Perspectives: Women in Leadership, Dubai

#JFPerspectives

09/10/2025•5.30 pm - 8.30 pm (GST)
Shangri-La Hotel
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Networking Reception Sponsor:

Join us in Dubai for an evening of meaningful discussion and connection at our ‘Perspectives: Women in Leadership’ event, led by An Kelles, Jersey Finance’s Director – GCC. This event is supported by the Qatari Businesswomen Association and will feature a fireside chat moderated by Amy Bryant, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Jersey Finance. This will be followed by a panel session and an insightful networking reception.

The main event is kindly sponsored by Affinity, with the networking reception generously sponsored by Praxis.

Find out more about our ‘Perspectives: Women in Leadership’ series, including what the series is about, what to expect and the full line-up of event locations.

To register your interest in attending this event, please contact a member of our events team.

  • Date & Time
    09/10/2025•5.30 pm - 8.30 pm (GST)
  • Location

    Shangri-La Hotel

    In-person
  • Type
    Conference
  • Price

    Complimentary

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Welcome

A platform for connection, insight and inspiration

Our ‘Perspectives: Women in Leadership’ series has become a flagship initiative within our global events programme, shining a spotlight on the powerful role of women in shaping the future of finance. This event series is designed to bring together current and aspiring women in leadership to exchange ideas, foster meaningful connections and inspire progress across the Gulf region and beyond.

At its core, this event series champions diversity, inclusion and aligns with Jersey Finance’s broader strategy to develop strong international networks. By hosting these discussions across the Gulf region, we provide a platform that is both accessible and impactful, reflecting Jersey’s position as a forward-looking international finance centre committed to supporting women leadership as a driver of innovation, better decision-making and inclusive growth.

This year’s programme continues to highlight the growing influence of women in the region, where they are increasingly managing significant wealth, leading family businesses and taking on senior roles in financial institutions.

Over the last decade, governments and businesses alike have increasingly focussed on gender diversity. Our ‘Perspectives: Women in Leadership’ series’ – now in its eighth year – provides an opportunity to connect leaders and professionals from the GCC, Jersey and London, encouraging collaboration, mentorship and the exchange of fresh perspectives.

We are delighted to be joined throughout the series by Deputy Elaine Millar, Minister for Treasury and Resources, Government of Jersey, and Jill Britton, Director General, Jersey Financial Services Commission, who will bring invaluable insights from their own leadership journeys. Alongside them, we welcome Nancy W. Gleason as keynote speaker, together with an excellent line-up of panellists, who will share their experiences as women leading in financial services and international markets.

We are proud to continue this conversation in Dubai and look forward to an engaging and inspiring exchange of perspectives.

Amy Bryant
Amy BryantDeputy Chief Executive Officer, Jersey Finance
Email | Profile
An Kelles
An KellesDirector – GCC, Jersey Finance
Email | Profile

Agenda

5.30 pm
Registration and Networking
6.00 pm
Welcome and IntroductionAn Kelles, Director – GCC, Jersey Finance
6.05 pm
Fireside ChatModerated by Amy Bryant, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Jersey Finance
  • Deputy Elaine Millar, Minister for Treasury and Resources, Government of Jersey
  • Jill Britton, Director General, Jersey Financial Services Commission
6.20 pm
Keynote SpeakerNancy W. Gleason, Professor of Political Science and Director of Undergraduate Academic Excellence at MBZUAI (Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence)
6.35 pm
Panel SessionModerated by An Kelles, Director – GCC, Jersey Finance
  • Elizabeth Shaw, Trust Director, Affinity Private Wealth
  • Meitha Al Noori, Lawyer, Financial Services Regulatory Authority
  • Asel Omorova, Head of Corporate Services, UAE, Praxis
  • Madeleine Mendy, Partner and Head of Family Law Department at Bin Sevan Advocates & Legal Consultants and Family Law University Lecturer at Middlesex University Dubai
7.15 pm
Closing RemarksAn Kelles, Director – GCC, Jersey Finance
7.20 pm
Networking Reception
8.30 pm
Event Ends
MAIN EVENT SPONSOR

Affinity

Growing with purpose

At Affinity, growth is guided by purpose. We help families safeguard, structure, and expand wealth with clarity today and legacy for generations to come.

Independent, owner-managed, and multi-jurisdictional, we bring global perspective with personal focus. From Jersey to the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), we guide clients wherever life and business take them.

Across borders and generations, we remain dedicated to preserving values while unlocking new opportunities.

Get in touch

Fireside chat

Amy Bryant
Amy BryantDeputy Chief Executive Officer, Jersey Finance
Email | Profile
Amy is Deputy Chief Executive of Jersey Finance. Amy joined Jersey Finance in 2011, becoming Chief Operating Officer in January 2014 and assumed her current role in September 2017. Amy also retains an active position leading the Strategy and Research team which undertakes projects and initiatives to develop the financial services industry in the Island.
Deputy Elaine Millar
Deputy Elaine MillarMinister for Treasury and Resources, Government of Jersey
Elaine qualified as a Scottish solicitor in 1987. After working with two of Scotland’s biggest commercial law firms, she moved to The Royal Bank of Scotland in 1993 as a corporate/commercial lawyer. She joined The Royal Bank of Scotland International Group (now NatWest International) in Jersey in 1996 and ultimately held the position of Director of Legal and Regulatory Services, with responsibility for the Group’s legal, compliance and company secretarial functions in its four jurisdictions. Elaine returned to private practice in 2002, joining Mourant du Feu & Jeune, where she later became a partner after qualifying as a Jersey lawyer in 2005. She had a diverse practice, including mergers and acquisitions, financial services regulation, data protection and competition law. After a period as a consultant, she was appointed as the Viscount in 2015 and was the first woman to hold that office.
Jill Britton
Jill BrittonDirector General, Jersey Financial Services Commission
In her role, Jill is responsible for leading the JFSC in its day-to-day operations as both regulator and registry, and ensuring the organisation delivers its strategic priorities. Jill was the Executive Director of Supervision of the JFSC between May 2016 and September 2021. In this role, she was responsible for overseeing the regulation of Jersey’s financial services industry and the supervision of other sectors for anti-money laundering and terrorist financing. Jill initially worked in the JFSC Supervision team from 2002 to 2004. Jill has over 25 years’ experience in the financial services industry in the UK, Jersey and Asia, having specialised in compliance and operational risk management for global banking organisations. Jill is passionate about learning and development and mentors a number of talented women to support them in fulfilling their potential. Jill holds a BA (Hons) in Financial Services.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Nancy W. Gleason

Nancy W. Gleason, PhD is Professor of Political Science at the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence in the United Arab Emirates. She is also Director of Undergraduate Academic Excellence where she works on student academic success, and AI-integration in pedagogy and workflows. Dr. Gleason is globally recognized for her expertise in guiding institutions and industries in adopting AI-enabled technology responsibly to advance teaching, learning, and workforce transformation. Her research focuses on the Fourth Industrial Revolution’s impact on higher education, and the future of work. Her most recent book is titled Humans PLUS Technology: Global Youth Insights on the Future of Work (Ethics International Press, 2025). Dr. Gleason holds a PhD from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University; MSc from London School of Economics; and a BA from George Washington University.

Panel session

An Kelles
An KellesDirector – GCC, Jersey Finance
Email | Profile
Asel Omorova
Asel OmorovaHead of Corporate Services, UAE, Praxis
Based in the UAE, Asel has over 15 years' experience in the trust and fiduciary services industry, specialising in family office solutions, wealth advisory, and corporate services. She has held a number of senior positions prior to her current role, including Head of Client Relationships at a UAE-based corporate services provider. Asel leads the Corporate Services team in the UAE office and is responsible for the effective incorporation and administration of local and international structures, drawing on her strong understanding of operational workflows and the local market. Asel is a member of STEP (the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners).
Meitha Al Noori
Meitha Al NooriLawyer, Financial Services Regulatory Authority
Meitha Al Noori is a lawyer from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In 2014, she completed her legal studies at Paris Descartes and became qualified in the UAE in 2016. Ms. Al Noori started her career in the health insurance sector and was appointed the lead on matters relating to financial crime, subrogation, and medical mall practice. She currently works for the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), an international financial centre. As part of the regulatory legal team, Ms. Al Noori’s role is to ensure that FSRA continues to provide world-class regulatory policies and frameworks for its ever-growing ecosystem. She has a personal passion for conserving nature, especially the marine environment. She is an avid diver and in her spare time, she participates in coral restoration of the cost of Fujairah and Sharjah, and hosts dive cleanups to collect data on debris found of the cost of Abu Dhabi.
Elizabeth Shaw
Elizabeth ShawTrust Director, Affinity Private Wealth
Elizabeth Shaw is a Trust Director at Affinity Private Wealth where she manages key client relationships and leads sustainable initiatives within the fiduciary business. Elizabeth’s focus is on understanding clients’ requirements and aspirations and providing advice founded on trust and clear communication, ensuring their assets are preserved and enhanced across generations. She also embodies Affinity's values of aligning interests with clients and maintaining a commitment to sustainability. Elizabeth began her career in Scotland, gaining extensive experience as a private client lawyer both onshore and offshore. With an LLB Bachelor of Laws (with options in Accountancy) degree, STEP qualification as a Trust and Estate Practitioner, and initial investment exams under her belt, Elizabeth’s technical training is extremely well rounded. She is renowned among intermediaries for her technical expertise and her ability to explain complex issues clearly to private clients.
Madeleine Mendy
Madeleine MendyPartner and Head of Family Law Department at Bin Sevan Advocates & Legal Consultants and Family Law University Lecturer at Middlesex University Dubai
Madeleine Mendy is not your typical lawyer. Born in France to a Mandjack family from Guinea Bissau, she qualified and trained in England where she practiced Family Law for a number of years. After moving to Dubai, she developed a niche practice, mainly representing and advising Dubai and Abu Dhabi based expats in complex and multi-jurisdictional divorces in the UAE and the English courts. She has developed a strong expertise in Sharia Law and advises expats throughout the Gulf Region. Madeleine adds a unique service for the expat community by heading the Bin Sevan Advocates Family Law practice and by providing General Counsel services to HNW clients, various expat owned companies and Family Businesses in the UAE. Madeleine represents and advises UAE based expats on Family Law matters including divorce and child protection through the Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or English Courts.
NETWORKING RECEPTION SPONSOR

Praxis

Forward thinking

Praxis is an independent provider of private wealth and corporate services with over 50 years’ experience supporting individuals, families and companies globally.

We hold the first Trustee Licence and the longest-standing Fund Administrator Licence in ADGM. In early 2025, we expanded our local presence through the acquisition of Dubai-based Sandshore, a well-respected corporate and family office services provider, strengthening our UAE presence further.

We support clients with structuring, governance and administration across generations and borders.

Find out more

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