08:00 am - 09:00 am | Guests arrivals & registrations
We are ready to welcome you!
Join Us!
🌍 Our Registration Team is Ready to Welcome the World!
Get ready for a seamless experience at the GED Summit! Our dedicated registration team is excited to welcome participants from around the globe with warm hospitality, efficient service, and all the information you need to make your summit experience unforgettable. Whether you’re arriving in person or joining virtually, we’re here to support every step of your journey. Let the connections begin!
09:00 am - 09:40 am | Access to Capital for Women-Led Businesses
Session Overview
This session will address the barriers that women entrepreneurs face in accessing financing, and will explore strategies such as dedicated funding pools, inclusive lending practices, and policy reforms to bridge the funding gap.
Speaker
Courtney Fingar is a leading expert on foreign direct investment (FDI) and a business editor with more than 20 years of experience.
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She has covered business stories in all major regions of the world and has been on assignment to more than 80 countries, interviewing government and business leaders. She has appeared on television and radio in dozens of countries as a commentator and has twice been called to give evidence to the UK Parliament about inward investment.
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Among her ongoing media work, she writes a column for Forbes.com on FDI and is a contributing editor for Real Asset Media.
An in-demand moderator, master of ceremonies, and keynote speaker, Ms Fingar has participated in hundreds of business events globally and advises event organisers on content and strategy.
Courtney Fingar
Main Stage
09:50 am - 10:30 am | The Informal Economy: Recognizing and Supporting Women’s Work
Session Overview
Panelists will discuss the critical role of women working in the informal economy, often without recognition or legal protections. Strategies for formalizing this work and ensuring women have access to resources will be key topics.
Speakers
Zehra Fattah
Main Stage
Rinsola Abiola
Main Stage
Dr. Janelle Sharee O'Mard
Main Stage
Zehra Fattah
Founder and managing director of Kent Consulting & Events. Based in the UAE, Kent Consulting & Events is a boutique economic development consultancy dedicated to facilitating cross-regional investment opportunities and promoting economic development across the MENAT region. Inspired by her late mother, a businesswoman, Zehra established this company to honour her legacy while making a significant impact on international business and economic development.
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Rinsola Abiola
Ms. Rinsola Abiola is a youth and gender advocate who works at the intersection of politics and civil society. Ms. Abiola is a Public Relations professional with work experience in the public, private and non-profit sectors. In November 2023, she was appointed as Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Citizenship and Leadership; her office is charged with promoting civic education and youth leadership development.
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Dr. Janelle Sharee O’Mard
Dr. Janelle Sharee O’Mard is a seasoned education and business development leader in Antigua and Barbuda. As the Education Officer for Business Education in the Ministry of Education, she leverages over 20 years of experience in education, entrepreneurship, and business consultancy. Prior to her current role, she served as Business Development Officer at the Antigua and Barbuda Science Innovation Park with responsibilities for Special Projects under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
10:40 am - 11:00 pm | Cultural Display
Session Overview
A celebration of diverse cultures, showcasing the rich traditions and artistic expressions of various communities, especially those from women-led initiatives in the arts.
Presentation Session
Main Stage
11:10 am - 11:50 am | The Role of Policy in Advancing Women’s Economic Participation
Session Overview
Presentation Session
Main Stage
Discover the critical role of policy in advancing women’s economic participation at the GED Summit. This session will explore how well-designed policies can bridge gender gaps in the workforce, promote equal opportunities, and empower women to contribute to sustainable economic growth, innovation, and leadership in various industries.
12:00 pm - 12:45 pm | Keynote Address
Session Overview
A featured speaker will set the tone for the summit, sharing insights into the state of the global economy and the role of women in driving change.
Speaker
Ms. Sarantogos Erdenetsogt has been a career diplomat since 1997. On October 13, 2023, she presented her letter of credence to Governor General of Canada Mary Simon. Prior to this, Ms. Sarantogos served as Ambassador of Mongolia to the Republic of Korea. In the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ulaanbaatar, she was the Director-General of the Asia and the Pacific Department from 2017 and Director-General of the Policy Planning and Coordination Department from 2016.
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Ms. Sarantogos served in the Embassy of Mongolia in Japan on several occasions on the positions of the Minister Counsellor/Deputy Chief of Mission, Economic Counsellor and Third Secretary. In the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, she started her career as an officer and then worked as Third Secretary, Second Secretary and First Secretary in the Asia Department as well as the Department of Policy Planning
H.E. Sarantogos Erdenetsogt
Main Stage
12:45 pm - 01:30 pm | Lunch
Lunch Break
Join us for a refreshing lunch break, where you can recharge, network, and connect with fellow attendees in a relaxed environment. Take this opportunity to exchange ideas, discuss key topics, and enjoy a variety of meal options provided on-site. Whether you’re looking to relax or continue conversations from the sessions, this break offers the perfect time to refresh before diving back into the day’s activities.
01:30 pm - 02:10 pm | Women & Youth in Entrepreneurship
Session Overview
This discussion will focus on the intersection of women and youth in entrepreneurship, providing insights into how young women can be empowered through mentorship, education, and policy support.
Speakers
Main Stage
Dr. Christabel Derby
Dr. Shindale Seale
Megan Vernon
Dr. Christabel Derby
Christabel Queensley A. Derby is an accomplished lawyer, development policy analyst, and renowned youth advocate with a proven track record of driving positive change across local, national, and global platforms. She has distinguished herself as a dynamic leader committed to promoting youth empowerment, gender equality, and human rights.
Dr. Shindale Seale
Dr. Shindale Seale is a cultural equity and leadership strategist who supports entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, and DE&I professionals in reaching organizational culture goals. With over 30 years of experience across corporate, academic, and non-profit sectors, she specializes in performance optimization, staff development, and building equitable work environments.
Megan Vernon
Born and raised in Jamaica is the dynamic powerhouse, Megan Vernon (MBA, MSc, BA, CME). As all the letters behind her name highlights, Megan values education. She also considers herself an autodidact and a lifelong learner. She moved to Toronto, Canada to complete her Bachelors in Psychology. In her final years, she was then chosen to represent Canada in Mexico to provide a psychological perspective on immigration in Mexico.
02:15 pm - 02:55 pm | The Digital Divide: Enhancing Women’s Access to Technology
Session Overview
Panelists will explore the barriers women face in accessing and utilizing digital technologies, and propose solutions for bridging the gender digital divide in business and everyday life.
Speakers
Suresh Yadav
Suresh Yadav serves as the Senior Director of Artificial Intelligence and Transformative Technology at the Commonwealth Secretariat, bringing over 25 years of experience across the private and public sectors, as well as international organizations. His expertise spans finance, technology, and governance, with a particular passion for integrating disruptive technologies to drive development and transformation.
Dr. Jen Fry
Dr. Jen Fry (she/her)Â ) is a Sports Geographer, tech founder, TEDx speaker, and sought-after speaker and educator. She owns JenFryTalks, an organizational change firm at the intersection of conflict and culture. It transforms organizational dynamics by addressing how conflict and culture shape leadership and overall business outcomes.
Main Stage
Suresh Yadav
Dr. Jen Fry
03:00 pm - 03:30 pm | Coffee Break & Networking
Coffee Break & Networking
Take a break and join us for a coffee break, the perfect opportunity to recharge and network with fellow attendees. Enjoy a variety of coffee, tea, and light refreshments while engaging in meaningful conversations with peers, experts, and industry leaders.
Whether you’re looking to expand your professional network or exchange ideas in a relaxed setting, this is the ideal time to connect and collaborate.
03:30 pm - 04:15 pm | Keynote Address
Session Overview
Another keynote speaker will dive deeper into the importance of leadership and policy in advancing women’s economic empowerment.
Speaker
H.E. Professor Hassan B. Diab
Main Stage
Professor Diab is a Lebanese academic, professor, engineer, executive, and politician with over 33 years in academia including almost 20 years in executive roles leading organizations across government, academic, and non-profit sectors. He served as the 26th President of the Council of Ministers of Lebanon and was the first Prime Minister in the history of the MENA region to form a cabinet with 30% female ministers (6 out of 20).
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He took on a Herculean task by serving as Prime Minister (19 Dec 2019 – 10 Sept 2021) during the worst crises period in Lebanese history and managed to pass many decrees and laws on anti-corruption. His technocrat cabinet, an exception in Lebanese politics and the closest to the specification of a technocrat cabinet in the history of Lebanon, approved for the first time in Lebanese history forensic audit on the central bank as well as the first National Reform Plan to address the economic, financial and social problems resulting from three decades of mismanagement, a plan which was commended by many including the UN, EU, World Bank, and the IMF
04:20 pm - 05:00 pm | Breaking Barriers: Women in Leadership Roles
Session Overview
This session will highlight the challenges women face when entering leadership positions and offer strategies to overcome these barriers, including mentorship, training programs, and institutional changes.
Speaker
Ambassador Cheryl E. Bazard KC is the Head of Mission of the Bahamas’ Embassy to Belgium and the EU. A barrister with over 30 years of experience, she has expertise in anti-money laundering and compliance, having served as Legal Counsel and Compliance Director for major banks and as a Stipendiary and Circuit Magistrate. Founding President of the Bahamas Association of Compliance Officers, she is also a recognized speaker and award-winning leader in the legal and compliance fields. Ambassador Bazard now leads The Bahamas’ advocacy for climate justice and action, the country’s top foreign policy issue.
