the 25th LadiesFund Power Lunch at Okra, a series now well in its 7th year where women entrepreneurs network for business development.

On behalf of Dawood Global Foundation, please see attached the official press release for the #LFPower25, the 25th LadiesFund Power Lunch at Okra, a series now well in its 7th year where women entrepreneurs and professionals network for business development. Over 650 different dynamic women professionals and SME business owners have attended a LadiesFund Power Lunch to date.

This 25th Power Lunch featured 25 dynamic members networking and celebrated iconic classical dancer and social activist, Sheema Kermani, who was the LadiesFund 2008 award winner. Spotted among the guests at the lunch were Sayeda Habib,
Moneeza Butt, Yasmin Dadabhoy, Kiran Ali Salman, Rukhsana Narejo, Shazia Farooqui, Farah Misbah, Lubna Shaikh, and LadiesFund President Tara Uzra Dawood, among others.

“I am very humbled to be the Chief Guest at this gathering and have had a 12-year association with LadiesFund. In addition to being an award recipient in LadiesFund ‘sfirst year of awards, we have had collaborative events including dance performances and I spoke at the Educate a Girl Skin Colour conference to combat colorism earlier this year,” shared
Ms. Kermani. “We have also been working very closely on the LadiesFund 5000 Food Rations Drive, of which I have personally overseen the distribution of ration boxes – as well as biscuits and chocolates – to 2800 families, including transgender, Katchi Abedis,

Christian widows, Hindu families, rape victims, blind girls, daily wage females who lost their livelihood during COVID-19, families who lost everything during the floods, as well as traditional zakat accepting households including the very downtrodden fisheries. LadiesFund President Tara, in addition to giving much of her own funds, held fundraising drives to help make this possible. Whenever I called her with need, she and LADIESFUND always said YES!”

Sheema is the first in this 7th year of the lunch series, under the theme celebrating Iconic Pakistani women. Last year’s theme was Engaging Men to Promote Trade and included several male diplomats.

The format of this popular lunch enables all guests to not only meet and interact with the Chief Guest, but have access to each other, while being seated in social bubbles. Powerful alliances, business collaborations, etc. have been formed from this high in demand networking series. Guest lists are published in advance and registrants have the ability to reach out to each other to coordinate to meet and speak at the event. LadiesFund encourages each attendee to set a meeting with at least 3 other attendees within one week of the gathering to solidify their connection and to work towards collaboration.

Mustafa & Sons was Mask Partner, Zestize Hand Sanitizer Partner, Nighat Misbah Depilex Beauty Partner for the event. Gift partners for the event included Bells n Bells, Mezan Tea, Suriani Wong, Blooming Lane and Zapp Wipes. Each #LFVVIP guest also received a couture IRISxLadiesFund handbag by Iris Handbags. Chief Guest Gift Partners included H&H Collection by Hira Anis, Blooming Lane, SRM Couture and Madiha Sikander.

Originally published at The Financial Times