Amnah Ajmal launches SheKnows to redefine women’s leadership through 1:1 access to global C-suite leaders

A first-of-its-kind platform accelerating women from visibility to influence across sectors and geographies.

Amnah Ajmal, Founder of SheKnows
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Press Release

Global – Wednesday May 6, 2026SheKnows, a global digital platform has officially launched with a focus on supporting senior women leaders globally to bring gender equity and drive influence at the highest levels of business and decision-making.

The launch comes as organizations across the world face increasing pressure to strengthen governance, accelerate transformation, and navigate economic uncertainty, while the need for more diverse and representative leadership has never been greater. 

SheKnows positions itself beyond traditional “women empowerment” or “mentorship” initiatives in line with its mission to create real opportunities for women to move confidently through pivotal moments in their careers. Anchored on offering real-world experience from global leaders who’ve walked the path, the initiative is designed as a digital platform for intelligence, influence, and decision-making, tailored for senior women leaders operating in complex, high-growth environments. 

“Leadership today is not just about having a seat at the table; it is about shaping the decisions that define industries and economies,” said Amnah Ajmal, founder and CEO, SheKnows. “SheKnows is built for women already in senior leadership roles but are at a career defining moment like returning from maternity leave or too many years in the same role. By connecting them with global leaders through private 1-1 sessions we enable them to move more confidently through life’s most defining career transitions.” 

The platform provides guided growth pathways, supported by curated Growth Navigators and enhanced by artificial intelligence (AI), enabling them to turn uncertainty into clarity, hesitation into action, and potential into progress. 

Who are the Growth Navigators 

They are global leaders in the highest circles of influence who have walked the path, both women and men, who can share real-life experience. This is SheKnows’ differentiator and what makes it such a unique platform. Women who join the program get access to leaders they might not have a chance to speak with through networking. 

They get their full attention and hands-on problem-solving recommendations for situations they truly understand. Another key factor to highlight is how the platform helps removing geographical barriers as any woman can join the program from any corner of the world connecting to growth navigators who can also sit in any location. Besides the functionality, it also gives access to regions and markets that are maybe less familiar which can open new doors for the participant. Growth navigators are joining from the UAE, Qatar, South Africa, the U.S., the UK, Poland, Hongkong, Singapore, Malaysia, Turkey, and more.

“Empowering women is the catalyst for global change. Each empowered sister sends ripples that transform communities and illuminate our future. With the launch of SheKnows, we celebrate the strength of women everywhere. Remember, injustice against women is a threat to justice for all. Together, we rise!” said Amadou Diallo, CEO of Aramex Group, who is a Growth Navigator at SheKnows.

“I joined SheKnows because empowering talented women has been important to my work for over 20 years – and because I believe in Amnah’s exceptional leadership, integrity, and commitment to meaningful change,” said Slawomir Stefan Sikora, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bank Handlowy SA, who is a Growth Navigator at SheKnows.

“Empowering women to lead, innovate and shape the future has long been something I am deeply passionate about.  SheKnows is an inspiring initiative that supports women in building the skills and confidence needed to thrive and succeed. I am excited and humbled to be a part of it” said Sandeep Walia, Chief Operating Officer, Middle East & Africa, Luxury, Europe Middle East & Africa and Global Leader, Design Hotels Marriott International, who is a Growth Navigator at SheKnows.

From representation to influence 

While female participation in the workforce continues to grow across the world, progression into executive and board-level roles remains uneven. This gap is increasingly critical as businesses face rising expectations around transparency, accountability, and long-term value creation. SheKnows aims to address this through its curated network of C suite leaders who will support women to work on actionable outcomes.

Built for the world’s evolving business landscape 

SheKnows reflects the realities of operating in various markets where opportunity can be high, but volatility, regulatory shifts, and market complexity demand resilient leadership. 

For instance, executives scaling businesses must navigate changing regulations, currency fluctuations, and evolving investor expectations. SheKnows is designed to provide real-time intelligence and peer-level engagement to support such high-stakes decisions. 

Multiple Industries

The platform integrates perspectives across multiple industries like hospitality, logistics, financial services, technology and more, aligning with the rapid technological changes happening in every industry due to accelerated adoption of AI.

Rollout and next steps 

SheKnows will open its platform for women across the world in 2026, with plans to continuously expand its list of Growth Navigators. 

SheKnows reflects a broader shift in leadership: from access to influence, from presence to impact, redefining what leadership looks like at the top.

ENDS

Editor’s Note

  • In Africa, women hold only around 14 per cent of board seats, while in parts of the Middle East, representation remains below 10 per cent, despite ongoing reforms and diversity initiatives. 
  • Women in the USA hold approximately 37 per cent of senior leadership roles – Women Leadership Index, and women in the United Kingdom hold 44–45 per cent of board seats in FTSE 100 companies – FTSE Women Leaders.
  • Women hold 25.3% of board seats in top SGX-listed in 2025 – Singapore Board Diversity Review 2024 report.
  • Women hold 23.3 per cent of board seats globally – Deloitte Women in the Boardroom report.

About SheKnows 

From clarity to action. SheKnows, is a digital platform, built from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), dedicated to providing structured pathways designed around real career moments such as stepping into leadership, returning after a break, navigating stalled growth, or redefining direction entirely. Each pathway is intentional, practical, and outcome focused. 

Founded by Amnah Ajmal, who has built multi-billion $ businesses by leading multi-cultural teams, with her heart, across multiple countries and continents. She is the former Executive Vice President Market Development, EEMEA for Mastercard. In this role, she led the P&L across multiple business verticals including merchants, telcos, governments, fintech, and digital players across 80 markets. She held several leadership roles with Citi and Standard Chartered in Europe and Asia. As a global leader, and a mother, she has a unique understanding of challenges faced by women in senior leadership and created this platform to help provide solutions to those who need the support. 

Career transitions are rarely linear – and for women, they’re often navigated without clear rules, honest feedback, or visible paths forward. SheKnows exists to change that. We combine human insight and intelligent technology to help women move forward with confidence, not guesswork. We give access to a unique and curated network of C-level with influence through tailored 1:1 sessions.  

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