Arthur D. Little and NYU Abu Dhabi join forces to ‘Break Barriers in Leadership’

ABU DHABI: Marking International Women’s Day, Arthur D. Little (ADL), in collaboration with New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), hosted a panel discussion titled ‘Breaking Barriers in Leadership’, addressing the unique challenges faced by women in our region regarding their professional advancement.

Held on March 7 at the Career Development Center on the NYUAD campus, the event convened NYUAD students, ADL employees and distinguished women leaders from various industries. Together, they explored solutions and opportunities aimed at empowering women to attain more prominent roles in their careers within the GCC.

The event was characterised by its interactive format, moving beyond traditional panel discussions to engage attendees in larger Q&A sessions that delved into real-time experiences and solutions being shared by both panelists and attendees. Participants delved into crucial topics, inspired by the insightful questions asked during the panel. These discussions revolved around the primary obstacles women face in their professions within the Middle East, the impact of societal norms and cultural expectations on their career paths, and effective strategies for overcoming gender-related challenges that can be practically worked on from individual, institutional and educational point of views.

Featured speakers such as Sally Menassa, partner at Arthur D. Little Middle East, shared personal experiences of navigating biases in recruitment and promotion processes in the management consulting industry, while Christine Harb, Global Business Executive and Leadership Coach, addressed systemic issues such as limited access to leadership positions. Nouf Alsufiany, HR Professional at ADL Saudi Arabia, emphasised the critical role organisations and institutions must play in fostering gender equality and creating inclusive environments for women.

The event highlighted several actionable strategies for advancing women’s careers, including the importance of mentorship, advocacy for equal opportunities, and the implementation of initiatives to promote women’s leadership and representation across various fields. Moreover, the discussion underscored the necessity of empowering young women and girls to become leaders and change-makers in their communities and beyond, and the individual work also required from women to remove self-made obstacles.

Sally Menassa, partner at Arthur D. Little, commented, “Today’s panel zeroes in on dismantling the systemic barriers that women encounter within the corporate world, with a keen focus on the management consulting sector that has traditionally seen a prevalence of male leadership. This landscape is evolving, and through our sustained dialogues, we are steering efforts to offer practical solutions to move the needle in gender diversity and beyond that mentor the young women who will shape the future of this industry.”

Reem Buhazza, Employer Relations Manager, NYU Abu Dhabi added, “We are proud to partner with Arthur D. Little on this occasion in spearheading initiatives that lay the groundwork for a more inclusive future. This collaboration stands as a testament to our shared commitment to cultivating a workplace where women’s contributions are recognised and achieving overall equality.”