LEWAS 2023 Highlights

Theme: Navigating the Future: Innovations in the Project Control

April 17 - 18, 2024 | Al Faisaliah Hotel, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia


Tomorrow's challenges demand a formidable force of talent - one that can ignite transformation with force and flexibility. We celebrate excellence, ignite thinking and foster dialogues that uncover pivotal trends that shape the future of work.


The talent landscape is in a constant state of flux - grappling with sky-high turnover rates, shrinking pipelines, and looming inflation. At LEWAS, we are not deterred. We're DE&I trailblazers committed to delivering tangible solutions for the workforce of tomorrow.


Our focus is to build a low-carbon future that requires innovation and insights delivered by a diverse workforce. LEWAS is closely aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals of achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls around the globe.


Join us on this journey of progress toward powering tomorrow.

Programme Schedule

DAY 1:

Tuesday, November 21

08:00 – 08:30
08:00 – 08:30
Registration
08:00 - 19:00
08:00 - 19:00
LEWAS Exhibition
08:30 - 12:30
08:30 - 12:30
Parallel GRWx Workshops sponsored by Aramco (Coffee Break: 10:30 - 11:00)
Workshop 1: Women Fast Forward

Explore how to stay agile and relevant with new ways to navigate your career journey. Learn how to engage, inform, and own the space. Don't miss the chance to network with young energy professionals and turn valuable connections into future opportunities.

Facilitators:
  • Nancy Speidel, Founder and CEO, iSAW International
  • Eithne Treanor, CEO, E-Treanor Media

Workshop 2: Advancing Women's Leadership Skills - Boardroom Skills

This single-day workshop provides evidence-based strategies, skill enhancement, and educational resources designed to empower women at different career stages, enabling them to thrive in leadership roles. It also plays a pivotal role in nurturing highly qualified women leaders, both existing and emerging, to their full potential.

Facilitators:
  • Heidi Lynne Balasch, Principal, Upstream Energy, EPAM Systems, Canada
  • Alexander Gottling, Executive HR Services, Saudi Aramco, KSA

Workshop 3: Interrupting Bias - Blindspots in Business


Bias is a big word, but very rarely do we talk about the sneaky ways it creeps into the way we see the world, our decision-making, and how we communicate. In this interactive session, you'll learn how to identify your blind spots and what to do about them and build a toolkit that will help you and your organizations create a more inclusive, inspiring, and innovative culture.

Facilitators:
  • Dr. Jennifer Shepard, Diversity and Inclusion Specialist, Industrial and Organisational Psychologist, Saudi Aramco
  • Katherine Sinex, Founder and CEO of Revilo Consulting Ltd.
12:30 - 13:30
12:30 - 13:30
Lunch
13:30 - 14:15
13:30 - 14:15
Panel Session: Debunking the Energy Narrative
Co-Moderator: Nancy Speidel, Founder & CEO, iSAW International
Co-Moderator: Heidi-Lynne Balasch, Principal, Upstream Energy, EPAM Systems
Panelist: Eithne Treanor, CEO, E-Treanor Media
Panelist: Dr. Jennifer Shepard, Diversity and Inclusion Specialist, Industrial and Organisational Psychologist, Saudi Aramco
Panelist: Katherine Sinex, Founder and CEO , Revilo Consulting Ltd.
Panelist: Marije Van Koolwijk, Vice President, Geosciences & Engineering, TAQA
15:00 - 16:30
15:00 - 16:30
LEWAS Wellbeing Lounge
sponsored by Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare
Work-life Balance Wellbeing Session
Paul Burgess, Well-being Program Lead, Saudi Aramco, KSA
15:00 - 19:00
15:00 - 19:00
Masterclasses (Coffee Break: 17:00 - 17:30)
Masterclass 1: Men Who CARE: Allies and Advocates

Have meaningful discussions on how to support and champion women in the workplace. We will be building on the concept of CARE - Collaboration, Adaptability, Resilience and Empathy as a foundation for your personal and professional development and how you can apply these critical words to support and empower women in the workplace. There will be dialogue, breakout sessions, networking and work that goes beyond words to action.

Facilitators:
  • Sam Thiara, Chief Motivating Officer - Ignite the Dream Coaching and Consulting and Term Lecturer, Beedi School of Business, Simon Fraser University
  • Tunde Ogungbesan, Executive Development and Talent, Saudi Aramco


Masterclass 2: AI-Powered Transformation for HR Leaders

The future of HR isn't just about integrating AI; it's about channeling its transformative power to foster sustainability, women's empowerment, and gender diversity. This half-day masterclass bridges the worlds of AI, HR, and sustainability, tailored specifically for progressive HR leaders in the Middle East and beyond. Whether you're at the cusp of leveraging AI or are looking to understand its potential for sustainable gender diversity, this masterclass will be your compass, guiding you through every step.

Facilitator:
Trish Uhl, Consultant, Owl's Ledge LLC.
17:00 - 19:00
17:00 - 19:00
LEWAS Wellbeing Lounge
sponsored by Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare
The importance of self-awareness for improving general wellbeing
Dr. Ahmed AlTayyar, Occupational Health Manager, JHAH


19:00 - 22:00
19:00 - 22:00
LEWAS Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner
19:00 - 19:30 Guest Arrival (with live violin player)

19:30 - 20:00
Welcome Remarks
Eithne Treanor, CEO, E-Treanor Media
Reem Al Ghanim, Downstream Affiliates HR Manager, Saudi Aramco


Welcome Keynote Address
Eng. Nabelah Altunisi, CEO Viridi Parente – MENA

Sponsor Keynote Address
Faisal Hajji, Senior Vice President, Human Resources Saudi Aramco

20:00 - 21:00 - LEWAS Awards Winners Introduction, Announcements, and Sponsor Recognition

21:00 - 22:00 - Gala Dinner and Closing Remarks
DAY 2:
Wednesday, November 22
07:00 – 08:45
07:00 – 08:45
Registration


08:45 - 09:00
08:45 - 09:00
Welcome Remarks
Eithne Treanor, Founder & CEO Etreanor Media UAE

09:00 - 09:10
09:00 - 09:10
Opening Remarks
Dr. Pinar Yilmaz, Senior Vice President, WPC Energy
09:10 - 09:45
09:10 - 09:45
Panel Session
Decoding Sustainability. What does it mean to me?

The concept of sustainability doesn’t come in a standardized, universal format. Its interpretation and implementations are deeply contextual. For an individual, sustainability might mean adopting a plant-based diet, minimizing waste, or utilizing public transport. In the realm of business, it could manifest as the incorporation of circular economy principles, reducing carbon emissions, or making investments in renewable energy.

A key feature of sustainability is including diverse communities and the unique voices they represent and support. To realize a better world, enterprises must engage diverse people outside their niche. Doing so helps: Bridge gaps, Broaden positive influence and reach, and bring in new strategies and perspectives.

Moderator: Eithne Treanor, Founder & CEO, Etreanor Media, UAE
Panelist: Sheila AlRowaily, CEO, Wisayah Global Investment Management Company, KSA
Panelist: Dr. Amjaad Al-Qahtani, Sr. Engineer, Saudi Aramco, KSA
Panelist: Eng. Hafedh AlQassab, Acting Deputy Chief Executive Operations, BAPCO Refining, Bahrain
Panelist: Amal Larhlid, TLS ESG Leader, Global Fiscal Policy, PwC Dubai, UAE
09:30 - 10:00
09:30 - 10:00
LEWAS Wellbeing Lounge
sponsored by Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare
Panel Discussion - Role of Leaders in Enhancing Employee Wellbeing
Panelist: Dr. Hanan AlShaikh, Chair, Women & Child Health, JHAH
Panelist: Dr. Ahmed Banna, CEO, Origin Group
Panelist: Mr. Sarmad Ahmed, Managing Director, Saaya Health
Panelist: Dr. Amal AlAhmaree, Director of Nursing & Clinical Support Services, JHAH
Panelist: Lamia Zayer, Senior Director of Specialized Therapy & Clinical Services, JHAH
09:45 - 10:00
09:45 - 10:00
LEWAS Business Challenges: Collective Impact
Speaker: Nancy Speidel, Founder & CEO, iSAW International
Speaker: Reem Al Ghanim Downstream Affiliates HR Manager, Saudi Aramco

10:00 - 10:30
10:00 - 10:30
Coffee Break, Speed Networking
10:30 - 10:45
10:30 - 10:45
BCG + WPC ENERGY:
Untapped Reserves 3.0: Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Energy Sector

Diverse organisations outperform their less-diverse competitors in terms of revenue, profits and employee satisfaction. Yet the global energy industry still lags behind most major sectors, with female employees representing less than a quarter of its workforce. The third edition of the Untapped Reserves Survey, the only global, recurring DE&I Survey within the energy sector, gives a detailed and updated picture of gender diversity within our sector in 2023 and highlights at the actions which successful companies are taking in order to attract, retain and advance females within their organisations.

Speaker: Sarah Beattie, Project Manager, WPC Energy
10:45 - 11:15
10:45 - 11:15
Interactive Session
Not your energizer bunny. Staying real and hydrated.

For years, people have been focused on how to squeeze more tasks into an already busy day. While the mantra of “work smarter, not harder” sounds like a good idea, what happens to most people is that they may work smarter, but they also end up working harder. Rapid-fire tasks that require focus are draining, it doesn't matter how efficient you are.

The more you cram into a workday, the more exhausting it becomes. If we want to improve productivity, efficiency, and employee engagement, we’ve got to power up those energy meters first. Join us to unlock energy hacks both mentally and physically.

Speaker: Paul Burgess, Well-being Program Lead , Saudi Aramco
Speaker: Haithem Al-Balawi, Director, Downstream Affiliate HR, Saudi Aramco


11:00 - 11:45
11:00 - 11:45
LEWAS Wellbeing Lounge
sponsored by Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare
Workshop - Stress Management
Facilitator: Ahmed Abu Ahmed, Health Promotion Advisor, JHAH
11:15 - 11:50
11:15 - 11:50
Coffee Break, Speed Networking
11:50 - 12:20
11:50 - 12:20
Panel Session
The fight to keep Gen Z in the energy sector

The energy industry is in the midst of a massive transition. Against a backdrop of accelerating global climate change, the energy industry is moving aggressively to embrace sustainable fuel sources. This is a challenging moment for the energy industry, but it’s also an exciting one.

Energy companies are developing and deploying new technologies that have the potential to ensure a healthier future for us and our planet, and early-career talent will play a key role in facilitating this transition. It is clear that the next generation of clean energy professionals is already in high demand, and they’re ready and eager to get to work. But how do we keep them interested?

Moderator: Alex Malouf, Executive Director, Corporate Communications & Public Relations, Ceer, KSA
Panelist: Rashmi Shetty, Executive Functional Leader, Strategy & Transformation, IET Digital Technology, Baker Hughes, UK
Panelist: Amani Alkhatib Haikal, Operations Supervisor Engineering, Saudi Aramco, KSA
Panelist: Haila Al Rejaibi, Manager - Digital Data Management, Operations, Mubadala Energy, UAE

12:20 - 12:30
12:20 - 12:30
Keynote Session
Leveraging AI in HR to build an inclusive workplace for women

Zein Attar, Organization Development Director, TAQA, KSA
12:30 - 12:50
12:30 - 12:50
Panel Session
AI and the New Era of Human Resources

The genie in the bottle is out, might as well use it to it's full potential. Today with AI, anyone of any age, any education level, any country—could go onto Chat GPT, query a question or two, and find something practical or fun. So for somebody who has the innate ability but not the visibility, generative AI can illuminate a range of career paths and start helping people get closer to the solutions they seek. Find out how AI is reshaping the HR function.

Moderator: AI
Panelist: Trish Uhl, Consultant, Owl's Ledge LLC
Panelist: Zein Attar, Organization Development Director, TAQA Corporate KSA
Panelist: Reem Mohammed Al Jelwah, Logistics Billing Leader, SLB
Panelist: Vivek Gupta, CEO, EDMYST, USA
Panelist: Sarah Hassan, Strategic Account Technology Strategist, Energy & Resources, Microsoft Arabia, KSA
12:50 - 13:30
12:50 - 13:30
Networking Lunch
13:30 - 13:50
13:30 - 13:50
Panel Session
Allies and Advocates: Still a Sticky Floor

While a majority of people say they want to be allies, many don’t know how. Increasing diverse participation and inclusion in workplaces is not a women’s issue. It is a business issue and a human issue, and everyone stands to benefit – including the company, as diverse perspectives improve innovation and competitiveness. Join in to hear how men can be better allies and collaborators with women.

Moderator: Sara H. Al Otaibi, CEO and Founder, BOCO Life
Panelist: Sam Thiara, Chief Motivating Officer, Ignite the Dream Coaching, Term Lecturer, Beedi School of Business, Simon Fraser University, Canada
Panelist: Ali Taqi, Human Capital Strategist, Bapco Refining, Bahrain
Panelist: Tunde Ogungbesan, Executive Development and Talent, Saudi Aramco, Saudi Arabia
Panelist: Mahavir Kothari, Senior Finance Manager BAPCO Energies

13:30 - 15:00
13:30 - 15:00
LEWAS Wellbeing Lounge
sponsored by Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare

Workshop - Color, Energy and Wellbeing - Insights and tools for future leaders


Colour is key for restoring energy. Colour is essential for enhancing life energy. Creating better buildings and promoting healthier spaces of high energetic value, will liberate time to restore, rebalance, and re-connect people with themselves as well as with their physical and social environment. By joining ancient colour healing methods with latest scientific colour energy research, we can create assets in design and beyond as precious as nature itself.

Colour is all about vision. Capturing the energy of light, colour is one of the most important storages of energy and data. Representing the sense of sight and expressing light, colour shapes vision. Nature shows us through its colours how much energy and which kind it contains. Colour in design is used to create atmosphere, identity and wellbeing. Knowing all about colour will be at the core for building success in both life and business strategically. Future leaders who know about colour energy can lay the foundation for a new cultural identity and foster growth by uniting Health, Wealth, Food, and Design Strategies through colour values.


Facilitator: Dr. Ines Klemm, Founder and CEO , Latrace and Archiveda® Chromophant

13:50 - 14:30
13:50 - 14:30
LEWAS Winners Panel
Spotlight on LEWAS's 2023 Trailblazers in Energy

Do you know the challenges faced by underrepresented groups in the energy sector? What strategies do you think will help overcome them? Join the 2023 Award trailblazers as they come together and share their personal experiences and stories of resilience, and inspire us on how they achieved economic empowerment through action; underlining issues that are at the heart of the energy industry - gender gap, women in STEM, inclusiveness and talent shortage.

Moderator: Salma Al Hajeri, Regional - VP EMED & NA, Mubadala Energy, UAE

Panelist: Academic Achievement - University Professor Award finalist -
Shabana Urooj, Associate Professor, King Abdulaziz University, KSA

Panelist: Women of Achievement Award finalist -
Lana El Char, Vice President, Talent Management & Capability Building, ACWA Power, UAE
Cecilia Malagon, Digital and Integration Division Manager, (Saudi Arabia and Bahrain), SLB, KSA

Panelist: Corporate Male Champion Award finalist
Salah Luqman, Director of Technology & Innovation Planning and Performance Management, Saudi Aramco, KSA
14:30 - 15:00
14:30 - 15:00
Coffee Break, Speed Networking
15:00 - 16:00
15:00 - 16:00
Business Challenge Findings

Business Challenge 1: How to attract women in energy
Maram Al Sabbagh, Environment Specialist - Health, Safety and Environment Department, BAPCO, Bahrain
Business Challenge 2: Actioning the Energy Transition: How?
Dr. Jennifer Shepard, Diversity and Inclusion Specialist, Industrial and Organisational Psychologist, Saudi Aramco, KSA
Business Challenge 3: BCG + WPC: Supporting flexible, remote, and hybrid working models for women
Sarah Beattie, Project Manager, WPC Energy
Business Challenge 4: Energizer Bunny: How else can organizations ensure an environment that supports wellbeing?
Claudia Janse van Rensburg, Account Manager, ART Hydroprocessing
Business Challenge 5: How can AI prioritize Inclusion and Mitigate Bias
Fatma Al Kaabi, Team Leader - Plastics & NGLE, Technical Services, OQ
Business Challenge 6: Allies and Advocates - Increasing the voice and population of allies and advocates
Lisa Miller Stephens, Director of Customer Experience, Ally Energy
Facilitator: Mariam M. Khater, Senior HR Business Partner, Saudi Aramco, KSA
Facilitator: Heidi-Lynne Balasch, Principal, Upstream Energy, EPAM Systems, Canada


15:30 - 17:00
15:30 - 17:00
LEWAS Wellbeing Lounge
sponsored by Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare
Resilience

Facilitator: Dr. Danijela Debelic, Master Health Coach, HeartMath Institute

16:00 - 16:30
16:00 - 16:30
LEWAS Wrap Up & Team Picture
16:30 - 17:00
16:30 - 17:00
Speed Networking

2023 Committee Members
2023 LEWAS Award Winners
  • Academic Achievement for Student Award
    Aya Mousa
    Al Hussein Technical University, Jordan
  • Academic Achievement for University Professor Award
    Dr. Bashria Yousef
    Associate Professor
    University of Sharjah, UAE
  • Rising Star Award
    Meaad Mohsen Baabdullah
    Petroleum Scientist,
    Saudi Aramco, KSA
  • Leading with Excellence Award
    Zainab Haider
    IT Administration & Planning Group Leader
    EQUATE Petrochemical Company, Kuwait
  • Woman of Achievement Award
    Dr. Lana El Chaar
    Vice President
    Talent Management & Capability Building
    ACWA Power, UAE
  • Corporate Champion Recognition (Male Champion)
    Eng. Hafedh AlQassab
    Acting Deputy Chief Executive Operations
    BAPCO, Bahrain
See all 2023 Award Winners & Finalists
2023 Sponsors and Partners
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