We honor the remarkable journeys of women who hold prominent roles in the technology sector across the Middle East. These inspiring leaders have followed diverse paths driven by curiosity, passion, and an unwavering commitment to succeed in an ever-evolving industry. Their stories reflect a shared spirit of resilience and a determination to break barriers while showcasing the powerful impact women continue to have on innovation and progress throughout the region.
Dr. Zulekha Ahmed serves as the Operations Manager at the SAMENA Telecommunications Council, a non-profit organization that represents telecom operators, regulators, and technology stakeholders across South Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa. In her role, she is responsible for overseeing operational processes and supporting the Council’s strategic initiatives aimed at advancing digital transformation and policy development in the region.
Dr. Ahmed’s entry into the technology sector was unplanned; her initial exposure to the field occurred during her tenure in operations. This experience sparked her interest in the industry, leading her to pursue a career in technology. She has since become an advocate for women’s empowerment in the tech industry, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and inclusivity to foster innovation and growth.
Fatima Alkaabi is a distinguished Emirati inventor and engineer, celebrated for her remarkable contributions to innovation and youth empowerment in the United Arab Emirates.
Alkaabi’s journey into innovation began at the age of seven, leading to her recognition as the UAE’s youngest inventor in 2015 when she was just 14 years old. Her portfolio boasts 12 inventions aimed at addressing real-world challenges, including a smart steering wheel designed to prevent texting while driving; a robot that attends school on behalf of sick children; and a vibrating belt to assist the hearing-impaired.
Her inventive spirit has earned her numerous accolades, such as the UAE Pioneer Award, the Abu Dhabi Award, and the Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak International Award for Arab Youth.
Alkaabi pursued her higher education at Virginia Tech, majoring in Computer Engineering with additional focuses in Women and Gender Studies, as well as Science, Technology, and Society. Currently, she serves as a network engineer, applying her technical expertise to drive innovation in her field.
Shaista Ahmed a seasoned technology executive currently serving as the Regional Channel Director at Nutanix. In this role, she leads channel sales and ecosystem strategies across the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, focusing on driving growth, innovation, and strategic partnerships.
With over two decades of experience in the IT industry, Shaista has held various leadership positions, including roles at prominent companies such as Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) and Dell Technologies. Her expertise lies in go-to-market (GTM) strategies, partner enablement, and building high-performing teams.
Laura Padilla is the Senior Vice President of Channels and Alliances at Freshworks, where she leads the company’s global partner ecosystem strategy. With a strong background in building and scaling partner programs, she has previously held leadership roles at Zoom, Nutanix, Box, and Riverbed.
In her current role, Padilla has been instrumental in launching Freshworks’ revamped global partner program in April 2025. This initiative aims to simplify engagement for resellers and service delivery partners by offering flexible monetization models, faster ROI, and expanded support across key markets. The program includes over 500 transacting partners and is designed to accelerate growth in sectors such as banking, healthcare, retail, and the public sector.
Under her leadership, Freshworks was recognized as the Strategic Partner of the Year by Climb Channel Solutions at the 2025 Climb Partner Conference, highlighting the company’s commitment to channel-first growth and innovation.
Padilla is also an advocate for partner enablement in emerging technologies like AI. She emphasizes the importance of creating “circles of expertise” to help partners and customers navigate the adoption of AI solutions effectively.
Sofia Ktena is a Business Unit Manager at Mindware, a leading IT distributor in the Middle East and Africa. With a robust background in both technical and sales domains, she brings extensive experience in the IT industry. Her expertise encompasses a deep understanding of Information Technology markets, enabling her to drive business growth and manage strategic partnerships effectively.
Ktena’s journey into technology was inspired by her early experiences tinkering in her father’s workshop, fostering a passion for challenging stereotypes and proving that anyone with enthusiasm can thrive in the tech sector. She emphasizes the importance of role models and supportive environments in empowering women within traditionally male-dominated fields.
In her role at Mindware, Ktena has been instrumental in aligning reseller needs with vendor strategies, optimizing channel-enabling programs, and delivering value-added services such as pre-sales consultancy, technical support, and implementation services. Her contributions ensure that Mindware remains competitive and responsive to the evolving IT market across the Middle East and Africa.
Ktena’s leadership and dedication were recognized when she received the “Sales Champion of the Year” award at Mindware. Reflecting on this achievement, she shared that restarting her professional life in a new region in her 40s was a bold decision filled with uncertainties. This recognition serves as a testament to the power of embracing change and pushing forward despite challenges.
Aziza Makkar is the Business Unit Head for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region at AmiViz, a leading cybersecurity-focused value-added distributor headquartered in Dubai. In her role, she oversees strategic operations, vendor partnerships, and channel development across the GCC, contributing to AmiViz’s mission of delivering tailored cybersecurity solutions to enterprise clients.
Before joining AmiViz in July 2021, Aziza held various sales and channel management positions at SPECTRAMI from 2017 to 2021, including Territory Manager and Channel Sales Manager. Her earlier experience includes roles as Key Account Manager at AMI Internet Services and Marketing Manager at Capital Harley-Davidson. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting and Finance from Delhi University, completed in 2013.
Aziza’s professional journey into technology began with product development, igniting her curiosity for innovation and problem-solving. She emphasizes the importance of fostering an environment where curiosity and creativity can lead to rewarding careers in technology.
Franziska Huber is the PR & Communications Lead for Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and India at Western Digital. With over eight years of experience in the technology sector, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s public relations and communication strategies across these diverse regions.
Huber is deeply committed to promoting diversity and inclusion within the tech industry. She actively participates in initiatives like the Women Impact Network and has been featured in campaigns such as #SheIsInfinite, where she emphasizes the importance of mentorship and leadership programs in empowering women in technology. She advocates for corporate practices that encourage early interest in STEM professions, including school partnerships and workshops like the WD All Girls Hackathon.
Her professional journey includes roles as Communications Manager for the Central and East Region at Western Digital and prior positions at F&H Porter Novelli and OSRAM GmbH. She holds a degree in Communication Science from LMU Munich and an MBA from Quadriga University of Applied Sciences.
Sheetal Kalra is the Regional Channel Manager for the Middle East and Turkey at SolarWinds, a leading provider of IT management and observability solutions. With nearly two decades of experience in the technology sector, she has played a pivotal role in driving channel growth and fostering strategic partnerships across the region.
Kalra’s professional journey began in IT education, where she cultivated a deep understanding of technology and its applications. Her career trajectory has been marked by a commitment to continuous learning and adaptability, qualities she attributes to her enduring passion for the tech industry.
At SolarWinds, Kalra has been instrumental in launching initiatives like the Transform Partner Program, aimed at empowering partners to modernize customer businesses and explore new market opportunities. Beyond her corporate responsibilities, Kalra is a staunch advocate for women’s empowerment in technology. She actively mentors young professionals and emphasizes the importance of professional networks and mentorship programs in building confidence and advancing careers.
Burcu Cansever Ezer is the Channel Account Manager at Infoblox, overseeing partner relationships and channel development in Turkey and Azerbaijan. She joined Infoblox in 2017 as a Business Development Representative and has since advanced through roles including Territory Account Manager, reflecting her expertise in cybersecurity and partner engagement.
Her career in technology began in 2014 at Forcepoint, where she held positions in sales and marketing. She holds a degree in International Trade and Finance from Istanbul Bilgi University.
Burcu is an advocate for diversity and inclusion in the tech industry. She emphasizes that achieving true diversity requires actionable steps beyond policies, such as mentorship and creating environments where all voices are heard. Her leadership has been instrumental in launching Infoblox’s Universal DDI product suite in Istanbul, a solution that unifies DNS, DHCP, and IP address management across various environments.
