In this event, our guest speakers drew from their experience as Prof Emeratus and businesswomen and explore contributions and challenges of women in academia and business. Despite  the glass ceiling, which symbolizes the invisible barriers to women's advancement in the workplace,  Al Deen and Rahman will discuss the significance of women in the workplace and academia, as well as the challenges they face in both realms.

Prof. Aminah Beverly (McCloud) Al-Deen is professor emerita of Islamic Studies in the Department of Religious Studies at DePaul University. In 2006, she founded the United States’ first undergraduate baccalaureate program in Islamic World Studies. She is the former Editor in Chief of the Journal of Islamic Law & Culture. 

Dr. Al-Deen is a Senior Fulbright Scholar, host of Critical Talk a Muslim Network TV production, executive board member of IMAN (Inner City Muslim Action Network), bo ard member of Soundvision, Muslim Mental Health, Muslim Arc, Greenwood Policy Institute and the American editor for the Muslim Minorities in the West Series for Brill Publishers. 

Farzana Rahman is a highly accomplished toy designer, entrepreneur, and Managing Director at The Desi Doll Company Ltd. As a recipient of the prestigious Queen's Award in 2020 and the Inclusive Innovation Award in 2022/23, she is celebrated for her exceptional contributions to the toy industry and her commitment to inclusive innovation. She designed and launched best-selling plush talking dolls "Aamina and Yousuf" that help children learn about Islam in an interactive and fun way.