Dr Fatma Obaid Ali
Founder and CEO, Emirates Medical Centre
First among equals
Dr Fatma established Emirates Medical Center (EMC) – a modern and specialised Dermatology and Laser Centre in 2000. EMC was the first private medical centre to offer expert skin healthcare, anti-aging and rejuvenation as well as cosmetic remedies in Oman. EMC today has branches in Sohar, Salalah, Mawaleh and is opening shortly in Buraimi. Dr Fatma was the first physician to introduce laser technology for hair removal in Oman. That was in 1999 when she was working at Al Shatti Hospital as a skin specialist. She earned the distinction of having done more than 1,000 laser hair removal procedures during that time. Dr Fatma who obtained her MBBS in 1989 from the Arabian Gulf University in Bahrain also holds an MSc in Dermatology with distinction from the University of London. In addition, she did numerous cosmetic dermatology courses from US, UK and Singapore. Before moving to Oman in 1999, Dr Fatma worked as a specialist dermatologist at Rashid Hospital, Dubai from 1995. She is the recipient of Sheikh Rasheed Award for the best educational achievement in 1995.
Ghada Mohammed Al Yousef
Executive Manager Group Communication & Sustainability, Nama Group
Ace communicator
Ghada is leading the communication and sustainability efforts at the Nama Group (previously known as Electricity Holding Group). She received an international acclaim as one of the most powerful Arab women in 2014 by Forbes Magazine for her position of looking after 11 group companies in the electricity sector. As a role model for women in Oman, Ghada received the Al Mar’a ‘Woman of the Year’ award on the same year. Through her part time entrepreneurial work, Ghada is the managing director of Modern Hospitality Company which runs the first modern Omani restaurant, Ubhar, and catering facilities. She is also involved with the family business as a board member of Al Yousef Group, which is a diversified investment holding company with operations covering a broad spectrum of activities including financial services, oil and gas, real estate development, trading and services. Ghada is recognised for her work in supporting small and medium enterprise development in Oman and works very closely with budding entrepreneurs as a mentor in Riyada (Public Authority for SME Development).
Ghada is currently enrolled on the National CEO Programme supervised by the Institute of Capability Development at the Diwan of Royal Court.
Haifa Juma Al Khaifi
Finance Director, Petroleum Development Oman
Multi-disciplinary approach
Haifa started her career with PDO in 1995, following her graduation from Ball State University in US with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in marketing and a minor in interpersonal relationships from the department of counselling psychology. After holding several positions in PDO including that of contracts engineer (well services), Haifa moved to London to continue her studies, while working with Shell-Oil Products, on structural cost reduction. Haifa returned to PDO as the head of finance planning (capital projects) before being posted to Shell- Gas & Power, where she was the regional manager for planning and reporting, based in Dubai, looking after Middle East, North Africa and South Asia. She was later appointed in PDO as finance manager for EOR project, financial controller and finance manager. This was followed by a brief posting in Hague with Shell International Exploration and Production BV. She assumed her current role as finance director (CFO) and company secretary in July 2012.
Hind Bahwan
Director of Suhail Bahwan Group, Founder and Chairperson of Bahwan CyberTek Group
Achiever par excellence
Acomputer science graduate, an alumna of Harvard Business School and a Kellogg School of Management executive scholar in leadership and management, Hind has proved her mettle as an enterprising and dynamic businesswoman by founding the Bahwan CyberTek Group. The group is focused on IT, logistics and engineering projects. She is also a director of Suhail Bahwan Group. Hind is involved in and has served on the boards of a variety of public and private organisations. She is a member of the Middle Centre Advisory Board of the London School of Economics and a board member of the Family Business Network for GCC. She had served as a member on the Middle East Advisory Board of the Deutsche Bank and on the board of Oman’s Public Authority for Social Insurance. She is a recipient of many honours including Ernst & Young’s ‘Oman’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2000’, ‘e-Achiever of the Year’ award by Arabian Business, ‘IT Women of the Year 2002’ award by UNDP, ‘Global Leaders for Tomorrow’ award by the World Economic Forum, ‘Global Young Leader’ by the World Economic Forum and ‘Woman of Power Award’ by Asian Business Leadership Forum.
Ibtisam Al Riyami
People and Change Director, Petroleum Development Oman
Multifaceted talent
With a Bachelor of Science in computer science from the University of Tulsa in Oklahoma, Ibtisam joined PDO in 1989 as a computer programmer. She obtained her MBA from Aberdeen University in Scotland, while on a cross posting assignment in Shell UK Exploration and Production. Ibtisam held a number of roles in PDO including head of subsurface application portfolio, SAP Mustaqbal, change and implementation manager, and manager of information management and technology. She was later appointed as director for corporate planning, responsible for the annual business planning process, change and lean deployment, new technology, corporate performance management, gas and water management. In this role she served as the custodian of the hydrocarbon accounting system and the technology support agreement.
Ilham bint Murtadha Al Hamaid
Assistant General Manager – SME Credit, Marketing & Regional Corporates, Bank Muscat
Promoting enterprise
A well-qualified banking professional with 15 years of successful experience, Ilham has been instrumental in initiating vital contributions to the SME sector in Oman. Ilham joined Bank Muscat in 2001 and moved up in quick succession to the present position as AGM – SME credit, marketing and regional corporates.
Ilham is a member of the Global Banking Alliance (GBA) for women’s market. Her international experience has contributed in introducing best practices in SME development to Omani women and the youth. Ilham is of the view that one’s true success leads to the success of others. Partnership is the key to spreading success as Ilham’s wealth of knowledge and experience in the development of SMEs is helping women to achieve their business dreams.
Ilham is a member of prominent committees serving the SME sector in Oman, including the SME Committee in Oman Chamber of Commerce & Industry (OCCI) and the Mentorship Programme at the Public Authority of SME (Riyada). She has addressed prominent forums, including the Oman Economic Forum in 2012, and the SME symposium organised on the Royal directive at Seeh al Shamekhat in the wilayat of Bahla in 2013.
