Empowering Women in Finance: Skills, Mentorship, and Moving Beyond Bias
Updated 10/6/2025 10:35:00 AMArab Finance: Ghada Kandil, Chief Director at BNY, stands out as one of the Middle East's most powerful businesswomen. She boasts a career trajectory that spans from the crucial reforms at the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) to leadership roles in global finance.
Having navigated the complexities of both public and private sectors and earning prestigious international recognition along the way, Kandil possesses a unique, holistic perspective on economic development, systemic risk, and team leadership.
In this exclusive interview with Arab Finance, she discusses the pivotal decisions that shaped her path, shares the core philosophies that drive her strategy and leadership approach, and offers her candid views on empowering women to succeed in the region’s evolving financial landscape.
1-You have held several influential roles throughout your career, including at the CBE and now as Chief Director at BNY. Could you share a pivotal moment or decision in your early career that significantly shaped your path in the financial sector?
In the career life of a financial professional, sometimes a moment can make a bigger difference than years of experience. When I first graduated, everyone expected me to work in the oil sector since my late father served as Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources. But despite graduating early at 18, with a specialization in economics and business administration from the American University, I made a personal decision not to work in his field. I wanted to avoid any perception of favoritism due to my family background or that I was hired not based on merit. Instead, I chose the financial sector, aligning with my specialization and interest.
A significant turning point was joining the CBE in 2004. Coming from the private sector, it was a challenge because, at that time, many in the private sector did not see government or central bank roles as opportunities. However, the CBE was unique, offering unparalleled exposure and experience.
Under the leadership of Dr. Farouk El Okdah, synergies were formed, bridging experienced CBE employees and fresh faces from the private sector. This allowed us to complement each other’s perspectives and work as one team, which deeply influenced my career.
2-Throughout your career, you established and oversaw various departments. How did these diverse experiences prepare you for the multifaceted responsibilities of a Chief Director at a global financial institution?
Starting my career as an investment banker, I learned the importance of understanding the law and staying current with financial products and daily market changes. It is a field where you learn something new every day.
As I moved through senior roles in external debt management and institutional investments, banking reform, and offsite supervision, attention to detail and awareness of systemic risks became critical.
Other roles, such as corporate communications, taught me that it is not just about communication in a general sense, but about opening channels of collaboration, economic analysis, and carefully conveying and delivering timely messages.
Every word must be chosen with care, as in sensitive roles, even a single word can influence perceptions positively or negatively. These roles made me progressively develop administrative, supervisory, and educational capabilities essential for leading large, diverse teams and initiatives effectively in a complex global environment.
3-With your extensive experience in leadership roles, what is one core principle or philosophy that guides your approach to leading teams and driving strategic initiatives?
I strongly believe in cooperation and teamwork. Cooperation allows everyone to share information openly and create synergies. When I started my career, I had less information and experience compared to some colleagues, but through cooperation and sharing, we succeeded together. The whole is always greater than the sum of its parts.
This philosophy continued in my new role, after 17 years away from the private sector. Cooperation was key to expanding our areas and delivering results. Every role, no matter how small, contributes to either success or failure, so teamwork and mutual respect are essential. Leadership means dealing with others as partners and recognizing the value in every member.
4-What are the biggest challenges for women aspiring to leadership roles in finance in the Middle East today, and what are the most exciting opportunities?
The financial sector in the Middle East treats professionals based on qualifications rather than gender; it is about bankers, not men or women. Female leaders have been present for many years, but their number is increasing now, thanks to a changing mindset and the realization of the added value women bring.
The challenges women face often stem from personal prejudices or societal expectations rather than structural discrimination. Many perceptions are based on personality rather than gender. Economic and social conditions are improving, with better family law protections, support systems, and changes in culture encouraging women's professional development. The opportunities are greater today than ever, with women increasingly showing their abilities, and leadership in finance is being recognized for their skills rather than their gender.
5-You have been recognized as one of the most powerful businesswomen in the Middle East. What do you believe are the key factors in empowering more women to pursue and succeed in finance and leadership roles?
The key factors include career achievements, diversity of experience, and management skills. Recognition comes from the size and impact of your work, the development you guide, and your ability to drive change.
Empowering women means encouraging them to build their own capabilities and choose their own paths. It also involves breaking down biases by highlighting that the right person for the job is the one with the right skill set and dedication, regardless of gender. Increased awareness, supportive policies, and role models help women tread confidently toward leadership roles.
6-Given your journey, how important do you think mentorship and sponsorship are for women in finance? Do you have any advice for women seeking such support or for leaders looking to provide it?
Mentorship and sponsorship are indispensable. Transferring experience and knowledge is a must because not everyone has the exposure or opportunities one might have had. Leaders must create environments where information flows openly and helps younger or less experienced professionals navigate their careers.
Women seeking support should believe in themselves first; inner strength and determination are critical for perseverance. Leaders providing mentorship should foster cooperation, share insights, and empower mentees to grow their skills, develop awareness, and build confidence.
7-You have been honored by various prestigious institutions for your role in developing Egypt's investment environment. Beyond the technical aspects, what do you believe is the most crucial soft skill or personal attribute for contributing effectively to economic development?
The most crucial attributes are perseverance, agility, and flexibility to learn new methods, holistic thinking, and teamwork. Economic decisions require considering diverse perspectives, past experiences, and global contexts.
One must understand that the world is dynamic. We learn from the past, work with what we have today, and plan for tomorrow; there are trends but no absolutes.
Communication is vital, especially in sensitive financial environments where words carry weight. Clarity, prudent messaging, and trust-building enable better teamwork and institutional progress. Developing a macroeconomic perspective and the soft skills to engage stakeholders effectively underpin successful economic development contributions.
8-Finally, you have received numerous awards and international recognition for your contributions to the financial sector. How do these honors influence your perspective on your work and your responsibility to the broader community?
Awards and recognition bring a sense of responsibility to continue contributing positively, not only within the financial sector but toward society at large. They remind me that success is not individual but systemic, supported by teams, family, and community.
Recognition also provides a platform to support others, especially women, and to advocate for fairness, inclusion, and development. It motivates me to uphold integrity, strive for excellence, and foster environments where cooperation and mutual respect lead to shared success.
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