Fatema Alhaddad wins EY Bahrain Corporate Finance Woman of the Year Award

The EY initiative, taking place for the first time in Bahrain, inspires female Bahraini business students to take up careers in transaction advisory services (TAS) and corporate finance

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, January 05, 2020:   Fatema Alhaddad, a Bahraini female student from Bahrain Polytechnic, has been named the winner of the inaugural EY Bahrain Corporate Finance Woman of the Year (CFWY) award at a ceremony held in Manama. Fatema was selected from a group of six finalists who competed at the national level in the Kingdom. Following her win, Fatema will now compete against finalists from 21 other countries, including: Australia, Germany, Japan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Norway, Russia, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States at the global level.

Held for the first time in Bahrain, the CFWY competition is an initiative by EY to identify future Bahraini talent and encourage the next generation of female finance professionals to explore unconventional sectors within the industry. 

The finalists in the competition included Lujain AlSaibai from the Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance, Maha AlShamlan from the Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance and the London School of Economics and Political Science, Muna Salman from the University of Bahrain, Noor Derbas from the University of Bahrain, and Nouf Mohamed from the University of Bahrain. All participants demonstrated exceptional critical thinking during the process, highlighting the aptitude and skillfulness that they will bring to the finance industry in the country. 

Fatema Alhaddad, the 2019 Bahrain winner of the ‘EY Corporate Finance Woman of the Year’ title and a student of Bahrain Polytechnic says: 
“I am honored to be named the first EY Corporate Finance Woman of the Year for Bahrain. This competition allowed me to flex my business and financial skills by challenging me with a real case study that required an in-depth analysis of the scenario. It was a great opportunity to learn about new areas of finance – including the ways technology will change how the industry functions – from EY professionals. I am keen to take what I have learned so far and apply it to my studies as well as further inquire about the opportunities that a career in transaction advisory services has to offer. I am also looking forward to representing Bahrain at the global competition in Rome.” 

The win will also see Fatema Alhaddad secure an internship with EY, along with an opportunity to join the Graduate Program. 

Rana Sanyoura, Transaction Advisory Services (TAS) Partner and CFWY Sponsor, EY, says: 

“This is the first year of the CFWY awards in Bahrain and I am impressed with the candidates’ positive energy and resourcefulness. It is truly encouraging to see the level of confidence these female students exhibit and their breadth of knowledge when it comes to the subjects of local and global business, economics, and technology. I am confident this exposure will be instrumental for Bahraini women who seek career opportunities in transaction services and corporate finance across the public and private sector. EY is delighted that it is able to do its part to support Bahraini females and empower them to build a better tomorrow for themselves and their country.”

The competition for the Corporate Finance Woman of the Year award in Bahrain received applications from several universities across the country. The submission process required candidates to determine how they would create a lasting legacy as a future Bahraini leader. They were also required to offer their points of view on a recent business transaction in Bahrain that was of interest to them. Following deliberations, the finalists presented their answers to the regional leadership and Transaction Advisory Services (TAS) professionals from EY, along with group workshops and one-to-one interviews.