Shared Objective to Address Gender Parity in Middle East Boardrooms Drives Partnership between Reach Mentoring and 30% Club GCC

Dubai, UAE, January 31, 2017:  Synergies in addressing gender parity in the Middle East workplace have led to a formal partnership between Reach Mentoring, the first non-profit organization dedicated to structured mentoring and leadership development for women professionals in the Middle East, and the 30% Club GCC – the regional chapter of a global business-led initiative for achieving better gender representation in senior leadership positions. 

As part of the partnership, Reach will deliver a structured C-suite level mentoring programme with mentorship from senior leaders in regional organizations, for 30% Club GCC members.  

Established in 2013, Reach has seen over 200 women at varying stages of their careers matched with mentors from all industry sectors – both male and female – complete the organization’s year-long mentoring programme.  The specialised online platform adopted by Reach enables algorithmic matching of mentors and mentees to ensure compatibility on a number of levels, and includes objective setting and tracking, overseen by a professional trainer and project manager.    The programme to be delivered as part of the agreement with 30% Club GCC will provide mentorship for women already in senior positions in organizations.  

Reach Board Member Laudy Lahdo commented: “Organizations across the GCC states have achieved important milestones in enabling women to reach leadership positions. However, there is still the need for greater diversity on boards so that women can further demonstrate the value they add to the region’s economies. Reach and the 30% Club GCC will work together to offer women access to more C-suite leaders, to help them unlock their true potential through structured, professional support.

“Our partnership will allow us to further bridge the gender diversity gap in the workplace by engaging female leaders in positions of influence to serve as role models – this is not only critical to the career advancement of women, but stands to generate broader societal impacts on pay equity, changing workplace policies for the mutual benefit of both men and women, and attracting a more diverse workforce.”

The 30% Club was established in London in 2010, campaigning for at 30 percent representation of women on FTSE 100 boards by 2015. There are 10 chapters across the world, with the new GCC chapter launched in 2015.  A volunteer effort by business leaders from across the Gulf region, the 30% Club GCC is led by a steering committee of prominent women and men representing some of the most successful businesses, institutions and advisory firms in the region, and seeks better representation of women on boards and in senior level positions.    

Raeda Al Sarayreh, on behalf of the 30% Club GCC said:  “The organisation’s focus is to accelerate the pace of change and support the growth of a healthy pipeline of talented and capable women that are ready to serve in senior positions across sectors.  Our partnership with Reach enables us to provide practical, effective and valuable mentorship for our members, and work in tandem with an organization that has the same core objectives at heart.  We believe the mutual benefits will be far-reaching.”