IWBD and SP Jain launch Global Board Readiness Program to empower women leaders

SP Jain School of Global Management, one of Australia’s top-ranked business schools, has partnered with the International Women Board of Directors (IWBD) to launch the Global Board Readiness Program, a comprehensive 30-hour executive development initiative designed to prepare mid- to senior-level professionals for C-suite and board positions.

Delivered over five weeks, the programme addresses the persistent gender gap in corporate boardrooms by equipping women leaders with essential governance expertise, strategic decision-making capabilities, and direct access to influential executive networks and board-level recruiters.

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“This program bridges the critical gap between executive experience and board readiness," said Ebru Tuygun, chairwoman of IWBD and CEO of GVGL Global Marketing Management. “We are not just teaching governance, we are creating tangible pathways to board placements through our partnerships with executive search firms such as Wilton & Bain.”

The Global Board Readiness Program brings together an accomplished faculty of regional business leaders, governance specialists, and academic experts. Participants will learn from Amel Chadli, president of Schneider Electric’s Gulf Cluster and one of Forbes Middle East’s 100 Most Powerful Businesswomen 2025, who will lead sessions on negotiation and influence in the boardroom. Banu Karakullukcu, CEO of Gulf Coca-Cola Beverages, will share insights on solving complex challenges and making high-impact board-level decisions.

The programme also features Faranak Farahmand Pour, Global Strategic Director at Google, who will address artificial intelligence applications in boardroom decision-making; George Abraham, HR director MENA at Deloitte, who will discuss executive talent attraction and succession strategies; and Raya Abu Gulal, CEO of RAG Legal, who will cover the legal rights, responsibilities, and fiduciary duties of board members.

Academic leadership is provided by SP Jain faculty, including Dr Christopher Abraham, professor and CEO of SP Jain’s Dubai campus, who will focus on leadership and crisis management, and Dr Vincent Hooper, Professor of Finance, who will deliver essential financial acumen training tailored specifically for board roles.

A defining feature of the programme is its strong focus on practical outcomes. Unlike traditional executive education offerings, participants receive direct exposure to executive search professionals actively recruiting for board positions across global markets. Sami Zouehid, Managing Partner for Wilton & Bain in the Middle East, will lead specialised sessions on crafting compelling board CVs, positioning executive experience for non-executive roles, and mastering board-level interviews. With more than 16 years of executive placement experience in the region, Zouehid brings first-hand insight into what boardrooms look for in new directors.

IWBD, an initiative of On Board Women, has established itself as a key platform for advancing female representation at the highest levels of corporate governance. Through structured training, thought leadership, and inclusive professional networks, the organisation promotes the exchange of skills, expertise, and best practices among women leaders globally.

Leveraging SP Jain’s international presence across Dubai, London, Singapore, Sydney, and Mumbai, the program offers participants exposure to diverse governance frameworks and cross-border boardroom practices—an increasingly critical requirement as organisations navigate complex global markets.

The curriculum spans corporate governance fundamentals, financial oversight, leadership and crisis management, personal branding, AI-enabled decision-making, and boardroom dynamics. A bonus networking panel featuring inspirational CEO stories provides participants with real-world perspectives on navigating board-level responsibilities and influence.

The program is priced at $10,900 per participant, with group and bulk discounts available. It is designed for mid- to senior-level professionals seeking general management roles, C-suite appointments, or opportunities to leverage their technical, financial, legal, or medical expertise at board level.

Emphasising the programme’s relevance, Dr Christopher Abraham said: "Companies increasingly recognise that diverse boards make better decisions. This program ensures qualified leaders are fully prepared to contribute meaningfully from day one."

For more information about the Global Board Readiness Program, interested professionals may contact Saud Ahmed Khan at +971 55 329 0274 or saud.ahmed@spjain.org

Click here to register now.