29 May 2025
LWK + PARTNERS at INDEX Dubai 2025: Rethinking Inclusion and Leadership in the Architecture & Design Industry
At this year’s INDEX Dubai, LWK + PARTNERS was proud to join a vital conversation on workplace equity, inclusion, and the realities of returning to work in the architecture and design sectors. Kerem Cengiz, Managing Director – MENA, took the stage at the Workspace Talks on 29 May 2025, contributing to the panel discussion at Workspace, Dubai World Trade Centre titled:
“Return to Work Mums in the A&D Industry: The Comeback Isn’t Always Smooth, But It’s Powerful”
Moderated by Esther Echeverria, Founder of L&C Recruitment, the panel brought together professionals and changemakers advocating for a more compassionate, flexible, and human-centred design industry. The conversation shed light on the challenges returning mothers face—including bias, burnout, and career disruption—and proposed real strategies for systemic change.
Panelists included:
+Leali Ezzat, Founder & Design Director – Ele Interior Design
+Nour Toubia Daou, Founder – Nour Toubia Design
+Nurain Jamal, Co-Founder – Majara DXB
+Kerem Cengiz, Managing Director – LWK + PARTNERS
Kerem shared his perspective on what leadership looks like in today’s evolving workplace culture—highlighting the role of design firms in nurturing inclusive environments that value empathy, flexibility, and emotional intelligence as much as performance.
Key points from the session included:
+Rethinking success and productivity in an industry known for hustle culture
+The importance of creating return-to-work pathways that don’t penalise motherhood
+Designing policies and environments that reflect the realities of modern life
+The long-term value of inclusive leadership in driving innovation and resilience
This session underscored the urgent need to rewrite the narrative around caregiving and leadership in architecture. At LWK + PARTNERS, we are committed to shaping not just the built environment—but also the culture and systems that support those who create it.
