In an exclusive interview with Yara El Gendy as part of NileFM&rsquo;s coverage of the 4th edition of the CEO Women Conference, Carol Milan, Executive Vice President at INDEVCO Group and CEO Women Board Member, reflected on her global business journey, the value of mentorship, and how women leaders are shaping the future of industry across the region.
The 2025 edition placed a special spotlight on Women in Technology and Cybersecurity and Female Entrepreneurship, emphasizing the critical role women play in shaping the digital future and driving innovation in emerging industries. Held under the esteemed auspices of H.E. Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister of Egypt, the conference continues to serve as a vital platform empowering women to lead with resilience, collaboration, and vision.
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You&rsquo;ve been part of this journey for four years now. How have you seen this conference evolve? Yes, this is the fourth edition, and I had the privilege of attending the very first one when I was in Egypt on assignment. Back then, the forum was not as widely known, and I was invited as a speaker. I was pleasantly surprised to see the prominent role of women in Egypt, especially at the government level, which is not very common in other countries in the region. Coming from Lebanon, where women play an important role, I was still impressed by the scale of women&rsquo;s participation in Egypt, given its large population. Over the years, I have seen this forum grow tremendously, gaining more support from governmental bodies, major corporations, and public figures. I joined the board a year after my first participation, thanks to Dr. Mona Morad, CEO of On Air Group and Founder of the CEO Women&rsquo;s Conference, whom I deeply appreciate for inviting me to be part of this journey. Under the leadership of H.E. Dr. Hala El-Said, Economic Advisor to the President of Egypt and former Minister of Planning and Economic Development, the conference has reached a new level of influence and visibility. It has continued to grow year after year in terms of support, attendance, and the topics discussed. Today, it has evolved into a platform where women come to be inspired, gain confidence, and grow both personally and professionally.
The level of women attending this year is remarkable, with so many inspiring stories and leaders. How does it feel to witness this atmosphere? The level of support among women here is incredible. Contrary to what some might think, there is genuine collaboration. When one woman mentions a project or a new venture, others immediately offer help by sharing contacts or connecting her to the right people. This spirit of mutual support is one of the things I value most about this forum. Over the years, I have built many valuable relationships through this platform, and I truly appreciate the sense of community it creates.
This year&rsquo;s theme focuses on Women in Tech. Why did you choose this particular sector? Given the importance of technology in today&rsquo;s world, we wanted to highlight how it impacts every aspect of our lives. Technology is not here to replace humans; it is here to enhance our lives. Some people see tech as a threat, but in reality, it is a life enhancer. Our goal was to show how women in tech are not only active but also adding immense value. They are embracing innovation intelligently and reshaping how industries operate.
You have worked for major global companies. What advice would you give to women who want to follow a similar path and reach leadership positions? First, understand that the role of women is not symbolic; it is strategic. For years, we have heard clich&eacute;s about women's empowerment, but it is much deeper than that. Women bring a new leadership style, one that values influence over control and psychological safety. These qualities come naturally to us because of the way we are built&mdash;our emotional intelligence, our multitasking abilities, and our nurturing instincts. We are not competing with men; we complement each other. My advice to every woman is not to aim to fit a quota but to be yourself. You bring unique strengths to the workplace. Today, successful companies understand that empowering women is not just about fairness; it is about performance. Doing well and doing good are no longer opposites.
Are big multinationals today truly embracing inclusivity, or are they just ticking boxes? Every company globally is adopting inclusion to some extent. The difference lies in how genuinely they approach it. The smart, successful, and forward-thinking organizations are the ones doing it from the heart, seeing it as a strategic value and not just a checklist. Because when inclusion is treated as a box-ticking exercise, companies risk missing out on the right people and defeating the very purpose of diversity.
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