Women in Defense: Leading the Future of Security and Innovation
November 13, 2024
Riyadh
On Wednesday, November 13th, AmCham Saudi Arabia's Defense & Security Committee co-hosted an evening reception titled “Women in Defense: Leading the Future of Security and Innovation” at the residence of H.E. Alison Dilworth, Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy. This event was part of the Women’s Majlis series and highlighted the growing impact of women in the defense and security sectors.
The event served as a forward-looking platform, highlighting the growing leadership roles of women in defense, the importance of innovation in national security, and expanding opportunities in technology and cyber defense. It aimed to inspire participants to push boundaries while celebrating advancements since the last reception at the World Defense Show 2024.
We were delighted to host members of AmCham’s Defense & Security Committee, distinguished guests from the U.S. Embassy and U.S. military servicewomen from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps stationed in the Kingdom. The gathering focused on dialogue around Women's Leadership Development, showcasing the emergence of women in senior defense roles and their contributions to technological advancements and innovation, while also emphasizing the need for enhanced U.S.-Saudi cooperation to further empower women in these industries.
The evening commenced with welcoming remarks from Nomaan Syed, Board Member and Chairman of the Defense & Security Committee at AmCham Saudi Arabia.
The first keynote speaker was Karey Jamison, HR Director at Leidos Defense Sector, who shared her experience and lessons learned as a woman in defense industry working for a U.S. large prime contractor.
Followed by remarks from the host DCM Alison Dilworth, who welcomed guests to Eleanor House and the Women’s Majlis series and highlighted the importance of women empowerment in the workforce.
Our second keynote speaker was Rachel Arin, Women, Peace and Security Director at the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), shared inspiring programs that support women globally and recognized that women must be critical actors in efforts to achieve sustainable international peace and security.
Our final keynote speaker was Alaa Abdulaal, Chief of Digital Economy Foresight at the Digital Cooperation Organization who shared the role of Vision 2030 in women empowerment that transcends boundaries and impacts women globally.
This event not only inspired attendees but also strengthened partnerships and built momentum around the crucial role women play in shaping the future of defense and security. We look forward to continuing our efforts in promoting women's leadership in this vital sector.