate in the “National Entrepreneur Day”, held by the Prince of Sweden, Prince Daniel. The last four years the business has had a significant expansion with an increase of revenue between 20-50% each year. Today they employ lawyers, IT specialists and management consultants, all focusing on cybersecurity and privacy. This year we opened our first international office in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Marie Walleberg

ImseVimse
www.imsevimse.se

Marie Walleberg, CEO and founder of ImseVimse, has dedicated the last 30 years to building a successful international business in baby and women care, benefiting the health of babies and women, the economies of families and the environment. Having grown up on the island of Gotland with the nature and the environment around her, Marie is a “circular economy activist” with a passion for re-use and recycling. Marie has won several awards during the years for her environmental and entrepreneurship work. She chairs of the local Rotary club and is involved in business mentorship, health and sustainability programs in her community.

Turkey

Aynur Ayhan

Ayhan Metal Press Casting
www.ayhanmetal.com.tr/

Aynur is a Mechanical Engineer and founding partner of Ayhan Metal Press Casting. She has been active in heavy industry for 30 years. In the first years of her business life, she started to produce innovative industrial barbells by establishing Aniva Home Products company with her sister. They manufacture machine parts and then manufacturing parts for various sectors in pressure die casting. She has received design awards at international competitions and is actively involved in many NGOs, both sectoral and for women. She believes she has a debt to society to give back.

Perihan Inci

PBS Import & Export Inc.
www.pba.com.tr

Perihan started her career in the textile business and founded her own agency in 2001. She was Honorary Consul of the Kingdon of Belgium to Turkey as well. In 2004 she became involved with her family business and helped it grow in turbulent times. PBA and its subsidiaries are involved in the automotive, real estate and agri business sectors. Perihan is also an angel investor. She continues to make presentations in domestic and foreign organizations and events about Leadership, Being a Woman Manager, Family Businesses and Entrepreneurship. She supports education and gender equality.

Vildan Ozcan

A Ve A Saglik A.S
www.aveasaglik.com.tr

Vildan is the member of council and the parliament member of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce as well as the vice chairman of the board of directors of Turkey’s one of the well-established health care company, Avea Health Inc. She is also participating in membership activities in international NGOs such as the Independent Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association (MÜSİAD) and Foundation for the Education and Solidarity of Female Health Professionals (KASAV). She has made major contributions to the development of Avea Health Inc., growing the company four times and tripled number of employee since establishment.

Canan Ozdemir

The House Café Turizm
www.thehousecafe.com

Canan began her career as an auditor at Ernst & Young. After her 5 years of experience as a senior auditor in corporate life, she decided to combine her success in corporate life with her interest and passion for food and launched The House Café in 2002. She built the very successful company and now has 315 employees. She was awarded the “Woman Entrepreneur Of The Year” by “Economist Magazine” in 2012 and has been a member of Woman Entrepreneurs Executive Board, The Union Of Chambers and The Commodity Exchanges of Turkey. Canan speaks on panels all over Turkey in order to influence and encourage women entrepreneurs.

Canada

Sheena Chandaria

Conros Corporation

Sheena Chandaria graduated from McGill University with a Bachelor of Arts in International Development Studies, after which she started working for her family’s business. Conros Corporation is a leading manufacturer and distributor of a large portfolio of home and office supplies. She has assumed the role of VP, Corporate Affairs, with a focus on the company’s corporate social responsibilities, PR, communications and business development functions. Her interests extend to initiatives around women through the McGill Women, Leadership & Philanthropy Board, and in 2018 she is co-chairing one of Toronto’s leading hospital’s largest fundraisers with her sister.

Lisa Will

Stonz Wear Incorporated

As an active mom, I did not find any warm infant footwear so I decided to take action and launched the Stonz bootie in June 2004 from my basement. The Women’s Enterprise Centre of BC provided our initial growth loan which helped me build up inventory, expand product lines and tap into new world markets. We are selling our products worldwide, through larger retailers and creating more innovative products and solving parent’s challenges. Stonz is one of the major manufacturers of versatile children’s outdoor gear including booties, mittz, linerz, rain boots and super lightweight winter boots.

Colombia

Martha Zambrano

IZC Mayorista SAS

Martha began the company 25 years ago seeing an opportunity to import and sell energy power resources to companies who were struggling from the effects of the government’s rationalization of power. IZC began to sell point of sale technology to improve their productivity and efficiency. The company took representation of the most important brands of the world and brought them to Colombia. Five years later in 1997 IZC launched their own brand name SAT (Sistemas de alta tecnología) and today IZC is one of the most important companies selling specialized hardware to different types of businesses in Colombia, South America.

Perú

Martha Pajuelo Escobar

Terranova Perú

Martha is the founder of Terranova, a company dedicated to the production of utilitarian ceramics with more than 25 years in the market. It is the oldest company in Peru that demonstrates high social responsibility as, despite the recession and market crisis, has always relied on domestic production, providing working opportunities for many Peruvian women. The company is also launching a new line, Author Dishes, taking advantage of the boom in Peruvian cuisine. Terranova has received many awards from the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for high quality and for best business practices.

Maritza Orlic

Magensa

Maritza is the owner and CEO of Magensa (Materiales Generales SAC), a Peruvian based company that manufactures and sells furniture. With 34 years of experience in the business, Magensa is today the largest company of its type in Peru. It supplies furniture to its local stores as well as hotels and restaurants. In the last 14 years it has grown to furnish the most important hotel chains in the country and the region, such as Lima’s Westin, Marriott, Hilton, Sonesta, Sheraton, and Cusco’s Novotel. Internationally, Magensa has exported furniture for The Continental Hotel in Panama, the Sheraton in Curacao, the Palms in Miami, and more.

United States of America

Ana Bermudez

TaGit

As the oldest of 6 children I learned to be resourceful and creative at a very young age. It was my experience with coding and finance as well as my professional experience that prepared me to create a tech company, TAGit, the mobile app that TV viewers used to buy items from their favorite TV shows. TAGit’s technology converges media, retail, and commerce in one dynamic platform that creates immediate shopping opportunities in real-time. TAGit started as an idea that could help me buy shoes from my couch, to a business solution that has captured the interest of Fortune 100 companies in retail, and media.

Jennifer Cue

Jones Soda Company

Jennifer started at Jones Soda Co. in 1995 as a member of the Board, moving into a permanent operating role that same year. Over 11 years as CFO & COO, Jennifer oversaw the initial growth and profitability of the brand, while eventually transitioning the company to NASDAQ. In early 2006, Jennifer stepped away from Jones while living abroad and in San Francisco. The Company had numerous leadership changes and operational struggles and in 2012, she returned to Jones as CEO, with a mission to turnaround the company. With a new diversified beverage portfolio, the company is now in a strong position to take advantage of opportunities.

Megan Driscoll

EvolveMKD

Megan Driscoll is a sought-after strategic media and communications professional with nearly 16 years of experience in healthcare, aesthetics and dermatology, and prestige beauty. Megan finds potential in every opportunity for her clients through determination, relationships, agility, and sound strategy coupled with a creative spirit. Megan has cultivated relationships with physicians, consumers, key opinion leaders and tastemakers to gain her clients national level recognition. At the end of the day, Megan wants to surround herself with smart, passionate people who value integrity–people who are serious about their work, but don’t take themselves too seriously. This philosophy is at the heart of founding EvolveMKD.

Dr. Veronica Muzquiz Edwards

InGenesis

Dr. Veronica Muzquiz Edwards is CEO of InGenesis, a premier supplier of global workforce managementand transformational enterprise solutions. Dr. Edwards’ acknowledgments include National Hispanic Businesswoman of the Year, Top 50 Most Influential Hispanic Business Leaders In the Country, Top 100 Middle Market CEO’s, and America’s Top 10 Female Entrepreneurs. Dr. Edwards’ was selected for the 2017 National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Baldrige Executive Fellows Program. Dr. Edwards has a deep interest in public service and global health – serving as a Trustee for the Texas State University System, the World Affairs Council, and the University of the Incarnate Word.

Carol Fitzgerald

Buzzback

As the founder and owner of BuzzBack, Carol is an experienced senior-level executive with proven success in the management of both established and start-up companies. She started BuzzBack over 15 years ago with a vision for changing how consumers interact with marketers online, focusing on making the research experience fun, engaging and intuitive. In 2015, she received an Enterprising Women of the Year award, recognizing owners of fast-growth businesses who are stand-out leaders in their communities. Carol is a cum laude graduate of Dartmouth College, and her honors theses on TS Eliot continues to be cited in academic works on the author.

Ellen Grauer

Ellen Grauer Court Reporting

Ellen Grauer, a native New Yorker, moved to Caracas at age 20 after meeting her Venezuelan husband. There she began her career as an entrepreneur, creating continuing education courses for Venezuelan corporate clients, a new concept in Caracas. Six years later she moved back to New York and became a top salesperson for a court reporting agency. When that company was acquired by a large corporation, Ellen decided to open her own company Ellen Grauer Court Reporting to continue providing her clients with the personalized attention they were accustomed to receiving. Ellen Grauer Court Reporting is now celebrating 20 years of excellence around the globe.

Debbie Hidajat

PTS America

Debbie Hidajat is COO of PTS America, an international ceramics dinnerware, housewares and furniture company supplying major U.S. retailers such as Target, Bed Bath and Beyond, and Pier 1 Imports. She has extensive personal and multinational business experience in Asia and North America. Her roots run deep in international trade and entrepreneurship. She is also a marathon runner and invests in real estate and startups. Debbie earned her Bachelor’s degree in Operations Research and Industrial Engineering from Cornell University; then graduated with a dual degree in MBA and MS in Industrial Engineering from Columbia University, at the age of 23.

Hannah Kain

ALOM

Hannah Kain is CEO of ALOM, a global supply chain company she founded in 1997 headquartered in Fremont, California. Hannah emigrated from Denmark to the US in 1990. She holds three university degrees and has been honored several times including: Top 25 Champion of Diversity in STEM by DiversityGlobal Magazine, the Manufacturing Institute STEP Ahead award, YWCA Tribute to Women award, 2015 Silver Stevie award, best global woman-owned business, Silicon Valley Capitol Club wall of fame, “Woman of Influence”, Vistage Leadership Award and WBENC Business Star in 2012. She is a board member of WBENC and National Association of Manufacturers, Advisory Council of The Institute for Gender Research at Stanford University.

Sharelle Klaus

DRY Soda Company

As mother of four, Klaus craved a soda in innovative flavors, with clean ingredients and most importantly, that was not too sweet. In 2005 began crafting the first batches of DRY Sparkling in her home kitchen using real, simple ingredients. Over the past decade, Klaus has pioneered a new category of beverages. DRY Sparkling is now one of the fastest growing soda brands in the U.S. Klaus brings nearly two decades of experience to her role as CEO and Founder. Prior to founding DRY, Klaus worked as a consultant for Infrastructure Management Group and Price Waterhouse. She also served as president of the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs.

Mona Patel

Motivate Design

Mona is the CEO & Founder of Motivate Design, a user-centered design agency based in New York City. Motivate Design helps clients discover customer needs and designs solutions to meet those needs. In recent her book, Reframe: Shift the Way you Work, Innovate and Think, Mona demonstrates how her 8-step creative process can help companies innovate and design simple, beautiful experiences. In addition to helping clients and other Fortune 500 companies become unstuck, Mona is also a teacher at Parsons, the New School for Design.

Ranjini Poddar

Artech Information Systems, LLC

Ranjini Poddar is the Co-Founder and CEO of Artech Information Systems LLC, #1 Largest Women-Owned IT Staffing Firm in the U.S., providing workforce solutions, IT consulting, and project services to 80+ Fortune 500 and government clients. Ms. Poddar holds a JD from Yale Law School and BS in Information & Computer Science from the University of California. Ms. Poddar has established a philosophy of Client Centricity and Execution Excellence that is now instilled in the company’s culture. With 25 years of experience, Artech generates over $434 million in revenue with 7,200+ industry professionals across U.S., India, China, Canada, and Mexico.

Abeer Al Masri Saqer

Memorial International Patient Care Network

Abeer Saqer is the CEO of Memorial International Patient Care Network in Houston, Texas. Over 21 years of experience in active patient care coordination & Management focused on improving patient’s outcomes, and patient satisfaction. Her work on this front has been instrumental to the advancement of philanthropic efforts on behalf of cancer research totaling $120 million, as well as scientific conferences, and diplomatic and industry initiatives designed to bridge the gap between the scientific and health care communities. Abeer is not only an entrepreneur with over 21-years experience in the health care industry; she also serves as a consultant to government leaders, corporate executives and foreign dignitaries based on her expertise in establishing new commercial links and channels of cooperation between health care organizations in USA and the Middle East, now expanding to China & India.

Rosa Santana

Santana Group

Rosa Santana, a Texas based entrepreneur and the first Hispanic woman-owned direct Tier I supplier to Toyota, is the Founder and Chief Executive of the Santana Group, an innovative outsourcing solutions provider in the United States and Mexico. For over 35 years, Rosa Santana has been a driving force within the U.S./Mexico staffing industry and is recognized internationally as an outsourcing solutions expert. A fearless leader, Santana harnesses her passion to successfully create and develop companies through impeccable client service and innovative business solutions. Santana’s unwavering integrity has established her staying power and success throughout the course of her remarkable career.

Olga Vidisheva

Shoptiques

Olga Vidisheva is the founder and CEO of Shoptiques, an online destination where customers can shop a curated collection of the most unique small wonders from the best boutique shops around the world. Shoptiques provides small local businesses access to a suite of digital tools so that they can have a competitive online presence. After graduating from Wellesley College in 2007 and Harvard Business School in 2011, Vidisheva went on to be the first single-founder non-technical entrepreneur accepted to Y Combinator in early 2012. Later that year after raising over $2 million dollars in funding from investors, Olga went on to launch Shoptiques with 25 boutiques on the platform. Today the company services over 6,500 boutiques internationally.

Afghanistan

Manizha Paktin

Rad Construction Company

Manizha Paktin is the director of Rad Constructional Company since 2007. The company consults in civil engineering on construction projects; constructing private houses, hotels, clinics, bridge and schools in more than 25 provinces. They also provide drawings, designs, estimations and all required technical drawings. Manizha is also a professor at Balkh University since 2005. In 2013, she also founded the organization, Stand Up For Afghan Women Organization (SAAWO), which is in more than 25 provinces of Afghanistan. She has an M.T.S. in Construction management and planning, and now studying her PhD in Civil Engineering.

Bangladesh

Ayesha Farha Chowdhury

CEM Ready Mix Concrete & CEM UPVC Limited

Ayesha Farha Chowdhury is Chairwoman of CEM Ready Mix Concrete & CEM UPVC Limited established in 2007. Her business is focused on ready mixed concrete materials, as an importer and supplier of UPVC materials, electrical equipment and real estate. She is influential and has good capability, maintains strong marketing networks. Ready Mix Concrete & CEM UPVC is a world class Industry based in Chittagong, Bangladesh and aims to be at the forefront of real estate business utilizing and bringing the most recent technology to the market. She is a Director of Chittagong Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry and is involved with several orphanage institutions.

Rebeka Nasreen

Shrimp Plus Ltd & Silver Salt LTD

Rebeka Nasreen is the Proprietor of Shrimp Plus & Silver Salt Ltd established in 1995. She is a prominent businesswoman and successful woman entrepreneur in the trade of Agro-Based Shrimp & fish processing as well as salt processing of refined, crushed and finished processing of common salt. Rebeka has faced various social obstacles and challenges in expanding her business but she has continued to grow. Additionally, she established new services such as offering hygienic salt processing of Hatchery of Bagda Shrimp both as an importer & wholesaler. She is also a Director of Chittagong Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

Nuzhat Nueri Kristy

Kristy Fashion & Apparels

Nuzhat Nueri Kristy, Proprietor of KRISTY FASHION & APPARELS, started the business in 2011. The company is a leading manufacturer of all typess of Ready Made Garments & fashion wear in Chittagong, Bangladesh. She is also the owner of ASK Diagnosis Centre. KRISTY FASHION & APPARELS has grown in their market while competing with other manufacturers with their quality, price & design. They are one of the leading printing designer of an exclusive range of clothing. She is involved with various organizations and is an active Director of Chittagong Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

China

Yang Lan

Sun Media Group

Yang is a leading broadcast journalist and media entrepreneur. She is the cofounder and Chairperson of Sun Media Group and Sun Culture Foundation. She was chosen twice as the presenter for Beijing’s bid for both the 2008 and 2022 Olympic Winter Games. Lan was named Goodwill Ambassador for 2010 Shanghai Expo. She is a Global Ambassador and International Board Member for the Special Olympics Movement and the first Chinese UNICEF Ambassador, the Co-Chair of Lincoln Center China Advisory Council, and the Vice-Chairman of China Charity Alliance. Ms. Yang has been honored with many awards from around the world. She is one of The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women by Forbes.

Hong Kong

Filomena Maria Merszei

Jeeves (HK) Limited

After attending school in Macau, Filomena went to London to further her studies. She worked as a PA in a corporate bank, married a banker in the 80’s and became a caring mother and wife. Then in the 90’s, she went back out to work to help out with her family and found herself as a real CEO master minding a profitable business and offering services that are rare in the market! “When you are a CEO, you are capable to empower women peers and to make a difference in their pursuits and their dreams. I also empower myself to do bigger, disruptive things.”

India

Devika Ramesh

Arempee Compressors Private Limited

Devika heads RMP group of Companies which is one of the leading manufacturers of air compressors in India. In 1979, RMP designed and manufactured air compressors primarily for the industrial sector. The company, later, commenced manufacturing of pumps to cater to the needs of the agricultural sector, the textile sector and electro-mechanical lifts. RMP is highly respected for quality and innovation and has won numerous awards as well as international collaborations. Devika is a Past chair of FICCI FLO in Coimbatore India and has a burning desire to start a resort and a chain of restaurants!

Lubeina Shahpurwala

Mustang Enterprises

In 2004, Lubeina Shahpurwala became Co-Founder at Mustang Socks. Drawing from her natural love for fashion, Lubeina has been able to transform Mustang Socks to an aspirational brand. Mustang today manufactures more than 1 million pairs of socks every month, and has over 40 distributors across India. Apart from their domestic brand Mustang Socks, Mustang Enterprises also manufactures products for various international brands such as vests, briefs, tights, caps and mittens for children. They recently launched their own e-commerce website and have also opened their first store. In 2015, Lubeina was recognized as the Entrepreneur of the Year in Manufacturing Business at the 5^th Entrepreneur India Awards.

Jordan

Nour Al Refai

Jordan Co. for Dead Sea Products

JCDSP offers skin care products of therapeutic and beautifying benefits made with love from the Dead Sea to deliver the hidden treasures to everyone worldwide to enjoy the benefits at one’s home. Nour is also a Partner at Refai International Transport and Clearing Co. established in 1986, which has been delivering smarter, faster, and more flexible solutions for customers in the global growth business of intercontinental freight forwarding and logistics. She is a member of the board at the Industrial Womens Committee, a subsidiary of Jordan Chamber of Industry aiming to empower and foster entrepreneurial women in the sector.

Mongolia

Munkhzul Bassan

JUR-UR

Munkhzul is a graduate of Russian Informatics University but as Mongolia entered into a market economy in the 90s, she decided to open a western bakery, JUR-UR LLC. Today JUR-UR has become a national brand with network of brand products bakeries and coffee shops, offering over hundred different products and employing 400 people. JUR-UR has become a “model enterprise for Mongolian-Japanese Human Resource Center. Munkhzul has a Bachelors degree in Accounting from Institute of Finance and Economics and a Master’s degree from National Academy of Governance. She has been working hard from young age and always helped others to achieve happiness.

Bolormaa Luvsandorj

Bodhi Financial Advisory Services LLC

Bolormaa is the founder of Bodhi Financial Advisory Services LLC and D.E.M LLC, a non-bank financial institution, which provides lending to SMEs in Mongolia. She has over 20 years of experience in banking, holding senior positions such as CEO Golomt Financial Group (2015-2016), First Deputy CEO of Golomt Bank (2014-2015), First Deputy CEO of the Development Bank of Mongolia (2011-2012), VP at Deutsche Bank (2000-2009 Tokyo / NY) and Deputy Head of International Department, Ardyn Bank (1992-1996). She is a founding member of Women Corporate Directors’ chapter in Mongolia and the President of Women Entrepreneurs Council at MNCCI.

Sansarmaa Rentsendorj

Trust Trade, LLC

Sansarmaa is a transport engineer but to pursue her dream of becoming an entrepreneur, she graduated Academy of Management with Bachelor degree in BA and MBA from Institute of Finance and Economics. In 2000, she established Trust Trade LLC with six people and led the company to grow into a leading meat products company in Mongolia holding 17% of the market and providing jobs to over 400 employees. The company has implemented HACCP and ISO certified and currently working to expand into export markets. Sansarmaa received the 2010 Best Worker of Food Industry Award; 2016 Lady Entrepreneur by MNCCI.

Pakistan

Iqbal Bano Khan

Bali Couture

Bali Coture (Rongoli) was initiated by Iqbal Bano in 2008 in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. Iqbal is a scientist by academic qualification and was an educator for more than a decade. She shifted to entrepreneurial career because of her profound interest in designing and passion for innovative work. Her expertise encompasses screen printing, block printing and versatile designing and paintings. She has displayed her products at many national and international level exhibitions. She is an executive member of Women Chamber of Commerce and Industries Peshawar. She has travelled extensively and believes that her products have a huge market potential among the Asian population.

Durre Shahwar Nisar

Sadaf Garments

Durre started Sadaf Garments in 1984 as a small entrepreneur with 2-3 female workers. She was the first in her family to start a business. During the period of last 33 years she faced lots of ups and downs but consistency and perseverance have been the hall mark of her approach. Durre designs and manufactures various types of pert wears and formal lines, keeping in view the new trends in the market. Durre is the oldest women member of Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) and was the lone woman entrepreneur. In 2006, she was appointed as the first Chairperson of Women Entrepreneurs Sub-Committee of KCCI in 2006, a role which she continues to hold today.

Philippines

Ma. AlegriaSibal “Bing” – Limjoco

International Franchise Corporation of the Philippines (Francorp)

Francorp develops strategies for franchising and consults with companies considering creating their own franchises. The company has brought over 500 brand owners to the international stage. Ms. Limjoco is a two-term President of the Philippine Franchise Association (PFA) and is currently the Vice Chairman of the Association. She spearheaded the first Philippine hosting of Asia’s biggest franchise event – “Franchise Asia 2011”, which successfully brought into the country notable names in the international franchising community as well as the world’s top franchise brands. Ms. Limjoco has been conferred with numerous recognitions for her work in the industry.

Taiwan

Li-Min Wu

Madam Rose Tea Salon Co., Ltd

Ms. Wu retired from financial industry in 2002 to pursue her dream of owning her own business. She established The Madam Rose Tea Salon Co., Ltd ”in 2003 and is the CEO. “Madam Rose” is a well-known catering industry mainly providing afternoon tea, distinguished catering service, coffee, china-wares and art works for both sale and exhibition. Currently, Madam Rose has over 60 employees working at the flagship store in Taipei, Taiwan. Their products are sold at the tea salons in Taipei, as well as selected shops in Shanghai, China. The spirit of Madam Rose symbolizes happiness, hope, romantic and love.

England

Katie Savage

KTS Events Limited

Katie established KTS Events having spent eight years appointing similar businesses to support her in her role within the automotive industry. She saw a gap in the market – for a business that had a genuine desire to deliver exceptional events whilst providing class-leading service to its clients from a boutique agency that would always tailor each project to perfectly match not only its brief, but also the organisation that had issued it. When it comes to selecting her team Katie is exceptionally fussy, employing only those who innately care about delivering to the highest standards, always.

Italy

Giuseppina Foti

Accademia Studio Italia

Accademia Studioitalia is a school of Italian Language and Culture and “Pina” is also managing director of International Language School which is an educational teacher training centre recognised by Italian Ministry of Education. Thousands of students have studied at her schools and recently she gave lectures at Miami University and South Carolina University in the US. The “ILS Group” also includes ILS Travel, an agency and a tour operator, and ILS University with three bachelors of arts in Italian Studies and a master in Translation. Pina’s emphasis is on developing import-export cultural companies offering “Made in Italy & Italian culture” to her clients from all over the world.

Spain

Ana Valles

Sorigue

Sorigue is a company founded in 1956, based on the extraction of aggregates and production of paving. The business was transformed with the acquisition of the construction and water treatment company, SCSA in 2008. Ana has managed Sorigue’s first strategic plan based on innovation, talent and positioning. Ana took over from the founder of the company in 2010 and has been leading the company’s sustainable growth. She has boosted the PLANTA project, a merger between the business group and the foundation where art, architecture, landscape, innovation and entrepreneurial creativity combine to create added value and return for the society.

Ines Juste

Grupo Juste

Ines is the president of Grupo Juste, a leading player in the chemical-pharmaceutical industry. The company is a family-owned company with more than 95 years’ experience in the research, development and distribution of diagnostic imaging pharmaceutical specialties and active pharmaceutical ingredients, which exports 98% of its output across the five continents for more than 40 years ago. Ines belongs to the 4^th generation of Grupo Juste and prepared herself through schooling and education to become its leader which she did in 2011. She also holds many board seats, is a business school lecturer, guest speaker and is a member of several business associations.

Sweden

Helene Akerstrom

Orbaden Spa & Resort

Helene is the founder, owner and CEO of Orbaden Spa and Resort in Hälsingland Sweden. In 2008 Helene purchased the legendary hotel which was once a famous spa and resort. Since then, she has worked to modernize and expand the hotel and its services for their clients who come from around the world. The branding and concept is built around Scandinavian design, food, nature and wildlife experiences. In addition, they offer a range of outdoor activities like swimming, tracking, bicycling, skiing and wildlife safari in cooperation with surrounding entrepreneurs. Helene previously ran several businesses and headed marketing and sales for several hotels and retail chains in Sweden.

Marie Lindqvist Pahlstad

Zilenzio AB

Marie Lindqvist Pahlstad is the co-founder and CEO of Zilenzio, a leading company in acoustics furniture in Sweden and Norway. She co-founded Zilenzio at 31 years old, and has since then received several entrepreneurship, business and design awards for the successful expansion of the company. Marie has specialized in managing quality, environment and social responsibility in the production process. She is one of the ambassadors for implementing a sustainability code for the Swedish furniture sector and its subcontractors, Möbelfakta.

Jenny Hellden

Zilenzio AB

Jenny Helldén is the co-founder and CFO of Zilenzio. She co-founded Zilenzio at 22 years old, and has since then received several entrepreneurship, business and design awards for the successful expansion of the company. She has a background in entrepreneurship and financial management and is highly engaged in mentorship programs for young entrepreneurs and economic students in her region, Örebro.

Turkey

Munteha Adali

Guvensan Facility Management A. S.

Munteha began her business in 1992 after working for a private bank for 9 years. She established the Guvensan Academy, Houskeepers with Guvensan Consultancy and Greenstep Education projects which were all firsts in the services sector of Turkey. She is a member of several NGOs including GIDER, TOBB, EWMD and TurkishWin and is also an angel investor. In addition, she provides mentorship to entrepreneurs, women and the youth under EXPERTIUM Firm.

Sidika Altun

3A Medikal San. Ve TIC A. S.

Selma started her career working in the Osmanoglu Clinic and moved to management. She then began working at 3A Medikal which was her husband’s company. 3A Medikal was established in 1995 as a local dealer of disposable medical equipment. The goal of the company is to supply quality products, sourced from leading manufacturers around the world. It has become the leading supplier of catheters and supplementary products to intensive care units throughout Turkey and abroad. After the passing of her husband in 2014, she became chairman and has led the company ever since.

Dr. Dilek Bagdatlioglu

Rotal Group

Dr.Bagdatlioglu is the CEO and founder of Rotal Group of Co. She is the holder of many business awards; ie “Excellent Women Entrepreneur” by United Nations and “Successful Female Executives” at the national level. She is committed to developing capacity, capability and competence for all her colleagues in the sectors she works at. With the Turkish Cotton pesthemals that her company started to manufacture, she strongly believes in creating the high level of awareness in the environmental friendly green products with a low carbon footprint. The entire life cycle of her new product requires less chemicals for cleaning, less space for storage and less energy for washing and drying.[/

Canada

Lori Kennedy

Louisbourg Seafoods

Lori Kennedy has helped to build Louisbourg Seafoods from humble beginnings to one of Canada’s leading seafood companies. Her unique understanding of the market has allowed her to cultivate ideas for raw product into cuisine offerings for niche markets all over the world. Passionate in her beliefs and committed to excellence, Lori sets her goals high and works to deliver solid results. She appreciates partnerships, and the concept of working together and relying on each other’s strengths. She dedicates much time and effort to international organizations and local charities, especially those involving entrepreneurship, women’s issues and the seafood sector.

Colombia

Blanca Cecilia Vargas

Laboratorios Ronvar SAS

After starting two companies when she was 17, Blanca founded her cosmetics company in 1992 and created her own brand. The company had challenges but she persevered and lead it to great success. In 2004, she also followed her passion and opened a coffee bar which also became very successful. After 4 years, she sold the company to focus on her cosmetics company, branded Raquel Cosmetics, and founded a new global standards production factory as well. Ronvar now employs 108 workers and their products are well known throughout Colombia.

Perú

Elka Popjordanova

Balkania, S. R. L.

Elka is an architect who graduated from university in Germany and has more than 30 years of experience as a manager of different companies such as Equipo Uno S.A. (Real Estate), Cosapi S.A. (Construction), Cosapi Data S.A. (Information Technology), Loyalty of Peru S.A.C. (a leading multi-partner loyalty system). Moreover, she has owned her own consultancy firm, Balkania S.R.L., for more than 5 years. Her company is responsible for the oversight of two large shopping malls in Lima with more than 200,000 meters of gross leasable area. Elka is a Director at the Peruvian Chamber of Commerce and also is involved with many other organizations.

United States

Anisa Balwani

RCI-Technologies

Anisa is the owner of RCI Technologies, Inc. which provides Information Technology Professional Services and Software Development to major corporations and government entities nationwide. Anisa is also the Northeast Chapter President of the US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce, (USPAACC) and she is responsible for connecting Asian American, small and women-owned businesses on the east coast to major corporations and government agencies. She also serves on the Governing Forum Board of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) the Steering Committee of the Women’s President Educational Organization. Anisa is an advocate for small, minority and women owned businesses.

Beatriz (Betty) Manetta

Argent Associates, Inc.
Ascocair LLC.

Beatriz is CEO of Argent Associates, Inc., a tech-centric systems integration firm and Asociar, a global firm delivering complete end-to-end supply chain optimization services and solutions. Ms. Manetta spent 20 years in Corporate America, primarily in the telecommunications industry, before launching Argent Associates Inc. in 1998. Ms. Manetta is a champion of ethnic minority, women and small businesses. She served on President George W. Bush’s President’s Export Council, where she advised on international trade matters and its impact on small, women and minority businesses. She has received numerous awards locally and nationally for her leadership and commitment to excellence.

Tamara Nall

The Leading Niche

Tamara Nall lives by the mantra, “to whom much is given, much is required.” She is the CEO of The Leading Niche (TLN), an award winning and internationally recognized company known for using data and cutting-edge consulting to deliver ‘actionable intelligence’. TLN supports customers in global markets, including the United States, Canada, Europe, and Africa. The Firm provides big data, cybersecurity, intelligence, Health IT, regulatory/compliance, and investigative/examination consulting. She has won many awards and has been featured in the media. Mrs. Nall holds an MBA from The Harvard Business School as well as a BS and BBA.

Maria Thompson

Agile Sourcing Products

Maria is founder, President and CEO of Agile Sourcing Partners. Agile is a US-based global supply chain management company with revenues over $220M and nearly 200 employees that focuses on providing procurement services, warehousing, staffing, freight and logistics for utility and infrastructure companies. Prior to founding Agile in 2006, Maria worked in various supply chain and purchasing roles nationally and globally where she leveraged her International MBA and project focus on supply chain. Maria is an active and supportive member of the diverse and small business supplier communities and entrepreneurism through her mentorship activities and technical development workshops for diverse and small businesses and for students.

Azerbaijan

Tatyana Mikayilova

RED Communications

Tatyana founded RED Communications in 2009 which has become the leading strategic public relations and digital communications agency in Azerbaijan. The company recently signed an agreement with internationally renowned Ketchum Company, providing access to international expertise and education for clients and RED employees. Tatyana is Chairwoman of 100 Business Women of Azerbaijan which is a network of women business owners and top executive women in the country. She is also a frequent speaker at local and international events on women’s development and strategic branding.

Bahrain

Afnan Rashid Al Zayani

Al Zayani Commercial Services S. P. C.

Afnan Rashid Al Zayani is owner and president of Al Zayani Commercial Services S.P.C., established in 1980. The company creates many digital and IT products and solutions for clients such as RICOH and KONE. AZCS consistently brings to customers unparalleled IT Business Solutions. In 2016, Afnan was elected as Treasurer of re-launched MENA Businesswomen’s Network. She is presently a Board Member and Head of the Businesswomen’s Committee of Bahrain Chamber of Commerce. Afnan has also published numerous cookbooks and has hosted her own television cooking show. She is also a partner in Martinizing Laundry and a board member of Al Ayam Publishing

Dr. Ebtisam Dallal

Al Kindi Hospital

Dr. Dallal practiced dentistry and obtained her Masters degree, working as a periodontal consultant for Bahrain’s Ministry of Health. In 1993 she established her own Dental facility and in 2008 started Al Kindi Hospital. Within a period of 2 years it became one of the leading hospitals in Bahrain and remains so today. Dr. Ebtisam serves on many boards and in 2012 she was appointed by his Majesty King Hamad Al Khalifa, as a Board member of the National Health Regulatory Authority. In 2013 she was honored by UK’s Foreign and Common Wealth G8 for her contributions in advancement of women’s education and skill development.

Bangladesh

Seema Khatoon

Eastern Freight Ltd. & Eastern Motors Ltd.

Seema Khatoon is the Managing Director of Eastern Freight Ltd. She is a successful women entrepreneur in the shipping trade, freight forwarding, transportation and Importation of Bridgestone Tyre in Bangladesh. She is also the Proprietor of an overseas Investment Holding Company Aroma Palma Sdn. Bhd. in Malaysia. She is dedicated to social activities, having established an educational institute and she is involved in orphanage institutions to support rural and less privilege girls and women to motivate them to become independent and self-reliant. She is an active member and Director of Chittagong Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

Rokshana Akther Chowdhury

Essentials

Rokshana Akther Chowdhury is a renowned businesswoman in Chittagong Bangladesh. She is the Proprietor of Essential Group established in 2003. Essential Group provides high quality food conforming to health and hygienic standards with affordable pricing to reach their target consumers. The company’s priority is to bring the best and most relevant products for people, wherever they are whatever their needs, throughout their lives. The corporate Motto of Essentials Group is “Healthy Food for Better Life”. She is the Former Director & Member of Chittagong Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CWCCI).

Shahnewaz Ayesha Akhtar Jahan

Pandora Assoc. Ltd.
Renaissance Group

Ayesha is one of the leading women entrepreneurs in Bangladesh. She is the Managing Director of Pandora Associates Ltd & Director of Renaissance Group, which is involved in Garment Sector, Agro, Media, Education, Energy, Shipping Lines, etc and currently employs more than 30,000 people. The company has over $ 360 Million in exports. Ayesha also runs “People’s Rokeya Foundation, which works for underprivileged women and orphan girls of Bangladesh. Ayesha loves to travel and already has visited more than 30 countries.

India

Lalita Nijhawan

Nijhawan Group of Companies

Lalita built her company initially through founding Travel Boutique and in 2007, she created Travel Boutique Online, a databse of 24,000 travel agents across India.began her career at an early age and was given an award in Arts by the vice-president of India. In 2010, the company diversified into travel technology, retail, E-commerce, hotel representations, salons, and catering services. She also created a CSR vertical, CKRDT Foundation. At present, the company has offices in 43 cities across 15 countries. In addition, they have catering services in 27 retail outlets in Adidas, Levi’s, and United Colors of Benetton in India called Forks ‘N Spoons.

Anu Chadha

3A Clothing Company

Anu Chadha is the Founder and CEO at 3A Clothing Company, a fashion export house with state of the art manufacturing facilities in Udyog Vihar, located close to New Delhi’s international airport. Anu brings more than 25 years of in-depth experience in the international fashion industry and trend forecasting, and has established a successful fashion export house selling to renowned international retail chains. The Company employs a large number of women who are sole breadwinners in their homes.3A Clothing has recently been selected by Walmart to be their fashion apparel and accessories vendor from India and a part of their competitive ‘Entrepreneurship Development Program’ as a women owned business.

Chanchal Kaushik

Frames Twenty Four Communications Pvt. Ltd.

Chanchal began working in the corporate world and after 6 years, she started her own production firm, Frames 24 which was launched to provide equipment and studio hiring services as well as content creation for various ministries in the government, Lucas TVS and other television shows. What started as a small, one room studio facility slowly grew into a full-fledged private limited company by 2006. Chanchal divides her time judiciously between Frames 24 and the NGO, Nanhi Chaan, for which she is the CEO. Frames 24 is soon to venture into independent cinema and aspires to become Frames 24 Network.

Iran

Haide Shirzady Gilani

Recycling and Composting Kermanshah Company (RCK.co )

RCK.co focuses on the implementation of recycling and processing waste systems. 22,000 tons of waste is processed each year by using biological mechanical waste treatment methods and machinery manufacturer in Germany and Austria. We reduce landfill to less than 3%. The company is also processing and recycling 2000 tons of construction debris per day for first time in Iran and is the exclusive agent of waste processing and recycling companies, KOMPTECH and RUBBLEMASTER. We consult with and supervise services to many cities in Iran. In 2002, we began work with the municipality of Kermanshah with about 700 workers to gathering waste and cleaning streets. info@rck.co.ir

Jordan

Meisa Batyneh Maani

Maisam Architects & Engineers

Meisa is the Founder and Principal Architect at Maisam Architects & Engineers, a firm experienced in multiple facets of design including architecture, planning, urban design, place branding and a pioneer of Green Buildings in the region. Meisa has led multidisciplinary teams on large-scale international and regional projects in USA, Pakistan, Cyprus, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and UAE. In 2006, she founded the Jordan Green Building Council and is presently president of Business and Professional Women in Jordan. Meisa’s work has won multiple global awards and in 2015 she was recognized as the leading Arab Woman Engineer by the committee for Arab Women Engineers.

Pakistan

Nylla Parveen Junejo

Sundartas Collection & S.A.S.
Impex International

Nylla owns two companies: Sundartas Collection and S.A.S Impex International. Sundartas Collection manufactures and exports hand embellished fabric, organic dyed hand block printed apparel and home accessories. We work with more than 5000 registered poor working women of remote areas who are skilled in various types of handy work.The Collection is a blend of modern and traditional clothing line. S.A.S Impex International deals in import and marketing of waste paper, iron and steel scraps, old and new machinery, pvc scraps, health and beauty products and FMCG. Nylla is also the Director of Pakistan Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PAJCCI).

Shanza Anwar

Fazal Trade Impex

Shanza is the CEO of Fazal Trade Impex, a trading concern, started in 2005. The scope of business is import and export of light engineering products in the fields of electronics and metallurgy such as home appliances, power generators, ferro alloys and various metal scraps from Europe, China, Middle East and South Asia. Shanza is also director of her family’s 50-year-old concern, Anwar Group, Anwar Industries Pvt. Ltd. and Steel Castings Pvt. Ltd. The company is a pioneer in manufacturing of electric fans and developing high quality grades of alloy steels for castings, forgings and fabrication of machine parts and components. They supply various industries including, Cement, Automotive, Railways, Mining and Defense.

Syeda Amna Nasir Jamal

SAN Enterprises

Syeda Amna Nasir Jamal is the proprietor of SAN Enterprises, a trading company that specializes in general trading of bulk agricultural commodities (rice), other general commodities and textiles. She is also editor in chief of SAN Tribune and Global Sentinel and has written over 450 articles/New stories for National and International media outlets. She is the founder and head of the Tavvun Welfare Association and Institute for Policy Studies, Research and Human Development in Pakistan and actively addressing educational issues and supported capacity building of women. She runs programs of free education for underprivileged children at Dhabeji, Thatta and Lyari (a gang war hit area).

Azra Jamshed

Awan Cold Storage Private Ltd.
AJ Industries

Awan Cold Storage was established in 1965 and Azra began working as the Director in 1985. The company is involved in the preservation of fresh/Dry fruits and vegetables which are then exported to Afghanistan, Tajikistan and other central Asian countries. The main commodities that are exported are kinnow’s (oranges) and potatoes. We also import fruits from China and Afghanistan such as apples, pears, oranges, grapes and pomegranates. The company is strategically located for the only easily accessible trade way for the import and Export to Afghanistan through Pakistan. Azra also runs AJ Industries Private Limited which manufactures ice.

Taiwan

Hsioa-Ling (Carolyn) Chou

Yuanta Futures Co., LTD.

Carolyn is General Manager of Yuanta Futures Co., LTD, a leading futures company and first IPO futures commission merchant in Taiwan. She has over twenty years of senior level managerial experiences across banking, securities, asset management, and future industries. In 2008 her book, “Making My Money Last a Lifetime” was a best seller and all proceeds from the book were donated to the Renewal Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that every child receives a proper education regardless of social or economic status. Alongside managing Yuanta Futures Co., Ltd, Carolyn is also currently the Board Chairman of the Taiwan Association of Women Entrepreneurs.

The Philippines

Sherill R. Quintana

Oryspa Spa Solutions

Sherill founded Oryspa Spa Solutions Inc., the number one maker of 100% natural rice bran based health and beauty products in the Philippines. Aside from being a multi-awarded entrepreneur, she serves as a passionate mentor and professional speaker on the topics of entrepreneurship, branding, franchising, and strength-based coaching. She is also a trained Gallup USA Strengths Coach. She is the author of the book entitled A Small Entrepreneur’s Journey and has won has won many awards including Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Outstanding Young Entrepreneur South Luzon 2015; Most Promising Filipino Franchise Excellence Award 2015; Outstanding ASEAN Women Entrepreneur and Ha Noi 2016.

Turkey

Mihraban Barlak

Ozi Licensed Textile Products
Zaruff Jewelry

Mihraban is the founder of two companies; one based in Sydney, Australia specializing in jewelry design and the second one based in Istanbul, Turkey-Ozi Licensed Textile Products, which manufactures everyday textiles. In 2006, the company started selling their own designs and products at a small kiosk in Sydney and quickly expanded to 13 retail stores throughout Australia, stands in various department stores and a wholesale business. In 2010, Mihraban formed, Ozi Licensed Textile Products which designs and manufactures socks, underwear and basic clothing. The company sells to chain supermarkets in Turkey and Europe, powered by an all-female creative team of talented designers and manufacturers.

Rüknet Yeşilyurt

Self Plast Plastic

Ruknet started her career in the plastics sector at 1974. In 2011 SELFPLAST LIMITED was incorporated. This firm has annual revenue of nearly $7.0 mill with 65 employees. The goal for the company is to maintain and increase production with more innovative and value-added solutions. The Turkish domestic market accounts for approximately 15% of domestic sector. This is why, we are looking forward to meet new, sustainable and solid import and export connections in the following in the coming year. SELFPLAST’s target is to increase its production 30% within following 5 years.

Dilek Ataer Altıparmak

Tugra Kimyeui Mad. San. 7ic. Ltd. Sti

Dilek earned a degree in Chemical Engineering from Yildiz Technical University and began working in a firm manufacturing enamel frit. She was one of the first women working in the metal industry in Turkey at that time. In 1997, she founded her own firm and began to sell metal chemicals as well as consulted for Gizem Frit, one of the leading firms of the country. In 2009, she has selected to the Chemistry Committee of Istanbul Chamber of Commerce and in 2014, she began exporting to Middle-East, Balkans and Turkic Republics by obtaining Turkey distributorship of an Italian firm.

Belgium

Anne Marie Baeyeart

Resigrass

Contributing for over 30 years, starting from scratch up to high level management positions in a global company in Europe and Brazil, I finally followed my dream of leading my own company. I acquired an SME company with the plan to take it to the next level. In the meantime, I started a second company, took positions in the board of quoted and governmental companies and have the time of my life. All this happened since my 53rd anniversary, an age at which many are starting to think about their pension. I hope to be an inspiration to many, for this is really the ultimate dream come true.

Ingrid Ceusters

BEREAL

Ingrid Ceusters began her career as a dental surgeon, but soon switched professions and started working in the real estate industry. In 1996, she became a member of the Management Board of Hugo Ceusters nv, the real estate agency of her late husband Hugo Ceusters. As a certified BIV real estate agent, she eventually took charge of the company as CEO in 2007 and led it to the top of the Belgian real estate industry. Ceusters brought about the merger with Shopping Center Management Services (SCMS) and turned Group Hugo Ceusters-SCMS into a real estate player boasting expertise in office, retail, logistics, and investment real estate..

Corinne Dumont

Sequoia

Corinne has been an entrepreneur since 2007. After management studies and a 17-year long career at a US bank, she made a complete professional transition. Looking for a new challenge in line with her values, she took over two organic supermarket stores in Belgium. Corinne’s vision was to inspire a larger number of people to take care of their well-being through healthy food and expand the concept. Today, the company has grown to 6 stores under the name Sequoia and employs 80 people. It is a family-driven company with respect for people and the planet at the heart of their core values.

Spain

Anna Vicens Rohala

Vicens Vives, S. A.

Anna is editor-in-chief of Vicens Vives publishing house, dedicated to the publication of all types of school textbooks and educational materials and publishing teaching materials. The company’s goal was and is to publish books and materials fully adapted to the changes in society and the demands of the educational community for both teachers and students. Our policy of methodology renewal and updating remains a constant feature in our books. In addition, the presentation and design of our products is of a very high level of technological, educational and aesthetic quality, which has led to the receipt of numerous national and international awards. This has led us to be among the leading publishing companies in the Spain and to have a huge market presence in South America.

Isabel Alonso

Isabel Alonso, S. L.

In 1988, Alonso Valero S.L. was formed with one truck and a rented, and a small industrial warehouse for cold storage. Five years later, Isabel also formed Isabel Alonso, S.L., a transport company starting with 4 trucks. When her sons joined the business, the logistics company continued to grow and now has 200 trucks and 569 employees. Their strategy focused on covering a part of the market that was not entirely serviced and originally had routes were in Holland and Belgium. Now they are entering new markets in Germany and England.

Sweden

Britt-Marie Stegs

Hälsingestintan AB

When building Halsingestintan AB, Britt-Marie changed the industry of meat production by introducing ethical meat production. The business concept is to provide quality meat from farms with good animal husbandry to households all over the country. The company invested in their own breeding of cattle, a cutting plant in Eskilstuna (2011) and most recently “mobile slaughter.” All animals are fitted with a chip stating farm of origin which follows throughout the production process and finally becomes a QR code on the package that consumers can read with their mobile phones, allowing them to know exactly what farm and which farmer their steak comes from. Britt-Marie is and has been active in agricultural committees and entrepreneurship networks, sharing her knowledge on the international arena.

Pingis Hadenius

Löwengrip Care&Color

The long-term vision is that one day every woman worldwide will be using Löwengrip Care & Color products, designed to help women-on-the-go maintain balance in life. The company started in 2012 with each woman owning 50% each of the company with no external investors. The company offers free podcasts and does pro bono TV shows on financial literacy to help viewers improve their relationship with money. LCC started “The beauty of entrepreneurship award” together with a women’s magazine offering mentorship and financial support to start their own business. In addition, the company has sent thousands of products to refugee camps in Europe through one of their clients. Every LCC-employee gives away an hour each month to someone in need. Pingis started the Women’s Presidents Organization chapter in Sweden in 2014.

Isabella Blondinella

Löwengrip Care & Color

Isabella Löwengrip, commonly known as Blondinbella, is a Swedish entrepreneur and owner of Scandinavia’s biggest blog with over 1 million readers weekly. She started her first company at the age of 14, an investment company and currently she has 5 active companies. She published her first book in 2009 and has since published three more books. One of the books, titled Economista, was published together with her colleague and partner Pingis Hadenius. Isabella and Pingis share the leadership of three businesses, Economista (financial literacy), Flattered (shoes), Löwengrip Care & Color (cosmetics), and one of the most popular podcasts in Sweden with the same name as the book.

The Netherlands

Heske Groenendaal

Metaglas B.V.

After gaining a BA in Chemical Engineering and a Masters in Economics, Heske developed herself in industrial marketing. In 1999 she and her husband took over Metaglas from her father. Social involvement is important to her, which is why Metaglas is offering (young) disabled people, long-term unemployed, women returners and school leavers a platform to get the best out of themselves by giving them a job, education or traineeship. To support female entrepreneurship, Heske is on the advisory board of Sisterhood in Business. She has served as a city councillor in Tiel and is currently a commissioner at the Rabobank West Betuwe.

Bolivia

María del Rosario Paz Gutiérrez

Farmacorp

Maria is a successful businesswoman, President and CEO of Farmacorp and Director of the Chamber of Industry, Commerce, Service and Tourism of Santa Cruz- CAINCO. She completed her college career at Texas A & M University, majoring in business management and business analysis and went on to obtain a masters degree in Global MBA for Latin American Managers at the Thunderbird School of Management in Phoenix – Arizona. Her work experience has the following milestones: CEO- Executive President of Farmacorp Traducir del: Inglés and Principal Director of Chamber of Industry, Commerce, Services and Tourism of Santa Cruz- CAINCO. In her professional life she has many achievements at both the personal and corporate level, including the leadership in the chain of drugstores category nationwide with Farmacorp, and as Treasurer Director of CAINCO.

Perú

Marysol León Huayanca

Quantum Consultores, S. A.C.

Marysol León Huayanca is Chairman and CEO of Quantum Consultores (Quantum Consultants), a Peruvian entity operating since 2005 and engaged in providing consulting, tax, accounting and legal advisory. In 1999, Marysol was designated as a member of the Peruvian Tax Court and Director of Legal and Tax Standards and Regulations of the Lima Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Quantum Consultores is the representative in Perú of Morison International, the world’s ninth largest accounting and consulting network with member firms in more than 60 countries. The company has a team of 55 professionals providing customized high-quality service. Client portfolio comprises local private and public-sector companies as well as cross-country projects (Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, EEUU, Costa Rica, Mexico, Alemania). She is also a university professor.

Rocio del Pilar Oyanguren Silva

Comunicacion Activa S.A.C.

Rocio is a journalist by profession. She began her career at 18 years of age specializing in sports. She was a special envoy to three Olympic Games: Barcelona 92, Atlanta 96 and Sydney 2000. Twenty-one years ago she founded Comunicacion Activa SAC, which is one of the most recognized companies in communications consultancy in the Peruvian market. She is the author of two books ‘¿Yo? ¡¿Madre?!’ and ‘Dichosas’, the main theme of her second book is menopause. Today she is the president of Asociación Mujeres Batalla- AMUBA, a nonprofit association whose work focuses on women, creating motivational and entrepreneurship workshops for women. For the last 8 years, she has been the leader of Salon Internacional del Humor Grafico, which focuses on awareness and issues related to the planet.

United States of America

Maria Rios

Nation Waste, Inc.

Maria Rios is the President and CEO of Nation Waste, Inc. (NWI), the first female Hispanic-owned waste removal company in the United States and one of Houston’s largest minority-owned companies. NWI is a fully-certified, commercial waste disposal company specializing in construction, demolition, commercial/industrial non-hazardous waste removal, portable toilets and recycling services. Fortune Magazine named Maria Rios as one of the “2013 Fortune Most Powerful Women Entrepreneursin the U.S.” and in 2014 Goldman Sachs honored her as one of its 1”00 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs.” In 2015, Maria Rios and NWI were featured on CNBC’s “Blue Collar Millionaires,” a docu-series profiling big personalities who have gained wealth “by getting their hands dirty…and rolling up their sleeves…with a can-do mindset.” Maria Rios is a proud graduate of the University of Houston.

Michele Ruiz

Ruiz Strategies

Michele Ruiz is the President and CEO of Ruiz Strategies, a communications firm that develops and executes transformational communications and content marketing strategies for world-class companies, professional services firms, and government entities leveraging the power of social media, new media, traditional media and virtual technologies. The company, founded in 2011 by Michele, now has 16 employees and independent contractors with clients throughout the U.S. Previously, Michele founded SaberHacer.com, a bilingual expert based “how-to” educational broadband site for U.S. Hispanics. Before becoming an entrepreneur, she enjoyed a long career as a TV journalist during which she received 16 Emmy nominations, 5 Emmy’s, 4 Golden Mikes and LA Press Club Awards. Additionally, she is the author of new book, “Content Marketing for Lawyers” and a professional speaker.

Bahrain

Feryal Abdulla Nass

Ma Maison Interior & Design
District Trading & Artland Interior W.L.L. Nass the Group

Feryal Abdulla Ahmed Nass is one of the leading Bahraini Entrepreneur, Interior Designer, in the Kingdom of Bahrain, leading Ma Maison Interiors, Design District Trading W.L.L. and Artland Interior, a Division of Nass TheGroup. She began her journey 25 years ago, through her family owned business – Nass The Group, which was established more than 50 years ago. Not satisfied, and in pursuit of higher achievements, she established her own independent business in 1999 – Ma Maison Interiors, and today proudly owns and operates 3 different establishments. Mrs. Feryal, is an active member in the Bahrain Businesswomen’s Society; Bahrain Chamber of Commerce & Industry; Bahrain Morocco Trade Council; Ministry of Labor Training and Arab – British Chamber of Commerce.

Huda Mohamed Adbulla Janahi

Global Group

Mrs. Huda Janahi, Vice President of Global Cargo & Courier Services, began her business from home in 2001 with a start-up capital of 2,600 USD in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Within a few years and through the support of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization in Bahrain, Mrs. Janahi converted her small business into a successful enterprise. In 2008 she signed a merger, worth 3 million USD, with the Kuwaiti owned Global Logistic Company, which serves the whole Middle East region. Currently, Global Cargo and Courier Services employ over 100 staff; in addition to that Mrs. Huda owns four businesses in services, retail, media and manufacturing and her net worth is estimated at USD 25 million.

Bangladesh

Sunanda Dey

Deys (United Suppliers)

Sunanda is the Managing Director of Deys (United Suppliers) Co. Ltd. She is a successful women entrepreneur in the trade of Pharmaceuticals medicine & surgical products as a leading inventor and importer in Chittagong, Bangladesh.She is dedicated with social activities, established education institute like school, and orphanage institutions to support the rural, urban helpless girls and women in personal life. She is an active member of various social organizations in Chittagong. She supports financial assistance to less privileged women to be self sustainable. She is the Director of Chittagong Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

Baby Hasan

B.S. Fashion & Apparels

Mrs. Baby Hassan born in 1967 Chairman of B.S. Fashion & Apparels a 100% Export Oriented Ready Made Garments & Buying House started business in the year 1995. The primary expense of B.S. Fashion & Apparels is the brainchild of Baby Hassan which gradually came to its present state from the constant monetary investment from her own fund for expansion and setup of a complete Ready Made Garments Buying house of best standard. She faced various social barriers and challenges to prove her moral dignity that has no alternate between male and female. She helps the under privilege women in her business for being self- dependent. She is a successful businesswoman and active Member of Chittagong Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

Farhad Yesmine

F&F Fashion | F&F Printing

We started our journey in 2001, focused on creating high quality fashion. We added the printing sector of garment manufacturing in 2014, working for both domestic and overseas brands. Our company makes every effort to keep pace using high security, sophisticated industrial equipment. Our goal is to produce the highest quality fashion and printing for brands from around the world and to achieve a high level reputation for their companies, for our company and for our country. We hold very high corporate social responsibility standards advancing social, labor and environmental practices to create healthy environments for our workers and our community.

India

Gorsi Atul Parekh

Arraycom (India) Ltd.

Mrs. Gorsi Atul Parekh, the Chair Person & Managing Director, is the driving force of Arraycom (India) Ltd. a satellite communication company founded by her husband, late Mr. Atul Parekh. One of the company’s primary clients is the Govt. of India and their telecommunications initiatives. As part of her program in the field of education, she founded J.N. Education Society (JNES) which runs a well renowned institutions in Ahmedabad, India namely Ahmedabad International School (AIS) as well as Todden (Toddlers’ Den). JNES is a non-profit organization to undertake various activities related to education and child development. She is also involved with other nonprofit agencies striving to lift people out of poverty and enchance education. She has won numerous awards for all her work.

Mourya Boda

Brilliant Bio Pharma Private Limited

Mourya Boda is the Chairwoman & Managing Director of Brilliant Bio Pharma Pvt. Ltd. (BBPPL), a part of the TGV Conglomerate having a turnover of over USD 200 million: Prerith Constructions Private Limited, Vision Renergies & Projects Private Limited and Brilliant Industries Private Limited. She also oversees Nectar Laboratories Ltd. Mourya brings to the table, implementation skills that have proved vital to BBPPL, a veterinary vaccine manufacturer, in capturing new export markets for its Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) Vaccine and Rabies Vaccine across the globe. The Company also spends quality time implementing a string of CSR activities. She has chaired the FICCI Young Ladies Organization, Hyderabad Chapter and is a member of CII. Mourya holds a Master’s Degree in Business Management and a Bachelor’s Degree in Law.

Falguni Padode

Asapp Media Tvt Ltd.

Falguni Padode is the Group Managing Editor and CEO of Asapp Media Information Group, a multinational B2B media house with 10 magazines dedicated to providing cutting-edge information on the construction, infrastructure, and industry sectors. She has also been editor for the group’s flagship publication CONSTRUCTION WORLD, for the past 15 years. Falguni received the “Best Journalist” award at the CIDC Vishwakarma Awards, in 2011. She is also Partner in the Group’s new foray into Smart Cities, setting up the Smart Cities Council India, in conjunction it the Smart Cities Council, USA. An active member of the Altamount Road Area Citizen’s Committee for two years, she is currently the Chairperson of the Mumbai Chapter of the Women’s Wing of FICCI, which works towards empowering women across all economic strata.

Pakistan

Ayesha Zaheer

ORSAT Medical Hub

Ayesha Zaheer ran Roshanay Boutique, a prestigious fashion house in Lahore,Pakistan. Her Mother had started this boutique in 1969, and was one of the pioneers in this business. Ayesha joined the business as her partner in 1970’s. The joint efforts of this dynamic duo grew the business across the country and the globe. Currently, Ayesha is the exclusive Representative for ORSAT in Pakistan (a Medical Hub Company from Turkey). The company has engaged her to help the Pakistani patients for using various medical facilities in Turkey with a light mode of tourism. Encouraging females from Pharmaceutical industry to earn more and develop their business by partnering with ORSAT in Pakistan.

Donna Meredith

Keystone Corporate Positioning

Donna Meredith, Managing Director of Keystone Corporate Positioning, started her USD$ 2million business in 1997 in Sydney, Australia. Prior to co-founding Keystone, she was Group Brands Manager and Manager International Product at Qantas Airways Ltd. In the last 18 years Keystone has provided specialist marketing, management and strategic consultancy services in Australia and around the world. Keystone is a ‘virtual’ company with a team of 20 employees and consultants creating customized teams based on client needs. The company leverages strategic partnerships with creative, research and communications agencies to provide scalable, flexible client solutions. In 2012 Donna also became the Principal of Interaction Associates (IA) in Australasia. IA is an award winning global learning and development company headquartered in Boston

Georgia

Lia Chkonia

Georgian American Center for Reproductive Medicine ReproArt

Lia Chkonia is a founder and director of Georgian American Center for Reproductive Medicine ReproART. After successful education at the Johns Institute for Reproductive Medicine, Norfolk, VA and after her professional experience in the USA, she came back to Georgia in 2000. Since then she pioneered in the techniques of Assisted Reproductive Technologies in Georgia and celebrated the births of first ICSI, TESA, MESE, Vitrified/Warmed blastocyst babies in the country. In the June of 2012 it became necessary to start new clinic and she became one of the founders of ReproART with 60% shares. After one year business was extended to two other cities in Georgia. Today, ReproART is one of the most successful clinics in Georgia with revenue of near 2 million USD.

Portugal

Sandra Correia

Pelcor

Sandra is the co-owner of Novacortiça, S.A., a $5.0 million company located in South Portugal, Algarve region. They are producers of champagne cork disks for stoppers. Sandra’s father started the company in 1986 and in 2013, Sandra became co-owner of the company. She created her own brand, Pelcor® in 2013 and focused on making cork a fashionable material, creating cork fashion accessories such as bags; wallets, umbrellas, hats. Novacortiça, S.A. has 60 employees and sells in Europe, North Europe, USA, and Asia. In 2014, Sandra opened an American company, Pelcor USA, LLC to manage all Pelcor® business in USA. Sandra was selected by President Obama in 2013 as part of a 91 country Entrepreneurship summit.

Serbia

Ljiljana Karaklajic

D Express

Ljiljana founded D Express in 2008, providing express courier delivery of shipments. Today the company has 627 employees and operates at territory of Serbia (with ongoing project of international delivery). D Express provides two main type of services – Same day and Next day delivery, and last year’s revenue was over 9 million euros. Ljiljana had started her career at public postal service, “Posta Srbije,“ in 1982. After 20 years spent in public sector, Ljiljana made a transfer into the private sector where she had spent 5 years as a manager for another company, before she made a decision to start her own business.

Mila Litvinjenko

AURA

Mila holds a degree in Philology, French Language and Literature from the University of Belgrade and is fluent in four languages. In 1996, she started her own cosmetics business. Step by step AURA has grown and developed. Teamwork, innovation, flexibility, constant market research and recognizing their customer needs as well as quick reactions to satisfy them, have enabled AURA to successfully compete globally. AURA’s products are in Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Romania, Bulgaria, and currently it is negotiating contracts with distributors from Croatia, Slovenia and Austria with potential introductions in the Middle East and Africa. As a small company with only 11 employees to start, AURA now has 76 employees, and its 700 different products are distributed to over 2500 sale points in Serbia and the surrounding countries.

Spain

Regina Llopis

Group AIA

Regina Llopis, UC Berkeley Math PhD, is Founder, Investor, President & CEO of Group AIA, since 1988. She and her husband started the company with a dream to transfer basic science into industry. Currently she leads their intra/entrepreneurship initiatives as well as develops strategy and expansion of all group technology driven companies in software and engineering, finding solutions in the fields of energy, banking, telecom, health and music Industries. Clients include 25 of the Forbes 2000 company list. Products they have developed include those adopted by NASA. The vision of the company is to become leaders in Basic Science transfer to Industry, and Building Algorithms for a better world and converting big data analytics into the change of paradigm from causality to correlations.

Turkey

Hatice Güner Kal

1 Adim Silikon Vadisi Egitimve Danismanlik Ltd.

Hatice Güner Kal is the CEO at 1 Adim Silikon VadisiEgitimveDanismanlik LTD. She is the Managing Director of Baltürk Electronic Inc, a forerunner in the telecommunications industry for over 21 years. Furthermore, she is a member of the Baltaş Board of Directors- a family-owned corporation involved in yarn manufacture, and construction, and import/export. Her latest enterprise “Turkish Angels’ Delight” introduces uniquely presented, organic Turkish Delights to a worldwide audience. She is also a valuable member of The Istanbul Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, she is the President of the TOBBWomen Entrepreneurs Board in the city of Istanbul as well as in the Marmara region. Mrs. Kal strongly encourages entrepreneurial leadership among women, spreading her message through conferences both in Turkey and abroad in countries such as India and Syria.

Zehra Taskesenlioglu

MAYA Project Management Company

Zehra coordinates preparation and implementation of EU and international projects for local governments, public institutions and the private sector as the owner and general manager of MAYA Project Management Company. In addition, she provides technical assistance on the preparation of EU and World Bank tenders. She also consults on renewable energy and Carbon emission trade and publishes research, reports and essays on Migration and Migration Management, EU Regional Policy and Energy Policies. She also directs national, regional and international projects funded by EU and Development Agencies. She is a member of Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges, Istanbul Board of Women Entrepreneurs and founding chairperson of Foreign Economic Relations Board Turkish-Rwandan Business Council. Zehra is about to receive her PHD in Financial Economics.

United Kingdom

Helen Jamieson

Jaluch Limited

Helen Jamieson is Managing Director of Jaluch (2002) and Jaluch International (2014). Jaluch provides Human Resources and Training services to 350 organisations across the UK and internationally. Training focuses on the development of management skills and also employee skills including customer service and sales. Helen employs 12 plus provides work for many associates. Jaluch International develops and sells training materials to organisations that for time efficiency, or cost effectiveness, reasons want to deliver their own training. Already sold into the UK and GCC region, it will soon be taken to market in the US. Helen has also set up a not-for-profit called Global Fountain. GF supports entrepreneurs around the world by providing training and support. Training materials for both individuals and business groups are provided.

Perú

Meche Correa

Meche Correa

Meche is an artist and designer with over 15 years of experience marked by high sensitivity and passion for Peruvian culture. Her designs, clothing, handbags and retail stores highlight her style. She was appointed by the Peruvian government as “Ambassador Of The Brand Peru.” Her dresses have been on display at The Matadero Madrid Museum , and in 2014 will be taken on a traveling exhibition through several European countries . To Meche Correa there is only one trend, one inspired, and that’s the PERU. She designs to keep the Peruvian culture alive.

Dolores Guevara

Farmacia Universal, S. A. C.

Universal Pharmacy was established in 1934. Dolores became CEO in 2005, taking over the business from her parents. The company sells medicines and prepares master formulas, and also manufacturers medical devices for patient care, and other personal care ítems and nutritional formulas for children. The company serves customers in Lima, other Peruvian provinces and globally. Customers include institutions, construction companies, mining, hospitals, clinics, etc. In addition, the company has a strong corporate social responsibility supporting organizations such as the Association of Burned Children in raising funds and helping the victims.

United States of America

Vigdis Eriksen

Eriksen Translations Inc.

Vigdis Eriksen is founder and CEO of Eriksen Translations Inc., founded in 1986. Eriksen is a leading provider of multilingual services in over 100 languages, offering translation, interpreting, layout and production, web and software localization, cultural consulting, and voiceover and subtitling services. The company’s clients include technology firms, finance, insurance, law, health care, and education, as well as nonprofits and leading museums and cultural institutions worldwide. Eriksen employs thirty people and thousands of freelance translators around the world. Vigdis is a member of: the American Translators Association and the New York Circle of Translators; Women Presidents’ Organization (WPO); Inc. Business Owners Council; Norwegian-American Chamber of Commerce.

Jena Gardner

Global Group by JG

Jena turned a lifelong passion for travel into a thriving enterprise, founding Global Group by JG, which has become a world-leader within the travel and travel lifestyle industries. She also founded JG Black Book in 2002 and has since built it into a highly successful consulting firm that provides expert sales, marketing and distribution services to the world’s finest travel experiences, earning her Inc. Magazine’s recognition as one of the country’s fastest growing privately-held companies for the past three years. In 2009 she also launched The Traveler’s Collection, a retail website showcasing exclusive and unique home décor, apparel and accessory items from artisans around the globe.

Hetal Parikh

Rangam Consultants Inc.

Born in India, Hetal founded Rangam Consultants Inc. in the US which has become a global high-performing diverse supplier of enterprise-wide staffing services. The company is a certified WMBE that was established in 1995 and has been recruiting for Fortune 500 companies for the last twelve years. With a team of 350 employees at locations in the USA, Canada, UK & India, they serve clients in a variety of industries as well as the government sector. Rangam Consultants Inc. has won multiple awards for innovation, sustainability, service excellence and CARE award by ASA and is consistently rated by their clients as one of their top-5 staffing service suppliers.

Bangladesh

Gulshana Ali

Tava Restaurant & Lounge
Khulshi Mart

Gulshana Ali is the Managing Director of Tava Restaurant & Khulshi Mart, established in 1993. Tava was the first company established by her tireless efforts and rent less dedication. Tava provides high quality food conforming to local tastes health and hygienic standards with affordable price within the reach of target consumers. The company’s priority is to bring the best and most relevant products for people, wherever they are whatever their needs, throughout their lives. The corporate Motto of Tava is “Healthy Food for Better Life.” She is the Former Vice President & a member of the ChittagongWomen Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CWCCI).

Nafisa Sharmin

Mazkan Jeans Ltd.

Nafisa Sharmin is the Chairwoman of Mazkan Jeans Ltd & M.S. Shoe Ltd. She is a successful women entrepreneur in the trade of Professional services dedicated to quality service in the sector of 100% Export oriented Ready Garments Manufacturing business in Bangladesh. She started her career with garments business from the year 2009 presently she is involved with a number of business enterprises. She is the Director of M.S. Shoes (Pvt.) Ltd. inspired with the prospects of garments sector in Bangladesh she has undertaken an initiative to establish more textile industries in the near future in Bangladesh. She is the Director of the ChittagongWomen Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

Sharita Millat

Veritas Pharmaceutical Ltd.

Ms. Sharita Millat is the Managing Director of Veritas Pharmaceuticals Ltd. She is a successful women entrepreneur in the trade of specialized pharmaceutical business in Dhaka, Bangladesh. She is influential and has good capability, maintains strong marketing networks. She started her business in the year 2009. Her business is mainly involved in the power of healing aim to deliver potent medication, with accessibility, affordability and diversity. Vertias Pharmaceuticals Ltd. is a world class pharmaceutical Industry based in Gazipur, Bangladesh recommended by World Health Organization (WHO). She is the Member of Chittagong Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry. She is dedicated with social activities and also involved with several orphanage institutions.

India

Nafisa Nimakwala

Phorum Gold Pvt. Ltd.

Nafisa is the Director of the Board of Phorum Jewels Ltd. She has more than 20 years of experience in the jewelry industry. Phorum is the leading manufacturer and exporter of real diamond studded jewelry and gold bangles. Their latest designs and variety have placed them among the front-runners in the industry and has earned them a strong reputation. The products are of high quality, yet affordable. The company adheres to the highest professional industry ethics and standards and aims at preserving the integrity of their product.

Poonam Mahajan

Signages Systems India

Poonam holds a Masters in Financial Management and is a Chartered Accountant (CPA). She has worked for a number of years as a financial manager in different positions before starting Signage Systems. She is a value channel partner of Fortune 500 American corporates 3M and DuPont, for their Building Innovation products. She has also been awarded the Nakshatra Award by DuPont South Asia. Her company was also felicitated for timely and efficient service provision by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. She is a Director of Aztec Identity Solutions and is a financial consultant for Lachhman Das & Co. As great believers in the empowerment of women and the handicapped, she and her husband have created a scholarship for blind women to help them in their effort to start enterprises and cottage industries.

Ratna Reddy

Shri Shakti Schools PVT., Ltd.

Ratna had the privilege of working in the USA and with her knowledge of the education sector in India, she established a school to offer the best of practices of both countries. She started in stages with pre-primary, moving to primary and has since expanded her business internationally. The school maintains consistent quality while achieving growth. With 3200 students, over 750 employees-both faculty and administrative Staff, CHIREC flourishes in 3 campuses in a serene location, in the information technology hub of Hyderabad. The school also encourages environmentally friendly practices like solar powered lighting and fencing, rainwater harvesting, zero waste management, and recycling of kitchen wastewater.

Malaysia

Dato’ Hazimah

Hyrax Oil SDN. BHD

Dato’ Zainuddin serves on the Board of MATRADE, an organization which promotes Malaysian exports to the rest of the world. Besides holding numerous key positions in a number of businesses, she actively participates in a host of women entrepreneur organizations. She had been Independent Non-Executive Director of Scientex Berhad since November 7, 2006 until April 4th 2013 and served as its Non-Independent Non-Executive Director from January 27, 2004 to November 7, 2006. She serves as the President of the Association of Women Entrepreneur in Business and Professions, PENIAGAWATI and serves as Vice Chairman 1 of Federation of Women Entrepreneur Association of Malaysia. She is both a Member of National Association of Women Entrepreneur of Malaysia, and a Life Member of the Tenaga Nasional Entrepreneur Association. She holds Diploma in Business Study, Institute of Technology, Mara.

Taiwan

Jenny Ma

Jang Fu Enterprise Co., Ltd.

After losing her husband, with determination and diligence, Jenny built businesses in real estate, construction, trading and agriculture in seven countries. In addition, she founded two Rotary Clubs in Taipei, founded the Taiwan Women Entrepreneurs Association and founded the Care for Women Association. She also founded the Taiwan Agriculture and Fishery Association. In 2009, she hosted the Cross-Strait Women Business Leaders Economic and Trade Forum in Taipei-the very first women’s forum for mainland, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. It is now a major annual event for women leaders from these four territories. Jenny has been honored several times for her work as a successful entrepreneur, political and social leader.

Ching Hua Tsai

Ching Hua Bridal

Ching Hua is considered the top brand of Taiwan Bridal Art business, founded 34 years ago with the vision to bring customers happiness and joy during the best moments of their lives. During these years, Ching Hua has had helped thousands of couples and families capture their best moments through our best in service, technology and art photography. Ching Hua has also photographed major political figures, successful business leaders, celebrities and their families. Ching believes trust and responsibility are the foundations of success. She plans to expand overseas focusing on the Chinese, South Asian and US markets.

Lee Ching Ching

An-Fa Anti-Aging

Ching Ching Lee has over 30 years of experience in running her business internationally. Upon graduation from University of Southern California, she joined her family’s international trading business in Taipei, Taiwan and eventually took over and expanded the business to Europe, America and Japan. In 1994, Ms. Lee Co-founded An-Fa Anti Aging Clinic and was named CEO. Under her leadership, An-Fa has grown to be the leading Anti Aging institution in Asia. In 2012, Cell Doctor Bio Lab, a subsidiary of An-Fa clinic won the Symbol of National Quality award from the government of Republic of China. Ms. Lee is the chairman of Taiwan Women Entrepreneurs Association.

The Philippines

Pacita U. Juan

Echostore Sustainable Lifestyle

Pacita set up a social enterprise business called the ECHOstore in 2008—the first specialty store of its kind in the Philippines. < ECHO means Environment, Community, Hope and Organization. They source all their merchandise from marginalized communities around the country, while also promoting environment-friendly and upcycled artisanal crafts. In 2010, she also started a small organic farm project called ECHOfarms and in 2011, she and her partners decided to open their third concept—the ECHOmarket. Pacita also heads the Philippine Coffee Board Inc. and the Women’s Business Council of the Philippines.

Mila Lacson

MIL Exports

Mila worked with the Bank of America, Manila, just out of university. She left the bank in 1986 to set up her own company. MIL Export Philippines was organized in 1987 with five full time in-house designers. The company pioneered the production and development of highly finished paper mache products. From a group of ten workers, the company has grown to a workforce of 1,000, which includes regular and contractual workers. Starting with three customers, MIL Export Philippines has succeeded in penetrating the U.S., European and Australian markets and has big importers in Germany as its top clients.

Lynette Mayne

Work Wear World

Lynette has three decades of international business experience in USA, Asia, Africa and Australia. Lynette is owner and Executive Chair of Work Wear World, a leading provider of work wear to Australia’s major companies. Lynette leads the Chief Executive Women’s Leaders Program to enhance senior female leadership skills; has written two books; and has an MBA in Finance from New York University. She was one of 20 CEOs to accompany the new Australian Prime Minister on his first overseas trip to Indonesia, attends the APEC Women and the Economy Forum for the Australian Government, and the Indian Ocean Rim Association.

Serbia

Biljana Javanovic

Luna Fashion

Luna Fashion Company was established in 1990 in Požarevac, led by the wish of two ladies – a mother and a daughter – to create a brand intended for confident women, aware of their own qualities, not hiding their femininity but enjoy it! Today, after two and a half decades of successful management, we can feel free to say that LUNA is one of the leaders in Textile industry in Serbia, and the company which developed stable business system with more than 180 employees, with manufacturing plant of 3000 m2 surface are and with a chain of its own and franchises.

Jasmina Knezevic

Bel Medic Hospital

Dr. Jasmina Knežević, founder and initiator of Bel Medica, entrepreneur and visionary. Leading a “patient at the center of attention” mission and a 24-hour sintagma for you, as well as a vision to “create an institution better than its individuals”, which brought it to reality, Bel Medic led the European champion in the category “Customer Relationship”. Starting with its vision, Bel Medic has gained the trust of more than 200,000 patients and has won a number of prizes that are common denominator “best from Serbia”. Although this has been working for 21 years, Dr. Knezevic has the habit of saying that it is only at the beginning

Spain

Verónica Fisas

Natura Bissé

Verónica faces the great challenge of successfully moving forward the company that her father, Ricardo Fisas, founded in 1979. She worked her way up through all of the departments of the business gaining a thorough understanding of how the business should be run. In 2001 she was named the CEO of Natura Bissé’s affiliate in the U.S. in the year 2001. Verónica believes that Natura Bissé has a great opportunity to further develop their products in the cosmetics market. She is counting on Natura Bissé’s reputation as a solidly founded, high quality and well-known international brand and on her great team of dedicated professionals to achieve the goals.

Ana Maiques

StarLab

Starlab’s mission is to transform science into technologies with a profound positive impact on society. Our vision is to make science more useful, alive, vibrant, faster. At Starlab Ana has gained considerable experience in bringing top worldwide companies to scientists and creating an industrial consortium around scientific projects. She has been in charge of several EU-FP6 and ESA research projects, bringing together technology and user and turning technology into useful products and services. She has considerable experience in market studies, promotion, training, and user requirements analysis. She also actively works in several Technology transfer activities, as well as consulting in technology scouting for private industries.

Sweden

Karin Bodin

Polarbröd AB

Karin is a fifth generation baker from Northern Sweden. She and her sister are running Polarbröd, a company started by their grandparents. The company is now a household Swedish brand name, having won many awards and accolades. They continue to involve their staff in the company and try to create the best possible work environment for them. They are also concerned with societal issues as well as planetary support. The company will focus on growth in the Swedish, Norwegian and French markets and hopefully find more export destinations where we in an ecologically sustainable way can deliver the bread delights of Northern Sweden to more people in the world.

Emy Blixt

Swedish Hasbeens AB

Emy Blixt is the founder and Head Designer at Swedish Hasbeens. In 2006, she went to the closed-down clog factory next to her childhood village in the southern of Sweden and bought their old stock of 300 clogs from the 70’s. At that time she worked as a Swedish language teacher without any earlier experiences in the industry. She created Swedish Hasbeens in 2007 together with her childhood friend Cilla Wingård-Neuman and developed new product categories like boots, bags, belts and children’s shoes, all based on retro-inspired fashion with high demands on organic materials and sustainable production. The company is now one of the largest ecological shoe brands in the world present in more than 22 countries.

Karin Soderlind

House of Dagmar

House of Dagmar is a Swedish fashion brand created by three sisters Kristina Tjäder, Karin Söderlind and Sofia Wallenstam and was launched in 2005. Karin Söderlind, CEO, supervised purchasing and product development for H&M for eight years and has been operating as a brand manager and PR-consultant for many years. The brand’s unconventional and sophisticated style has been widely recognized through several prestigious awards and by the fashion industry throughout Europe, United States and Asia. House of Dagmar recently boasts of iconic outlets such as Selfridges, Net-a-porter.com, Harvey Nicols, Harrods & The shop at bluebird among many other Swedish and international companies.

Turkey

Emine Sahinkaya

Asanteks Tekstil San. Ve Tic A. S.

Asanteks was founded in 1986 as a small shop by Emine’s husband, who passed away in 2009. Emine took over as CEO and has continued to grow the company. Today, Asanteks is a leading supplier for home and office furniture and products with an eye on safety and wellness in the materials they use to create their products. It has three locations near their plant and has branches throughout Turkey. The Company exports to more than 50 countries which establishes the trend and continues to add products and markets day by day.

United Kingdom

Karen Emanuel

Key Production Ltd.

Karen started Key Productions in 1990 and has since built an 8+ million pound business. Her company produces the products needed for musicians and artists – vinyl records, CDs, DVDs, Digital and promotional products. She has guided her company through the ups and downs of both the music and manufacturing industries with shrewd acquisitions and sheer determination to be the last one standing. She juggles all of this with a business based in Nicaragua, an island that she purchased to build an eco-lodge. It receives rave reviews in leading travel magazines and websites as the perfect place to visit for a romantic escape. An aptitude to create and adapt has led Karen to her successes.

Michelle Wright

Cause4

Michelle trained at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and played the violin professionally. A chartered marketer, manager and fundraiser, Michelle founded Cause4 after leaving the London Symphony Orchestra, where her achievements in private sector fundraising led to her being judged the Best Upcoming Fundraiser at the National Fundraising Awards in 2008. Since setting up Cause4, Michelle has undertaken major strategic and business development projects, including campaign developments with a number of national charities and consultancy work for FTSE 100 brands developing their cultural sponsorship programs. Michelle also specializes in philanthropy, having developed a number of major philanthropy projects for charities and corporations, and having set up new philanthropic foundations for sports stars, artists and entrepreneurs.

Colombia

Mercedes Ferrer de Cuadros

Quasfar M&F S.A.

Luz Marina Rojas Pacheco

Dispa Food

Myriam Moya Suta

Esko Laboratorios

Perú

Rosa Bueno

Fernández-Dávila & Bueno

Pilar Deza

Casuarinas College

Helena Soler

Helena Chocolatier

United States of America

Kristina Bouweiri

Reston Limousines

Nadine Cino

Tyga-Box Systems, Inc.

Wendy Shen

FLOMO/Nygala Corp.

Bangladesh

Sharmeen Husain

Dhaba

Mantasha Ahmed

Reela’s Fashion Boutique


Angela Baishakhi Mendes

JLM Container Services Ltd.

India

J. Mohanasundari

Kayjay Sharp Trendys & Sharp Electrodes, Pvt. Ltd.

Pronita Baruva

Bemolapur Tea Company

Vandana Luthra

VLCC Health Care Ltd.

The Philippines

Myrna T. Yao

Richwell Trading Corporation

Turkey

Zuhal Mansfield

TMG Dogaltas San. Tic. Ltd. Sti

Spain

Judith Viader

Frit Ravich

Immaculada Amat

Amat Immobiliaris

Sweden

Signhild Arnegård Hansen

Svenska LantChips AB

Ida Backlund

Rapunzel of Sweden

The Netherlands

Ingrid Van Rossum

Change from Within

Perú

Gabriele Fiorini

Restaurantes Punta Sal

Yolanda Torriani

W. Moller Sac Ajustadores y Peritos de Seguros Y.T. & Associates

Cecilia Tarrillo

Aguilar Comindent S.A.C.

United States of America

Ann Kayman

New York Grants & Co.

Janice Hamilton

Carrot New York

Maureen Borzacchiello

Creative Display Solutions, Inc.

Bangladesh

Jesmin Akter

Chapai Agro Industries Ltd. & Multi Trade International

Savina Ekram Shirajee

Savina’s Kitchen

Sultana Nur Jahan

Meah Bibi & Taj Nur Food Products

India

Kanchan Naikawadi

Indus Health Plus Pvt. Ltd.

Sujata Sarawgi

Sujata Weaves and Prints

Kiran Sharma

ITE Group

Mongolia

Zaya Orchirbat

Ireedui Energy

The Philippines

Teresita M. Yujuico

Real Estate, Resorts & Social Development Foundation

Turkey

Rushar Pekcan

Karon Muhendislik.Sanayi Ve Ticaret Ltd. Sti

Spain

Chelo Tonijuan

Compaynía General Càrnia S.A.

Susana Monje

Grupo Essentium

Mar Raventós

Grupo Codorniu

Sweden

Pernilla Stålhane

Pallmax Sweden AB

Maud Spencer

Svalson

Perú

Marina Bustamante

Renzo Costa S.A.C.

United States of America

Dianna Raedle

Deer Isle Capital, LLC

Sandi Webster & Peggy McHale

Consultants 2 Go, LLC

Bonnie Schnitta

SoundSense, LLC

Australia

Diane Tompson

The Powercom Group

Bangladesh

Syeda Zeenat Ara Nipun

N.D. Fashion

India

Mira Kulkarni

Mountain Valley Springs India Pvt. Ltd.

Namita Raman

Singrimari Tea Estate (Pvt.) Ltd.

Manjula Reddy

The Country Club India Ltd.

Mongolia

Bolormaa Batbayar

Mongol Em Impex Concern

Pakistan

Shaheen Afishan

Summit International

The Philippines

Maria Socorro M. Malitao

Standout Group of Companies

Spain

Rosa Clara

Grupo Rosa Clara

Elizabeth Trallero

Congost Plastic, S.A.

Adriana Casademont

Casademont, S.A.

United States of America

Carmen Castillo

SDI International

Shazi Visram

Happy Baby

Mary F. Pisarkiewicz

PM & CO

Bangladesh

Monowara Hakim Ali

Intraco Cng Ltd.

India

Dr. Kusum Ansal

Ansal Api

Lalita Devi Jain

Madhushree and Milestone Coke

Saroj Jajodia

Jajodia Viniyog PVT Ltd.

Harjinder Kaur

Comvision (India)

Sonalee Kumar

TCC/GGD

Gurleen M. Puri

Gurleen M. Puri

Sunita Shekhawat

Midas Designer Jewelry

Shabnam Singhal

Sirius Designs and Events

Indonesia

Sony Vasandani

Sunshine Pre-School and Teachers Trainings

Cynthia Wihardja

ActionCOACH

Mongolia

Erdenechuluun Tsevegrash (Erka)

Gandirs Group

Pakistan

Shabnam Zafar

Elegance International

Spain

Cristina Castañer

Castañer S.A.

Rosa Oriol

Tous

Carme Ruscalleda

Restaurant SantPau – Carme Ruscalleda

United States of America

Nancy Johnson

Optimyze

Kalpana Patel

Unique Comp Inc.

Rachel Algood

Isocurve

India

Dipali Goenka

Welspun Retail Ltd.

Vasundhara Mantri

Jewelry Designer

Anita Lal

The Goodearth Company

Indonesia

Poonam Sagar

PT Infotech Solutions

Sri Lanka

Kanthi Ramya, Manel Weerakoon

Ram a Holdings

Thailand

Yupin Macleod

The Best Group of Beauty Salons

Spain

Maria del Carmen Mur

Impulsio de Negocis, S.L.

Núria Vilanova

Inforpress

Rosa María Esteva

Grupo Tragaluz

United States of America

 

Donna Childs

Childs Capital

Leni Schwendinger

Leni Schwendinger Light Projects Ltd.

 

India

Deepika Jindal

Austenitic Creations Pvt. Ltd

Nalini Sharma

Nalini Sarees

Vidhi Singhania

SM/S VIDHI

 

Spain

Maria del Pino Velazquez

Unisono

Nani Marquina

Nanimarquina

Nuria Basi

Basi S.A.