Location
Instagram Live
Date & Time
22nd May 2024, 3:00PM – 4:00PM GST
Facilitators
Dr. Saliha Afridi, Clinical Psychologist, Founder & Chairwoman, The Lighthouse
Dr. Saliha Afridi is a clinical psychologist and the visionary founder and Chairwoman of The LightHouse Arabia, a mental health and wellness center based in Dubai. With a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and both Master’s and Doctorate Degrees in Clinical Psychology from the Arizona School of Professional Psychology in Phoenix, Dr. Afridi brings a wealth of knowledge and a broad range of clinical expertise to her practice and speaking engagements. Her professional career is marked by comprehensive experience as a generalist, delivering therapeutic services to children, adolescents, and adults. Over the past decade, her focus has notably shifted towards adult development and navigating the personal and professional transitions of midlife. Dr Afridi specializes in workplace and executive mental health, and also possesses deep-seated expertise in parenting strategies and dynamics.
Dr. Afridi’s transition from the US to the UAE 15 years ago marked the beginning of a dedicated effort to significantly enhance the mental health landscape of the region. In 2011, Dr Afridi founded The LightHouse Arabia, and under her leadership, it has evolved into one of the most influential mental health centers in the UAE and the region. Since its inception, Dr. Afridi, alongside her dedicated team, has devoted thousands of volunteer hours to community education, focusing on the cultivation of mental health and wellness best practices. Notably, Dr. Afridi has been instrumental in introducing the internationally recognized Australian Mental Health First Aid program to the United Arab Emirates, whereby The LightHouse Arabia is the only licensed provider and has successfully trained over 6,000 individuals in the essential skills of early mental health intervention and support within their communities.
In addition to her clinical and educational achievements, Dr. Afridi is also a sought out keynote and corporate speaker, as well as a respected media authority on mental health. She regularly shares her expertise through radio appearances, podcasts, and printed publications, offering invaluable insights into mental health challenges and solutions. Dr. Afridi’s significant contributions and unwavering commitment to enhancing mental health awareness and services have solidified her status as a key influencer in the mental health domain, not just within the UAE but across the broader region.
Radwa Allabban, Founder and Managing Director, Place Communications
Radwa Allabban is an experienced, international brand management and communications professional with 20 years of experience in Corporate, B2B, and not-for-profit sectors. Radwa’s career has seen her work across multiple geographies and diverse cultures. She has intimate knowledge of both the UK and MENA markets and is bilingual in English and Arabic.
In 1999, Radwa started a career in marketing communications and was part of the team behind the launch of Egypt’s first mobile communications network. As one of the youngest executives in the strategic marketing team, her learning curve was steep and in four years Radwa was ready to take on a bigger challenge as a Senior Liaison Officer with the Xceed, one of the largest outsourcing services providers in the Middle East and Africa. This role introduced her to the world of public affairs and government relations and afforded her the opportunity to work with ministries of telecommunications across the region, regulatory authorities, and NGOs. It was also during this time that Radwa built a strong corporate and B2B communications experience.
In the following years, Radwa lived and worked in Manama, Bahrain and London where she was a member in the corporate communications practices of Ogilvy PR Worldwide, Burson- Marsteller UK and Good Relations, working on some of the world’s most recognised brands such as, American Express, Shell and HP. Radwa also worked for Dyson UK as an International PR Manager looking after B2B, B2C communications and product launches in 10 across markets in EMEA, Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
An Abu Dhabi resident since 2011, Radwa joined M&N Place during the same year as General Manager and acquired the business in 2015, rebranding it Place Communications. Under her leadership, the agency diversified its client portfolio and currently manages projects for several high-profile clients, including UN Women, Special Olympics UAE, ADNOC, Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, twofour54 and Image Nation Abu Dhabi.
Noura Al Sarraj,Deputy Managing Director, Weber Shandwick, Abu Dhabi
With over 19 years of experience in strategic communications, reputation building and executive training, Noura heads the Abu Dhabi Weber Shandwick office. She holds specific expertise in consumer marcomms, corporate reputation, destination marketing, issues management & crisis communications, reputation management and senior executive coaching.
During her time at the agency, Noura has led strategic communications programmes for clients across a range of areas, including environment, healthcare, and entertainment, at MENA, European, and international levels.
Noura is an Advisory Board Member for the Mass Communication Program at the College of Arts & Sciences in Abu Dhabi University, and an active Strategy Board Member for the Middle East PR Association (MEPRA). She is also the Weber Shandwick representative for the Middle East Communications Network’s (MCN) D, E & I Council which is helping drive the equality and inclusivity agenda across the group of companies in the region.
Jess Cusi, Corporate Coach & HR Practitioner
With over 25 years of experience in Human Resources, Jess has led multidisciplinary and multicultural teams, pioneered automation initiatives, and managed large scale team integration and transformation. Having been a mentor and coach for his team, peers, and executive teams throughout his career, Jess was inspired to become a WABC certified corporate coach.
Jess is passionate about helping people realize their full potential. He partners closely with his clients to achieve their long term career or life goals and find purpose that aligns with their values. Jess is currently the Vice President and Senior HR Business Partner for one of the largest Banking institutions in the Middle East and North Africa, where he drives the strategic people agenda for its technology and AI remit.