WEEK FOUR: GLOBAL FORCES
Continuing the Raemona 40 over FORTY for its 4th year!
In our fourth and final week, Here are the last 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 amazing women from around the world, making waves internationally, from the worlds of food, finance, health, media, communications, commerce, real estate, construction, and performing arts make up our Global Forces’. Pushing for change and progress for education and growth, breaking boundaries to excel - we admire and salute them all.
We’ve shared 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 - meet this final group of 10 fabulous women.
Shona Hind - Founder, Free Me
Driven by her father's legacy and a passion for natural solutions, Shona Hind transitioned from a career in UAE banking to found "Free Me." Spotting a gap in the market for plant-based repellents, she launched Free Me Mosquito Repellent, achieving No. 1 seller status on Amazon UAE within months. This ‘must have’ product became a firm UAE family favourite on word of mouth alone. Shona says “ I began researching the best natural repellent ingredients and partnered with a wonderful local factory to support me to develop the most naturally kind formula of a mosquito repellent right here in the UAE. DEET- free and chemical free. We worked together and after many samples, our natural repellent is now a “magic potion” that is a customer favourite”.
Undeterred by challenges, including a personal battle with breast cancer, Shona's resilience and vision have propelled Free Me to further success this year, winning the Spinneys Incubator Program, securing Amazon Best Seller status, participating in Shark Tank Dubai, and becoming a Boots Pharmacies supplier.
With a focus on authenticity and customer needs, Shona is now expanding Free Me into the GCC, UK, and US, driven by a mission to create meaningful, life-improving products.
Jessica Robinson - Partner, Tera Vert & Solve Strategies
Jessica is a global expert in sustainable finance and ESG, advising clients including financial institutions, investors, governments and regulators on a broad range of issues relating to ESG and sustainability strategy, climate & gender finance and is the author of 'Financial Feminism - A Woman's Guide to Investing for a Sustainable Future'
Now based in the Middle East, Jessica has lived and worked extensively across the region, and Asia and North America. In 2025 Jessica launched Tera Vert to serve as a catalyst for transformative change in Africa - dedicated to creating market conditions that drive the continent’s development and pave the way for sustainable prosperity. Efforts focus on advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the promotion of ESG practices, unlocking sustainable finance solutions, fostering responsible investments and building the capacity of key stakeholders.
Previously a partner and MENA Sustainable Finance Leader at EY, other roles include Head of Asia for the United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment (UN-PRI), following a long stint as Chief Executive and Board Director of the Association for Sustainable and Responsible Investment in Asia (ASrIA), one of Asia’s leading think tanks working to promote sustainable finance and responsible investment.
Jessica also led the Asia Investor Group on Climate Change, representing large investors on climate risk and played an active leadership role in the Global Sustainable Investment Alliance (GSIA) and the Global Investor Coalition on Climate Change (GIC).
She frequently contributes articles, authors reports and speaks at conferences on issues related to ESG and sustainable finance, related market and regulatory developments, climate and carbon finance policy. She also speaks widely on gender-related topics, and is currently working on her second book, ‘Breaking the Green Ceiling’, an exploration of the role of female leadership in driving sustainability.
Majdel Musa - Real Estate Trainer & Lawyer
Majdel serves as the Director of Operations & Legal at RealTrust Conveyancing & Escrow Services, which provides digital solutions for the UAE real estate market.
Her journey in the UAE began at the Dubai Land Department, where she worked as both a RERA course instructor and legal advisor for the Dubai Real Estate Institute. She later became the Head of Real Estate at a law firm and Vice President for Legal Affairs at the Middle East Real Estate Inspection Association. Her expertise has made her a sought-after speaker at industry events such as Cityscape Global and the International Property Show, and she has been a featured guest on Dubai Eye’s Business Breakfast radio show and numerous podcasts. She also contributed regularly to Gulf News’ Property Weekly.
With a legal career spanning over 20 years, Majdel started as a Realtor in Chicago, specialising in residential real estate, and later became a commercial broker while practicing real estate and business law. Currently, she is an advisory board member for Baytukum, a real estate crowdfunding platform. Beyond her professional roles, she is a certified leadership speaker and trainer and has held leadership and board positions in various non-profit organizations.
Yan Gao Narayan - Managing Director, Hunter Foods
Yan Gao Narayan is the Managing Director of Hunter Foods, a global leader in FMCG snacks manufacturing, packaging and distribution. Yan has transformed the company's brand voice, product suite and distribution strategy, successfully positioning Hunter Foods as Asia's leading gourmet snack manufacturer.
A true family business, Founded in 1985 by Bharat and Madhulika Narayan, Hunter Foods was among the first companies to open in Jafza (Jebel Ali Free Zone). Under Yan’s leadership, Hunter Foods has expanded its global footprint from 5 to 55+ countries in 5 continents – and launched Hunter’s Gourmet brand and revolutionised the FMCG snacks sector in Middle East & Japan – securing segment leadership as Asia’s #1 Gourmet and “Better for You” snack manufacturer outpacing global competitors.
Yan has pioneered community impact at the company and identified and installed best-fit talent – building and developing leadership teams comprising specialists from global MNCs which champion diversity, equity & inclusion – with 60% women in leadership roles. She has mentored 5 regional SME entrepreneurs to scale up as an Endeavor Entrepreneur and mentors MBA candidates and students at Georgetown and several leading universities and educational institutions. She is a member of YPO and Dubai Women’s Business Council
Natasha Rudatsenko - Founder, Health Nag
Natasha Rudatsenko is known as the "Queen of Health Optimisation," and is a driving force in the Middle East's wellness revolution. As a Biochemist, Functional Medicine Practitioner, Naturopath, and Longevity Advocate, she is the Founder of Health Nag. This Estonian-born serial entrepreneur's passion and drive have fueled her mission to create a healthier and happier world for the past two decades. The company offers a range of high-quality supplements and detox packages to a now global market.
Natasha challenges conventional medical approaches, advocating for wholesome food, regular detox, quality nutritional supplements, herbs, and effective stress management as the cornerstones of true health. Her mission is to simplify the path to healing by offering "health nagging", honest, straightforward guidance, and providing holistic solutions rigorously tested by her.
Natasha's journey was born from her own struggles with chronic health conditions. Diagnosed with IBS, an under-active thyroid, and PCOS, she faced countless appointments with limited success. Taking her health into her own hands, she dedicated over twenty years to actively studying and researching natural medicine, anti-aging, naturopathy, holistic therapy, herbology, structured detox, and intermittent fasting. This deep dive into human biology and biochemistry led to a complete transformation of her own health.
Driven by a desire to shift the narrative of health product innovation, Natasha aims to establish the UAE as a hub for world-class wellness products. Health Nag, proudly UAE-born, has enjoyed a significant year of exponential growth with expansions underway in the KSA, Kuwait, Jordan, and the United Kingdom, solidifying her global impact.
Bridie Forster - Founder, BFORE Agency
Arriving in the UAE in 2006, Bridie Forster spent 5 years with Estee Lauder overseeing communications for iconic brands including La Mer, Bobbi Brown and Jo Malone, followed by a decade-long stint at Dior Beauty, rising to PR and Communications Director with the brand. 2024 then saw the launch of her own agency, BFORE, specialising in beauty, wellbeing and lifestyle brands.
BFORE is built on Bridie’s expert knowledge of the beauty and wellness industry in the Middle East and brings a consultancy-led approach to deliver large-scale, impactful results and meaningful outcomes for its portfolio of brands. Those launch brands include Augustinus Bader, Glossier, Summer Fridays and more.
Now, as a working mother of three, Bridie told ELLE Arabia, “I have witnessed the gradual shift toward greater inclusivity and representation across the broader business landscape in the Middle East. Today, more women are taking on leadership roles and making significant contributions to the luxury sector. This progress is a testament to the strength of resilience and the importance of mentorship and support among women. Throughout my career, I've been fortunate to build relationships with incredible women and men who have inspired and challenged me. These connections have been instrumental in my growth as a leader and reminded me of the importance of uplifting each other and sharing knowledge, especially in a region that thrives on collaborations and collections. In a constantly evolving industry, staying ahead requires adaptability and innovation”.
Lisa Scott Lee - Principal, DPA & Founder, Covent Garden
After 10 successful years running Dubai Performing Arts with her husband Johnny Shentall-Lee, mum of two Lisa has managed to balance her home and professional life in Dubai with a demanding touring and promotional schedule for the band STEPS.
2025 sees a new era for Lisa as she brings the iconic Pineapple Dance Studios to Dubai and will open the new studio at Mall of the Emirates this year as part of a new venue called New Covent Garden, created to become a hub of artistic innovation, complete with a 575-seat theatre, rehearsal spaces, and a range of dining options. The development aims to attract both international stars and local talent, making it a focal point for diverse artistic performances. Lisa herself says “New Covent Garden has been a passionate dream for Johnny and I for years. Being professional performers ourselves and having made Dubai our home over 10 years ago, we wanted to create a unique space and a home for performers, dancers, musicians, artists and the theatre and performing arts community — a creative hub where people from all walks of life can come together and share their passion and their love of the arts.”
In addition to its state-of-the-art theatre, New Covent Garden will feature 10 dance and rehearsal studios, providing an ideal environment for both professionals and emerging artists to work and practice. These spaces will host various performances, from dance rehearsals to intimate performances. New Covent Garden will be the home to a branch of the renowned Pineapple Dance Studios, marking the first time this celebrated global institution will expand outside of the UK.
Eithne Treanor - ETreanor Media
Eithne Treanor is the Founder & CEO of ETreanor Media, a specialist media consultancy company based in Dubai. She is a professional conference moderator and facilitator, an expert media and communications trainer, and a seasoned energy industry commentator, which sees her travel constantly from the UAE to chair events globally. Eithne’s inimitable passion for her craft and the energy sector, alongside her adventurous nature, she seeks out the best from her travel locations, and is one of Dubai’s best connected women in her sector.
Eithne has interviewed thousands of leading politicians, dignitaries, energy ministers and high-ranking international business people. She also acts as OPEC’s official on-air conference and webcast moderator. Eithne is CNBC Arabia’s Special Consultant and she has trained television journalists in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and in Russia. In her earlier career, she worked as an international television journalist for ABC News, Sky News, BBC World, and CNBC Europe and was instrumental in the launch of Bloomberg Television in Europe.
Proudly flying the flag for the Irish in the UAE, she is a graduate of Trinity College in Dublin, Columbia College in Chicago and she holds a post-graduate Diploma in International Relations from the London School of Economics.
As a media trainer, Eithne is passionate about ‘owning the space’ - and raising the quality and resonance of event and panel moderation, using her unparalleled experience and knowledge.
Jacqui Miller-Charlton MBE
With over 35 years of trailblazing experience in global business, Jacqui has built a career breaking boundaries, driving growth, and transforming challenges into opportunities. As one of the pioneering women working on the front line of the construction and heavy industry sectors, she has led international sales strategies and spearheaded expansion into emerging markets like China, India, and the Middle East.
At the heart of her work is the LAL Framework — Listen, Adapt, Lead. It’s the foundation of her coaching philosophy and the method she uses to empower professionals to break barriers, scale growth, and achieve lasting success.
Jacqui built her family business, Miller UK, into a global brand, now recognised as one of the world leaders in the sector. She worked alongside her two brothers and led its entry into complex international markets, transforming it into a leader in its field and reshaping the way hydraulic excavators are used around the globe. The UK Government awarded Jacqui her MBE for 'Services to Industry & International Trade' in the New Year Honours List.
Today, her passion lies in sharing her expertise with the next generation of leaders. By mentoring ambitious professionals or working with established executives, her focus is on actionable, results-driven guidance that makes an immediate impact.
Lynn Al Khatib - VP Communications, Chalhoub Group
Lynn Al Khatib is the Group Head of Communication at Chalhoub Group, the largest retailer and distributor of luxury brands in the Middle East and North Africa. She leads the Group’s corporate brand and communication strategy, overseeing social media, internal communications, crisis management, and external stakeholder relationships. She is a Strategy Board member at MEPRA and also an executive coach.
With over 15 years of corporate and brand communication experience, Lynn joined Chalhoub Group in 2021. Previously, she served as the Global Nutrition, Health, and Wellness Communication Manager at Nestlé S.A. in Switzerland, where she developed a modular system for brands to communicate their purpose and societal impact. Earlier, she established the regional corporate communications strategy at Nestlé Middle East and led regional campaigns to bring nutritional science to consumers and stakeholders.
Lynn holds a Master-Degree in Nutrition and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from the American University of Beirut. She is also a passionate advocate for healthy living.
Lynn has witnessed and contributed to the evolution of purposeful communication, particularly in internal communications, and has observed the growing international interest in the MENA region. She highlights the importance of ethical and responsible journalism, the focus on people’s stories, and the strength of private-public sector engagement. She also emphasizes the critical role of Corporate Communications on Executive Boards and the need for collaboration between in-house teams and agencies.
Dubai brought Lynn to a new industry and business model - to build a great brand with rich heritage and to engage and inspire 15000 employees with the Chalhoub Group.
Lynn is a popular podcast guest, industry commentator and advocate for working women. At a recent CrunchMoms board session, Lynn shared her advice with other working women “Servant leadership is important for teams so that leaders aren't taking care of anyone.” It's a leadership style that prioritises the growth, well-being and empowerment of employees. Teach, guide, coach!”
“Diversity of thought and background is where you stand out.” is her tip for women switching industries or careers.
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