ShareKUWAIT: Zain is the strategic partner of the second Breaking Barriers conference, organized by the National Leadership Institute (NLI). At the event, Zain highlighted its strategic efforts in leadership development, human capital investment, and enhancing employee mental wellbeing. The conference was held under the patronage of Minister of Finance and Minister of State for Economic Affairs and Investment Noura Al-Fassam.
Zain joined the opening ceremony, held at Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Center (JACC), attended by the event patron’s representative Managing Director of the Kuwait Investment Authority Ghanem Al-Ghenaiman, Zain Kuwait Chief Purpose and Human Resources Officer Nawal Bourisli, and Group CEO of the National Technology Enterprises Company (NTEC) Anas Meerza. Also in attendance were Zain Group Chief Corporate Affairs and Communications Officer Mohammad Abdal, Zain Group Chief Inclusion and Diversity Officer Maryam Saif, Zain Kuwait Chief Corporate Affairs and Relations Officer Waleed Al-Khashti, NLI General Manager Mohammed Al-Khulaifi, along with leaders and officials from both the public and private sectors.
During the conference, Nawal Bourisli participated in a panel discussion featuring executives from Kuwait’s top private sector firms in technology, banking, and energy. Bourisli highlighted Zain’s strategies for investing in human capital, attracting national talent, developing leadership, work-life balance, and supporting employees and leaders as they navigate workplace challenges. Bourisli also shed light on Zain’s efforts to enhance employee mental wellbeing through the BE WELL initiative, which made Zain one of the first organizations in the Middle East to establish a mental health strategy in the workplace. This initiative aims to cater to mental health and raise employee wellness standards.
Through this initiative, Zain seeks to improve the physical and mental health of its employees, enabling them to enjoy a healthier lifestyle both at work and at home. The initiative has yielded tangible results, enriching the work environment, positively impacting company performance, and boosting customer satisfaction.
“Our support for the Breaking Barriers conference dates back to the inaugural series in 2021. Human capital investment is a cornerstone of Zain’s strategy for sustainable success,” said Waleed Al-Khashti in his opening speech at the conference. “NLI’s mission strongly aligns with our strategic goals at Zain, as reflected in this year’s conference theme — Strong Mind. Strong Body. Strong Leader. We work to translate these principles through various programs, notably the BE WELL initiative to elevate mental health and wellness for our employees. We are also committed to investing in our national workforce, empowering them professionally and personally to lead Zain’s future.”
This year’s Breaking Barriers conference featured a distinguished lineup of prominent speakers and local and global experts, including Steven Bartlett, entrepreneur, investor, author, and host of the UK’s top podcast “The Diary of a CEO”; and Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary General of Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy and former CEO of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar Organizing Committee. Other notable speakers included Dr Mariam Al-Awadhi, Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Kuwait University and a Consultant Psychiatrist; Alaa Al-Humaidhi, a PhD candidate in Clinical Psychology at Columbia University and a leading figure in mental health; and Kuwaiti entrepreneur Faisal Al-Agel, who transitioned from pharmacy to entrepreneurship and now hosts Kuwait’s leading podcast, Bedoon Waraq.
Zain’s participation reflects its belief in the essential role of such academic and cultural forums in fostering creativity in society, encouraging continuous development, and preparing future leaders. This commitment has driven Zain to be a leading supporter of the conference since its first edition. The National Leadership Institute (NLI) is an institute fully owned by the National Company for Educational Services and Training (NEST), a subsidiary of the National Technology Enterprises Company (NTEC). The NLI Conference Series was launched in 2021 to offer organizations in Kuwait innovative training solutions, with thousands of attendees since launch.
