The AIWF Board wish to extend their warmest wishes and appreciation to longstanding AIWF Board Member Dr Shaikha Al Maskari who has announced her retirement as Chairperson of Al Maskari Holding and from the Board of the Arab International Women’s Forum. In a letter to the AIWF Board, Dr Al Maskari wrote: “It has been a great privilege and a pleasure to serve alongside you all in support of the aspirations of AIWF. I am proud of our achievements and am confident that in your good hands, AIWF will continue to have an important impact around the world.” In her letter Dr Al Maskari congratulated AIWF on its upcoming 20th Anniversary next year and paid tribute to the “inspiration, leadership and dedication” of Haifa Al Kaylani as Founder & Chairman of AIWF, commending her as “instrumental to AIWF’s success and an inspiration to countless women, myself included”.
Dr Al Maskari started her career with ADNOC Group in Abu Dhabi and in 1989 joined her family petroleum company, Tricon Energy Operations. Under her leadership, Tricon evolved into a conglomerate comprised of multinational firms and government-linked companies. In 2008, she established Al Maskari Holding, the privately-owned holding company of the Al Maskari portfolio that controls the family’s operating subsidiaries, joint venture companies, strategic partnerships, and private equity. Dr Al Maskari also founded the Global Institute of Justice & Technology and the Global Paramedic & Rescue Academy and in 1993, she set up her family charity, United Mercy Foundation, which sponsors orphans and orphanages and provides food, medical, and emergency relief in crisis zones in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.
In 2016, His Majesty the King of Sweden Carl the XVI Gustaf bestowed upon Dr Al Maskari the Order of the Polar Star, Member 1st Class, awarded for her service to Sweden. Also in 2016, Dr Al Maskari was awarded the Emirati Honorary Shield for her pioneering humanitarian contributions to the development of the State. Dr Al Maskari earned her BA at the University of London, MA and PhD (Geology) at Indiana University, and trained in geophysics with the US Geological Survey. She has served on the Boards of several non-profit organisations, including the Arab International Women’s Forum, Women For Sustainable Growth, and the International High Advisory Board of International Cooperation Platform.
The AIWF Board extend their sincere congratulations to Dr Al Maskari on her richly deserved retirement after an illustrious and truly inspirational career as one of the region’s most eminent business leaders and a true role model for Emirati women both in business, public service and philanthropy. Dr Al Maskari’s lifelong advocacy for women’s empowerment as well as her many distinguished contributions to humanitarian efforts in the UAE and the broader Arab region have directly benefited women, families and communities. AIWF has been privileged to have had her wisdom, guidance and support over the years and extends all warm wishes to Dr Al Maskari for a happy retirement.
