Interview with Ghadah Al Subaie
1. Tell us about your career journey and how you came to serve on a board.
My career began in 1997 in Citibank Samba as the first woman in Corporate Banking. I navigated between credit and audit & risk. After 14 years I moved from the private sector to Government the first female Chief Governance Officer for SAGIA. I instituted Audit & Risk, Legal and Corporate Excellence processes, policies and automation from the ground up, and ensured continuous monitoring and reporting. Then I assumed the Chief Operating Officer position and continued a journey of building processes and improving performance. I then decided to augment my academic career by joining the first cohort at LSE for an EMPA program. As soon I received my degree I was seconded to the Ministry of Economy and Planning as an Advisor to the Minister. I was promoted to Deputy Minister/ Advisor. After serving five years I moved back to the private sector as the GM for Business Development and Corporate Excellence in Safari Group.
2. What are you most proud of and why?
The most incredible one which I hold dear to my heart and will never be able to replace is my career in the government. I felt a true purpose in public policy, and I enjoyed every moment.
3. What are your professional areas of expertise and what skills do you bring to the boardroom?
I bring a suite of expertise to the Board whether its risk, operations, finance or strategy. I am also gifted when being able to reduce tensions and conflicts.
4. What are the benefits that diversity can bring to the boardroom, including women on boards?
There might be certain areas that involve women in the workplace which can be best opined on by women, but in general I believe merit, diversity of personal background and soft skills are what should be sought when searching for members.
5. What is your advice for women who are aspiring to leadership and board positions?
- Build your C-Suite capabilities like Strategy formulation, finance, industry specific knowledge and regulatory frameworks
- Build your capabilities to include a great deal of soft skills – problem solving negotiation skills
- Seek a company whose activity is something you are very interested in and passionate about
- Make your aim purely about the company and shareholders benefit and not your own personal gain e.g. money, fame, networking