To kick start the return of in-person meetings, a mini- WiTR breakfast meeting was arranged last week at the newly opened Vida Creek Harbour Hotel in Dubai, which was attended by several WiTR members. The breakfast coincided with the visit by UK-based Jennifer Dixon, VP – HR, Pernod Ricard who was joined by her colleague Neha Jabber, Marketing Manager – Gulf & India. With Jennifer in attendance, along with Mona Al Ali, SVP – HR, Dubai Duty Free, the discussion inevitably turned to HR issues for women in general and those in the industry in particular. Topics discussed included the challenges of Emiratization, maternity benefits and the need for a reintroduction into the workforce for new mums, as well as recent corporate directives that put women at the centre.
Commenting on the morning, Sinead El Sibai, SVP-Marketing at Dubai Duty Free and WiTR Middle East representative said :”It was great to have an in-person gathering again after such a long period of time. The meeting was triggered by the visit by Jennifer from Pernod Ricard who wanted to meet up with some women in senior positions in the region and to get some insights into their working lives. I certainly learnt a lot by the lively discussions that entailed and am keen to keep the conversation going.”
The WiTR breakfast was hosted by Pernod Ricard. “Thanks to Pernod Ricard for giving us the impetus to meet in person again and In the coming weeks I will be reaching out to the regional database and will plan a series of further gatherings for WiTR members,” added Sinead.
Pictured at the breakfast from left to right: Leila Ben Kacem, Customer Marketing Manager – Middle East and Asia/Pacific, Mondelez, Sharon Beecham, SVP – Purchasing, DDF, Mona Al Ali, SVP – HR, DDF, Jennifer Dixon, VP – HR, Pernod-Ricard, Carla Lewis, Area Sales Manager GCC, JTI, Sinead El Sibai, SVP – Marketing, DDF and Neha Jabber, Marketing Manager – Gulf & India, Pernod Ricard
