Noura Al Kaabi, chief executive of twofour54, has become the first woman from the Middle East and North Africa region to be selected for LinkedIn's Global Influencer Programme.

The platform is aimed at nominating leaders to share insights and discuss topics of interest on the professional social network.

About 500 people – including Vice President and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, US president Barack Obama and Microsoft founder Bill Gates – hold the LinkedIn Influencer badge globally which has been by an invitation-only basis since its launch in 2013.

Ms Al Kaabi is a board member of the National Media Council, Abu Dhabi Media, Image Nation and the United Arab Emirates University. She is also a chairwoman in the Emirates Media Measurement Company.

Ms Al Kaabi has also been a committee member on the Federal National Council and Economic Development Committee since 2011. In 2014, she was named as one of Forbes Middle East's 30 Most Influential Women in Government; and was awarded Business Woman of the Year at the Gulf Business Industry Awards.

LinkedIn announced earlier this year that it was trying to attract more users in the Middle East with the launch of its Arabic language service.

According to LinkedIn, the Middle East and North Africa has more than 14 million users.
Source: The National