WE Boardroom Hosts Warner Bros. Discovery Finance Leader for Candid Dialogue on Leadership, Resilience, and SME Realities
Apr 16, 2026Dubai, UAE — WE Global Network hosted its latest edition of WE Boardroom, bringing together women-led SME founders for a closed-door, high-level discussion with Priyanka D’Souza, Vice President – Finance at Warner Bros. Discovery, overseeing Central Europe, MENA, and Turkey.
The session was held at Black Swan Business Centre, the official venue partner for WE Boardroom, founded by Rupa Jha, and brought together a curated group of founders for what evolved into one of the most intimate and multidimensional discussions to date.
Beyond Business: Conversations on Leadership and Personal Growth
While WE Boardroom is typically centred on bridging SMEs and corporate ecosystems, this session extended into deeply personal territory — particularly around leadership journeys and growth.
Priyanka shared insights from her professional journey across global organisations, including her rise to a senior leadership role. The conversation resonated strongly with members as it reflected the realities of building a career from the ground up.
A key theme that emerged was the intersection of ambition and personal responsibility, with Priyanka speaking candidly about navigating leadership while raising two children. This sparked meaningful dialogue among members, many of whom are balancing business growth with personal commitments. The discussion reflected the importance of women entrepreneurs networking in Dubai, where shared journeys create stronger growth pathways.
Navigating Uncertainty: Business Realities in the Current Market
The discussion also addressed the broader economic climate, particularly the impact of ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region and how businesses are adapting.
Participants openly shared how current uncertainties are affecting:
- Revenue visibility and forecasting
- Hiring decisions and salary structures
- Cost optimisation strategies
- Business continuity planning
Several SME founders spoke about real-time adjustments being made within their businesses — including restructuring teams, optimising operational costs, and exploring cross-border workforce models to sustain operations during uncertain periods. Participants openly shared how businesses are adapting, aligning closely with insights on what UAE SME owners should do in the current market.
The Evolving Role of Finance Leaders
One of the most impactful insights from the session was the shift in how finance leadership functions within modern organisations.
Priyanka highlighted that finance heads today are no longer limited to traditional roles focused solely on P&L management and cost-cutting. Instead, they operate as strategic business partners, actively contributing to growth decisions across the organisation.
This includes:
- Identifying when to invest in marketing and business growth
- Supporting employee wellbeing and retention initiatives
- Balancing cost control with long-term sustainability
- Enabling decision-making that aligns with overall business strategy
This perspective reframed finance as a growth enabler rather than just a control function, offering a valuable takeaway for SME founders building their own organisations.
Financial Discipline and Business Continuity
From a finance lens, the session reinforced the importance of clarity and control during uncertain times.
Key discussions included:
- Understanding business runway and survival capacity
- Making proactive, data-driven decisions
- Prioritising sustainability over short-term gains
- Maintaining visibility over cash flow and operational efficiency
These insights were particularly relevant for SMEs navigating fluctuating market conditions.
A Safe Space for Honest Business Conversations
True to its format, WE Boardroom created an environment where participants could engage in open, honest, and unfiltered conversations.
Members not only asked strategic questions but also shared real challenges they are currently facing, creating a collaborative atmosphere built on trust and shared experiences. The session reinforced the importance of authentic marketing without being salesy, focusing on value-driven conversations over promotion.
Strengthening the SME–Corporate Ecosystem
This edition of WE Boardroom demonstrated how the platform continues to evolve — not just as a space for corporate access, but as a forum for leadership thinking, resilience, and real-world problem-solving.
By facilitating meaningful dialogue between corporate leaders and SME founders, WE Global Network continues to bridge the gap between ecosystems through understanding, access, and shared insight. These conversations also connect to broader strategies on how SMEs can reach corporate decision-makers in the UAE.
About WE Boardroom
WE Boardroom is a private, members-only initiative by WE Global Network, designed to connect women-led SMEs with senior corporate leaders through curated, closed-door discussions. Each session is intentionally limited to ensure meaningful engagement and high-value exchange.
Join WE Global Network
WE Global Network is a premium, women-only business community for established and scaling entrepreneurs, founders and CEOs. Through curated networking events, international delegations and strategic collaborations, we connect you with the people, opportunities and insights to grow across markets. If you’re leading a serious, growth-focused business and want to be in a room of women who think as big as you do, this is your circle.
