In its next chapter of strategic growth, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Chapter of Global Women in PR (GWPR), a global membership organization connecting women in senior PR and communications roles, is welcoming Radwa Allabban, Founder and Managing Director, Place Communications and Purti Simon, Vice President, Teneo as board members this Women’s History Month.
Industry sources added that Radwa has 20+ years of expertise in her position, and invaluable knowledge from her time setting up and running her own agency, which she launched in 2011. Purti is a multidisciplinary communications professional with over 10 years in the Middle East, Asia & Europe. She was listed as one of India’s top 30 PR professionals under 30 and led the APACMEA delegation for the International Women’s Forum to Boston.
Rachel Dunn, GWPR MENA Co-Chair and Communications Director at Microsoft Central & Eastern Europe, Middle East & Africa, commented: “Radwa and Purti are two of the most well-respected female leaders in the communications industry here in the region and we are absolutely thrilled to be welcoming them as GWPR MENA Board Members. Their combined knowledge, insights, and experience will be invaluable in offering guidance and shaping the experiences of women in the industry. Their arrival at a time when women around the globe are marking Women’s History Month is particularly fitting, and we look forward to getting straight to work.”
Purti stated: “I am delighted to be formally appointed as a Board Member for the regional chapter following my involvement with the organization for many years. GWPR MENA is steadfast in delivering its promise of an equitable PR industry where women are seen and valued. I am grateful to join the league of committed Board Members, each trailblazer in their own right, to advocate and equip female leaders at a time when companies are losing them in droves for a variety of systemic reasons. Looking ahead, I hope to bring more impetus to building a healthy pipeline of women leaders and providing them opportunities that help them thrive in the workplace.”
Radwa stated: “In a region experiencing constant change, the role of PR and Communications has never been more important. Global Women in PR MENA is not just another networking group – it’s the only platform in the region for senior female communicators to come together and have honest conversations about the challenges and opportunities we face, and most importantly to take concrete actions to address them. We don’t just talk, we act. We exist to support, showcase, and lift up current and future female leaders in our industry.”
Industry sources further added that GWPR MENA is currently celebrating its largest-ever membership of female senior communications professionals in the UAE, at 80 members. The six-strong board members also comprise Co-Chair, Loretta Ahmed, Founder and CEO of Houbara Communications, Naamat Baradhy, Regional Communication Advisor at First Abu Dhabi Bank, and Louise Jacobson, Managing Partner of Brazen MENA.
In its latest step to boost its commitment to connecting senior female communicators, GWPR MENA recently launched ‘The Conversation Series,’ a platform to have honest conversations about the challenges and issues faced by women in the industry and discuss ways to overcome them. The series is the latest addition to GWPR MENA’s robust calendar of monthly events, webinars, and community platforms including an active and supportive messaging group.
