EC News DeskOn November 10, Global CIO Forum and NetApp successfully hosted the Diversity and Inclusion in Business and Beyond VirtualSummit. Inculcating a culture of diversity and inclusion in the workplace is a driving factor for attracting and retaining the best talents in an organisation. Studies and experiences have also testified to the key role played by countries and its governing bodies in making this a cultural mandate in order to promote a diverse workforce.
In recognition of NetApp Global Diversity Awareness, Women In Tech EMEA hosted the virtual web summit that discussed how diversity drives innovation in increases market growth. The virtual event also explored how the GCC is promoting the concept of diverse workforce and showcased individual experiences of key leaders in the region.
The speakers
Diversity and Inclusion in Business and Beyond VirtualSummit started with Marc Montiel, Vice President Enterprise Countries EMEA at NetApp. He talked on the topic of Leading Across Borders and Driving Culturally Diverse Teams in the Workplace. This was followed by a presentation by Mohammed Mahnashi, Information Technology Advisor, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Saudi Arabia and the Chairman of The Board, Association for Surplus Recycling and Preserving Grace, Tadweer. He dived into the topic of GCC: A Melting Pot of Diverse Workforce.
His presentation was followed by one titled Why Diversity and Inclusion Matters for Business and Innovation, hosted by Maya Zakhour, Director Channel Sales, MEA, Italy and Spain at NetApp. She handed over the stage to Dr Hoda A.Alkhzaimi, President of Emirates Digital Association for Women, an NGO endorsed by Ministry of Social Affairs, UAE and Director of Centre of Cyber Security in New York University, Abu Dhabi. She talked on the topic of How the UAE Is Providing World-Class Opportunities for Women Leaders.
The penultimate session was a panel discussion involving Maya Zakhour and Dr Hoda A.Alkhazaimi, on Why Diversity and Inclusion Matters for Business and Innovation. The concluding session was by Naima Sabeg, Senior Talent Acquisition Partner, EMEA UAE KSA at NetApp. She talked about The NetApp Imperative on Diversity and Inclusion.
About GCF Unite VirtualSummit
Global CIO Forum’s GCF Unite VirtualSummit is an online webinar that is aimed towards creating a global technology leaders’ community whose ultimate goal is to Integrate, Influence, Impact CIOs and tech leaders. The GCF Unite VirtualSummit will host a series of events in multiple chapters and 30+ countries featuring successful local Tech leaders, CIOs, IT Directors, innovators, educators and investors who share business leadership best practices, and lessons learned on the road to building great future with help of technocrat & technology.
About Global CIO Forum
The role of a CIO is one of the most critical one in today’s business and industry. Today, CIOs hold the future of innovation, productivity and competitiveness in their hands. At the Global CIO Forum, we not only provide our members with an exchange forum for best IT leadership strategies and practices to enhance business results, but we are also developing a strong voice to ensure that CIOs are represented at key industry and government decision tables. In other words: Integrate. Influence. Impact.
The Global CIO Forum’s mission is to represents IT Executives and CIOs globally. Currently working in META region and with expansion plans globally, the Global CIO Forum is a non-profit community of CIOs and IT leaders whose mission is to facilitate networking, sharing of best practices and executive development, and to collaborate on issues faced by the CIOs and IT Executives.
