Malta, June 18, 2025 – The Social Innovation and Global Ethics Forum (SIGEF) Organizing Committee proudly announces the successful conclusion of the SIGEF Women Summit 2025, held on June 17 in Malta. Hosted at the historical Phoenicia Hotel, this powerful edition brought together a distinguished gathering of global leaders, experts, entrepreneurs, and innovators in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The summit opened with remarks by Dr. Ian Borg, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism of Malta, and in opening session 3 by Dr. Miriam Dalli, Minister for the Environment, Energy, and Public Cleanliness, setting a powerful tone for a summit dedicated to action and inclusion.
The event featured a diverse range of notable and inspirational speakers, including:
Featured Speakers:
- 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 & AI 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
Special Guests:
- Joanna Raley – Political-Economic Professional Associate, U.S. Embassy in Malta
- Roja S. Rajan – Head of Cultural Wing in Indian High Commission in Malta
- Li Na – Attachee, Political Section, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Malta
- Aurelia Ferreira – Founder & CEO, Aura Projects
- Jerry Jones – Retired U.S. Military, Founder JB Jones Inspections
- Vibhuti Sharma – Psychologist, Philanthropist & Volunteer
- Elvis Plugis – Marketing Strategist & Board-Level Advisor
- Christiane Daumont – Founder, CD Luxury Consulting
- Michael Bonello – Founder & CEO, Alliance Real Estate Group
- Luke Navin – Managing Director at Century Capital
- Eliahou Leon Parienti – Chairman, Horyou
and many others.
SIGEF Women Awards 2025 Recipients
Celebrating excellence and impact in gender equality, innovation, and inclusion:
- Christiane Caruana – Honored for her strategic leadership in Malta’s international diplomacy and advancement of global women’s causes. (Awarded by Holly Scarfone)
- Salwa Arfaoui – Recognized for empowering women entrepreneurs in the Middle East through inclusive real estate initiatives. (Awarded by Claudia Marigliano)
- Mayara Marinov – Awarded for her transformative mentorship of women-led startups across Latin America. (Awarded by Alina Terletchi)
- Elizabeth de Moraes – Celebrated for her inspirational work in women’s media presence, confidence coaching, and global visibility. (Awarded by Brigitte Othala Von Habsburg)
- Kimia Penton – Honored for her unique impact at the intersection of global program leadership and artistic empowerment. (Awarded by Brenda Lee Grech)
- Shakira Fenech – Acknowledged for her outstanding leadership in women’s empowerment and humanitarian work as Head of SOAR Service at the St Jeanne Antide Foundation, dedicated to supporting survivors of domestic violence and advocating for youth empowerment and gender inclusion. (Awarded by Maria Cristina Madriaga).
Summit Highlights
Summit Themes & Agenda – June 17, 2025
09:00–09:30 Opening Ceremony
09:30–10:45 Session I – Navigating Wealth and Legacy: The Modern Family Office Evolution
11:00–12:30 Session II – Wellness, Balance & Purpose: Redefining Success for Women
12:30–14:00 Networking Lunch
14:00–15:30 Session III – From Policy to Action: Empowering Women for Global Impact
15:30–16:30 Session IV – Leading the Future: Innovation, AI & the New Economy
16:30–17:00 Relaxation Garden – Special Energy Session
17:00–17:45 SIGEF Women Awards Ceremony
18:00–Closing Remarks
Acknowledgements
The SIGEF Organizing Committee extends its deepest thanks to our strategic sponsors and partners:
- Sponsors & Strategic Partners:
- Horyou
- Horyou Foundation
- Visit Malta
- CBI / Alphaverse
- Visit Malta
- Kathryn Luxury Flowers
- Grow & Glow
- Jacquin & Associés
- Palazzo Bifora
Media Partners:
- AFS
- ELLEDGY Magazine
Together, we are building a brighter, more inclusive future for women and girls across the globe.
Global Impact
Since its inception, SIGEF has welcomed thousands of participants from over 80 countries and featured keynote speakers from institutions such as United Nations, UNESCO, UNDP, OECD, and the European Parliament. With a global media reach of over 100 million citizens, the SIGEF Women Summit remains a beacon of hope, connection, and real-world change for gender equality.
For more information, visit: www.sigefwomen.com
Watch the live stream replay:
www.sigefwomen.com/live-streaming
Contact: Yonathan.parienti@gmail.com
+41 79 863 28 69