The challenge of continuing to build the legacy of the family

Member Profile: Aisha Hussein Alfardan

Aisha Hussein Alfardan is a prominent Qatari businesswomen, head of the Qatar hub of the Middle East and North Africa Businesswoman’s Network and vice chairwoman of the Qatari Businesswomen Forum. In 2006 Alfardan was ranked 24th on the Forbes list of the 50 Top Businesswomen in the Arab Word, recognizing her success, prominence and ambition in the business world.

Aisha Hussein Alfardan is the daughter of the renowned Qatari businessman, Mr. Hussein Alfardan—Chairman of Alfardan Group of Companies. Aisha Hussein Alfardan is following her father’s footsteps as she has become one of the preeminent businesswomen in the Middle East.

Aisha Hussein Alfardan graduated from Qatar University in 1993, with a degree in English literature. She began her career in the Commercial Bank of Qatar where she worked for over nine years, during which time she climbed the business ladder to become the Ladies Branch Manager.

In 2003, she joined Alfardan Automobiles where she is the Director of Business Development, assisting her father and brothers in running the family company. Aisha Hussein Alfardan claims her favorite part about working at Alfardan is “the challenge of continuing to build the legacy that her family has worked so hard to build.”

In her work at Alfardan, she has ambitious visions “to educate the growing ladies market segment on the AFA products and services.” She is proud of the business unit which has already made much progress and hopes for the future to continue moving forward with educating the ladies market and helping the business to grow.

Aisha Hussein Alfardan actively participates in local, regional and international conferences. In Jeddah, April 2006, she represented Qatar as a speaker in the 2nd Conference for Businesswomen in the Gulf. In 2007 she was again a speaker and representative at the 9th Global Businesswomen Leaders Forum in Dubai.

Recently, she was a speaker in the Exploring Entrepreneurship conference held in Qatar under the auspices of Sheikha al Anood Bint Khalifa al Thani and organized by the British Council, as part of the “Creating Opportunities, Building Partnerships” Program. The speakers at the conference claimed Qatar offers wonderful opportunities, for both men and women, to set up businesses and achieve success. Alfardan believes the forum could help businesswomen start up enterprises. She says she has been very impressed with the development in Qatar, commenting, “five years ago there were very few business women here, but now there are 1,400 registered with the Qatar Chamber of Commerce. Qatar is booming and we need to take the chance to become a world leader.” Alfardan’s ambitions, not only for her own company, but for the future of Qatar have led Alfardan’s national recognition.

As the Vice-Chairwoman of the Qatar Business Women Forum QBWF, and in partnership with The Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry QCCI and Qatar Shell, Alfardan recently announced the launch of the Qatar Business Women Award 2008 which identifies and acknowledges the contributions Qatari women make to the country’s society and economy through their professional and entrepreneurial achievements. This award focuses on women who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and managerial skills within their fields.

Aisha Hussein Alfardan has been a prominent business woman in the Arab world, recognized for her contributions to the country of Qatar and to the world of business. Her achievements are not limited to the office, as she has become a role model for businesswomen in the Middle East, providing speeches and networking opportunities for women at business conferences. She has contributed greatly to the expansion of business in Qatar and has large visions for the continuation of progress in the future.