Dubai’s WE Convention redefines women’s leadership

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Dubai once again took centre stage in the global conversation on women’s leadership and empowerment as the WE Convention (Women’s Empowerment Convention) convened on November 1–2 at the Atlantis The Royal. Organised by the WE Council, the event drew over 100 world-renowned speakers and 2,500 participants from more than 100 countries, solidifying its position as a prominent women’s empowerment event.

Tickets for the convention sold out nearly a month in advance, a strong signal of the growing global appetite for conversations around financial independence, career growth, and leadership among women. Delegates represented key regions including the UAE, wider Middle East, the UK, the US, CIS nations, and the European Union.

“This year’s WE Convention has exceeded every expectation, in scale, impact, and spirit,” said Mila Semeshkina, founder of the WE Convention. “We have grown not only in numbers but in the depth of dialogue, the excellence of our speakers, and the engagement from our global audience. Our voice is now heard by over a billion women worldwide. Each year, the WE community becomes stronger, more ambitious, and more united in shaping the future of women’s leadership.”

Read more-Rewriting the rules: How Mila Semeshkina is leading the women’s power revolution

Held under the theme “ALL IN: Career, Money, and Life,” the 2025 edition spotlighted financial independence as a catalyst for personal and professional empowerment. The two-day programme featured an impressive lineup: 24 keynote sessions, 14 industry roundtables, 6 workshops, 4 topic-specific meetups, and 42 mentorship meetings. The discussions ranged from redefining women’s roles in global business to building brands, nurturing innovation, and exploring how artificial intelligence is reshaping entrepreneurship.

Anna Wintour on leadership, collaboration, and balance

Among the most anticipated sessions was a keynote from Dame Anna Wintour, chief content officer at Condé Nast and global editorial director of Vogue. Wintour shared candid insights into her leadership philosophy and the challenges that persist for women in power.

“Of course, the glass ceiling still exists for women. And we just have to keep knocking on the glass, we will get there,” said Wintour. “We have to use our voices and our platforms. We have to stand up for what we believe in.”

She underscored the importance of surrounding oneself with trusted, capable teams. “As a leader, I believe in surrounding myself with people I trust and genuinely enjoy working with, individuals who bring diverse ways of thinking to the table. I empower my team to make their own decisions; I don’t micromanage. My strength lies in recognising talent and good ideas in others,” she shared.

Wintour also touched on work-life balance as essential to sustained success. “Weekends are very important to me, a time to unwind, read, play sports, walk my dogs, and go to the theatre. That balance is so important, and I encourage my team to do the same,” she concluded.

Candace Bushnell champions financial independence

Equally interesting was a conversation with Candace Bushnell, international best-selling author and creator of the iconic Sex and the City series. Bushnell reflected on how her work continues to inspire women to define success on their own terms.

“Even as a little girl, I realised I didn’t think the way women were expected to think,” Bushnell said. “In the 1960s, women were encouraged to pursue only a few professions. I wanted to show women a different way to think and a different way to look at their lives.”

She emphasised financial empowerment as the cornerstone of women’s autonomy. “The most important thing is being independent and making your own money,” she said. “Always have some part of yourself you can rely on. My one piece of advice to young women would be simple: focus on building your confidence and independence. Financial empowerment gives women freedom, security, and choice.”

Bushnell closed with a call for solidarity among women: “Women need to come together more to lift each other up. We’re stronger when we stand side by side and celebrate each other’s success.”

Global leaders and industry titans share the stage

The convention featured a powerhouse roster of leaders across government, business, and the arts. Distinguished speakers included Ohood Al Roumi, UAE minister of state for Government Development and the Future, and Hala Badri, director general of Dubai Culture & Arts Authority.

From the corporate world, notable figures included Dr Maky Zanganeh, US self-made billionaire and co-CEO and president of Summit Therapeutics; Amira Sajwani, managing director of Sales and Development at DAMAC Properties; Mary Gukasyan, managing director at Kraft Heinz Middle East and Africa; Mirna Arif, general manager for Microsoft Middle East and Africa Growth Markets; Alina Nazarova, director of Premium and Private Banking at Alfa-Bank; Nisha Jagtiani, group director of Landmark Group; and Tina Ghafurian, COO of Omorfia Group.

Sports and culture were also well represented, with Nawal El Moutawakel, Olympic champion and vice president of the International Olympic Committee; Svetlana Kuznetsova, Grand Slam tennis champion and sports-fashion designer; Joelle Mardinian, celebrity entrepreneur; and Angela Orlov, co-founder and head of design at ORLOV Jewelry.

A glamorous night of networking and culture

Adding to the momentum of the two-day summit, WE Night on November 1 stood out as one of Dubai’s most glamorous social events of the season. Hosted at the Michelin-acclaimed estiatorio Milos at Atlantis The Royal, the evening combined high fashion, art, and business networking.

Guests enjoyed red-carpet arrivals, an exclusive ORLOV Jewelry fashion show, a Schiaparelli Couture presentation, live music by Jodok Cello, and a gourmet dinner that encouraged top-level networking among business and creative leaders. The event underscored the WE Convention’s dual focus on empowerment and community, fostering professional growth while celebrating cultural excellence.

The WE Convention 2025 was made possible by a roster of partners representing diverse industries and sectors, including ORLOV Jewelry, Eywa by R.Evolution, Lectera.com, Kraft Heinz, Omorfia Group, META, LinkedIn, Oracle, Migems Dubai, La Biosthétique, OKX, Shiseido, Philip Morris International, Aeon & Trisl, AM Wealth, LITT, LETOILE, Keto Kartel, Divinom, Milena Aesthetic Clinic, Privé7 Dubai, the female factor, and Women in AI.

As the convention concluded, its message resonated powerfully across sectors, women’s empowerment is not a movement, but a sustained global force driving economic growth, innovation, and leadership. With Dubai’s growing influence as a global business hub, the WE Convention has cemented its role as a platform for shaping the future of women’s participation in the global economy.