“As a junior scholar from the Middle East with a research focus on women entrepreneurs in the MENA region, my journey with the MENGEN mentoring for publication program, generously sponsored by BABSON, has been crucial for my academic development.  I was fortunate to be assigned with Prof. Natalia Vershinina as my mentor. Her mentorship was not just an exercise in academic rigor but a nurturing process that honed my thoughts and ideas into a coherent and impactful narrative. Under her mentorship, I achieved a significant milestone: a single-authored publication titled: “Women Entrepreneurs in the Gulf States: Taking Stock and Moving Forward” in the prestigious ‘Entrepreneurship and Regional Development Journal’. This paper, now listed under a new category, ‘THE BOLD TYPE: JUNIOR SCHOLARS’ INITIATIVE’, is a testament to the program’s commitment to empowering emerging voices in academia. This journey with MENAGEN, under Professor Vershinina’s mentorship, has been more than educational; it has been an empowering experience that has allowed me to maintain and amplify my voice as a young scholar. The success of this experience is not just a personal achievement but an example of the potential that dedicated mentorship and structured guidance can contribute to the field of entrepreneurship research. I am immensely grateful for this opportunity, which has not only supported my academic growth but also underscored the importance of inclusive and supportive environments in nurturing the next generation of scholars.”

–  Sumaya Hashim

“I consider myself fortunate to have had Dr Hayfa Tlaiss as my mentor during the development of my paper, which has now been successfully published in a prestigious journal. The paper focused on women’s digital entrepreneurship in the context of Palestine. Hence, Dr Tlaiss brought a wealth of experience in researching women’s entrepreneurship in the Arab world, particularly within politically unstable contexts. Our regular meetings proved instrumental in refining the paper and preparing it for submission to the Entrepreneurship and Regional Development Journal. Dr Tlaiss offered invaluable insights, guiding me through the intricacies of the research process and elevating the quality of the paper. Recognising her significant contributions, I extended an invitation for her to co-author the paper with me, a collaboration that added depth and expertise to the final publication. The citation for the paper is provided below for your reference. I am currently engaged in discussions with Dr Tlaiss to embark on additional research projects, and I look forward to furthering our collaboration in the realm of women’s entrepreneurship.”

Althalathini, D. and Tlaiss, H. (2023). Of resistance to patriarchy and occupation through a virtual bazaar: An Institutional Theory Critique of the Emancipatory Potential of Palestinian Women’s Digital Entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship & Regional Development. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/08985626.2023.2241412.

– Doa’a Althalathini 

“MPP – Renewable Energy for Brightening the Light We Carry”

“As a PhD student, I entered the MENAGEN Mentorship Programme (MPP 2022-2023) as someone who chose to go against the grain of a typical Mentee without any fear of consequences. However, the intentional thrust of the MPP bolstered my belief to march through the challenges of being at the start of the of data collection phase and to face the fears (real and imaginary) of being inexperienced as an Early Career Researcher. Although the imposter syndrome has never been a concern for me, the MPP has taught me to marry my capacity and capability with experienced guidance and support that was instrumental to navigate and grow in my research development. The mere fact that I was accepted in the Programme was an achievement for me. I worked closely with my assigned mentors and thanks to the inclusive approach of MENAGEN, my biggest achievement in the MPP is the preparation of a Full Paper entitled “Fostering Female Entrepreneurship in the Caribbean: Transformative Prospects through Digital Technologies.” This paper was accepted and was presented at the 2023 ISBE conference and ultimately was awarded the Best Paper in the Technology Entrepreneurship track. Indeed, this was a pleasant surprise! More importantly, this is a major impetus to refine the paper for publication in a suitable journal such as IJBER. Additionally, the experience gained, and the various interactions at the ISBE Conference are seen as “lightening rods” towards reframing the paper to focus specifically on the resilience of female entrepreneurship for presentation at the 2024 BCERC and Doctoral Consortium and ultimately for publication in a relevant academic journal such as FER.
All in all, as a third year PGR Student, the more I reflect on my experience, the more I realise that the MPP has resulted in some unintended yet, welcomed achievements such as the broadening of my academic network and providing opportunities to better understand obscure cultural realities in the MENA region, as well as facilitating access to non-traditional information that are useful to expand one’s perspective in the field of entrepreneurship. These are deemed priceless in enhancing my interest to contribute towards advancing the field of entrepreneurship through “meaningful heterodoxies.
In the end, being an atypical Mentee is a spirited complement that I hope will continue to brighten the path towards the aforementioned planned journal publications and much more.”

– Beverly Best

“My research journey in research and entrepreneurship actually started with grassroots engagement—volunteering and working closely with marginalised women in Egypt. This hands-on experience shaped my research direction and deepened my commitment to understanding the realities of women entrepreneurs in these communities.

I see them as true entrepreneurs—not the mainstream Forbes narratives, but those who build businesses despite immense challenges. My focus is on exploring various ways to support them, whether through digital tools, policy advocacy, or alternative models that recognise their resilience and agency. As an academic, I strive to challenge dominant narratives and push for approaches that acknowledge and elevate these women’s realities rather than imposing top-down solutions. I integrate these insights into my teaching and research, aiming to bridge the gap between theory and practice as much as possible. My goal is to contribute to policies and initiatives that truly support underserved women entrepreneurs in marginalised communities rather than perpetuate tokenism or dependency.

Being part of the MENAGEN network has been invaluable—not just professionally, but personally. The academic world can often feel challenging and competitive, and imposter syndrome is a very real experience. But through MENAGEN, I found my place, my tribe, my community. From the moment I joined, I was welcomed by the founding team and a network of junior and senior scholars who are not only brilliant researchers but also kind, supportive, and genuinely invested in each other’s success. Their encouragement and mentorship reassured me that my work mattered and that I belonged in this space.

Winning the Best Paper Award in the Women/Gender Track at the first IERC conference was a deeply personal milestone. It validated years of work that began with my grassroots engagement with marginalised women entrepreneurs. My research is not just an academic pursuit—it is deeply intertwined with the lived experiences, struggles, and resilience of the women I have worked with and learned from. This recognition felt like an acknowledgment of their stories, voices, and the alternative entrepreneurial narratives that often go unheard in mainstream discourse. I can’t wait to go back to the women and celebrate with them the award. It was also significant because, like many early-career researchers, I have navigated moments of doubt and imposter syndrome in academia. To have my work recognised at a conference dedicated to entrepreneurship reinforced that my research has potential impact and belongs in these critical discussions.

It wasn’t just about winning an award; it was about the encouragement to keep going and pushing for change. The journey began with the ISBE RAKE award, which allowed me to gather the data and explore research that is close to my heart. MENAGEN then helped me take it further, offering invaluable mentorship and support as I work toward publication. Through the mentorship program, I now have the opportunity to publish this work alongside highly respected scholars—people I once saw as distant figures but who, through MENAGEN, became approachable mentors and collaborators.

This network has provided me with not only academic support but also friendships, meaningful conversations, and a space where I feel seen and heard. MENAGEN has opened doors I never thought possible and has motivated me to continue my research, challenge dominant narratives, and contribute to meaningful change in our field.”

– Christine Samy

“My research journey into women’s entrepreneurship was shaped by firsthand observations while living and studying in Sweden. There, I saw how women from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds navigate entrepreneurship amidst overlapping challenges of gender, racialization, migration status, and socio-economic positioning.  These experiences revealed systemic blind spots—exclusions within entrepreneurial ecosystems that often undervalue the resilience and innovation these women bring. I felt compelled to explore these dynamics, not only to document the barriers they face but also to highlight the strategies they use to reclaim legitimacy and navigate complex systems. 

The MENAGEN Mentoring for Publication Program (MPP) was instrumental in transforming these observations into a rigorous and theoretically grounded research project. The program’s mentorship and critical feedback helped me sharpen my focus, deepen my engagement with intersectional feminist theory, and craft a conceptual contribution that bridges lived experience with scholarly insight. Through this process, my early reflections evolved into a nuanced paper that interrogates ecosystem exclusions and highlights the strategic agency of women navigating complex terrains.

A turning point from my MPP experience came through detailed, intellectually demanding feedback on an early draft of my paper. It pushed me to refine my argument, think more critically, and deepen my engagement with intersectional feminist theory. That process reshaped my approach to writing and ultimately led to the paper that received the Best Conceptual Paper Award at the Diana International Research Conference 2025.

Being part of the MENAGEN network has been one of the most transformative experiences in my academic journey. The program offered more than just structured mentorship—it created a vibrant intellectual community where I felt both supported and challenged. Engaging with senior scholars and peers who shared a commitment to inclusive, gender-focused research helped me refine my ideas and situate them within broader theoretical and empirical debates.

Working with Prof. Carol Ekinsmyth was an absolute pleasure. She is not only intellectually sharp but also incredibly warm and encouraging. We had a wonderful time developing several papers together from my PhD. Her mentorship gave me confidence in my voice as a scholar. The accountability built into the program helped me stay focused and productive, while the collaborative and collegial environment reminded me that research is not a solitary pursuit—it thrives through exchange, openness, and shared purpose.

On a personal level, the program reaffirmed my identity as a scholar working at the intersection of entrepreneurship, gender, and social justice. It helped me claim space in academic conversations that often overlook the voices and experiences I aim to center in my work.

This journey has not only been about research—it has been about connection, growth, and purpose. I truly recommend MENAGEN, especially for early-career researchers working on gender and entrepreneurship. It is a rewarding and necessary initiative.”

– Aziza Al Ghafri

“My journey in research and entrepreneurship has been shaped by both academic inquiry and a deep personal connection to the region I study. Coming from Bahrain, I’ve always been interested in how women creatively negotiate cultural norms in pursuit of economic agency. This led me to explore entrepreneurship as both a livelihood strategy and a form of empowerment. 

In my research, I aim to decolonize dominant narratives in entrepreneurship theory by bringing in perspectives grounded in religion, gender, and local culture. My long-term goal is to contribute to policy, theory, and practice that supports inclusive, context-aware entrepreneurial ecosystems in the MENA region.

One of my core research contributions is the paper “From Constraint to Catalyst: Reframing Religiosity as a Driver of Digital Entrepreneurship in Arab-Muslim Contexts,” which advances institutional theory by examining how religiosity shapes female digital entrepreneurship in socially restrictive settings. It addresses a notable gap at the intersection of religion and entrepreneurship, challenging the dominant view of religiosity as merely a structural constraint and conceptualizing it as a potential enabler of entrepreneurial agency. The empirical analysis reveals that religiosity moderates the relationship between social restrictions and the adoption of digital technologies. When aligned with religious norms, digital tools can open up new, socially acceptable avenues for women to engage in entrepreneurship without directly confronting prevailing gender expectations. By embedding digital entrepreneurship within the socio-religious fabric of the Arabian Gulf, the paper offers a more nuanced, contextually grounded understanding of how religion, gender, and technology co-evolve to shape entrepreneurial strategies.

Presenting this work at the Diana International Research Institute (DIRI) conference in Auckland was deeply meaningful. Receiving the Best Paper by a Junior Scholar award for this paper, and Runner-Up Best Paper by a Junior Scholar for my second contribution, “The Moderating Role of Religiosity in the Relationship Between Technology Adoption and Resilience,” was a moment of quiet affirmation. It wasn’t just about recognition—it was about the encouragement to keep going and the importance of research that engages with lived realities and embraces complexity.

I am grateful for the mentoring provided by the MENAGEN Mentoring for Publication Program (MPP), supported by the Babson Global Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership. MENAGEN has given me access to a community of scholars and mentors who truly understand the layered challenges and opportunities in our region. The network has been instrumental in refining my research focus, especially by encouraging the integration of cultural and gendered perspectives into entrepreneurship studies. Knowing that there is a platform that values and promotes context-specific research has been deeply motivating. I’m grateful for the intellectual support and mentorship I’ve received—it has helped shape the direction of my work and bolstered my confidence at key moments. 

Deepest thanks to my incredible mentor Bettina Lynda Bastian for her unwavering guidance, and to Diana Hechavarria for her support and encouragement throughout this journey.”

– Reem Jasim