OUR TEAM

Melissa Mitchell, QPWN Leader

In September 2012, Melissa Mitchell took over as QPWN Leader. 

With more than 25 years of professional experience in Human Resources and Business Management, Melissa brings a strong background in Leadership to our QPWN team.

A few words from Melissa: “I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to lead this fantastic network of outstanding women. I am privileged to continue to champion the vision of QPWN through authentic leadership that serves the community. I am looking forward to an exciting year ahead as we dream together about the amazing opportunities afforded us at this incredibly strategic time in the history of Doha.”

Melissa welcomes your feedback and she can be reached at: [javascript protected email address]

QPWN’s Core Planning Team

QPWN is led by a Core Planning Team of 18-20 volunteers who donate their time, talents and financial resources to make QPWN a success. 

Join QPWN's Core Planning Team
At the start of each year, the QPWN Core Planning Team calls for new volunteers, accepting applications from women who are passionate about making a difference in the community and helping other women to develop and advance.  To apply as a volunteer, please complete the attached form and return to[javascript protected email address].  We will keep your form on file and contact you when we have a need for new volunteers. 

History of QPWN

QPWN was founded by American expat, Christina Zini, in February 2010.  When Christina arrived in Qatar in late 2009, she wanted to make a difference in the local community by developing and mentoring other women.  After discovering that Qatar lacked a professional women’s organisation, Christina decided to start up a group herself, with the support of several other professional women. Christina served as QPWN’s leader from its inception until July 2012, growing QPWN into Qatar’s leading and largest women’s group. Under Christina’s leadership, the group grew to over 1500 members, delivering over 30 events per annum to develop and advance the women of Qatar.  Christina is also the originator of QPWN’s Circle of Pearl mentoring ring, launched in November 2011 to pair seasoned professional women with younger women who are either studying or just entering the workforce. Her role as a community leader and advocate for women’s empowerment has been recognised in numerous publications, including two cover stories in Oryx Media’s Woman Today and The Gulf Times’ The Woman magazines (January/February 2011).

The founding members of the Core Planning Team in 2010 included:

• Christina Zini, QPWN Founder & Leader
• Dr. Mickie Mathes
• Carolin Zeitler
• Elaine Gold
• Nicole van Hattem
• Kimberley Sheedy
• Lena Lenacric
• Janet Smith
• Melissa McKerlie
• Hannah Shelton
• Dr. Rajka Milanovic Galbraith
• Margarita Zuniga
• Estelle Roure
• Yousra Samir
• Senami Apithy
• Dee Murray

For more information about our team, please contact us at [javascript protected email address].