Adgully has always saluted and honoured women managers and leaders across diverse fields. W-SUITE is a special initiative from Adgully Middle East that has been turning the spotlight on some of the most remarkable women achievers in the M&E, advertising, marketing, PR and communications industry.Today, our guest is Emma Burdett, the Founder of WILD (Women in Leadership Deliver) network, a keynote speaker, moderator, executive coach and business mentor. Emma is an advocate for gender balance, diversity and inclusion. Adgully Middle East interviewed Emma Burdett to explore her dedication to challenging the status quo and championing change. The WILD movement, with its emphasis on gender equality, demonstrates Emma's advocacy for a more inclusive and balanced society. By addressing gender disparities and promoting equality, WILD aims to create a more just and equitable world for everyone. Emma's passion for change and her involvement in the WILD movement make her a trailblazer in the pursuit of a more equitable and empowered world. Let’s find out more...Kindly share your career and entrepreneurial journey so far?I moved to Dubai in January 2014, and have had a long career in the corporate sector. In 2016, I was headhunted into a corporate director role. The company asked me if I would like to start a women’s network as a CSR initiative. What started as four women and a sheet of paper, grew to 15 women, and I witnessed the power of women coming together. We were sharing knowledge and expertise, offering each other guidance and support, and ultimately, doing business together. Unfortunately, I encountered significant workplace challenges and lost my job. During this time, I rebuilt myself, took time out, and embarked on a spiritual journey. I wrote the concept of WILD from scratch after a mental breakdown. I knew I could create a women’s network as a business. WILD was nothing at the time. Just a lot of faith and a big dream. I launched WILD in July 2018, primarily doing events and building community.What inspired you to launch ‘WILD’ (Women in Leadership Deliver)? What do you aspire to achieve from it?Since its launch in 2018, WILD has become the fastest-growing women’s network in the Middle East. Throughout its six years, I have become a coach, and IINSEAD qualified in gender equality studies. Women’s networks are the key to gender equality. I saw a niche in the market for this platform for corporate women. WILD now offers a myriad of solutions for female leadership and for the women within the community, from consultancy to leadership training to memberships, coaching, and masterminds. In November 2022 we launched in Saudi Arabia as the first and only women’s network from outside the kingdom. This allows our members to connect across borders. The bold move has earned WILD a contract with the United Nations Global Compact Network, KSA to support the Kingdom with SDG5 gender equality. WILD is a movement I am proud to pioneer.What are your views on the development of women in the Middle Eastern countries? What are your hopes for the future?I feel the future is bright as the world wakes up to gender equality and the benefits it offers. While there is a long way to go, companies are beginning to strategize and invest in female talent. I have been mightily impressed by the talent and ambition I have seen in KSA. KSA Comprises of over 65% of Generation Z. This generation is radical, ethical, and rebellious, and desires to see diversity and inclusion. It is also important to mention that KSA is seeing the highest percentage of young females graduating in STEM more than anywhere else in the world. I hope we will see change when this generation moves up to leadership level.With the success of WILD this year, what are your hopes and aspirations in the coming years from it? What were the main takeaways for women in the WILD event?We plan to scale WILD across nine countries over the next few years. Countries such as Qatar, Jordan, and Oman; places that need and would benefit from having a platform such as WILD.I am always blown away by WILD events. I may be biased but they are amazing- Authentic, inspiring, and motivating. Every event is different. We are about the solution at WILD, not continually discussing the ‘problem’. One of the main reasons I created WILD was because I was so bored and fed up with all of the current events held in Dubai. Sterile, contrived, and filtered conversations. No one says what they want or how they feel. One of the key pillars of WILD is authenticity. We embody this in all of our events.Regarding takeaways, we always see a genuine sense of solidarity and empathy building when women feel seen, heard, and understood. My intention is that every woman who comes to a WILD event leaves inspired and ready to take on the world. We live in a patriarchal society with many outdated workplace cultures and structures that don't support women in the workplace, however, we also need to take ownership and accountability for our own lives and careers. I always suggest women invest in their own growth and development, especially hiring a coach or mentor. I have worked with 4 coaches and it has been life-changing and a key catalyst for me building WILD with the success and level we are at.You have been awarded as one of the 10 ‘Women of Substance’ in Dubai? Whom do you owe your success to? Who has been your inspiration?I owe my success to myself! For staying tenacious and committed, even when times get tough. Entrepreneurship is a rollercoaster and an arduous journey full of highs and lows. It is important to surround yourself with the right people, who hold space for you and whom you can trust implicitly. I am grateful to have those people in my life. I am inspired by all of the women in WILD, who show up, who commit and who want to further themselves and their careers. I am inspired by some of my private clients whom I mentor, they step up with courage and build the life of their dreams, it's beautiful to see!What will be your advice to women who aspire to be leaders?Anything is possible when we work on ourselves and move past fear, limitations, and doubt. We need to get out of our own way and give ourselves permission to be bold, doing things we haven't done before. Fear can be debilitating and will only cling to stagnant people. Trust yourself and your own intuition, the gut never lies. Lastly, always work on YOU like a full-time job, no one will save you!
