Kuwait City, Mar 06: National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) hosted a prestigious ceremony at its headquarters, graced by prominent guests, CEOs, and representatives from various companies and banks. The event marked the inaugural graduation ceremony for participants of the groundbreaking NBK RISE initiative. This initiative, the first of its kind, is dedicated to empowering and supporting women by equipping them with the essential skills to realize their full leadership capabilities.

Representatives from prominent organizations such as Alshaya Group, Commercial Bank of Kuwait, Burgan Bank, EQUATE Petrochemical Company, and Kuwait Telecommunications Company - STC were among the attendees. These organizations are partners in an agreement sponsored by NBK, aiming to enhance women's representation in regional and global leadership roles.

Representatives from participating universities in the initiative, such as IE Business School, INSEAD, and Franklin Covey, were also in attendance, alongside 21 program participants.

The event featured NBK’s executive management honoring the participants with inspiring words, success stories, and acknowledgment of their hard work and dedication demonstrated throughout the program.

On the sidelines of the ceremony, the NBK RISE Leadership Exhibition was held, featuring an innovative interactive showcase inspired by the trainees' projects. It highlighted the varied attributes that women bring to leadership roles and underscored their potential to excel as leaders in various countries, organizations, institutions, and companies.

The exhibition utilized interactive models and inspirational messages to underscore the significant leadership qualities of women and shed light on the gender disparity in leadership positions. It also presented ideas and solutions aimed at bridging this gap.

The initiative, unveiled in 2022 by Mrs. Shaikha Al-Bahar, Deputy Group CEO at National Bank of Kuwait, signifies a stride towards consolidating efforts to empower women to realize their full potential. It reflects the Bank's belief in the pivotal role of diversity and inclusion as essential elements for ensuring the long-term prosperity of all organizations.

Spanning over a duration of nine months, the program featured training sessions conducted in Kuwait and Spain at prestigious business schools. It encompassed mentorship sessions led by industry experts, networking events, and comprehensive administrative assistance provided by the Bank. Additionally, participants engaged in group projects aimed at refining ideas and proposals.

In her speech at the ceremony, Al-Bahar remarked, "The success of the NBK RISE program underscores NBK’s commitment to empowering women and fostering their leadership skills. As we celebrate the graduation of the inaugural cohort, this initiative sets the stage for a future where women wield greater influence on shaping the business landscape."

“As we commemorate the graduation of these remarkable women, we reaffirm our dedication to advancing diversity, equality, and inclusion within leadership roles. The strides made by the program's graduates signify our shared advancement toward a more inclusive and dynamic future, striving to ensure the presence of female leaders who leave a lasting impact on the growth trajectory of their respective institutions,” Al-Bahar added.

“NBK Rise participants benefited from top-tier training and mentorship provided by industry leaders, exclusive networking opportunities, and their dedicated efforts in undertaking challenging projects poised to significantly influence their careers,” Al-Bahar emphasized.

Al-Bahar also expressed her confidence in the program's graduates to perpetuate positive change and wield substantial influence in leadership positions in the years ahead. She highlighted that as these graduates embark on their next career endeavors, they not only bring along their acquired skills but also the determination to serve as catalysts, inspiring a trajectory of change.

Al-Bahar extended her gratitude to the program's organizers, mentors, trainers, and collaborating educational institutions for their collective efforts in ensuring the success of this groundbreaking initiative. She emphasized that the program has effectively disrupted traditional norms, paving the way for women's empowerment, and fostering a culture of equality.

Inspiration and Motivation

In a relatively short span, the program has significantly bolstered and advocated for women's leadership in Kuwait, the region, and globally. By engaging, inspiring, and motivating women across various regions, sectors, and fields of expertise, the program has made substantial strides. Additionally, it aimed to establish a community of women leaders to sustain the initiative's advancement and evolution in the long term.

The program was a remarkable initiative that went beyond the Bank's individual efforts. It involved collaboration with several leading institutions in Kuwait, who collectively signed a pledge to enhance the representation of women in leadership positions. This collective commitment underscores their dedication to working together towards the objectives of this global program.

The inaugural cohort of the program attained remarkable success. The program will be offered on an annual basis, welcoming new participants from Kuwait and beyond. Efforts will be made to invite participants from diverse sectors and to bolster the advancement of future female leaders within the industry towards higher leadership roles. Graduates of the program will also mentor aspiring female candidates in the future, thus fostering a sustainable cycle for the program's continuity and impact.

The program was managed by Najla Al-Sager, Head of Talent Management at National Bank of Kuwait, in cooperation with Alia Abou Al-Fath, Head of Corporate Communications at NBK Wealth. Leveraging their expertise in communication and drawing from their extensive professional backgrounds, they spearheaded the development of a distinguished leadership program. Their efforts involved partnering with leading educational institutions and sector experts to train and nurture female candidates for leadership roles.

The program emphasized the importance of diversity in leadership teams, recognizing that diverse perspectives lead to more robust decision-making, foster innovation, and enhance overall performance. Addressing the underrepresentation of women in executive roles, the program aimed to cultivate a more inclusive corporate environment where every individual can thrive and contribute to the organization's success.

Skill Development

The nine-month program comprised various modules, each tailored to a specific aspect of leadership. These modules were crafted to equip female candidates for senior management roles, imparting essential leadership, strategic, and technical skills. The training units targeted the enhancement of leadership and strategic competencies, effective communication and interpersonal skills, and readiness for assuming top leadership positions within organizations.

Twenty-one participants from diverse professional backgrounds took part in the program. They represented NBK and its international branches and subsidiaries, along with partner organizations. Here's an overview of the participants: 

• 10 representatives from NBK Kuwait
• 6 representatives from NBK's international branches (Egypt, Paris, Singapore, Bahrain, London, UAE)
• 5 representatives from other regional companies (Burgan Bank, EQUATE Petrochemical Company, Kuwait Telecommunications Company - STC, Alshaya Group, and Commercial Bank of Kuwait)

Four modules were prepared for the program. Alongside these modules, participants received mentoring and attended training workshops. All participants in the NBK RISE program successfully completed the first two modules, outlined as follows:

• The first module, conducted in collaboration with IE Business School, emphasized technical development. Participants delved into various educational topics including key trends, growth strategies, creativity, innovation, and effective decision-making.
• The second module, in partnership with Franklin Covey, concentrated on enhancing personal skills and self-discovery of individual strengths through the application of the seven habits of highly effective leaders.
• The third module, developed in collaboration with INSEAD, focused on leadership skills, effective change management, and addressed barriers hindering women's progress in leadership.

The program encompassed approximately 64 training hours in total, covering topics such as growth strategies, creativity, innovation, and effective decision-making.

The Best Initiative for Women

NBK Rise was awarded the prestigious Best Initiative for Women in Business accolade at the MEED MENA Banking Excellence 2023. This recognition highlights the Bank's steadfast dedication to women's empowerment. It not only emphasizes NBK's commitment but also the joint commitment of various prominent organizations in Kuwait. Through collaboration, these institutions have pledged to enhance the representation of women in leadership roles, showcasing their united dedication to the goals of this worldwide initiative.

Special Visit To Spain

The inaugural edition of the program featured a visit by the participants to IE Business School headquarters in Spain. Additionally, NBK Deputy Group CEO visited IE Business School in Spain during the final phase of the 9-month training journey for the first cohort of the NBK RISE program.

During her visit, Al-Bahar met with the President of IE University, Mr. Santiago Iniguez, and toured the campus. Ms. Sheikha Al-Bahar also hosted a dinner attended by members of the university administration, His Excellency Kuwait’s Ambassador to Spain, Mr. Khalifa Al-Kharafi, Kuwaiti students at IE University, and NBK RISE participants. The visit also featured a panel discussion with the IE Women in Business Club and Kuwait’s Women in Business Club.

The Bank boasts a workforce where females constitute 44.3% of total employees and hold 29.7% of senior management positions and above as of 2023. Furthermore, NBK upholds pay equity, ensuring parity between male and female employees' salaries.

In collaboration with leading international universities and training centers, NBK consistently offers tailored programs and workshops aimed at nurturing women leaders and fostering understanding of gender disparities. These initiatives focus on leveraging diversity to enhance productivity and foster innovation. Furthermore, we are extending our dedication to diversity and inclusion within our client base. By introducing specialized products and services for female clients and entrepreneurs, we aim to further promote financial inclusion. Our commitment to this endeavor remains steadfast as we continue to develop and expand our efforts in this area.

Furthermore, NBK reaffirms its steadfast commitment to fostering a culture of empowerment for women throughout the organization. This includes endeavors to enhance their representation in leadership roles by offering guidance and facilitating suitable opportunities for career advancement.