By : Bakinam Khaled – Rasha Hussein

Mirna Arif, Microsoft Egypt General Manager, has won the Global Leadership Award at the first Women in Tech Global Movement Awards for MENA (Middle East and North Africa) held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The Global Leadership Award category acknowledges and celebrates exemplary leadership that has a significant and positive impact on a group of people or an organization and their goals. Mirna was nominated in this category along with Hana Al Rostamani, Group CEO, First Abu Dhabi Bank, Eng.Bahiya Al Shuaibi, Founder & CEO, Global Space and Technology Company, Eynat Guez, Co-Founder & CEO, Papaya Global, and Mai Medhat, Co-Founder & CEO, Eventtus. 

During her acceptance speech, Mirna thanked the organizers for recognizing the achievements of everyone nominated. “I truly believe that recognition is at the core of advancing women’s role in the digital economy. It’s imperative to have platforms celebrating achievements of women in technology so young girls can be inspired to follow suite,” she said.

“This award spurs me on to achieve even greater results especially in reducing the barriers to entry in tech for women and young girls in Egypt and the greater MENA region. These efforts start by avoiding unconscious bias, providing equal chances for all, and recognizing the powerful potential of an inclusive society” Mirna added.

The Women in Tech is a global non-profit organization on a mission to empower 5 million women and girls in tech by 2030. It organizes seven regional awards, representing different parts of the world: APAC, LATAM, MENA, Europe, Africa, and America. Each regional award has eight categories. The winner of each category will become a finalist in the Global Awards happening in Dubai, October 2022.

Among the dignitaries who graced the event were Her Excellency Ohood Khalfan Al Roumi, UAE Minister of State for Government Development and the Future and His Excellency Hussain Al Mahmoudi, CEO of the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park.