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IN PARTNERSHIP:  Emirates Woman talks to 5 trailblazing women featured in Mastercard’s Lasting Legacy Book—along with Beatrice Cornacchia, Senior VP of Marketing and Communications at Mastercard (one of the conceptualizing brains behind the book), about empowering women and rising above challenges. 
Laila Mostafa Abdullatif, Director General of Emir ates Nature-WWF

On empowerment….
Women in the UAE represent a broad field of industries and have proudly earned top roles as business leaders, academics, scientists, researchers and executives, serving as role models for the next generations of successful women. Emirates Nature-WWF fosters an environment of inclusivity, empathy and compassion. We create a safe-space which encourages female change-makers to dream big and embrace risks, empowering them to create bold solutions to the complex environmental challenges we face today.
On elevating above challenges…
We will always come across challenges in life, this is the way we grow as individuals and professionals. I have learned to fail mindfully; to maintain a positive outlook and approach each challenge as a learning opportunity: a stepping stone towards overcoming larger obstacles in the future.  It certainly helps that I am driven forward by a larger purpose, to build a nature-positive world in which people live in harmony with nature.
Raha Moharrak, Adventurer

On empowerment….
Empowering women and breaking down barriers for them is something that I am absolutely passionate about! I truly believe that leading by example and pursuing my own goals, I can inspire other women to do the same. I make it a priority to help women who are interested in pursuing their own goals, whether that be in mountaineering or any other area. Seeing women achieve great things is just amazing, and I always make sure to celebrate their successes and show them how much they are valued and appreciated. Creating opportunities for women to pursue their passions and achieve their goals is also incredibly important to me. Whether that be through organizing events or providing resources, I will do whatever it takes to help women succeed. To me, empowering women is not just about helping them achieve their own goals, but also about creating a more equal and just society for all. By working together and supporting each other, women can make a real difference in the lives of those around them, and that is what truly motivates me!
On elevating above challenges…
Whenever I face a difficult situation in my life, I try to stay positive and maintain a growth mindset. I remind myself that this challenge is just a temporary setback, and that I have the strength and resilience to overcome it. I also try to focus on the things that I can control, rather than dwelling on the things that are outside of my control. This helps me to stay motivated and take action towards finding solutions. Additionally, I always make sure to reach out for support and help when I need it. Whether it’s from family, friends, or professionals, having a support system can make all the difference. Finally, I always try to maintain a sense of gratitude and appreciation for the good things in my life, even in the midst of difficult times. By keeping a positive attitude and a growth mindset, I am able to elevate myself above the challenges in my life and come out even stronger on the other side.
Natasha Sideris, Founder & CE O of Tashas Group

On empowerment….
I am so grateful to have witnessed so many of our female team members thrive and flourish within Tashas Group. I hope that I empower women around me by assuring that I listen as well as making sure that they feel heard. I also feel that I give our team members a sense of creative freedom as well as the liberty to come to the right solutions in a way that I might not. On top of this, I feel that training and upskilling is key to empowering anyone to be able to succeed. We, as women, tend to be more emotional and intuitive than men and I embrace these qualities.
On elevating above challenges…
I have learned that while stress can be very motivating it can also be debilitating. By taking care of myself – focussing on what I eat, sticking to my exercise routine and making time for friends and family – I am able to remain centred and resilient to take on the challenges of a demanding work life.
Zainab Al-Eqabi, Para-Athlete

On empowerment….
By listening to them, boosting their self-confidence when needed, sharing experiences and skills that empowers them, encouraging them to study and be very well-educated, involve them in decision-making, be there for eachother and celebrate each other’s wins and success….
On elevating above challenges…
Take it step by step. Don’t think “Oh, I wish I didn’t do that, or If I only had it done this way”, focus on the present and on things that can be done now, don’t think of the past. I give myself the chance to feel down when needed, but only for a certain period of time, then it is time to move on and take good action to feel good. Self-care, self-love acts. Seek for support or advice when needed. You are never alone. Challenges find you, only because you are truly able to handle them. Seek the power within you, it is there. You are able to overcome it and grow-out of it nicely. You will learn and become stronger when this challenge is over. Develop and practice a mindset, “life is a journey. enjoy every step of it, no matter how harsh it gets. eventually it will be great!”. Look into the bigger picture. Think big and positive.
Her Excellency, Dr. Aisha Bin Bishr, Global Digital Magnate, Vice Chairwoman of Emaar Development Board & Former Founding Director General Of Smart Dubai

On empowerment….
Empowering women in the workplace is not something extraordinary that only female leaders should do, but it is a fundamental responsibility of any leader. As the founding former director of Smart Dubai, I firmly believe in building partnerships with my team and community, and creating a supportive and inclusive workplace culture that values diversity and encourages everyone to contribute their unique skills and perspectives. During my tenure at Smart Dubai, I had the privilege of working with a brilliant and talented team, and I was delighted to see that the majority of them were women. This was not a planned outcome, but rather a result of the exceptional women we have in the region who have the skills and expertise to lead in their respective fields.
I am proud to say that many of the strategic agendas of Smart Dubai were run by women during my time there, and I have personally witnessed the significant contributions that women make in leadership positions. As a leader, I believe it is our responsibility to recognize and harness the talents of all individuals in our organizations, regardless of their gender or background. By empowering women and promoting gender equality, we not only create a more inclusive and supportive workplace but also drive innovation and growth.
On elevating above challenges…
I strongly believe that challenges are opportunities for growth and development, and that resilience and persistence are essential for overcoming them. Throughout my career, I have faced numerous obstacles, but I have never allowed them to hold me back. Instead, I approach every challenge as an opportunity to learn and grow.
To overcome these challenges, I have focused on cultivating a clear vision and purpose for myself, and taking calculated risks. I understand that failure is part of the journey towards success, and I embrace it as an opportunity to learn and improve. I have also surrounded myself with a supportive network of family, friends, and colleagues who have been instrumental in helping me overcome obstacles.
My message to others facing challenges is to never give up, and to stay true to your values and beliefs. You must be willing to learn, grow, and evolve in order to overcome obstacles and achieve success. With persistence, determination, and a clear vision, you can overcome any challenge that comes your way.
Beatrice Cornacchia, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Mastercard Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa.

On empowerment….
As leaders, it is our responsibility to empower people, both in our organizations and the communities we serve. Personally, this is also the most rewarding part of my role, where I lead Marketing and Communications for Mastercard across the EEMEA region. Our team consists of more than 50 talented individuals across the region, and I strive to ensure that everyone has equal opportunities for growth and development. I make it a point to extend mentorship opportunities and support to everyone, helping them to overcome obstacles and achieve their professional goals, while celebrating their strengths and accomplishments. 
Beyond the walls of Mastercard, I am proud of the work we are doing as a company and as a Marketing and Communications function. As part of our efforts to unlock the full potential of the female economy, we at Mastercard work proactively to drive a more equitable future for everyone as we enable communities, celebrate diversity, and elevate the voices of women leading change.
In Saudi Arabia, we launched the ‘Her Voice’ podcast series, giving a voice to inspiring stories by women entrepreneurs in Saudi Arabia and across the region. The series featured six episodes, each with a distinct theme embodying the qualities of high-achieving women, chronicling the story of each female guest in her own voice, during a conversation with host Raha Moharrak, the youngest Arab and first Saudi woman to climb Mount Everest and the Seven Summits.
We also launched our Girls4Tech program to shape the thinking and development of the next generation of technology leaders. In the region, we joined forces with Expo 2020 Dubai to introduce the program and have further expanded to roll out the curriculum in markets like Morocco and Saudi Arabia, and new languages including Arabic and French. Globally, we are more than halfway to achieving our goal of reaching 5 million girls by 2025.
More recently, and to mark a milestone anniversary of our Priceless platform, which has been connecting people to their passions for a quarter of a century, we partnered with Motivate Publishing to launch the coffee table book Lasting Legacy – Honoring 25 Visionaries to Celebrate 25 Years of Priceless. The publication highlights the journeys and achievements of some of the world’s most renowned female trailblazers in sports, politics, science, technology, financial services, and beyond.
I believe that empowering women is crucial for creating a more equitable society. Women have the potential to be leaders, innovators, and agents of change, but they often face historic barriers that prevent them from reaching their full potential. By providing women with the tools and resources they need to succeed, we can create a more inclusive and prosperous future for everyone. 
On elevating above challenges…
Elevating oneself above life’s challenges can be daunting at times, but it’s possible when you have the right mindset and approach. However, it’s also essential to recognize the power of collaboration and championing the success of those around you. When we work together, we become stronger as a team, and can make a difference in our own lives and the lives of those around us. It’s also important to seize opportunities when things are difficult, as it is often in those moments that we can demonstrate our resilience and overcome adversity. 
Mastercard’s Lasting Legacy book is available to order from Booksarabia
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