LUCY CHOW, Investor and Author recognized by Arabian Business as one of 50 Inspiring Female Business Leaders. She has degrees from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management Northwestern University and Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, the University of British Columbia, and Capilano University.
I am the first generation on both sides of my family to attend university. We lived very frugally, but I didn′t realize the full extent of my parents′ sacrifice until I started my first job out of university. My dad revealed that my very small annual salary was more than he had ever made in a year, ever. And he raised three kids and single-handedly sponsored more than ten family members to become Canadian citizens over the years. That was one of my big ′aha′ moments.
SONJA RAVIC VUCKOVIC, Founder of Lofi Legal, Head of Legal at Fincore Digital Ltd.
Legal knowledge alone won′t make you successful. The future of law belongs to those who understand business, innovation, and how to think like entrepreneurs. If you′re still stuck thinking contracts and courtrooms are enough, you′re already behind. My advice? Learn how industries move. Study market trends. Build relationships beyond the legal world. That′s how you stay ahead.
PIA ALONZO WURTZBACH-JAUNCEY, host, humanitarian and entrepreneur, crowned Miss Universe 2015. One of the Philippines′ most celebrated advocates for humanitarian causes.
I studied at the Centre for Asian Culinary Studies in San Juan. At first I didn′t know how to use a knife properly but when I start something, I really put my heart into it. I always wanted to have a food business of my own, because acting or modeling wasn′t going to last forever, nor was I going to look like this all the time. I thought that eventually I would want to slow down, my priorities would start to change. I think it′s smart to have businesses or other sources of income.
NAWAL EL MOUTAWAKEL, Olympic Champion in 400-meter hurdles, Vice President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). In 1984 she became the first Moroccan, African, Arab and Muslim woman to win an Olympic gold medal. First Muslim woman elected to the International Olympic Committee.
I went to the United States to study at Iowa State University on a sports scholarship. In Morocco I had the opportunity to compete, but I often found myself first across the finish line without much effort. In the United States there were hundreds of girls who were better than me, so I had to push myself to the limit to earn a spot on the podium. Little by little, I earned my place on the university team. Then, as the competitions progressed, I demonstrated that I had talent, that I wasn′t just ′the little Moroccan girl,′ and that my scholarship was truly deserved.
