Women at SuperBridge Dubai Summit 2023: Shaping the Future of Innovation and Leadership

The SuperBridge Summit Dubai stands as a pivotal moment on the global economic stage, signalling a transformative crossroads in the world of finance and innovation, and women are at the centre of it all.

With the anticipation of six non-G7 economies ascending to the top 10 rankings by the year 2050, this summit emerges as a convergence point for influential leaders from diverse corners of the world.

It unites executives and forward-thinking leaders from over 20 countries, symbolising a global commitment to shaping the future of our interconnected economic world.

SuperBridge Dubai Summit Encouraging Cross-Field Collaborations

The two-day SuperBridge Dubai Summit concluded on October 17, 2023, which offered the participants an opportunity to unlock insights on elemental themes within the investment landscape.

The Summit connected the world's new leaders, and engaged influential decision-makers and industry experts from diverse trade sectors, fostering valuable connections.

Additionally, the summit served as a gateway to access the world's capital, offering a diverse range of investment prospects across different sectors, allowing attendees to connect with potential investors.

Most importantly, the SuperBridge Dubai Summit encouraged cross-field collaborations, as participants forged strategic partnerships and interactions with industry peers, governments, and organisations, all contributing to innovation, knowledge sharing, and synergies that drove impactful initiatives and shaped the future of industries.

Spotlighting the Voices of Women at the Summit

Noor Sweid

Noor Sweid , the Managing Partner of Global Ventures in the UAE, took the stage as a speaker at the session "Scaling Ventures: Navigating Global Markets with VC Funds and Tech Accelerators." Her insights and experiences in the world of venture capital and emerging-market investments have made her a key player in the entrepreneurial landscape.

Noor Sweid's role as the Founder and Managing Partner of Global Ventures signifies her deep commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. Global Ventures, a UAE-based, Series-A focused venture capital firm, has an impressive presence across emerging markets, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Nigeria. With assets under management (AUM) totaling $300 million and exceptional financial returns, Global Ventures ranks as a top decile fund, solidifying its position as a leading investor in the Middle East and Africa.

During the session, she delved into the strategies and best practices for startups and emerging companies looking to expand their footprint on the global stage. Noor Sweid's experiences and insights into emerging-market investments, coupled with her involvement in fostering entrepreneurship, made her a valuable source of knowledge for aspiring entrepreneurs and investors.

H.E. Dr. Sahar Nasr

H.E. Dr. Sahar Nasr ??? ??? , an accomplished economist and former Minister of Investment and International Cooperation for the Ministry of International Cooperation in Egypt, lent her formidable expertise to the panel discussion titled "Africa's Underrated Opportunity: Challenging Perceptions Through Partnerships." Dr. Nasr's participation in this session added a crucial perspective on the potential for development in Africa and the importance of global partnerships.

Dr. Sahar Nasr is widely recognized for her outstanding leadership and dedication in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of Official Development Assistance (ODA) to Egypt. Her tenure has been marked by a relentless pursuit of economic growth and development, with a focus on structuring partnerships that drive positive change.

One of her key accomplishments has been overseeing the monitoring and implementation of financial sector programs, which encompass legislative, supervisory, and structural reforms. These initiatives are vital for creating a stable and robust financial infrastructure that can facilitate investment and growth.

Ruby Lu

Ruby Lu , Managing Partner, Atypical Ventures, China offered her insights into the several possibilities for new ventures and startups looking to expand their business.

Her impressive track record in entrepreneurship and venture capital has solidified her reputation as a key player in the Chinese tech and investment landscape. Prior to establishing Atypical Ventures, Ruby co-founded eCarX in 2016. The company's success has been nothing short of remarkable, commanding a valuation of over US$3 billion in the private market. This achievement underscores Ruby's entrepreneurial acumen and her ability to identify and support ventures with significant growth potential.

Jane Sun

At the SuperBridge Dubai Summit 2023, one of the standout sessions was titled "Envisioning the Future of Sustainable Tourism and Mobility in the Post-Covid Era." This engaging panel brought together thought leaders to explore how the travel industry can adapt to address environmental challenges and how it is evolving in a post-Covid world. Among the speakers who enriched this discussion was Jane Sun, the CEO of Trip.com Group.

Jane Sun 's remarkable career is marked by her extensive experience in operating and managing online travel businesses, mergers and acquisitions, and financial reporting and operations. Her significant contributions to the travel industry have earned her numerous accolades and recognitions. Notably, she has been named one of Fortune's Top 50 Most Powerful Women in Business for consecutive years, a testament to her impact in the corporate world. Her inclusion in the Forbes World's Most Powerful Women List further underscores her global influence.

Valerie Hawley

Valerie Hawley , the Executive Director of Corporate Partnerships at the Sorbonne Centre of Artificial Intelligence (SCAI) in the UAE, took the stage as a speaker for the session, titled "AI Unleashed: Practical Applications in the Real World.” The overarching theme of the discussion revolved around the responsible management of AI, which has the power to stimulate private investment, increase productivity, and drive innovation.

Valerie Hawley's role as the Director of Corporate Partnerships at SCAI is pivotal in advancing AI capabilities in the Middle East. SCAI, with its focus on Healthcare, Financial Services, and Climate Change, plays a crucial role in shaping the future of AI technology and its applications in these critical domains.

Valerie's expertise lies in advising companies on their disruptive innovation strategies, particularly by developing use cases and competencies in AI-related technologies. Her contribution to the field is marked by her commitment to driving innovation and progress.

Kit Yi Wong

The SuperBridge Dubai Summit 2023 was not limited to discussions of business and technology but also embraced the arts and creative explorations of the future. Kit Yi Wong, a faculty member of the MFA Fine Arts program at the School of Visual Arts (SVA NYC) in Hong Kong SAR, brought a unique perspective to the event as the speaker for the session "Robot, Take Me Home (2023)."

Wong's performance was a captivating and imaginative exploration inspired by her recent visit to a desert town in Inner Mongolia. This remote location served as a backdrop for experiments with a train of driverless trucks, emblematic of the evolving landscape of transportation and automation. The performance delved into the potential forms that "driverless vehicles" can assume, transcending the conventional notion of cars to consider super-robot-homes, not only on Earth but also on celestial neighbours like Mars.

H.E. Dr. Ghita Mezzour

The presence of H.E. Dr. Ghita Mezzour, PhD , the Minister of the Ministry of Digital Transition and Administration Reform in Morocco, was of immense significance at the panel discussion around the untapped potential of Africa.

H.E. Dr. Ghita Mezzour's participation in the panel highlighted her commitment to advancing digitization in Morocco and her broader dedication to promoting technology as a vehicle for development in Africa. Her insights and leadership underscored the critical role that digital transition and administration reform play in shaping the future of the African continent and elevating its place on the global stage.

Shi Lan

Lan Shi , the Founder and CEO of Cocafe in China, is a visionary leader at the forefront of the Web 3.0 revolution. Her session at the SuperBridge Dubai Summit 2023, titled "What Web 3.0 Can Offer To Financial Services," brought to the limelight her unique perspective and expertise in this transformative space.

Cocafe, under Shi Lan's leadership, is making significant waves in the emerging landscape of Web 3.0. As the first Web 3.0 marketing service provider for most Multinational Corporations (MNCs) in China, Cocafe is pioneering the application of blockchain and decentralised technologies in marketing and digital services. It is also leading the way in 3D digital asset production in the e-commerce sector.

H.E. Aurélie Adam Soule

The panel discussion "Africa's Underrated Opportunity: Challenging Perceptions Through Partnerships" at the SuperBridge Dubai Summit 2023 featured H.E. Aurelie I. ADAM SOULE , the Minister of the Ministry of Digital Technology and Digitalization of Benin. Her presence added a dynamic perspective to the conversation surrounding the untapped potential of Africa and the importance of international partnerships in realising this potential.

At the age of 39, H.E. Aurélie Adam Soule has emerged as a prominent figure in the digital sector in Africa. Her impressive educational background, including a degree in Telecoms & ICT from Telecom Sud Paris and a Certificate in Public Policy Management and Leadership from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University, showcases her commitment to knowledge and expertise.

Furthermore, her appointment by the UN Secretary-General as a member of the Digital Finance Task Force for the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) demonstrates her commitment to leveraging digital technology to address global challenges and drive sustainable development.

New Era of Economic Growth

In conclusion, the SuperBridge Dubai Summit has emerged as a beacon of hope and opportunity in the world of finance and innovation.

As the event draws to a close, the ripples of its influence are expected to resonate far beyond its conclusion, ushering in a new era of economic growth and innovation on a global scale.