Dubai, UAE, 23 January 2019: Ghalya AlAli, an Emirati female student from Zayed University, was announced as the EY UAE Corporate Finance Woman of the Year (CFWY) at an award ceremony held at the Youth Hub in Emirates Towers. Ghalya won from among a group of 11 finalists who competed at the national level in the UAE. As the winner of the UAE competition, Ghalya will now have the opportunity to compete at the global level against the country winners from Australia, Germany, Japan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Norway, Russia, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

The CFWY competition, now in its second year, is an initiative launched by EY to encourage the next generation of female transactions professionals to consider careers in the private sector while also showcasing the caliber of Emirati female talent in the UAE.

The 11 finalists who participated in the final round of competition include:
Alya AlZaabi from Zayed University, Aysha AlMemari from United Arab Emirates University, Fatima AlDhaheri from United Arab Emirates University, Fatima AlQubaisi from Harvard Law School and Paris Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, Ghalya AlAli from Zayed University, Khawla Julfar from the Higher Colleges of Technology, Maryam AlKhaja from the American University in Dubai, Reem AlBraiki from Zayed University, Reem Khoory from the American University in Dubai, Salama Almeraikhi from Zayed University, and Shaikha AlAfari from United Arab Emirates University.

The Corporate Finance Woman of the Year competition received applications from nine universities across the UAE and through its collaboration with the Emirates Youth Council. As part of the application process, the candidates had to submit their thoughts on how they would create a lasting legacy as a future Emirati leader and also offer their point of view on a recent business transaction in the UAE that was of interest to them.

During the UAE finalists competition, each student presented their answers as well as participated in group workshops and one-to-one interviews with regional leadership and Transaction Advisory Services (TAS) professionals from EY.

Rana Sanyoura, Partner, Transaction Advisory Services (TAS), UAE CFWY Sponsor, EY, said:
It was an honor to spend the day with these inspirational young ladies and speak to them about their ambitions for the UAE as well as personal career goals. We at EY were truly impressed with the talent, critical thinking, and creativity exhibited by the finalists. EY is proud to provide a platform where Emirati women can expand their knowledge on transaction services and corporate finance opportunities in the private sector; a platform where they can contribute to building a better working world through serving different sectors, including the government and public sector.

All 11 finalists, including the winner Ghalya AlAli, have been invited to conduct an internship with EY or to join the Graduate Program upon their graduation from university.

Ghalya AlAli, the 2019 UAE winner of the EY Corporate Finance Woman of the Year title and a student of Zayed University says:
I believe that the EY CFWY competition is a unique opportunity for young Emirati females as myself to expand their horizons on the opportunities available to them in the business and finance world. The sessions spent with the EY transaction service professionals were enlightening and educational. I am proud to be representing the UAE at the global competition in London in February, and I look forward to using my newfound knowledge in my studies and to kickstart my career.