World’s Visionary Women Leaders Making an Impact in 2023 by Worlds Leaders

1. Vol. 04 | Issue 10 | APRIL 2023 www.worldsleaders.com Resolving Addiction Challenges with the Core Value of Helping Others World Visionary Making an Impact in 2023 An Award-winning Advocate for Diversity in Tech PG. 30 Dr. Nicole Dr. Nicole Odom-Hardnett

4. World’s Visionary Women Leaders Making an Impact in 2023 Agents of Change In today's business world, diversity and gender parity in leadership and decision-making are being increasingly acknowledged. Despite this progress, women still make up a small percentage of those in top decision-making positions in politics, business, and communities. Behavioral Health Centers. Throughout her career, she faced numerous challenges that tested her resilience, but she remained steadfastly focused, recognizing the importance of doing so in her line of work. However, recent studies have shown that companies with higher gender diversity on executive teams are 21% more likely to outperform the national average. This result can be attributed to the fact that women are holding more executive leadership positions, indicating that having more women in decision-making roles can lead to better outcomes. As the visionary behind the business, Nicole is responsible for instilling a culture of service and dedication throughout the company. With a background in business, she ensures that Focus Point operates effectively and efficiently. Nicole is particularly passionate about reducing the stigma associated with addiction therapy and mental health treatment, and she strives to create welcoming environments for clients in every center. She places great emphasis on ensuring that each center is aesthetically pleasing and comfortable for clients to use. To advance gender justice and equality, as well as economic, social, and political progress for all, it is imperative that women participate as leaders and decision-makers at all levels. The latest edition of World's Leaders “World’s Visionary Women Leaders Making an Impact in 2023,” features visionary women leaders from various sectors who are thriving in leadership, using best practices, and making a personal contribution to the world. Also, while you flip through the pages, don't forget to read the articles created by our in-house editorial staff and industry experts. The cover has Nicole Odom-Hardnett founder of Focus Point Behavioral Health, a company that provides a wide range of behavioral health services to all age groups. Starting with a transitional home care company, she followed a natural path to launching her present chain of Let’s Begin!

5. CREDIT PAGE Editor-in-Chief Steve Sanchez Managing Editor Jagdish Chincholikar Executive Editor Nicole Williams Assistant Editor Gayatri Bhujbal Art & Design Director Jack Anderson Business Development Manager Mia Oliver Business Development Executive Natalie, Jerrey Associate Designer Kevin Rust Digital Marketing Manager Victor Clarke Sales Manager Megan Morgan, Irfan Shekh Marketing Manager Tom Swann Technical Specialist Barry Jones Circulation Manager Danny Parker APRIL 2023 3296 Westerville Rd #250, Columbus, OH 43224, USA Copyright 2023 WORLD’S LEADERS, All rights reserved. The content and images used in this magazine should not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission from WORLD’S LEADERS Reprint rights remain solely with WORLD’S LEADERS. Follow us on :

6. 08 Dr. Nicole Odom-Hardnett

7. Anne Rajasaikaran 16 Catherine Monson 20 Donna Dahl 26 30 Jennifer Cox 36 Liz Bacon 40 Mar Bezanilla Sal Maureen Lincoln 44 50 Noor Al-Sulaiti 54 Virginia MacSuibhne

8. Dr. Nicole Odom-Hardnett Resolving Addiction Challenges with the Core Value of Helping Others Keep moving forward, and if you can see it “ in your mind’s eye, “you can achieve it! 08 | APRIL 2023

9. COVER STORY worldsleaders.com | 09

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11. People with addiction are often blamed for their condition, and society may view them as weak, immoral, or lacking willpower. This stigma can prevent individuals from seeking treatment, as they may fear being judged, ostracized, or discriminated against. Overcoming the stigma related to addiction care is crucial to creating a more compassionate and effective approach to addiction treatment and supporting individuals in their recovery journeys. mental health treatment, and she strives to create welcoming environments for clients in every center. She places great emphasis on ensuring that each center is aesthetically pleasing and comfortable for clients to use. cocaine. She was heartbroken when she had to inform the client that the opportunity had been lost, and the client admitted to struggling with cocaine addiction. As an addiction treatment center, Focus Point Behavioral Health aims to address one of the biggest challenges that Nicole observed in her professional career prior to starting the business. She noticed that addiction was a significant obstacle for many of her welfare-to-work clients. The Leap of Faith Despite logging in over 60 hours a week and driving countless miles in pursuit of someone else's vision and dream, Nicole eventually realized the true cost of her sacrifices. It was then that she made the decision to take a leap of faith and build her own vision and dream: Focus Point Behavioral Health. Pouring all of her resources, ideas, and faith into her new endeavor, Nicole never looked back. Taking that leap of faith was undoubtedly one of the best personal and business decisions she ever made. Nicole Odom-Hardnett is the founder of Focus Point Behavioral Health, a company that provides a wide range of behavioral health services to all age groups. Starting with a transitional home care company, she followed a natural path to launching her present chain of Behavioral Health Centers. Throughout her career, she faced numerous challenges that tested her resilience, but she remained steadfastly focused, recognizing the importance of doing so in her line of work. Nicole believes that it is fair to conclude that addiction was the common factor that hindered many of her welfare-to-work clients from achieving their job placement goals. Her experience with these clients led her to become a change-maker in the way addiction is treated, supported, and the stigma around it removed. The Journey to Achieving Dreams The moment that sparked Nicole's passion for her business was when a client left her speechless. Nicole was thrilled to have placed this client in a job at one of the city's largest hospitals, knowing it would be a significant turning point for the client and her family. The client was intelligent, engaging, and completed tasks assigned to her with impressive efficiency. However, Nicole was shocked when the client's drug screening returned positive for Nicole's overall value system was molded by her upbringing in a career military family, where "service and dedication" were key principles. She began her professional career by directing and managing welfare-to- work programs, in which she excelled. The lessons she learned from this experience became the foundation for her later success as an entrepreneur. As the visionary behind the business, Nicole is responsible for instilling a culture of service and dedication throughout the company. With a background in business, she ensures that Focus Point operates effectively and efficiently. Nicole is particularly passionate about reducing the stigma associated with addiction therapy and “Don’t give up on your dreams”. worldsleaders.com | 11

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13. Nicole's desire to help others naturally led her to the behavioral health sector. She began in healthcare by establishing her first transitional home, then went on to own various assisted living facilities. Eventually, she established a clinic for substance abuse and mental health, using her knowledge, skills, and business experience effectively. In addition, Nicole established "Talk to Nicole," a counseling firm specializing in fostering harmonious relationships, especially in mixed families. Through her business and advocacy work, Nicole has devoted her life to improving society and raising awareness of important issues. accredited and provides services for people of all ages. Their services include intensive outpatient substance abuse treatment, outpatient services, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), a psychiatric rehabilitation program (PRP) for both adults and adolescents, mental health therapy, supportive employment services, and DUI/DWI education. Furthermore, the organization offers counseling, therapy, and mental health services to individuals, children, adolescents, and families. Recovery," is a testament to their dedication to their clients' well-being. Communication is highly valued at Focus Point, and the team encourages feedback to continuously improve their services. The staff is extensively trained and equipped with the latest tools and technology to help clients succeed. For those who cannot visit the centers, the company offers telehealth services to ensure they receive the help they need. Talk to Nicole Focus Point Behavioral Health prides itself on providing customized services that cater to the unique needs of each client. The company is committed to meeting clients where they are and offering the support they require for their recovery. Their slogan, "Our Focus is Your Nicole's passion for coaching and counseling stems from her personal experience navigating the complexities of blended families. She believes that stepmoms need a special support system that offers firsthand understanding of the unique Comprehensive Behavioral Health Services Focus Point Behavioral Health is a comprehensive behavioral health services organization that is worldsleaders.com | 13

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15. dynamics that come with blended families. Through her business, "Talk to Nicole," she aims to provide thought-provoking stories, interactive inspiration, and practical experience to help with spousal priority, preventive parenting, and blended family dynamics. Nicole believes that there is always hope for families and situations, and she strives to be a source of support for those who need it. positive work environment for all employees. barriers and build support systems for those in need of addiction counseling and treatment. Nicole's ultimate vision is to help individuals achieve their recovery goals by providing personalized, wraparound support services that meet them where they are in their journey. She aims to replicate this successful approach through her franchise centers for Focus Point Behavioral Health. The Big Risk During the pandemic, Nicole's business applied for a line of credit and successfully thrived, despite the uncertain times, thanks to their organized approach to conducting business. In contrast, other businesses in the same industry struggled to survive. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted service delivery, leading to the adoption of remote work and the discovery of the potential of telehealth services. Consequently, underserved populations can now be reached more effectively than ever before. Additionally, the business model now features open remote positions that facilitate the seamless delivery of quality services and outcomes to clients. Changing the Stigma of Addiction "We all need support, we all need that listening ear, and we need the proper tools to help us succeed.” Nicole ensures that the treatment and recovery journey of the clients at Focus Point Behavioral Health are the top priorities. The organization offers a comprehensive range of addiction treatment and behavioral health services, and the staff helps clients organize their payment information so they can concentrate on their recovery. Furthermore, the organization provides a loan forgiveness program through HRSA (Health Resources and Services Administration) to qualified staff, which allows them to pursue meaningful careers without being burdened with the financial stress of student loan repayment. Nicole is dedicated to changing the stigma attached to addiction and raising awareness about it as a disability. This perspective is important in reducing the stigma associated with addiction and creating a more supportive environment for individuals who are struggling with addiction. It is vital to emphasize that addiction is not a choice and that it can happen to anyone. By promoting the idea that addiction is a disability and encouraging constructive conversations, Nicole is playing a critical role in helping to break down One of Nicole's favorite sayings is, "Hang on; hold on tight," meaning, when blended moms and families hang on for what is almost always an interesting ride, they also need to hold on tight; the reward, though, is always worth it. Ensuring the Quality of Care Building Treatment Centers Across America Nicole places a strong emphasis on maintaining a positive work environment and ensuring that her employees are well-supported. To achieve this, she has implemented a thorough employee vetting system to ensure that new hires are a good fit for the company and the culture she has built. She also places a high value on ongoing training to ensure that her staff is equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to provide exceptional care to clients. The culture at Focus Point Behavioral Health is centered around respect, integrity, and providing high-quality care, and Nicole is dedicated to upholding these values as the CEO and visionary of the company. This commitment to excellence has resulted in effective teamwork, good service, and a Focus Point Behavioral Health Franchise centers are available now. Nicole is currently vetting investors who have the vision to help create change, treat, and remove stigmas associated with the disability called addiction. For more information go to www.Focuspointfranchising.com Reach out for its behavioral health opportunity and learn how one can become a change-maker with its successful Focus Point Behavioral Health Franchise opportunity today! worldsleaders.com | 15

16. them to be. “ They are who we make 16 | APRIL 2023

17. Anne Rajasaikaran Making Education Affordable And Accessible For All worldsleaders.com | 17

18. S Imperium International College Leadership Philosophy With a focus on growing its education industry, MAA Group powers Imperium International College. The driving force behind Imperium International College is its dedication to making sure that its students have access to top-notch instruction and the greatest job possibilities in all industries. The institution offers a wide range of training programs, including diploma, certificate, and degree programs with American and UK degrees. Anne is personable and has a flat leadership style. She prefers to be direct and truthful, and she thinks that everyone has a voice, and regardless of their level, they are free to suggest or express their ideas. She holds that no thought is too small and that everyone can offer something. When she hears from the experiences and viewpoint of her employees, she believes that she derives something valuable from them. Anne has a knack for relating to people and can talk about issues that concern employees. She says, "You could only speak about poverty to people who have experienced it or struggled with it in their lives rather than people who have not experienced poverty, you learn about their hardships or difficulties (e.g., for someone who has only commuted using the bus or taken a loan to study) so that they can tell me what it really feels like or what they really want. You ask the right questions to the right people.” Some leaders rose to prominence as a result of their ability to maintain hope in the face of adversity and go on to accomplish feats so outstanding that people still hold them in high regard decades after their passing. While others remained true to their principles and demonstrated in support of others' rights, doing so even when doing so put their own freedom—not to mention their lives—in danger. Imperium International College has merged outdoor and indoor classroom experiences in order to increase the number of students who engage in interactive hybrid learning. It thinks that's the route Imperium would want to go to make it more interactive: trips to industries, offices under courses, and audits of businesses. However, some leaders have a natural ability to innovate, inspire, and convince others to take significant action that will ultimately alter the world, making them really inspirational and well-respected. One such inspiring leader is Anne Rajasaikaran. She serves as Chief Executive Officer of the Edumaax Group of Companies, which is the parent company of the Imperium International College, St. John's International School, and Pusat Tuisyen Kasturi. To make education more relevant post-COVID, the college emphasizes making learning more exciting and having a higher percentage of graduates and students who actually enjoy practicing what they studied. That's how Imperium International College is revolutionizing education. It is planning to make it as integrated as possible. The college is making it about the student rather than profiting for just business purposes. Words for Young Education Leaders Anne met many young people who had no inspiration and were incredibly young, she wanted to change that. When she graduated from college, she had big plans to transform the world. To motivate students: they lead wonderful lives and are capable of so much more. "Please don't believe you are insignificant," she urges, "because you are the future." Inspiring kids and igniting their enthusiasm for achievement is Anne's main motivation. She is also the Principal Officer of Budimas Charitable Foundation, an NGO that supports impoverished children in Malaysia, and has more than 15 years of expertise in communications and fundraising. She has previously managed a public trust with a 25-year history. Imperium International College has hybrid and face-to-face teaching processes. Its framework and procedures are well maintained, and the teams keep up with students' expectations by interacting with them. Imperium International College caters to the reasonable expectations of students. 18 | APRIL 2023

19. Since she has been employed by the Foundation for over ten years, Anne has come to truly appreciate compassion and grief. It is heartbreaking to watch what children experience and how society views them; they are frequently wrongly accused of wrongdoing and penalized for it. She has felt a certain joy watching a child speak English for the first time in two years. It's a feeling like no other. With a strong communications, public relations, and advertising background, Anne has made it her goal to let more Malaysians know about this plight and fight for this cause. The more people know, the more people will react. She recalls, "It is doing something that I had no idea about. It was a big risk, I had to work extra hard, take as many courses as possible, study the strategies, and the numbers, seek a mentor and gain knowledge in the industry, and speak to people to learn about their experiences because I had no experience in it and neither was I a professional that time.” Understand and learn more about how it evolves. Don't stop learning, don't feel things are not relevant as there is an opportunity everywhere, and join a lot of forums and unique groups who are like-minded as you are to keep your fire growing. we give out many scholarships for the underprivileged and we are working on more. For now, we would like to keep the foundation strong on what we have started.” Ÿ She and her team at the Budimas Charitable Foundation have frequently worked hard to teach these underprivileged children survival skills rather than providing them with temporary assistance. Supporting many charitable homes via public funding's the team made it its mission to let them know about their contribution and where it goes to. She says, "We also do constant updates about the children under our care.” Heading To Achieving Greatest Potential Since Anne personally experienced the hardships of Malaysia's disadvantaged children, I have frequently pondered why their lives are so difficult and dissimilar from ours. It is Anne's responsibility to reassure them that there is a way out of this situation and a course of action they can take. Imperium is collaborating with The Budimas Charitable Organization to offer scholarships to worthy students as part of its commitment to deliver the highest quality education and training for a diverse group of students. Since taking over, Imperium has also awarded outstanding achievers, athletes, and many others with scholarships totalling to RM2 million. Anne shares, "We did our SDG activities, One of the most important things Anne has learn from the children is that- "they are who we make them to be." Anne's advice for all the education leaders and visionaries is: Ÿ You must learn it and emulate successful people who are seasoned with being in such a position. Ÿ Never give up even, keep doing what you are doing, even if you don't see the fruit of the seed you sow grow in a short time. Ÿ Be patient, it will take time as the façade of education is changing rapidly. Evolve and grow along with the ideas that as it evolves. According to Anne, in the next 5 years, Imperium International College is going to be successful in bringing in more courses, bringing in more relevant courses, and growing its international and local students to obtain university college status alongside having more campuses. worldsleaders.com | 19

20. CEO | Propelled Brands Catherine Monson Expert in Franchising and Digital Printing Industries 20 | APRIL 2023

21. Below are highlights of the interview conducted between World's Leaders and Catherine Monson: Describe who you are as a person, inside and outside of the workplace. I knew as a young child that I wanted to lead a company. While I had to deal with the effects of growing up with an abusive, alcoholic mom, I came to understand in my early 20s that I had a decision to make: I could either be a victim or a victor. I could wallow in "woe is me" victimhood, or I could decide to take personal responsibility for my life, my choices, and my happiness, by choosing to be a victor. I chose—and I choose daily—to be a victor. I manage with a combination of business acumen, adaptability, and compassion. I am a strong advocate for small businesses and franchising, which is why I spend a large portion of my time and energy serving on the Board of Directors for the International Franchise Association (IFA), the world's oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. I am now serving as the Immediate Past Chair of the IFA after serving as the Chair of the IFA from February 2020 to February 2022, the only Chair in the 66-year history of the IFA to serve two one-year terms. I truly love championing the franchise business model and supporting so many in the franchising world. I pour myself into the company and the people, spurring them on to even greater success and achievement. to mow the lawns and clean the kitchens and restrooms. While there and on our drive to the schools and back home, we would talk business. I fell in love with the business of business at a very young age. By high school, I wanted to be the president of a large company. Describe your background and what did you do before you joined the company? I grew up in a small family business. My parents started one preschool, and over time, they opened another preschool, getting to five locations, then adding kindergarten to all locations and elementary school at their largest location. Growing up in the family business, I would go with my dad on the weekends to the schools My background in franchising began in 1980 with Sir Speedy, Inc., where I served in many roles, starting as a sales coordinator and quickly being promoted to Western Region Operations Manager. In 1984, I was promoted to Assistant Vice President of Catherine Monson currently holds the position of CEO at Propelled Brands, where she utilizes her extensive expertise in management and business leadership, as well as her over 25 years of experience in franchising and digital printing. With her impressive background, she is well-suited to lead the company and drive its growth in the franchising industry. worldsleaders.com | 21

22. Franchise Development and later Vice President of Franchise Development, where I was responsible for opening over 400 Sir Speedy locations. In 1991, I was promoted to Group Vice President of Marketing and Communications, playing an integral role in Sir Speedy developing and becoming the first printing franchise to launch a website. In 1996, I became Vice President of Business Development for Franchise Services, Inc. (FSI), the parent company of Sir Speedy. From January 1997 until April 1999, I was responsible for the turnaround of MultiCopy Europe, FSI's European subsidiary, serving in the role of Managing Director. My vision of becoming president was fulfilled in 1999, when I was named President of PIP Printing & Document Services (PIP was acquired by Franchise Services, Inc. in 1996). As president, I had the pleasure of successfully reorganizing the company and changing the strategic marketing direction, increasing franchisee satisfaction and profits after six years of decline. In addition to being CEO of Propelled Brands, I also serve on the boards of directors of Brain Balance, a franchisor with a non-drug alternative for children with behavioral challenges, and Big Blue Swim School, one of the nation's fastest-growing swim schools. While individual heroics can be nice to have, they are rarely reproducible. Reproducible business processes are what lead to sustainable, long-term business success. What advice would you give someone going into a leadership position for the first time? The most successful leaders cultivate a positive mindset and use positive leadership skills. They also need to establish goals for themselves and their team and hold team members accountable for their results to drive the organization forward. It's important for the leader to be self-motivated as well as thoughtful, considerate, and approachable. It is essential to become an expert in your industry and company and to also become accomplished in leadership. I believe in creating an open-door policy and providing all employees the opportunity to visit with thoughts, questions, or concerns. I would advise any new leader to continually "sharpen the saw." I do that by reading books on leadership, watching TedTalks, and reading blogs by influential thinkers. I'm also a collector of motivational quotes. I believe strongly in the power of positive thinking and goal-directed behavior. In our office, we reinforce this with visual displays such as our "Inspiration Hall," which is filled with over 150 quotes that inspire and motivate employees and visitors. What are the most important aspects of a company's culture? What principles do you believe in and how do you build this culture? I believe in creating a growth-oriented, positive culture and leading my team and the company to meet goals and achieve success. I also know how important it is to create an engaging and positive work culture with integrity, from the top down. Creating and maintaining a positive culture and hiring the best people is imperative. I am truly grateful for my employees, eagerly welcoming new employees aboard and celebrating performance, milestones, and anniversaries. Give us your opinion on; do organizations rely heavily on individual heroics or team processes? Team processes and systems are far more important than individual heroics, as team processes and systems are repeatable and scalable. Creating processes and systems and training our team members to implement them with excellence created the foundation that Propelled Brands is built upon. The team mentality and reliance on strong processes and systems are infused into everything we do. Our philosophy of franchise support is to, first and foremost, improve franchise profitability; then, increase average unit sales; continually work to increase the value of the brand, both by outstanding marketing and increasing the number of locations; successfully sell and open franchises and get them to ramp quickly; and increase already- high franchisee satisfaction. What has made you successful? What do you value? In my reading, studying, and the mentoring I received, I came to understand that there are 5 common characteristics of all highly successful people, and that all 5 are learned skills. These five common characteristics are a positive mental attitude, goal- directed behavior, self-motivation, a sense of urgency, and never stopping learning. I work to improve at least one of them every day. If I wake up on the wrong side of the bed, I know it's up to me to get myself in the right frame of mind with a positive mindset. I do something every day to achieve my goals. I work hard to keep learning and to build upon my skill set. 22 | APRIL 2023

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26. Donna P Dahl Book Development Coach 26 | APRIL 2023

27. Donna Dahl Dahl Assis?ng in Eleva?ng Your Business to New Heights Donna P. Dahl, a highly esteemed empowerment coach, boasts a dazzling array of accolades, including the Woman of Inspira?on Award for Life?me Achievement, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, and the 100th Anniversary Interna?onal Women's Day Award for Outstanding Service to Business. She takes great pride in the glowing reviews and endorsements from both clients and colleagues that can be found online. Recently, Donna was featured in an interview with World's Leaders, where she imparted her knowledge and shared her insights on how she helps entrepreneurs gain recogni?on and prominence. worldsleaders.com | 27

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29. Recently, Donna was featured in an interview with World's Leaders, where she imparted her knowledge and shared her insights on how she helps entrepreneurs gain recognition and prominence. How does your background and experience align with the role at Donna Dahl Executive Leadership Empowerment Coaching and Manuscript Coaching? Someone recently asked me if leadership empowerment coaching, and manuscript coaching go together. For years, I have watched leaders, entrepreneurs, and executives struggle with identifying the focus of the outcomes they wish to achieve and the systems they need to put in place to get there. Those who commit to writing a book gain a realm of clarity that rises head and shoulders above those who rely on verbal reports without the evidence in print. I particularly enjoy working with leaders who have an entrepreneurial mindset and who are seeking to formalize their vision as a book. My system allows them to grow as they write. It gives them the space to build confidence, and it separates them from all the other leaders who don't have that foundation in the form of a book. Does having a book with your name as an author on it make a difference? I can tell you that I began my coaching business on the basis of having written and self-published a book, so I speak from my own experience. In addition, my professional background in leadership, coaching, entrepreneurship, psychology, authorship, and journalism over several decades' blends into a unique and powerful skillset that supports the changes sought by the client. your persona, develop your leadership, or elevate your image in your enterprise, change is sure to happen. My track record? I always say it is not the letters after my name that tell you what I can do, but the consistency of the testimonials that my clients write that tell you what I have been able to influence in them to manifest change for the better. When you work with me, whether it is to write your book, polish worldsleaders.com | 29

30. An Award-winning Advocate for Diversity in Tech J ennifer Cox Security Engineering Manager | Tenable 30 | APRIL 2023

31. Jennifer Cox, who works as a Security Engineering Manager at Tenable, is a determined, goal- oriented, and self- propelled person who is dedicated to succeeding and finding solutions to difficult problems. She endeavors to deliver top-notch service and adopt a personalized approach, regardless of her role. Below are highlights of the interview conducted between World's Leaders and Jennifer Cox: Describe who you are as a person, inside and outside of the workplace. My main goal as an individual contributor prior to and in leadership now is to work to achieve the goals of my team. Whether those goals are personal or professional, if I can support them then I'm doing a good job. I'm from a large family and one of six children. My parents were working- class and always worked to better themselves. I witnessed many times in my childhood, displays of support and encouragement and the massive growth resulting from them. I have always followed the same example. If I can be kind, helpful or supportive then I should. It's worth so much more to other people than the effort on my part to help. got a job at a tech company working in support. Little did I realize that I'd be working in various roles for that company for 11 years. During my time there, I studied psychology, still trying to figure out what I wanted to do. It turns out I was doing it all along. After those 11 years, I had moved up as much as I could and sought out a career in cybersecurity. In 2016 I secured a role at Tenable, moving up through the ranks and now I manage my own global team. Tell us about the company. What does Tenable do?? Cybersecurity risk is one of the existential threats of our time. Every day, attackers are looking for organizations' weaknesses long before they even know themselves. But throwing disparate cybersecurity solutions at the problem only leaves gaps in the attack surface's visibility and weakens defenses. Describe your background and what did you do before you started/joined the company? I have a very varied background. From being a tree-climbing, trouble-making child that was eternally in both mud and trouble to an outspoken adult who used to write and produce/direct plays on both radio and stage, After school, my studies focused on theater production. When I finished studying, I worldsleaders.com | 31

32. Tenable is the first and only provider of exposure management solutions. Our platform — Tenable One — is designed to help organisations gain visibility across the modern attack surface, focus efforts to prevent likely attacks, and accurately communicate cyber risk to support optimal business performance. The Tenable One platform offers broad vulnerability coverage spanning IT assets, cloud resources, containers, web apps and identity systems. What are the most important aspects of a company's culture? What principles do you believe in and how do you build this culture? Tenable is built around a 'One Tenable' culture. We are all part of the same team, regardless of our place in the chain of command. Everyone's opinion is valid, and our leadership works hard to act responsibly on the feedback given by everyone who is a part of the Tenable team. Tenable also respects that their employees have lives outside of work and that work-life balance is important. The hard truth is that more tools collecting more data don't equate to actionable insights for remediation teams and definitely not for the CISO, C- suite, or board of directors. On top of that, the old way of simply scanning on-premises IT devices for vulnerabilities is no longer enough to protect the modern attack surface. What is the significance of innovative ideas in the company? In order to position ourselves as exposure management leaders, we need to be ahead of the curve. We have a significant Research & Data Science team that cultivates new and innovative ideas and turns them into useful tools for us and our customers to use. When you work in cybersecurity, being late to the party is not an option. Tenable was founded in 2002, and today, more than 43,000 organizations around the world rely on us to help them understand and reduce cybersecurity risk across their attack surface—in the cloud or on-premises, from IT to OT and beyond. Our goal is to arm every organization, no matter how large or small, with the visibility and insight needed to see, predict, and act on threats and vulnerabilities that pose the greatest risk to their organization. Give us your opinion on; do organizations rely heavily on individual heroics or team processes? Team processes all the way. Individual heroics are a risk that rarely works out. Everyone on the team contributes heroic aspects, and between us all, we are the whole package. Everyone on a team should have a purpose and deliver something that is unique to them to that team. What has made you successful? What do you value? R.E.S.P.E.C.T., it's all about respect for me. I show respect and regard to my friends, family, and colleagues, and I expect the same in return. If a person doesn't feel respected, then how can we expect to get the best from them? I value respect most of all. Following that would be equality & diversity and I work as hard as I can to change the path as I go, to ensure more doors are opened for anyone following behind. Which are the major services of the company and how does the company get ahead in the competition? What value-added services does the company provide? 32 | APRIL 2023

33. What is the happiest part of your daily routine? I enjoy the 1:1 sessions I have with my team members the most. Learning more about them, understanding their needs, and what they suggest and perceive to be a need for the business. My favorite part of the job entirely is when someone on my team achieves a personal or professional goal they've set for themselves. Big or small, it doesn't matter. It's a buzz to have assisted in any way I can to help them achieve their goals. What advice would you give someone going into a leadership position for the first time? I was being mentored at the time I went into Leadership and I'll reiterate that advice here as it really made a difference to me. 'If you are thinking about doing something, then do it. Don't spend the rest of your life wondering 'what if'?' worldsleaders.com | 33

36. Liz Bacon Crea?ng Immersive Learning Experiences Professor Liz Bacon holds the posi?on of Principal and Vice- Chancellor at Abertay University. In addi?on, she has earned several professional dis?nc?ons, including Principal Fellow of the Higher Educa?on Academy (PFHEA), Chartered Engineer (CEng), Chartered Scien?st (CSci), Chartered IT Professional (CITP), Fellow of the BCS, the Chartered Ins?tute for IT (FBCS), Fellow of the Ins?tute of Science & Technology (FIScT), and Professional Member of the ACM. Her exper?se lies in designing and developing systems, with a par?cular research interest in smart systems, security, ar?ficial intelligence, and technology- enhanced learning. She is especially interested in using smart games-based learning environments to create immersive learning experiences. 36 | APRIL 2023

37. Liz Bacon Principal & Vice-Chancellor Abertay University Describe your background and what did you do before you started/joined the company. I have an international research background in computer science, and I'm a global speaker on a range of related topics, including preparing staff and students for the fourth industrial revolution's impact on teaching, learning, and work, and improving diversity and participation in STEM, particularly among women and people from disadvantaged backgrounds. Below are highlights of the interview conducted between World's Leaders and Professor Liz Bacon: Describe who you are as a person, inside and outside of the workplace. I like to think I take a similar approach both in the university and outside of my professional sphere in that I'm open and approachable, and I value and take on board the perspectives put forward by the people in my life, whether that's in or out of the workplace. Creating and sustaining positive relationships is absolutely key to success in any endeavor, and remaining open to new ideas, while also having the ability to challenge those that don't seem right has stood me in good stead to date. Part of my focus as an academic has been to work closely with politicians, professional bodies, and many other organizations to address the global shortage of skills in the IT industry and drive forward the agenda in this area. I also work with a range of external organizations—I'm a National worldsleaders.com | 37

38. Teaching Fellow, a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, a Chartered Engineer, a Chartered Scientist, and a Chartered IT Professional. I'm also a former president of both BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, and EQANIE, the European Quality Assurance Network for Informatics Education; a past chair of both the BCS Academy of Computing and the Council of Professors and Heads of Computing; and a trustee of Bletchley Park Trust and a board member of V&A Dundee. Abertay Campus I joined Abertay University in September 2018 as Deputy Principal and Deputy Vice- Chancellor and initially led the university's activities in the areas of partnerships, teaching and learning, research, and knowledge exchange, while also pioneering a new digital strategy—all areas we have continued to develop since I was appointed Principal in 2022. Facili?es Tell us about the inception of the company. How did it all start? Abertay is a modern, friendly university in the heart of Dundee, Scotland, with a strong focus on teaching and preparing our graduates for the world of work, combined with excellence in research and knowledge exchange. With roots going back to 1888, Abertay has always responded to the needs of industry, supplying a pipeline of graduate talent to work, lead, and innovate across a wide range of sectors. Having forged a reputation as one of the UK's leading tech universities, we are best known for our expertise in video game education, and our degrees in this field are consistently ranked among the best in the world. From mental health nursing to civil engineering, or business analytics to ethical hacking, our three academic schools offer programs that prepare our students for employment and offer real-world work experience alongside their studies. Classroom We pride ourselves on offering an inclusive, friendly, and welcoming environment for our students and staff, along with award-winning teaching and an excellent student experience. 38 | APRIL 2023

39. What has made you successful? What do you value? Abertay's success has come from staying in close alignment with the needs of our students and our local community and responding quickly to the changing demands of industry. As a smaller institution, we are well placed to pivot quickly to adapt to disruptions caused by advances in technology or societal shifts, and that has helped us deliver on our key strategic aim of providing transformational opportunities. Professor Liz Bacon Which are the major services of the company and how do the company to get ahead in the competition? What value-added services does the company provide? Our core business is teaching, research, knowledge exchange, and innovation, and all of our activities are geared towards having an impact in the real world, whether that's supplying the talent pipeline for Scotland's booming games industry, creating the country's first hub for cybersecurity R&D, or leading food innovation work that helps Scottish firms produce more sustainable products. In addition to these core strands of work, we also take an active role in civic engagement and in informing political discussion and debate on a range of issues where we have academic expertise. than not have a hugely diverse portfolio of teaching and research interests. We tackle this by promoting cross-disciplinary work and collaboration in our activities, which leads to more and better co-working between staff departments and cohorts of students, meaning that a culture of support and teamwork is able to thrive. there's ready access for ideas to be fed into the senior management team. What advice would you give someone going into a leadership position for the first time? Be bold in your decision-making, but always follow what data, institutional knowledge, and verifiable feedback are telling you, and communicate your intentions and actions effectively, both within and outside the organization. Listen and take advice; surround yourself with good people that you can trust and that you believe in; and never forget that your greatest strength is your colleagues. These are the people who take the organization's culture off the written page and into reality, so it's imperative that their voice be acknowledged and their ideas harnessed. What is the significance of innovative ideas in the company? We are well versed in supporting the innovation requirements of our partners through projects like Transform Net Zero, an innovation scheme for food sustainability, and InGAME, a center for driving innovation in the Scottish video games industry. But we also have a culture of innovation within the university itself, and at the moment we are going through a period of significant digital transformation that is going to improve the way we teach and undertake research, work, and engage with our students and stakeholders. Abertay University places a lot of value on free speech and openness, and I'm proud that our campus is a place where What are the most important aspects of a company's culture? What principles do you believe in and how do you build this culture? At Abertay, we pride ourselves on offering a friendly, welcoming culture for both staff and students, and creating that close-knit feel on campus is something we do really well. We very much welcome open dialogue and diverse views and put inclusivity high on our agenda. Creating a genuine team ethos is a difficult challenge for any organization, but it is particularly hard for universities, which more often worldsleaders.com | 39

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41. Mar Mar Mar Bezanilla Sal A Boden, the founder and CEO of Starling Bank, and Sallie Krawcheck, CEO of Ellevest. Mar Bezanilla Sal is also a notable ntech expert who has established a reputation as a growth-focused executive with extensive experience in successfully directing overall operations in fast-growing companies, particularly in the small and medium businesses segment. s the ntech industry continues to evolve, women are taking on increasingly inuential roles as both leaders and innovators. There are numerous women who have made signicant contributions to the industry, including Anne worldsleaders.com | 41

42. Life outside of the workplace Northwestern Spain's Cantabria is where Mar Bezanilla Sal was born. She pursued a career in mathema?cs at university. In high school, she preferred math more than any other subject. The summer a?er she finished her studies, she celebrated by traveling to Barcelona with her best friend. There, she met her partner, fell in love, and decided to move to Barcelona. With her partner, three children, and two cats, she has a lovely family. Mar loves diving, amazing loca?ons where she has done diving include Bali, Los Roques and the Maldives. She is in awe of the fantas?c marine life. She also used to play padel, prac?cing many ?mes per week, and for a number of years, she actually joined a women's team. Path to achieving Exper?se Mar tries to grow by expanding her knowledge and stepping outside of her comfort zone. Throughout her career, she asked to work in numerous fields that were outside of her purview, which is how she accumulated a very transversal background. "I think that staying in a posi?on for at least three years is important to learn it properly, but then it is good to try to find your new challenge", suggests Mar. She believes that staying loyal to one employer and wai?ng pa?ently for an opportunity to present itself within that organiza?on can give you access to as many opportuni?es as switching jobs. Mar encourages women who want to pursue careers in leadership not to be afraid of "asking for things". In her professional career, she has managed men and women. She no?ced that men constantly request things (such as a promo?on, a pay raise, more resources, a budget, etc.), while women are more cau?ous. 42 | APRIL 2023

43. COO | Fintech industry A Career in Fintech Mar has specialized in digital consumer finance as she has grown her career in fintech. Technology has significantly altered the sector since the 2008 financial crisis. In 2011, she joined a startup whose mission was to lend money online with a non- friction application process for the user. In 2011, there was a dearth of information that might be used to confirm the applicant's identification in the absence of documents, and the few services that were offered lagged behind and couldn't deliver the data in real time to ensure a smooth online loan application process. Technology to deliver data in real time and regulatory modifications have advanced significantly during the past ten years. Nowadays, a highly smooth service with a great customer experience can be provided when people apply for loans online, thanks to all these advanced technologies. However, Mar feels there are still issues, particularly when loan amounts increase, where the data is insufficient to provide loans with a frictionless procedure and effectively control risk. Therefore, more worldsleaders.com | 43

44. Developing Programs that Consistently Achieve Both Market and Business Objectives While historically there has been a gender imbalance in engineering professions, there are now more opportunities and support networks for women pursuing careers in this field. Many women have become successful engineers, developing and implementing innovative solutions to complex problems, and serving as mentors and role models to others. However, there is still work to be done to achieve gender equality and promote diversity in engineering, and many organizations and individuals are working to address these issues. Maureen Maureen Lincoln Founder & CEO | Kerelaw Engineering 44 | APRIL 2023

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46. Ms. Lincoln's expertise in new product design and development has been proven in the automotive, industrial, consumer, and medical industries. Her comprehensive perspective has supported successful product launches that meet both business and market goals. Ms. Lincoln and her team at Kerelaw continue to use their technical expertise and successful methodologies to provide clients with engineered solutions that meet market expectations while looking great and functioning as required. Maureen Lincoln, PE, is the founder and CEO at Kerelaw Engineering, P.C., a product design and engineering agency located in the Bronx. She previously served as the company's principal engineer from its inception in 2016 until 2019. Ms. Lincoln holds a degree in mechanical engineering from MIT and has always been passionate about math and mechanics. Best Design and Development Offerings + Kerelaw Engineering provides product design and development services for independent inventors, entrepreneurs, start-ups, and small businesses. With a unique business model that incorporates both engineering and industrial design from the very beginning of the development process, the company delivers product designs that look great, feel good, work as expected, hit cost goals, and meet market expectations. Throughout her career, Ms. Lincoln has focused on product design, development, and innovation while emphasizing manufacturing and job creation. She has honed her technical training, mentoring skills, and team-building abilities to develop strong engineering teams and product development programs that consistently meet business and market goals. The company was founded in 2016 by Maureen Lincoln. Her vision was to create a design agency that enabled clients to create and grow their companies through new product launches. 46 | APRIL 2023

47. More Refined Approaches in the Future Maureen considers Kerelaw to be fortunate to have gained several international clients from North America, South America, and the Middle East, as well as technical colleagues in Europe and Asia over the past year. The inclusion of these regional perspectives and competencies has resulted in the development of product designs that appeal to a global audience, which has been an exciting prospect for the company. Moving forward, Maureen's goal is to expand Kerelaw's in-house manufacturing capabilities to conduct pilot production runs for clients, providing the opportunity to identify and address any issues or cost-saving opportunities before proceeding with full-volume production. This approach will enable the company to refine its production processes and deliver high-quality products to its clients while maintaining its commitment to excellence and integrity. worldsleaders.com | 47

50. Noor Al-Sulaiti Former CEO Ooredoo Oman 50 | APRIL 2023