AUS alumni entrepreneur wins Cartier Women’s Initiative Award

Iba Masood, a graduate of American University ofSharjah (AUS), recently won the Cartier Women's Initiative Award 2012 as thelaureate for the Middle East and North Africa along with five otherinternational laureates. The awards were announced at a gala ceremony held atthe Annual Global Meeting of the Women's Forum in Deauville, France.

The Cartier Women's Initiative Awards were createdin 2006 by Cartier and the Women's Forum for the Economy and Society, inpartnership with INSEAD Business School and McKinsey & Company. The Awardsare an annual international business plan competition for women entrepreneurs.Every year, six Laureates receive US $20,000, coaching support for a full year,access to international networks and media visibility and an exclusive trophydesigned by Cartier.

"I am honored to receive The Cartier Women'sInitiative Award this year," said Masood. "It was a valuable experience to bepart of this wonderful journey with Cartier and I am thankful to the team forthe professional coaching and financial support to help me scale up my businessfor long-term success," she added. Masood's application was chosen from one of1,000 applications worldwide and was picked above two other candidates from theMiddle East and North Africa region.

Iba Masood graduated from AUS in 2010 with abachelor's degree in finance. After interning at GE and McKinsey & Companyand a brief stint working as an account executive, Masood founded startupcareers portal Gradberry, aimed as a hub for student internships and jobs fornew graduates in the Middle East. Gradberry currently has a presence in 550 universitiesglobally and is now posting jobs from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Ireland andthe UK.