Boards & Governance
Women Corporate Directors Membership
Women Corporate Directors
Join Women Corporate Directors’ international network for experienced women board directors.
Who it’s for: Senior executives and board candidates · Women only
Board programmes for women in the GCC
Director development, board-readiness certificates, board networks and board role registration for women in the GCC. Programmes run in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, alongside global options you can use from the region. Each card shows who it is for and links to our full record.
9 published resources, all from the Women of Capital directory.
Board networks and memberships
Memberships and campaigns for women directors and board candidates.
Board programmes and certificates
Structured director education and board-readiness programmes.
Boards & Governance
Women on International Boards Program
Dubai Women Establishment
Explore Dubai Women Establishment’s board-development programme for Emirati women leaders.
Who it’s for: Senior executives and board candidates · Women only
Boards & Governance
Aurora50 Pathway
Aurora50
A 12-week board accelerator for senior women in the GCC, with face-to-face workshops, one-to-one coaching and an optional governance diploma.
Who it’s for: Senior women in GCC companies preparing for board roles · Women-focused
Boards & Governance
International Women Board of Directors × SP Jain, Global Board Readiness Certificate Program
On Board Women
Ask about the January 2027 board-readiness certificate from IWBD and SP Jain Global, taught in Dubai and hybrid formats.
Who it’s for: Leaders seeking boardroom education and preparation · Women-focused
Money & Wealth
She Invest
She Invest
Arabic-language financial and investment education, governance learning and research for women in Kuwait.
Who it’s for: Women building financial knowledge, investment capability or board readiness · Women-focused
Boards & Governance
GCC Board Directors Institute, Certificate in Board Directorship
GCC Board Directors Institute
Study board governance, director duties, strategy, risk and finance through GCC BDI’s four-module certificate programme.
Who it’s for: Current or recent directors and senior managers developing board capability
Applicants must hold or have held a director seat or senior management position within the previous three years, have basic English literacy, and be accepted at the GCC BDI Education Committee’s discretion.
Boards & Governance
Hawkamah, Director Development Program
Hawkamah Institute for Corporate Governance
Learn the foundations of board governance through Hawkamah’s four-part director development programme in the UAE.
Who it’s for: Current or aspiring directors and governance professionals
Introduction to Corporate Governance is required before the later parts; other admission criteria are not stated.
Board role registration
Register for board, non-executive and trustee opportunities.
Questions about board programmes for women in the GCC
- Which board programmes for women in the GCC are designed for women?
- Women-only eligibility: Women Corporate Directors Membership and Women on International Boards Program. Women-focused: 30% Club; Aurora50 Pathway; International Women Board of Directors × SP Jain, Global Board Readiness Certificate Program; and She Invest. The other 3 listed resources are general-access, so eligibility is not limited by gender.
- Which of these are free?
- Our records list Nurole, Board Candidate Registration as free. Women Corporate Directors Membership; Aurora50 Pathway; International Women Board of Directors × SP Jain, Global Board Readiness Certificate Program; and GCC Board Directors Institute, Certificate in Board Directorship charge a fee or membership. For the rest, cost is not stated or varies, so check the full record before applying.
- Can I apply at any time?
- Ongoing or rolling access: Women Corporate Directors Membership; She Invest; and Nurole, Board Candidate Registration. Cohort-based or recurring intakes: Women on International Boards Program; Aurora50 Pathway; International Women Board of Directors × SP Jain, Global Board Readiness Certificate Program; GCC Board Directors Institute, Certificate in Board Directorship; and Hawkamah, Director Development Program. The others are programme families whose routes and timing vary.
- When was this information last verified?
- Women of Capital last verified these 9 resources between September 2026 and November 2026. Each card shows its own verification month. Confirm current terms on the official site before applying.
Guides by country
Curated shortlists for Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and the wider GCC.
Funding for women founders in Saudi ArabiaFinancing, venture funds, accelerators and women-only founder programmes.Women investor networks in the UAEAngel networks and investing communities women in the UAE can join.Funding for women founders in QatarStartup Qatar, QDB investment, angel funding and programmes for Qatari women.
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