In 1972, feminist activists proclaimed, “The Future is Female.” Today, 50 years later, that declaration seems to be coming to fruition. In 2021, studies showed that 26% of CEOs and managing directors were female. That same year, the Fortune 500 reported an all-time high of 23 female CEOs, 6 of those being women of color.
While it’s not yet an equal 50/50 split, women are making great strides in business development, leadership, and industry disruption. The four female founders profiled here are a handful of those actively working to change the future of their respective industries.
Amira elAdawi of AMIRA & CO
Amira elAdawi believes there are many advantages to being a woman in her industry. As the founder and CEO of AMIRA & CO (https://www.amiraandco.com/), a consulting company specializing in mergers and acquisitions (M&A), elAdawi leverages these advantages and creates trusting relationships with her clients. Having founded AMIRA & CO in 2013, elAdawi brings her years of consulting experience to the table in order to create a better management consulting model for companies undergoing M&As.
“The fact is, women are still a minority in the business world. We are still not part of the ‘old boys club,’ and it’s still not a fair playing field.” elAdawi observes, “Being an outsider allows you to observe more and to be more critical. It’s a different perspective. As a minority in the space, you can see issues, gaps, and needs a lot more easily, and the basis of disruption is identifying a need that hasn’t been met.”
elAdawi observed that the needs not being met by traditional, often male-led consulting firms came down to the approach to transformation. AMIRA & CO seeks to drive change from within the enterprises they work with. In her position as a female CEO, elAdawi feels this has allowed her to foster stronger, more personal relationships with her clients, who often call her the “Unconsultant.”
“The disruption I brought was with my different approach,” says elAdawi. “My work isn’t transactional. I’m here to listen and offer guidance towards a solution. To help them reach their maximum potential so they never have to hire me again for the same issue.”
Indeed, AMIRA & CO’s testimonials tell the tale of elAdawi’s different approach to consulting with each praising her abilities and the success she’s brought them. Her method continues to prove that it works while being disruptive and uniquely feminine..
Source: https://ceoworld.biz/2022/07/12/female-founders-changing-the-future-of-their-industries/