Bermuda took centre stage last week as Tinée Furbert, the Minister of Youth, Social Development and Seniors, led a delegation at the International Women’s Leadership Conference in Dubai.

The event was hosted by African business leader Ibukun Awosika.

Under the theme “Women in Leadership: Living the Dream”, the 2025 conference welcomed more than 600 influential women from around the world, including heads of state, entrepreneurs, academics and activists, for a gathering focused on leadership, legacy and global collaboration.

Ms Furbert addressed the conference, highlighting Bermuda’s history and progress, while encouraging women to expand their ambitions.

“My dream did not envision being here, but here I am,” she said. “My dream did not envision running for Parliament, or becoming a minister, but here I am. We must release fear and embrace possibility, for we are meant to expand beyond the limits of what we once believed possible.”

Two Bermudian women participated in the open forum including Crystal Clay, executive coach and leadership strategist, and Sherry Lilly, entrepreneur and advocate for wellness and community engagement.

A spokesman for the delegation of 15 from Bermuda said their contributions resonated with the global audience and reinforced the island’s leadership in multiple sectors.

The delegation’s attendance was made possible through a collaborative effort involving the Ministry of Youth, Social Development and Seniors, the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation, and Dana Selassie, who played a key role in co-ordinating Bermuda’s participation.

Dr Selassie attended last year’s conference as part of the United Nations women’s delegation. She has advocated for Bermuda’s deeper involvement in the global women’s leadership movement. She led the establishment of Bermuda’s first Mary Prince Women’s Entrepreneurial and Leadership Conference, which launched last summer.

Building on this momentum, it was announced that Madame Awosika will return to Bermuda to headline the second annual Mary Prince Women’s Entrepreneurial and Leadership Conference, scheduled for August 6 to 8.

“The energy, purpose and power coming out of Bermuda is undeniable,” Dr Selassie said. “This is no longer just a moment, it is a movement. We are proud to help shape a global platform that connects women of Africa, the Caribbean and the diaspora with real tools, real impact and real sisterhood.”

She thanked Ms Furbert, Permanent Secretary Valerie Robinson-James and the BEDC team for believing in this vision for Bermuda's women entrepreneurs and leaders.

Ms Furbert said she was proud of the Bermuda group.

“The 15 Bermudian women who attended spanned industries including education, finance, health, technology, cultural preservation, social innovation, and entrepreneurship,” she said. “Several attendees were self-funded, demonstrating the passion and commitment of Bermudian women to lead on the world stage.”

She said Bermuda’s growing influence in global leadership conversations is evident, and the Mary Prince Conference is rapidly establishing itself as a key forum for these discussions to continue at home.