13 October 2025
Family Business Council Gulf Advances Women’s Leadership with ‘Women on Boards’ Masterclass
Dammam, Saudi Arabia – 9 October 2025: The Family Business Council Gulf (FBCG), in partnership with Asharqia Chamber and Nusf – The Arab Institute for Women’s Empowerment, hosted this week the Women on Boards Masterclass — a milestone initiative designed to strengthen the presence and influence of women in family and corporate boardrooms across the Gulf.
The half-day session gathered aspiring and emerging female board directors to build governance knowledge, learn from seasoned board members, and develop the confidence and community support needed to pursue board roles. Conducted in Arabic, the Masterclass blended experiential learning, peer dialogue, and real-world case studies to move the conversation from representation to readiness.
“This is not a lecture — it’s a call to action. Our goal is to turn potential into participation.” said Rasha Al Darwish, Chairwoman of the Family Council at SEDCO Holding and Board Member of FBCG. “Every time a woman takes her seat at the table, she opens the door for many more to follow.”
The programme featured leading voices in governance and family enterprise, including Areej Mohsin Darwish, Chairperson of MHD ACERE; Dr. Basma Al Zamil, Adviser at LGA and Member of the Board of Trustees at the Royal University for Women; Lulwa Al Soudairy, Chairwoman of Mansour Al Mosaid Group; and Her Excellency Lujaina Mohsin Darwish, Chairperson of MHD ITICS. Each shared insights from their own journeys to the boardroom — from navigating family dynamics to redefining leadership standards.
“Women bring a long-term lens to leadership — one that balances empathy with growth,” said Lulwa Al Soudairy. “Our presence on boards is not symbolic; it is strategic.”
Dr. Basma Al Zamil added, “By investing in women’s governance literacy today, we invest in the sustainability of family enterprises tomorrow.”
“Women have always been integral to the success of Gulf family businesses,” said Lujaina Mohsin Darwish. “What’s changing now is that they are increasingly shaping board agendas and defining what multi-generational leadership looks like.”
Areej Mohsin Darwish emphasized the importance of preparation: “Confidence in the boardroom comes from competence — understanding the business, asking the right questions, and standing firm in your values.”
Guided by its mission to positively shape the family business landscape, FBCG is advancing women’s leadership on family boards through strategic alliances with Chambers and Institutes that share its vision — creating pathways for more women to take their rightful place at the boardroom table.
– ENDS –
For media enquiries, please contact: community@fbc-gulf.org
“This is not a lecture — it’s a call to action. Our goal is to turn potential into participation.” said Rasha Al Darwish, Chairwoman of the Family Council at SEDCO Holding and Board Member of FBCG. “Every time a woman takes her seat at the table, she opens the door for many more to follow.”
The programme featured leading voices in governance and family enterprise, including Areej Mohsin Darwish, Chairperson of MHD ACERE; Dr. Basma Al Zamil, Adviser at LGA and Member of the Board of Trustees at the Royal University for Women; Lulwa Al Soudairy, Chairwoman of Mansour Al Mosaid Group; and Her Excellency Lujaina Mohsin Darwish, Chairperson of MHD ITICS. Each shared insights from their own journeys to the boardroom — from navigating family dynamics to redefining leadership standards.
“Women bring a long-term lens to leadership — one that balances empathy with growth,” said Lulwa Al Soudairy. “Our presence on boards is not symbolic; it is strategic.”
Dr. Basma Al Zamil added, “By investing in women’s governance literacy today, we invest in the sustainability of family enterprises tomorrow.”
“Women have always been integral to the success of Gulf family businesses,” said Lujaina Mohsin Darwish. “What’s changing now is that they are increasingly shaping board agendas and defining what multi-generational leadership looks like.”
Areej Mohsin Darwish emphasized the importance of preparation: “Confidence in the boardroom comes from competence — understanding the business, asking the right questions, and standing firm in your values.”
Guided by its mission to positively shape the family business landscape, FBCG is advancing women’s leadership on family boards through strategic alliances with Chambers and Institutes that share its vision — creating pathways for more women to take their rightful place at the boardroom table.
– ENDS –
For media enquiries, please contact: community@fbc-gulf.org