Jan 2025 – Present · 1 yr 2 mos · Dubai, United Arab Emirates · Hybrid

• Short on time, big on intention? TFS is where early and idea stage founders build a successful, impactful business in less than 90minutes a week.
• Curated to blend personal and business growth, TFS puts the founder at the centre of it all via expert, road-tested guidance without the huge time commitment.
• Think of it like building your own virtual advisory board, we offer:
• A 9-week online programme + membership blending positioning, growth and mindset.
• Fully flexible sessions, templates, resources that are 5★ rated by members and work around your time and commitments
• Designed for early-stage founders to reach consistent growth + visible leadership.
• If you're ready for the roadmap from a founder who's been there and built it? The Founder's Sanctuary is your next stop.
• Step inside and pull up a seat - we're open for business.
• Our next cohort opens soon, jump on a 20-minute consultation call and let's see if we're a fit:https://calendly.com/helen-atna/30min

Mar 2024 – Dec 2024 · 9 mos · Dubai, United Arab Emirates · Remote

• Over a period of a year upon exiting Diversely, I worked 1:1 with multiple founders of impact businesses globally to develop their progress and fully understand their challenges and wins in this space.
• Founder, Sophie Thomas : “Finding that there is lots of potential in my pipeline. All very positive and motivating. Thanks for pushing me to do this, can’t wait to present it back to you for your insight. Just what I needed!”

Jan 2022 – Jul 2024 · 2 yrs 6 mos

• Diversity & Inclusion is a hot topic, but getting it right for the workplace, society and - most importantly - the people it affects doesn’t happen overnight.
• I get personal with activists & allies who want to share their stories about what they’ve been through & how they’re now creating inclusion and improving diversity through their work.
• The D&Igest, sponsored by Access Volcanic, is here to unpick the why of D&I with insights to help improve workplace D&I.
• Join us: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-d-igest-diversity-inclusion-at-work/id1607041648

Jan 2020 – Jan 2025 · 5 yrs

• Co-founder and founding CEO of Diversely.io, an award winning global tech solution that enables data-powered D&I decisions and AI-driven inclusive hiring.
• Diversely was acquired by The Access Group in August 2023 and will now form part of some of the world's largest recruitment solutions, enabling businesses to track, measure and improve diversity across eight elements whilst ensuring a bias-free hiring process for candidates and clients.

Jan 2020 – Apr 2020 · 3 mos

• Part of Antler's SG4 cohort in early 2020, joining with the purpose of developing, exploring and building the first stages of a tech solution to the issues around D&I for business.

Apr 2016 – May 2020 · 4 yrs 1 mo · Dubai, United Arab Emirates

• As the Founder & CEO I led a team in pioneering the first multi-award-winning women’s careers platform in the MENA region, growing our community from zero to over 80,000 in just three years and expanding to Asia in 2018.
• Through strategic collaborations with brands such as HSBC, Mastercard, Google, LinkedIn, and Nestlé, we placed and trained over 1,000 women, launching return-to-work initiatives in Dubai and Singapore. We also developed a full digital content and social media strategy, while providing in-house training for companies like Avanade, Lenovo, and Unilever.
• I built partnerships with women's and business networks across APAC and MENA, including LeanIn, BBG, and United Women, and led efforts to support non-profits through talent provision. As a lead member of UN Women’s Empowerment Principles, I remained committed to driving gender equality and workplace inclusion, helping to shape a more inclusive professional landscape.
• We drove all PR efforts, securing nearly 200 media features across TV, radio, print, and online, while also creating and sponsoring over 100 events across MENA, APAC, and Europe in partnership with organisations like UN Women, Nama, and Ellevate.
• The brand ultimately folded into my next venture, Diversely, taking our on-ground learnings and turning them into an AI driven global tech solution to the issues of bias and non-inclusion in the workplace.

Aug 2012 – Mar 2016 · 3 yrs 7 mos · Dubai, UAE · On-site

• Brought on board in 2012 to launch Pepsi's dedicated branded content channel, Pepsi Arabia TV
• Built a department from scratch over four years to cater for global and regional clients including Visa, General Electric, Axiom and DTCM
• Conceptualised and developed new and innovative ways of working with content for the BBDO group internationally
• Specialised in Content Strategy and Development, working with local, regional and international BBDO/Proximity offices and clients
• Advisor to BBDO offices in various territories on content creation
• Sourced and managed a portfolio of regional filmmakers, writers, content creators, videographers and contributors
• Oversaw and directed the creation of hundreds of pieces of video, copy, graphics, illustration and film for clients in multiple languages
• Significant new business and pitch work for new and existing clients
• Invited speaker at regional PR, marketing and creative events.

Apr 2011 – Aug 2012 · 1 yr 4 mos · London Area, United Kingdom

• Head of Content for Pulse Radio, a global online electronic music magazine and website with offices in London, Sydney, Cape Town and New York
• Head hunted to launch the site in the UK and Europe in 2011
• Established a portfolio of ongoing partnerships with clubs, brands, labels, DJ's, producers, promoters and festivals across the UK and Europe
• Responsible for securing content exclusivity deals
• Sourced and managed a team of international writers, contributors, editors, videographers, photographers and interns
• Worked with our team of directors to develop the business and promote the site
• Lead editor of all content published from the UK and Europe office
• Left position to move overseas to Dubai in 2012.

May 2010 – May 2011 · 1 yr · London Area, United Kingdom

• Lead Consultant for branded content across UK and international clients including Sony, Buxton, Yellow Pages and M.A.C.
• Conceptualisation, story creation, writing, creating and commissioning branded content broadcast across online, mainstream TV and radio
• Content included podcasts, video, radio interviews, webTV shows and live streams
• Project and account management from initial client contact through research and creation phase to final broadcast and reporting
• Responsibility for sourcing and managing appropriate talent for each campaign
• Responsibility for delivering set KPIs per project
• Qualitative and quantitative research development and analysis
• Team lead on new business development, proposals, proactive approaches and key client meetings
• Management of internal team of execs, directors, writers and media liaison operatives
• Representative of M4DC at key PR and Marketing events.

May 2002 – May 2010 · 8 yrs · BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 1Xtra and BBC Asian Network

• Production of award winning content for daily & specialist shows on radio/online/digital platforms
• Digital seeding & atomization of selected content (videos/short films/blogs/interviews/sessions) across relevant social media/online arenas
• Project management & delivery to air/online of live outside broadcasts & pre-recorded interviews/live sessions
• Event management of University tours & BBC projects, including Asian Network's BBC Electric Proms event 2008
• Successfully pitching creative ideas/show formats & presenters to network managers
• Responsibility for the creative branding of all shows, developing features, formats & music content within teams in line with BBC network briefs
• Analysing audience expectations & listening habits and adapting show content & image to reflect data
• Managing talent & teams, negotiating with external bodies, music related companies & artists
• Writing & proofing online copy & scripts
• Awareness of the wider media environment across commercial & digital platforms
• Development of junior members of staff & presenters- teaching radio, editing & presentation skills
• Advance planning of show schedules around network briefs/priorities