Empowering Visionaries: The Forbes 30/50 Women’s Summit and International Women’s Day in Abu Dhabi

This past week, I had the honor of being the official behind-the-scenes photographer for the Forbes 30/50 Women’s Summit in Abu Dhabi — a gathering of some of the most inspiring women from around the world. The 2024 Forbes 30/50 Summit was centered around fostering relationships to empower women throughout their professional journeys. Conversations and speeches dived into themes of mentorship, collaboration and innovation to explore the impactful role of today’s female leader. Led by Mika Brzezinski, co-host of MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” and founder of Know Your Value, the summit asked honorees to share their insights to build cross-generational relationships while furthering effective leadership skills. Seeing the passion and determination in every interaction, every speech, and every exchange was both humbling and empowering.

Healthcare Innovation and Leadership

Representing the sector of behavioral health, Catalight CEO Susan Armiger traveled to Abu Dhabi, UAE, for the annual summit. Having transformed the small Easterseals Bay Area organization in a matter of a few years into Catalight – one of the largest behavioral health networks in the nation – the honor highlighted her commitment to driving positive change in education, philanthropy, government and nonprofits. Under her guidance, the organization has made significant developments, both internally, by creating a more inclusive culture via values-based leadership and externally by dramatically expanding client-family impact. Susan joined other trailblazers to strengthen women’s leadership and open doors to a more equitable world.

The Legacy of International Women’s Day

March 8 marked International Women’s Day, a dedicated time to honor women’s groundbreaking achievements in social, economic, cultural and political arenas. Historical records show that Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland were the first countries to honor the occasion in 1911, with women and men attending rallies advocating for women’s rights – including the right to vote, work and hold public office. In 2011, President Barack Obama elevated the recognition by declaring the entire month of March as “Women’s History Month.” Today, International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month offer a moment for the world to reflect on the progress made and the continued journey toward gender equality.

Notable Speakers and Influential Figures

The event brought together some of the most influential individuals from around the world. Key speakers and attendees included:

• Susan Armiger: CEO of Catalight, recognized on Forbes’ 50 Over 50 List for the ‘Impact’ category.
• Freida Pinto: The talented actress and producer who’s been a beacon for representation in film.
• Alexis Ohanian: Co-founder of Reddit and a standout ally advocating for equality in both business and sports.
• Najlah Imad: A Paralympic gold medalist from Iraq.
• Lynsey Addario: An incredible photojournalist who continues to work in the war zones in attempt to make the world see the truth.
• Sheryl Lee Ralph: Acclaimed actress and singer.
• Suze Orman: Financial expert.
• Sophie Grégoire Trudeau: Mental health advocate.
• Nadia Murad: Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.

Magnificent Venues of Abu Dhabi

Apart from the summit itself taking place in a magnificent Rotana Hotel on Sadiyaat Island, the dinners were organized to happen in a bunch of very inspiring places. The organizers have really thought about embracing the spirit of Ramadan by inviting the guests to have iftar at the Abrahamic Family House, where three religions find a place to co-exist peacefully. Additionally, there is no better place to gather in order to celebrate International Women’s day than under the enormous roof of the Louvre Museum. The dinner set-up by itself was nothing less but magical, accompanied by soft Arabic music and inspirational speeches.

Professional Insights: Behind the Lens

Being behind the lens for such an impactful event reminded me of why I love what I do — freezing moments in time that reflect purpose and progress. However, the working hours at this event were quite brutal – call time 8-30 am and finish line somewhere after 11 pm. For those shooting similar events, keep these tips in mind:

• Make sure to drink enough water.
• Wear very comfortable shoes, best with soft support.
• Bring snacks with you, there is no guarantee you’d get to eat a proper meal during the working hours.
• Think of how you can carry multiple cameras around for a long time; my hand cramped by the end of the last day from the weight.
• Bring a phone charger with you.

Seeing Mika Brzezinski's vision come to life at this summit was something special. Her passion for empowering women, amplifying voices, and creating spaces for meaningful conversations is truly inspiring.