Press release
09 Oct 2024  | London, GB

EY announces 70 women founders selected for the EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women™ EMEIA class of 2024

Press contact

Related topics
  • The class of 2024 represents 23 countries across Europe, the Middle East, India and Africa (EMEIA)
  • The associated businesses employed more than 4,000+ people in 2023
  • The cohort covers 13 diverse industry sectors

The EY organization today announces the details of the 70 women founders, from 69 different businesses across 13 sectors, selected for the EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women EMEIA class of 2024. Representing 23 countries across the EMEIA region, this international cohort employs more than 4000+ people.

The EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women is a bespoke executive program that identifies and champions ambitious women entrepreneurs, with established, profitable businesses, in fulfilling their bold ambitions by providing them with the advice, resources and access to unlock their full potential.

Julie Hood, EY EMEIA AI Enablement Leader and Entrepreneurial Winning Women EMEIA Executive Co-Sponsor, United Kingdom, says:

“Over the last 18 years, the EY organization has been at the forefront of identifying and addressing the unique challenges faced by women entrepreneurs seeking to grow their businesses. The EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women program has evolved into a formidable force for change. It is with great excitement that we welcome this year's new class into our expanding global community.”

The program targets high-potential women entrepreneurs who have built established businesses and are ready to scale and expand their business internationally.

Suwin Lee, EMEIA EY Private Leader and Entrepreneurial Winning Women EMEIA Executive Co-Sponsor, United Kingdom, says:

“Starting with just five women entrepreneurs in a single country, the EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women program has grown into a vibrant global community of more than 1,000+ entrepreneurs spanning countries across the globe. This network is a testament to the spirit of innovation and resilience, turning challenges into opportunities to make an impact. I am proud to be part of an organization that champions women throughout their entrepreneurial journey.”

The EY organization recently teamed with Global Invest Her on their mission to get one million women funded by 2030.

Anne Ravanona, Founder & CEO, Global Invest Her & InvestHer Summit, says:

"The EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women is a leading-class program to help scaling women entrepreneurs soar to new heights. Global Invest Her is proud to collaborate with the EY organization and these stellar women entrepreneurs, to help them go further on their journey to fund and scale, through the power of our global community and connections.” 

The participants of the 2024 EMEIA EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women program are:

  • Nasra Alabrawi (Bahrain), Co-founder and President of Alkem Health and Wellness
  • Aida Al-Mudaifa (Bahrain), Founder and CEO of Early Riser
  • Princess Bobo (Botswana), Operations Director of Kenlen Group
  • Rositsa Petrova (Bulgaria), Founder and CEO of Home of Wool
  • Shrouk Alaa (Egypt), Founder and CEO of Career180
  • Simone Dupont (Eswatini), CEO of OMG
  • Sigrun Gudjonsdottir (Iceland), CEO of Sigrun GmbH
  • Megha Gambhir (India), Founder and CEO of Stupa Sports Analytics
  • Roopam Gupta (India), Co-founder and Director of The Woman’s Company
  • Ciara Crossan (Ireland), Founder and CEO of WeddingDates
  • Laura McCarthy (Ireland), Managing Director of Drink Botanials Ireland
  • Morgan Pierce (Ireland), CEO of SolarSmart
  • Carley Quigley (Ireland), Founder and CEO of Grey Dog
  • Simona Skardziuviene (Lithuania), Owner (2nd generation) of Doleta
  • Nicole Horsmans (Netherlands), Co-founder of Soof Drinks
  • Johanna Spiller (Netherlands), Founder and CEO of Alyx
  • Angela Ursem (Netherlands), Founder and CEO of Food for Skin
  • Christine Boyle (Northern Ireland), CEO of Senergy
  • Yvette McGaffin (Northern Ireland), CEO of Reform RX
  • Linda Stinson (Northern Ireland), CEO of Bellamianta / Iconic Bronze
  • Kamila Bartlomowicz (Poland), Vice President of AKTIN
  • Karolina Trzebinska (Poland), Vice President of AKTIN
  • ·Magdalena Kozlowska (Poland), Co-founder and CEO of NapiFeryn BioTech
  • Aleksandra Pszczola-Hennig (Poland), Founder of Bee Talents
  • Alexandra Magalhaes (Portugal), CEO of Sarcol
  • Sama Alharthi (Saudi Arabia), Co-founder, VP of Operations and Board of Directors, Vice Chairman of Infinite Solutions
  • Dragana Milanovic (Serbia), Owner and CEO of Roberto Baressi
  • Louise Cunningham (South Africa), Director of Halo Media
  • Sian Louw (South Africa), CEO of The K3Y
  • Nosipho Maketo-van den Bragt (South Africa), CEO of Chocolate Tribe
  • Athi Mbete (South Africa), Founder and CEO of TransEra Solutions
  • Fortunate Mdanda (South Africa), CEO of Smith Capital Equipment
  • Saedi Greatness Moloto (South Africa), Founder and Managing Director of SBM Energy
  • Tsakani Mpofu (South Africa), Managing Director of Muponi Property Group
  • Mahlape Nyakane (South Africa), Founder and CEO of The Skills Mine
  • Lorna O’Brien (South Africa), Managing Director of O’Brien Recruitment
  • Sofia Pone (South Africa), Strategic Director of Boardroom Appointments
  • Sue Powell (South Africa), Managing Director of Syndicate Personnel Specialists
  • Barbara Buades (Spain), Co-founder and CEO of MEETOPTICS
  • Anel Alsenova (Switzerland), COO of Harvest Group SA
  • Priyanka Dutta Passecker (Switzerland), Co-founder and CEO of Healiva SA
  • Alessia Ferronato (Switzerland), CEO of Ferronato
  • Caroline Leopold-Metzger (Switzerland), CEO of Deppeler SA
  • Nazan Akinci (Türkiye), Chairman of the Board of Directors of Akka Kalip Enjeksiyon
  • Filiz Akkas Demir (Türkiye), General Manager and CEO of Mapsis Metal
  • Elif Ata Erduran (Türkiye), Member of the Board of Teksan
  • Begul Eray Sezgin (Türkiye), Co-founder and CEO of Masraff
  • Sibel Gozuyukari Eyiler (Türkiye), Co-founder and CEO of Mayi Tuz
  • Pelin Grit Sari (Türkiye), CEO of Grup Imaj
  • Funda Lena Nazik (Türkiye), Founder of Lena Mama
  • Gulay Ozgon (Türkiye), Founder and General Manager of Nesiller Genetik
  • Ufuk Unver (Türkiye) Co-Owner of Datca Murat Ciftligi
  • Nagihan Yilmaz (Türkiye), Founder and General Manager of DG Dogru Geri Kazanim
  • Erika Blazeviciute Doyle (United Arab Emirates), Founder of Drink Dry
  • Audrey Kalchinoska (United Arab Emirates), Managing Director of Chateaux ME
  • Indu Varanasi (United Arab Emirates), Design Director of IRD Design
  • Louise Vine (United Arab Emirates), Managing Director of Inspire Selection
  • Julie Chen (United Kingdom), Co-founder and CEO of The Cheeky Panda
  • Kavita Cooper (United Kingdom), CEO of Novo-K
  • Sabrina Del Prete (United Kingdom), Founder and CEO of Kore Labs
  • Olivia Jenkins (United Kingdom), Founder of D. Louise
  • Victoria Nicol (United Kingdom), Founder and Managing Director of My Language Connection
  • Karen O’Flaherty (United Kingdom), Co-founder of Pip Organic
  • Vanita Parti (United Kingdom), Founder and CEO of Blink Brow Bar
  • Ruby Raut (United Kingdom), Co-founder and CEO of WUKA Wear
  • Caroline Strachan (United Kingdom), CEO of Festive Road
  • Jane Wylie-Roberts (United Kingdom), CEO of Stafffinders
  • Evelyn Chilomo Kaingu (Zambia), CEO of Lupiya
  • Judith Marera (Zimbabwe), CEO of Lanforce Energy
  • Tsitsi Muza (Zimbabwe), CEO of Kufara Group

-ends-

Notes to editors

About EY

EY exists to build a better working world, helping to create long-term value for clients, people and society and build trust in the capital markets.

Enabled by data and technology, diverse EY teams in over 150 countries provide trust through assurance and help clients grow, transform and operate.

Working across assurance, consulting, law, strategy, tax and transactions, EY teams ask better questions to find new answers for the complex issues facing our world today.

EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about how EY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation are available via ey.com/privacy. EY member firms do not practice law where prohibited by local laws. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.

This news release has been issued by EYGM Limited, a member of the global EY organization that also does not provide any services to clients.

About EY Private

As Advisors to the ambitious™, EY Private professionals possess the experience and passion to support private businesses and their owners in unlocking the full potential of their ambitions. EY Private teams offer distinct insights born from the long EY history of working with business owners and entrepreneurs. These teams support the full spectrum of private enterprises including private capital managers and investors and the portfolio businesses they fund, business owners, family businesses, family offices and entrepreneurs. Visit ey.com/private

About EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women™

The EY organization is committed to seeing women lead. EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women is a global program for successful women entrepreneurs whose businesses show more potential to scale. Through access to EY professionals and global EY networks throughout the entrepreneurial ecosystem, pioneering women founders on every continent secure the resources, advice, operational know-how, contacts and community they need to unleash their ambitions, expand their companies to full potential and become the role models they never had. Visit ey.com/winningwomen

About Global Invest Her

Global Invest Her is a platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs by providing them with the connections, learning and guidance needed to secure funding and scale their businesses. Focused on closing the gender funding gap, it connects women-founded startups with investors and partners, and equips them with the knowledge and tools to successfully navigate the investment landscape.

Related news

Global IPO divergence widens as Americas and EMEIA surge and Asia-Pacific slows

LONDON, 27 JUNE 2024. Globally, in the first half (H1) of 2024 there were 551 listings raising US$52.2b in capital, a 12% decrease in the number of IPOs and a 16% drop in proceeds raised year-on-year (YOY).

Global auto industry paradigm shift driving US$660b transformation opportunity - EY value pools analysis

LONDON, 19 June 2024. The global automotive industry is on the cusp of a $660b revenue opportunity, as it shifts its focus away from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs), according to new EY analysis.

EY announces 9 key recommendations to boost investment and make Europe more competitive

LONDON, 19 JUNE 2024. The EY organization is calling on European institutions and national governments to take nine actions to help attract more foreign direct investment (FDI), with the publication of the second installment of its Europe Attractiveness Survey 2024.

Record energy investments are failing to keep the world on track for the 2030 renewables target

LONDON, 18 JUNE. Despite last year’s surge of US$1.8 trillion in clean energy investment, including US$660 billion earmarked for renewables, investment remains below what is needed to meet the COP28 target of tripling renewable capacity by 2030.

EY transforms global sales operation by equipping workforce with Microsoft client management tools and AI capabilities

LONDON, June 18, 2024 — The EY organization today announces a significant milestone in the launch of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales for EY people across the globe, paving the way for how global professional services organizations establish more unified, customer-focused sales operations.

82% of European financial services boardrooms include directors with political experience, helping the sector navigate the 2024 election super cycle and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty

LONDON, Monday 17 June 2024: The majority (82%) of European financial services firms' boardrooms include at least one director with experience of either a ministerial or parliamentary position or a civil service or government-appointed role, providing crucial expertise amid the 2024 election super cycle, according to the latest EY European Financial Services Boardroom Monitor.