BrazilIWBD appoints Sarah Safi to new Committee at Women in the Boardroom Annual Summit 2025
At the IWBD Women in the Boardroom Annual Summit 2025 in Dubai, New Metrics leader Sarah Safi was appointed as Head of its new Sustainability Committee.
Held at the Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah this morning, the event convened CEOs, CHROs, headhunters, and thought leaders to drive boardroom diversity and accelerate gender equity in leadership. The exclusive event explored strategies to empower women, share success stories, and create pathways for advancing female leadership across industries.
During the summit, IWBD announced the formation of its Sustainability Committee, appointing Sarah Safi to lead the new body. Safi is Head of ESG and Sustainability at New Metrics, a leading consultancy firm in the Middle East. The Sustainability Committee she oversees consists of several other leading women in the ESG space – together they are dedicated to advancing women in sustainability leadership.
Other members of the Sustainability Committee are Dina Mongy (Nestle), Cynthia Karam (Coca Cola), Maryam Al Mansoori (Rebound), Maria Agostini (Boston Consulting Group), Yasin Kasirga (GE Vernova), Joana Bel (Emirates), and Nadia Boumeziout (Zurich Insurance).
Safi said that the establishment of the committee highlights the growing need for women’s participation in the ESG and sustainability sector, citing research that demonstrates the tangible impact of female leadership on corporate sustainability performance. Studies reveal that women-led businesses are twice as likely to prioritize sustainability scoring higher in sustainability efforts.
Reflecting on the summit’s powerful discussions, Safi shared an inspiring quote from Ntombi Mhangwani during her keynote speech titled ’Reimagining Possibilities: Dare to Dream, Action, and Achieve’. “If someone took a chance on you, make sure you take a chance on others. Always lift as you rise.”
“This message deeply resonates with me,” said Safi. “True leaders surround themselves with people who uplift them while empowering others. Leadership is about inspiring collective action to drive meaningful and lasting change.”
The Summit
Organized since 2023, the IWBD Women in the Boardroom Annual Summit champions actionable strategies that increase female representation in leadership and governance. By facilitating high-impact discussions and fostering cross-industry collaboration, the summit equips women with the tools, networks, and opportunities to thrive in the boardroom.
Ebru Tuygun, IWBD Advisory Board Chairwoman, emphasized the summit’s purpose and IWBD’s commitment to lasting impact: “True progress is not measured by how many women enter the boardroom but by how deeply they influence decisions, challenge the status quo, and shape the future of business. At IWBD, we are not just advocating for more seats at the table – we are building a new table where diverse leadership is the standard, not the exception.”
“The IWBD Women in the Boardroom Annual Summit is where transformation begins, connections strengthen, and bold leadership paves the way for lasting impact.”
