WEEK TWO: FEMALE FORCE FOR PROGRESS
Continuing the Raemona 40 over FORTY for its 4th year!
Here are the next ten of our inspiring Raemona 40 over Forty list for 2025!
This year, we are celebrating the force that is women over forty - whether a force for good, a force for change or a force to be reckoned with - we know that with age not only comes wisdom but also the power of experience and knowledge.
This week, ten more amazing women from around the world, based in the UAE from the worlds of media, communications, health and disability awareness, real estate, education, leadership, recruitment, negotiations, branding and hospitality make up our ‘force for progress’ . All are pushing for change and progress for education and growth, breaking boundaries to excel - we admire and salute them all.
We’re sharing our 40 over FORTY every Monday in March 2025, and we can’t wait to share the last 10 ladies on the list in our final week, but for now, meet this week’s group of 10 fabulous women.
· Abby Lyons - Partner, House of Comms, Author and Diabetes Education Advocate
On World Diabetes Day on November 14th 2024, Abby Lyons launched her book ‘What is Diabetes Anyway’ based on her own son Rocco’s journey along with his poodle, Zizu. The book was launched to help others navigate what can be an overwhelming journey when a young family member is diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and is available worldwide.
A resident in Dubai for over 16 years, and a hugely successful business owner as partner of communications agency, House of Comms, Abby is also a mother of three. She is now also a vocal advocate for education and awareness of Type 1 Diabetes. Lyons wrote the book to educate others about how to spot the signs, what the condition is about, how to manage high and low sugar and above all, fight the stigma associated with diabetes.
Abby says, “My son was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was a toddler, and to this day, it was probably one of the hardest things I have ever faced. The lack of information around Type 1 diabetes in children and how to care for them mentally, as well as physically - beyond insulin was/is terrifying - and I have never felt more alone, despite being surrounded by people who love us and who wanted to help, but they just didn't know how.
Four years on, "What is diabetes, anyway?" has finally been brought to life. This children's story educates children and adults alike on how to spot the signs of Type 1 diabetes and give those impacted hope by showing them that they are not alone. The book is aimed at increasing awareness and helping readers to understand more about how this autoimmune disease impacts the body, Mentally, as well as physically.
My advice is, don't wait until it is to educate yourself on it and to learn how to spot the signs. According to WHO around 422 million people around the world are living with diabetes, and that number is on the rise. So, if not now, then when?”
· Emma Burdett - Founder, WILD & WILD Talent
As the Founder of WILD: Women in Leadership Deliver, in January 2025, Emma launched WILD Talent, a female-led boutique agency focused on attracting, retaining, and inspiring exceptional female leaders across the Middle East. This launch coincided with a rebrand of WILD, reflecting a modern and future-fluid identity.
WILD Talent builds upon the success of WILD, the GCC’s largest female leadership network. Burdett emphasises that WILD Talent represents the culmination of a project developed behind the scenes, enhancing WILD’s commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for women to lead. WILD Talent offers recruitment, executive search, leadership development, and employer branding, aiming to align leadership pipelines with Saudi Vision 2030 and SDG5 goals.
Burdett’s WILD journey began in 2018 and made history in 2022 as the first women’s leadership network to establish a presence in Saudi Arabia. Over seven years, WILD has inspired thousands of women and built partnerships with organizations focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion. She envisions connecting purpose-driven companies with outstanding female talent to create workplaces that inspire growth, equity, and innovation.
· Jane Witherspoon - Bureau Chief Middle East, Euronews
Jane joined Euronews in January 2019 with a special focus on news and magazine programmes. Jane regularly appears in some of Euronews’ best-known titles, like Interview, City Scenes and Target. As part of this coverage, Jane has interviewed high-profile personalities, entrepreneur Steven Bartlett, Hollywood composer Hans Zimmer, EU Ambassador to the UAE Andrea Matteo Fontana, chef Gordon Ramsay and legendary hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan to name a few.
Prior to Euronews, Jane worked as an entertainment correspondent for Sky News and news reporter for the BBC. She also conducted extensive work as a freelance reporter for ITV, Reuters, and Getty. During these years, Jane covered significant events such as the US Presidential elections, the London Olympics, and the Oscars, and interviewed numerous celebrities, like Madonna, George Clooney, and Tom Cruise, as well as former British Prime Minister David Cameron.
Recent public speaking engagements include hosting and moderating sessions at the Tourism Recovery Summit and the 6th anniversary of the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute in Riyadh, the Global Cybersecurity Forum, the Digital Wellbeing Summit at Ithra, Dammam, the Dubai Future Forum, the Dubai Metaverse Assembly, the World Government Summit as well as GITEX and AI Everything conferences at Dubai World Trade Centre.
· Lousin Mehrabi - Professional Negotiator & DMD Advocate
Selected as one of the most influential negotiation professionals globally, Lousin Mehrabi is an Inspirational Speaker, Trainer, and Board Advisor. She works with CEOs and decision-makers worldwide to help them get the best out of themselves and their teams.
For over 23 years she has been leading high-stakes negotiations in business and life. Trained and mentored by some of world's best (hostage) negotiators, Lousin has been qualified as a Certified Professional Negotiator, CPN© by the International Scientific Experts Committee of Negotiators. Today she is an internationally sought-after Keynote Speaker and the Global Head of Negotiation Training for ADN Group. She is also a Special Advisor to C-levels for negotiation strategy and personal growth.
Lousin is a mother of 2, a graduate of 3 International Business Schools, holds 4 nationalities and speaks 5 languages. As a mother of a son with special needs (Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy), Lousin is also a passionate advocate for awareness & inclusion.
At the same time as her business studies, she began her career in finance in 2001 in the Netherlands. By integrating prestigious groups such as Commerzbank, Citigroup, New York Stock Exchange and Euronext, she was confronted daily with the notions of conflict and complexity required by investment bank trading rooms internationally.
She also hosts numerous conferences intended for investors. Lousin Mehrabi conducts negotiations daily with traders, clients, investment banks and many other interlocutors such as European stock exchanges or even financial market regulators. Strengthened by these negotiations with high stakes, she evolved towards Senior Management positions in order to prepare and negotiate the strategy of the group, the IPO or even mergers and acquisitions.
· Vaishali Shah - Founder, Creative ID and Ananya Cards
Celebrating her 25th year in business in 2025, Vaishali is an international, award-winning entrepreneur, running two successful brands, having fully re-located to Dubai in 2024 to leverage the Emirates geographical position to suit her unique client base of cross-continent brands and businesses.
With Creative ID, a branding and marketing consultancy, and Ananya Cards, a luxury wedding and event stationery business, Vaishali combines an exquisite attention to detail and her vast global experience to create beautiful branding and memorable touch points that cultivate loyalty, achieve sustainable growth, and build inspirational solutions that captivate the target audience and clients.
Vaishali's commitment to positive impact is evident in both her client work and her philanthropic endeavours, donating 10% of profits to charity and also having served as an advisor for several charities worldwide.
A keen networker and advocate of knowledge sharing, Vaishali uses her 25-year marketing background, real-life experience and in-depth knowledge of different cultures to support businesses all over the globe, many from the food, hospitality and lifestyle sectors. Clients range from Michelin star chefs and international hotel chains to business coaches and interior designers all of whom benefit from her strategic guidance and creative vision.
For the last 19 years, Ananya Cards, has created sophisticated wedding and event stationery for celebrations rich in personality and culture. Vaishali is regularly called upon for industry comment, speaking engagements, and features in global wedding publications, blogs, and media, including Forbes, BBC, Huffington Post and The Sunday Times.
· Leigh Williamson - Managing Director, Sotheby’s International Realty
An 18-year powerhouse in the regional luxury property market, known for her passionate integrity and loyalty, have made Dubai based Canadian Leigh the go-to agent for UHNWIs and global family offices worldwide. She moved from a successful career in sports marketing to follow her passion for houses, design and architecture and has never looked back.
From Dubai to NYC, London, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Canada, and the South of France, Leigh's contacts and expertise has led to the representation of prestigious brands and collaborating with visionary architects and designers. As a trusted advisor to some of the world's biggest hotel groups, family offices and more, Leigh has become an industry barometer, and says that the rise in ‘wellness architecture’ are a must-have for 2025 buyers who are prioritising health, alongside the demand for sustainable materials and energy-efficiency, without compromising on luxury and design.
Her negotiation skills and vast, influential network consistently secure prime luxury real estate for her international clientele. With a proven track record in ‘record breaking’ luxury villa and development sales, Leigh's ability to close deals in the most competitive global markets and her rising career sales value means that some of the world's most powerful UHNWIs trust her expertise to build and enhance their portfolios.
Neha Anand - Founder and MD, Three Layer Hospitality
As the Founder and Managing Director of Three Layer Hospitality, Neha Anand oversees a portfolio of over 20 restaurants and six distinct brands across the UAE and India, including the acclaimed Jun's. For Jun’s, 2024 has been a defining year. With a steadfast focus on creating unique experiences, the restaurant has introduced innovations that resonate with guests while maintaining its distinct identity, from launching Dubai’s most affordable 12-course tasting menu, to unveiling Liu by Jun’s on Deliveroo.
A seasoned entrepreneur, Neha is also a Partner at Kings Group Ventures, a multifaceted business spanning 10 industries. Her strategic vision and ability to navigate competitive markets, particularly in Dubai's vibrant food scene, have led to rapid expansion and recognition. Jun's has earned a spot on MENA's 50 Best Restaurants list and was awarded selections within Dubai's Michelin Guide and Gault & Millau UAE's Best Restaurants selection. Neha's leadership is defined by building strong relationships, fostering inclusive environments, and a commitment to continuous growth and learning.
For 2025, sustainability remains central to Jun’s ethos. “We’re excited to explore additional ways to integrate sustainability into our practices while ensuring a memorable dining experience.” says Anand. The team is now set to expand Jun’s presence in a locally curated eatery, bringing its much-loved menu to a wider audience and is also exploring workshops and collaborations to engage customers on sustainability and culinary techniques. Under Neha’s stewardship, Jun’s is poised to lead with innovation, inclusivity, and a commitment to sustainability. “Every day, we aim to better ourselves and deliver experiences that connect with our guests on a deeper level,”
Sophie Claudel - Director L'ECOLE School of Jewelry Arts Middle East at Van Cleef & Arpels
Arriving in the UAE in 2023, Sophie manages a School of Jewelry Arts based in Dubai called L’ÉCOLE, which is supported by Van Cleef & Arpels. Sophie arrived in Dubai after managing a school of art and design delivering master’s degrees in France, after working as a cultural diplomat for 11 years in London and New York. Her work is based on developing access to jewelry culture for a large audience in the Middle East. She has built a network of partners, friends, artists and communities of jewelry arts lovers as the key element for L’École in the Middle East, to create a strategy based on local relevance and embedded in the cultural and educational landscape.
L’École offers a deep dive into jewelry culture, with courses spanning three key areas: jewelry art history, gemology, and jewelry-making techniques. Classes, led by art historians, gemologists, jewelers, and artisans, are tailored to all levels of interest—whether for beginners, collectors, or enthusiasts—with no prerequisites required.
Students come from many different backgrounds, and courses are offered“a la carte” to any jewelry arts lover. Sophie’s leadership has grown the team from 2 to 15 within less than 2 years, covering 13 nationalities. For 2025, L’École unveiled its inaugural L’École Festival at Dubai Design District (d3). The festival invited families, students, and jewelry enthusiasts to delve into the world of jewelry arts through interactive activities, expert talks, and workshops.
“The L’École Festival is a celebration of everything we stand for at L’École—sharing knowledge, inspiring creativity, and building community,” says Sophie. The event held hands-on workshops designed especially for children, in-depth discussions with jewelry experts, and a unique outdoor cinema experience in collaboration with Cinema Akil, highlighting jewelry’s pivotal role in film. A dedicated gallery also showcased L’École’s collaborations with organisations such as Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, UAE French Embassy, Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation, and others.
Zeena Zalamea - Broadcaster & Producer, Co-Founder of Portal Productions
A seasoned broadcaster and producer, Zeena has crafted over 10,000 hours of quality on-air content for Dubai Eye 103.8, Dubai One TV, and multiple podcast series. In 2024, Zeena came into her own as co-founder of Portal Productions, a podcast production company, and the creator of the Soundbite Media Communication Programme, designed to help individuals excel in media interviews and public speaking.
As an active, working broadcaster and producer, Zeena’s ‘ of the minute’ insight into the regional landscape, newscycle and ‘what makes a great story’ give her an unparalleled expertise with her clients, guests and co-workers. With her extensive experience in TV, radio, podcasts, and global events, Zeena brings valuable insights into storytelling, media strategy, and impactful communication. Proudly Filipino, Zeena was the first news presenter in the UAE to read the news in Tagalog. Zeena works hard to champion her fellow countrymen in her broadcast output, elevating stories of her fellow Filipino expats. In 2025, Zeena will be partnering with TEDxJumeirahBeachPark for the ‘Beyond the Stage’ podcast series. This year also sees Zeena working as a popular moderator, MC and panelist on all things creative communications, media and knowledge sharing.
Laura Wojciechowski - Partner and Media Director, TPG Media
As the Partner and Media Director of TPG, Laura I oversees the entire publishing operation, from editorial and production to distribution and sales. With over 26 years of experience in the publishing industry, Laura is passionate about creating innovative and engaging content leading to the success of several B2B and B2C publications, including Saudi Projects, Education UAE, and Education Saudi, that are distributed throughout Europe and the Middle East.
As an early entrant into the modern KSA market, Laura has notably led the charge on the ground and works closely across the UAE and KSA, becoming a recognisable face within the construction and design industry via her drive to grow both Saudi Projects and the construction industry network itself. It’s this visibility and consistency that is cementing Saudi Projects as a leading force that is elevating the Kingdom’s construction based news and networks globally, with Laura at the forefront.
Laura has also been instrumental in pioneering the visibility of female leadership in KSA by joining forces with WILD to help women understand their full potential. The WILD and Saudi Projects Leadership Mastermind partnership has been a critical catalyst for personal and professional growth and development for senior female leaders in Saudi Arabia and the region
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