Building the Future of Women Entrepreneurship & Leadership
Building the Future of Women Entrepreneurship & Leadership Catalyzing Growth for Women Founders to Build, Scale & Thrive together with SLITPA PioneerHER is a structured ecosystem designed to Connect, Catalyze, and Thrive, empowering women founders, professionals, innovators, and leaders through meaningful collaboration, capability building, mentorship, and cross-border opportunities. We are expanding our UAE Chapter and inviting passionate women from UAE and Sri Lanka to join our leadership committees and help shape a thriving community. ⸻ Why Join PioneerHER? Women in Tech & Leadership Be part of an active community advancing women in technology, leadership, mentorship, digital skills, and inclusive innovation. Cross-Border Ecosystem Collaborate across our growing PioneerHER network spanning UAE, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, creating regional partnerships and global opportunities. Capability Building Contribute to and benefit from structured learning, leadership development, entrepreneurship programs, and professional upskilling. Entrepreneurship & SME Growth Support women entrepreneurs from idea to scale through business development, funding access, mentorship, market expansion, and export readiness. ⸻ Committee Opportunities CONNECT Committee Roles • Community Engagement Lead • Partnerships & Sponsorship Lead • Events & Networking Lead Responsibilities ✦ Manage the Founders Circle community ✦ Lead Majlis networking event execution ✦ Build the Opportunity Board and partner pipeline ⸻ CATALYZE Committee Roles • Entrepreneurship & Startup Support Lead • Workshop & Programs Lead • Investor Relations Lead Responsibilities ✦ Deliver BuildHER Sessions ✦ Operate the Startup Support Lab ✦ Coordinate Investor Connect initiatives and Mentorship Pods ⸻ THRIVE Committee Roles • Mentorship Programs Lead • Founder Success & Spotlight Lead • Wellness & Inclusion Lead Responsibilities ✦ Facilitate Mentorship Pods ✦ Lead the Founder Spotlight Series ✦ Champion founder wellbeing, inclusion, and leadership pathways ⸻ Who Should Apply? We are looking for women who are: • Entrepreneurs & Startup Founders • Professionals & Corporate Leaders • Mentors & Coaches • Investors & Ecosystem Builders • Community Builders & Event Organizers • Women passionate about creating opportunities for others Whether you are an experienced leader or an emerging changemaker, there’s a place for you at PioneerHER. ⸻ What You’ll Gain ✔ Regional leadership experience ✔ Cross-border networking opportunities ✔ Access to founders, investors, mentors, and partners ✔ Professional visibility and recognition ✔ Opportunities to design impactful programs and initiatives ✔ Be part of a purpose-driven community creating lasting impact ⸻ Applications Now Open We’re inviting women from the UAE and Sri Lanka to become founding committee members of the PioneerHER UAE Chapter. Share your profile and become part of a community that’s shaping the future of women entrepreneurship and leadership across the region. Please send your detail CV to Pioneerher@slitpauae.org on or before 25th July 2026. Together, let’s Connect. Catalyze. Thrive.
CIO 200 Global Finale - Sri Lanka
The Consul General and the Head of Chancery of the Consulate General of Sri Lanka discussed preparations for the CIO 200 Global Finale, scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka from 21–24 September, 2026 with the Global Enterprise Connect (GEC) and HTP Global team in Dubai together with Mr. Thishan Gunasekara, President of the Sri Lanka IT Professionals Association in the UAE and Mr. Dhanusha Ranchigoda, Past Treasurer of the SLITPA The discussion highlighted the significant opportunities the event offers for MICE tourism, investment promotion, employment creation, and business networking across multiple sectors. The Consulate General has already informed the relevant authorities in Sri Lanka to facilitate the successful organization of the event and maximize its benefits to the country. The organizers requested support in several areas, and the Consulate General is coordinating with the relevant authorities to ensure the success of the event. The event is being facilitated by the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai, the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi, and the Sri Lanka IT Professionals Association. Appreciation was extended to Mr. Thishan Gunasekara, President of the Sri Lanka IT Professionals Association, and Mr. Dhanusha Ranchigoda, Past Treasurer of the SLITPA for their valuable efforts in coordinating with the organizers and bringing the event to Sri Lanka. The Consulate General will continue to engage with all relevant stakeholders to support the successful conduct of the event.
World CIO 200 Grand Finale 2026 - Sri Lanka
Global CIO Forum and Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai strengthen partnership for World CIO 200 Grand Finale 2026 Global CIO Forum (GCF) held a high-level strategic meeting with H.E. Alexi Gunasekera, Consul General of Sri Lanka in Dubai, to further strengthen collaboration for the World CIO 200 Grand Finale 2026, which will be hosted in Colombo from 22–24 September 2026. The meeting was attended by H.E. Alexi Gunasekera, Consul General of Sri Lanka in Dubai, and Ms. Subashini Silva, Head of Chancery of the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai. Representing the Sri Lanka IT Professionals Association (SLITPA) were Mr. Thishan Gunasekara and Mr. Danusha Ranchigoda, who joined representatives of the Global CIO Forum in discussions on maximizing the strategic value of the event for Sri Lanka. The meeting marked another important milestone in the journey towards delivering one of the world’s most prestigious gatherings of technology leaders, bringing together over 200 CIOs and CXOs from more than 50 countries to Sri Lanka. During the discussions, both parties explored a broad framework of collaboration that extends well beyond the summit itself, reaffirming a shared vision to leverage the event as a catalyst for economic development, international engagement, knowledge exchange, investment promotion, tourism growth, and strategic partnerships. Anushree Dixit, Richa S
Sri Lanka to Host Prestigious World CIO 200 Awards & Roadshow 2026
Sri Lanka is set to host the globally acclaimed World CIO 200 Awards & Roadshow 2026, bringing together over 400 technology leaders, innovators, CIOs, digital transformation experts, and business decision-makers from around the world for a four-day conference and awards program scheduled for September 2026. The World CIO 200 Roadshow is an internationally recognized platform dedicated to accelerating digital transformation, innovation, and economic development by fostering collaboration among technology leaders across the globe. The 2025 Grand Finale in Egypt showcased the scale and impact of the initiative, attracting more than 300 global leaders, 50 country ambassadors, and delivering over 40 hours of knowledge-sharing sessions and strategic discussions. The event is organized by GEC Media Group, a leading global technology media and events organization with successful engagements across more than 50 countries. HTP Global Technologies will oversee the overall management and execution of the Sri Lanka event. An initial discussion regarding the hosting of the event in Sri Lanka was recently held between Mr. Irfan Mohamed and Ms. Saduni Fernando of HTP Global, and Mr. Thishan Gunasekara, President of the Sri Lanka IT Professionals Association – UAE (SLITPA-UAE), together with Mr. Danusha Ranchigoda, representing SLITPA-UAE. As a strategic partner, SLITPA-UAE will facilitate and support GEC Media and CIO forum in bringing this prestigious global technology gathering to Sri Lanka, further strengthening the country's position as an emerging regional hub for technology, innovation, and digital leadership. Initial discussion was held with Professor Crishantha Abeysena Minister Science & Technology in Sri Lanka under the direction of Consul General of Sri Lanka to Dubai and Northern Emirates, Mr. Alexi Gunasekera together with Ms. Subhashini Silva, Head of Chancery of the Consulate General. The event is expected to provide exceptional opportunities for networking, knowledge exchange, investment discussions, and international collaboration while showcasing Sri Lanka's growing technology ecosystem to a global audience. Further details regarding the event is organized by GEC Media Group, a global technology media and events organization with a proven track record of delivering high-impact CIO engagements across more than 50 countries. program, speakers, partnerships, and award nominations will be announced in the coming months.
