Alcatel-Lucent hosts launch of CEO Women Europe and names Sandrine El Khodry president

ALE International, which operates under the Alcatel-Lucent brand, hosted the inaugural CEO Women Europe event at its Paris headquarters on June 3 and announced Sandrine El Khodry as the new forum’s president. The launch ties a new women’s leadership network to broader business links across Europe, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific. Why it matters: - CEO Women Europe is being positioned as a cross-border network aimed at expanding opportunities for women leaders and entrepreneurs. - The launch signals a push to deepen business ties between Europe, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific at a time of digital, supply-chain and geopolitical change. - Alcatel-Lucent used its headquarters event to put its global sales and marketing executive in charge of the new forum, linking corporate leadership with regional networking goals. What happened: - ALE International, operating under the Alcatel-Lucent brand, hosted the opening ceremony of CEO Women Europe at its headquarters in Paris on June 3. - The event centered on the theme “East-West Business Leadership Alliance: Driving the Digital & Sustainable Era.” - Organizers announced the appointment of Sandrine El Khodry, Executive Vice President Global Sales & Marketing at Alcatel-Lucent, as president of CEO Women Europe. - Dr. Mona Morad, CEO of On Air Group and founder of CEO Women, said the launch and El Khodry’s appointment mark a strategic step in the group’s international expansion. The details: - The event brought together senior leaders and decision-makers from the Middle East, Asia-Pacific and Europe. - CEO Women Europe said it wants to accelerate international partnerships, expand economic exchanges among Europe, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific, and create new opportunities for women leaders and entrepreneurs. - The forum said it aims to connect regions, foster cooperation and help turn ideas into concrete outcomes. - Egypt was highlighted during the ceremony as the country where CEO Women was founded by Dr. Mona Morad. - El Khodry said the new forum reflects a commitment to strengthen ties between regions. - El Khodry has nearly 30 years of experience in international development and managing multicultural teams. - Speakers in the conference lineup included Dr. Doaa bint Mohammed, Dr. Hala El Said, Judge Amal Ammar and Elisabeth Moreno. - Dr. Doaa bint Mohammed said empowering Arab women and building leadership capacity is a national and human imperative. - Dr. Hala El Said said human capital is the best indicator of a nation’s ambition and that equality is a key driver of progress. - Judge Amal Ammar said investing in women is a strategic choice for growth and innovation. - Amal Ammar also pointed to progress under Egypt’s national strategy and called for stronger Europe-Egypt links through training, cooperation and market access. - Moreno called for alliances between women and men, technology and humanity, and businesses and institutions. - A panel titled “East-West Business Leadership Alliance: Bridging the Gap, Driving the Change” included Dr. Hala Zaid, Dr. Aisha Bin Bishr, Olivier Campenon and Anne Lauvergeon. - Panelists said diversity strengthens innovation and that durable relationships should be built on trust. - The panel also framed CEO Women Europe’s goal as bringing women into major strategic issues of the future. - CEO Women was founded in Cairo in 2021 as an independent economic platform focused on women’s leadership, entrepreneurship and participation in economic life across the Middle East and Africa. - CEO Women’s website is the company’s announcement and ALE International listed more information about Alcatel-Lucent. Between the lines: - The launch blends corporate visibility with a geopolitical business agenda, suggesting CEO Women Europe wants influence beyond a standard networking group. - The focus on East-West cooperation reflects a bet that women’s leadership platforms can also serve as business diplomacy channels. - By selecting a senior Alcatel-Lucent executive as president, the forum is signaling both credibility and access to established corporate networks. What’s next: - CEO Women Europe will need to convert its launch visibility into partnerships, programming and measurable cross-regional activity. - El Khodry is expected to help structure the organization and grow its European and international reach. - The forum said it will pursue more opportunities for women leaders and entrepreneurs across Europe, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific. The bottom line: - CEO Women Europe is entering the market as a high-level network with a broad international agenda, and Alcatel-Lucent is helping put it on the map from day one.