Theme: Two Steps Forward

We all know that when it comes to global gender equity, there's still so much work to be done.
It's time to reset, to rethink, to collectively imagine different ways forward.

This year's conference will joyfully celebrate those taking bold strides into the future, those working unapologetically to make big dreams become reality; the event will demonstrate luminous new thinking and ideas designed to enchant, uplift and unlock new possibilities for us all.

*Note: the TEDx event follows the official TEDWomen theme of the year

HQ
1st floor, Seef Mall
Manama, Al Manāmah, 00000
Bahrain

Afra Cader

Management Consultant & Social & Emotional Intelligence Facilitator

Having worked with 100's of young people building emotional intelligence, mental health literacy and social connectedness Afra has had a unique insight into what goes into creating belonging in our communities. Her work has spanned across youth sporting teams, middle to high school cohorts, university students and young professionals. Afra is passionate about how we can create better connections with ourselves and others; and she has had the privilege of working with young people across Sri Lanka, Australia and Bahrain. Professionally Afra is a Management Consultant, a Rites of Passage Facilitator and an Advocate for women and girls. In recognition of her work, Afra was nominated as a Speaker at the UNCCT's Youth Townhall in Qatar in 2022, a Finalist of the 2020 Victorian Young Achiever Award, Winner of Monash University's 2021 Social Incubator and a Foundation for Young Australian's Young Social Pioneer.

Dania Al-Showaikh

Co-founder of Daleel

Dania Alshowaikh is a Business and Communications Strategist and the co-founder of Daleel, a financial marketplace that is focused on improving financial wellbeing and inclusion in the region. She is passionate about making finance easy and accessible for everyday people. Some of her previous roles include helping businesses build and scale their operations across the MENA region. As part of her role as the marketing lead at Tarabut Gateway, she worked very closely with the FinTech ecosystem in MENA to create a collaborative environment for innovation. She has also been an active member of several working groups in MENA that are focused on empowering the next generation of financial services. Dania is a certified inbound marketing and digital transformation expert holding credentials from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), an Msc of Strategic Marketing with Honors from Imperial College London and a BA in Media Studies and Business from the University of Newcastle.

Dr. Fatema Marhoon

Autism Activist, Writer & Medical Doctor, National Genome Centre, Bahrain Ministry of Health

Dr. Fatema Marhoon is the mother of a wonderful child on the Autism spectrum, a medical doctor at the National Genome Centre - Ministry of Health, & Admin and Head of Awareness Committee at the Bahraini Autistic Society. Dr. Fatema wrote and published her first audiobook and book (The Autism Spectrum Disorder Guide) in collaboration with the Al Rawi platform. Her qualifications include: - Arabian Gulf University Graduate - College of Medicine (2015) - First Bahraini Graduate of Genetic Counseling Training in Sultanate of Oman (2020) - MSc Personalized medicine (2023-2024) - Arabian Gulf University - First Bahraini physician to be trained on NGS in Harvard Medical School - Boston (2023)

Dr. Marjan Modara

Personal Knowledge Management Counsellor, Inspirational Speaker, Podcast Host

Dr. Marjan Modara is a Bahraini Associate Professor, Inspirational Public Speaker, and Podcast Host. Marjan has spent the past decade designing her authentic lifestyle. From focusing on her mental and physical well-being to self-discovery through travel, Marjan has been a motivator to people of all ages guiding them to take the space they need in designing their most authentic lifestyles. Through her podcast series, Marjan shares inspiring stories of changemakers who redefined their lives from her community. Her expertise in personal knowledge management, coupled with engaging workshops continue to empower the youth on embarking their own personal journey towards growth and personal development.

Fatima Reyadh

Basketball Coach & Technical Specialist at Bahrain General Sports Authority

With a remarkable 9 years of experience in coaching and mentoring athletes, Fatima has risen to prominence not only for her expertise on the court but also for her groundbreaking achievements. As the first woman in the Arab region to coach men's basketball, Fatima has shattered barriers and redefined possibilities. Her dedication to the sport and unwavering belief in gender equality have paved the way for future generations of coaches and athletes. Her leadership has not only transformed the game but has also inspired a movement toward inclusivity and diversity in sports. In addition to her coaching career, Fatima holds a business bachelor’s degree from Applied Science University in Bahrain and a basketball diploma from Belgrade University, where she honed her skills and gained a deep understanding of the sport's intricacies.

Nadeen Yateem

Bahrain’s First Female Muay Thai Fighter

Introducing Bahrain's first female Muay Thai fighter and accomplished marketing leader, Nadeen Yateem. With an unwavering passion for breaking barriers and redefining strength, she has fearlessly paved the way for women in combat sports. Having completed eight international fights, she has not only demonstrated her exceptional skills in the ring but also witnessed, examined, experienced, understood, and evaluated the landscape of women in a sport historically dominated by males. Alongside her athletic pursuits, Nadeen excels in her role as a marketing leader, following attaining her Bachelors in Web Media under the Ministry of Education’s scholarship, leveraging her expertise to amplify her message and inspire countless individuals to embrace their power and strive for purpose. With a powerful combination of physical prowess, mental resilience, and digital influence, she continues to empower and ignite change, proving that strength knows no boundaries.

Nour Saeed

Writer & Communications Professional

Nour is a writer and communications professional with over 6 years of experience. Currently, Nour is the Advocacy, Special Initiatives and International Stakeholder Relations Manager at the Royal Commission for AlUla. In this capacity, Nour works on strategic and internationally relevant engagements to reach high-profile stakeholders, and manages boards and committees of international experts across industries to create tangible value which can be cascaded across the organization. Nour has earned a bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a minor in philosophy.

Shouq AlAlawi

Curator & Director of Handicrafts at Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities

Shouq AlAlawi is currently the Director of Handicrafts at the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities. She is a graduate of Griffith University, Queensland, Australia with a Master's Degree in Sociology and Cultural Studies (2012) with a focus in the Arts, and she holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from the University of Bahrain (2003). She joined the Ministry of Culture in 2013 as a Curator and later became the Head of Art and Exhibitions, where she managed many local and international and travelling exhibitions, as well as specialized art projects in the fields of urban beautification, design, heritage, handicrafts and food. She also earned several accredited professional certifications in the fields of curating, museums studies, crisis management, leadership, education, marketing and media.

Susy Massetti

Chef & Regenerative Farmer

Chef Susy Massetti is a renowned female Executive Chef and F&B Director who has won numerous awards and accolades. She brings an all-female legacy to her kitchen, learning from her mother and grandmother. Chef Susy has worked in various 5-star hotels and starred in television cooking shows, all while finding time to cook for royalties and celebrities. As the Director of Roots & Shoots Management & Consultants WLL, she played a vital role in creating notable brands and currently manages some of them. Chef Susy has also been engaged by the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) in KSA to bring her culinary and farming philosophy to the mountainous region of Saudi Arabia. A strong believer in sustainable and organic farming, she founded Roots & Shoots, an organic and regenerative farm in Bahrain.