DevelopL

I was invited to join the Curtin University Dubai's Women in STEM Executive Roundtable Series, and it turned out to be one of the more memorable Women in #STEM conversations I’ve been part of. During the panel discussion, I was asked what advice I’d give my younger self if I could go back 10 years. My answer: ⚠️ "DO NOT copy-paste code you didn’t write." If you don’t understand what you’re writing, it can break the entire system. Knowing how things work is part of the job! Also, what really stood out to me was the mix of voices in the room. It wasn’t just women. Male professors and attendees actively showed up as allies. The panel was also incredibly diverse, with perspectives from finance, construction, computer science, and more. Thank you to Dr. Benita Christopher for moderating and to all the panelists Prof Katarina Miljkovic OAM , Chada El Islam Benmahcene , Dalia Abi Mosleh, Tasneem Fathima, Randa Hakim, Emine Yilmaz Bütün, CPA and Zeina Kordab for a great session. #WomenInSTEM #CurtinUniversityDubai #WomenInTech #AI #STEMLeadership

Join us at Curtin University Dubai for the Women in STEM Executive Roundtable on 17 January! I’ll be joining an incredible group of leaders from Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft, Gartner, EY and academia to have a real, honest conversation about what it takes to build the next generation of women in technology. Hope to see you there. 📅 17 Jan 2026 at 8:30 AM ~ 1:30 PM

I recently attended the GENi Network gathering organized by Yousuf Alghurair and Alexey Slobozhanyuk. GENi is an exciting new extension of the FEEL (by DUBAI FUTURE FOUNDATION) community, bringing together founders, scientists, and technologists who are building the next wave of AI-driven innovation. During the event, I shared my perspective on what strong AI and software engineering talent looks like in today’s landscape, especially as AI adoption accelerates across every industry (if anyone is interested in this insight or wants to discuss it further, feel free to DM me 💬) . I also loved listening to everyone’s presentations, from healthcare to decarbonization, each one showcasing how AI can drive meaningful impact in very different sectors. Beyond the work, what makes this community meaningful is the people. FEEL, and now GENi, has consistently been a source of support, insight, and thoughtful conversation. Being part of this network has shaped how I think about AI’s broader role in society and has supported me through major life transitions, including becoming a parent while continuing to build in tech. Thank you, Yousuf Alghurair and Alexey Slobozhanyuk for bringing everyone together and creating a space where we continue learning and growing. And a special thank you to Andre Jr. Ayotte, Maha Alkhalawi, Michele Tarnow, Dr Alya Al Hebshi, MMC™, MPM®, Gavin Dein for the support, guidance, and practical advice you’ve shared throughout the FEEL program and beyond. Your insights have genuinely helped me navigate the early stages of motherhood alongside my work. 🥰

Yesterday, I had the privilege of joining the AI Accelerator: Building Lawyers for the Future by Clifford Chance and GROW Mentoring. Coming from a technical background, I’m more familiar with the development side of AI, so it was refreshing to explore how AI is being applied in the legal world. I moderated the panel “Bridging Minds: Working at the Forefront of AI Innovation” alongside an incredible group of panelists- Jonathan Kewley, Sara M. Cordahi, and Donya Fredj. One moment that stood out to me was Jonathan Kewley’s reflection on how things have changed since he started out as a young lawyer. He shared how much of his early career was spent on repetitive, manual tasks—something that AI is now transforming. His point about future lawyers needing curiosity really resonated, especially in a world where AI can take on the mundane, freeing up time for more meaningful, high-impact work. I also joined the “AI Crash Course for Future Lawyers” workshop by Adam Hunter and Mehran Azzam. It was a great overview of the tools and regulations shaping the legal AI landscape. Hearing how these technologies are already being applied in practice—and the legal frameworks catching up around them—was both eye-opening and timely. Huge thanks to the amazing team who brought it all together—Lucy Cole, Justin Farrance, Faeqa Chowdhury, and everyone working behind the scenes. Grateful to be part of these conversations that are shaping the future of law and tech.