Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi
Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi is United Arab Emirates’ Minister for Economy. In November 2004, she became the first woman in the country’s history to assume a cabinet position, appointed to manage the UAE’s newly merged economy and planning portfolio. Sheikha Lubna was also the Chief Executive Officer of Tejari (www.tejari.com), the Middle East’s premier electronic business-to-business marketplace and now serves as a board member of Tejari.
After honoring Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi as the “Distinguished Government Employee Award” in 1999, HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and United Arab Emirates (UAE) Defense Minister appointed her as the head of Tejari at the launch of the marketplace in 2000.
Prior to managing Tejari, Sheikha Lubna was the senior manager of the information systems department at the Dubai Ports Authority (DPA), a position she held for more than seven years. Before joining DPA, Sheikha Lubna acted as the Dubai branch manager for the General Information Authority, the organization responsible for automating the federal government of the United Arab Emirates. She has more than fifteen years of information technology management experience in the Middle East region.
In 2001, Sheikha Lubna headed the Dubai e-government executive team responsible for instituting e-government initiatives throughout the public sector. Sheikha Lubna holds a Bachelor of Science degree from California State University of Chico, and an Executive MBA from the American University of Sharjah.
She volunteers extensively with the “Friends of Cancer Patients” Society and serves on the Board of Directors for the Dubai Autism Center. She also serves as a Board Member for the following organizations: Directors for Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Dubai; Trustees for Dubai University College, Dubai; Trustees for Electronic-Total Quality Management College, Dubai; Trustees for Thunderbird, The American Graduate School of International Management, Phoenix Arizona; Trustees for Zayed University, UAE; Director for Emirates Foundation-Abu Dhabi.
Forbes.com recognizes ٍSheikha Lubna Al Qasimi as one of the women to watch in the Middle East. She was also recognized in May 2005 by Women News in New York as one of 21 leaders in the 21st Century.
She is a recipient of many awards for her personal achievements, to name a few:
Premio Minerva International Award for her outstanding contribution in the politics & Economy – 2005; ITP- Arab Technology Awards for 'Outstanding Contribution to E-Commerce' – 2005; American Business Council of Dubai & the Northern Emirates: American Business Award 2004; Great Britain’s House of Lords: Entrepreneurship Award 2004; Commonwealth of Kentucky: Honorary title: “Kentucky Colonel” 2003; Datamatix: Outstanding Contribution year 2002; Datamatix: IT Woman of the year 2001;
Business.com: Personal Contribution Award year 2001; Dubai Quality Group: For Support to Leadership, Quality, and Change year 2000; ITP: The Best Personal Achievement Award year 2000.
Under her leadership, Tejari has been recipient of the following awards: UAE Super Brands Council – Super Brand of 2005,2004,2003; Gulf Marketing Review: Gulf Brand of the Decade Award (E-Commerce & IT Category) in 2003; World Summit for Information Society Geneva – Best eContent Provider in e-business – 2003; MEED Awards: IT Project of the Year 2002; PC Magazine D.I.T: Awards of Excellence year 2000; Business.Com/Visa: Best B2B Marketplace site www.tejari.com year 2000.
Source: University Programs and Events Planning Resources, September 2006