Malta, June 18, 2025 – In a celebration of resilience, leadership, and global sisterhood, the SIGEF Women Summit 2025 unfolded in the heart of the Mediterranean, bringing together an extraordinary assembly of women leaders and allies from around the world. Held at the prestigious Phoenicia Hotel in Valletta, the summit became a vibrant stage for storytelling, strategy, and solidarity—advancing gender equality and honoring women who lead with purpose.
Organized by the Social Innovation and Global Ethics Forum (SIGEF), the summit reaffirmed its longstanding commitment to empowering women through dialogue, collaboration, and global recognition.
Opening with Purpose
The day began with powerful opening remarks from Dr. Ian Borg, Malta’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, who highlighted Malta’s role in international diplomacy and inclusive development. Later, Dr. Miriam Dalli, Minister for the Environment, Energy, and Public Cleanliness, delivered a compelling call to action on the role of women in driving sustainability and innovation.
Their voices set the tone for a day that was both thought-provoking and heartening—a day that celebrated women not as a topic, but as the transformative force in today’s world.
A Tapestry of Global Leadership: Featured Speakers
SIGEF Women Summit 2025 proudly welcomed a distinguished lineup of over 40 thought leaders and innovators, each offering a unique perspective on leadership, inclusion, legacy, and personal empowerment:
- Hedva Ser – Artist & UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Culture Diplomacy
- Dr. Ian Borg – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism of Malta
- Dr. Miriam Dalli – Minister for the Environment, Energy and Public Cleanliness
- Christianne Caruana – Director, Global Issues, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism of Malta
- Josianne Cutajar – Former MEP & EU Policy Consultant
- Holly Scarfone – Digital Creator, Philanthropist & Advocate for Female Empowerment
- Dustin Jones – Award-Winning HR Executive, Leadership Strategist & Author
- Elizabeth de Moraes – International Speaker, Media/Brand Strategist & Bestselling Author
- Mayara Marinov – Entrepreneur, Business Mentor & Speaker
- Rebeca Riofrio – Chair, UK Parliamentary Society for Arts, Fashion, and Sports
- Grazielle Camilleri – Entrepreneur, Real Estate Specialist & Motivational Influencer
- Robyn Pratt – General Manager, The Phoenicia Malta
- Mushka Segal – Founder, Chabad of Malta Foundation
- Monica Espinosa – Head of Family Office Services
- Claudia Alexandra Marigliano – Team Head, Wealth Management
- Rebecca Jacquin – Notary Partner, Jacquin & Co; Art & Wealth Legacy Advisor
- Betty Encinales – Global Talent Connector, Keynote Speaker
- Jennifer East – Founder, ONIDA Family Advisors
- Larissa Bonaci – Award-Winning Actress & Producer
- Brigitte Othala Von Habsburg – Founder of Darcelite, Relationship Curator
- Kimia Penton – Organizational Psychology Leader & Recording Artist
- Melissa Gatt – Entrepreneur & Content Creator
- Maria Cristina Madriaga – Founder of Grow & Glow and Kathryn Luxury Flowers
- Salwa Arfaoui – Real Estate Visionary & CEO, Women of Vision
- Alina Terletchi – CMO, Alliance Real Estate Group
- Virginia Schmidt – Web3 Entrepreneur & Film Producer
- Milagros Milhet – Entrepreneur, Owner & General Manager of Palazzo Bifora
- Rachel Haya – Entrepreneur, Children’s Book Writer, Storytelling Strategist
- Juliet Valdinger – Philanthropic Strategist & Investigator
- Mariya Spartalis – Founder, Spartalis Capital, Zurich
- Frederic Chesnais – CEO, CBI – AlphaVerse
- Paul-Helie Magdelenat – VP Business Development, CBI – AlphaVerse
- Yonathan Parienti – Chair, SIGEF Women Summit; General Secretary, Horyou Foundation
- Leah Simha Parienti – Content Executive Producer, SIGEF Women Summit
These speakers inspired audiences through stories of innovation, inclusion, resilience, and legacy-building—spanning industries from diplomacy and finance to real estate, arts, entrepreneurship, and social advocacy.
Honoring Excellence: SIGEF Women Awards 2025
The afternoon culminated in the SIGEF Women Awards Ceremony, a celebration of six exceptional leaders making bold strides in their fields:
- Christiane Caruana – For her role in advancing global diplomacy and international cooperation for women
- Salwa Arfaoui – For driving inclusive real estate entrepreneurship in the Middle East
- Mayara Marinov – For mentoring and uplifting women-led startups across Latin America
- Elizabeth de Moraes – For empowering women in the media and brand visibility sphere
- Kimia Penton – For blending global program leadership with artistic empowerment
- Shakira Fenech – For championing women survivors and leading youth and gender advocacy in Malta
Each recipient was introduced by a fellow leader, reinforcing the spirit of sisterhood and global connection that permeated the day.
Summit Sessions: Connection and Reflection
The day unfolded through four engaging panels, a networking lunch, and a relaxation garden session that offered time for mindfulness and dialogue. Highlights included:
- Navigating Wealth and Legacy: The evolving role of family offices and women in wealth stewardship
- Wellness, Balance & Purpose: Reimagining success for women across life stages
- From Policy to Action: How women leaders are shaping policy on the global stage
- Leading the Future: Visionary conversations on entrepreneurship, ethics, and impact
Special Guests and Global Allies
Among the esteemed attendees were diplomatic and civic leaders from around the world:
- Joanna Raley – U.S. Embassy, Malta
- Roja S. Rajan – Indian High Commission, Malta
- Li Na – Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, Malta
- Aurelia Ferreira, Jerry Jones, Vibhuti Sharma, Elvis Plugis, Christiane Daumont, Michael Bonello, Luke Navin, and Eliahou Leon Parienti, among others.
Their presence further reinforced the summit’s reputation as a truly global gathering of minds and hearts committed to equality and innovation.
Gratitude to Our Partners
The SIGEF Organizing Committee extends heartfelt thanks to its strategic partners and sponsors whose support made this summit possible:
- Horyou
- Horyou Foundation
- Visit Malta
- CBI / AlphaVerse
- Kathryn Luxury Flowers
- Grow & Glow
- Jacquin & Associés
- Palazzo Bifora
With media support from AFS and ELLEDGY Magazine, the summit’s global message reached new heights.
A Movement That Transcends Borders
Since its inception, SIGEF has welcomed participants from over 80 nations and featured speakers from major global institutions. With a media reach of more than 100 million citizens worldwide, the SIGEF Women Summit continues to serve as a vital platform for real-world progress and powerful visibility for women.
Website: www.sigefwomen.com
Replay the livestream: sigefwomen.com/live-streaming
Contact: Yonathan.parienti@gmail.com | +41 79 863 28 69
Together, we move forward—not just as individuals, but as a global community lighting the way for the next generation of women leaders.
Beena Yusuf
Editor in Chief
www.shemagazineusa.com
