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Shereen Tawfiq, (Arabic: شيرين توفيق; born 10 November 1977) is a Saudi businesswoman and trailblazer and one of the first 5 women kingdom-wide to work in banking alongside men back in 2000. Her banking career (corporate and investment) spans over a decade as she worked in both Saudi and the UK. She is the first Saudi woman to obtain a Wharton MBA back in 2012. In 2015 She was appointed as an Advisor to Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Economy and Planning, where she headed the private sector growth program.

In 2021, Shereen acquired BALINCA, a board-game simulation training that brings the fun back to finance to empower entrepreneurs and business professionals by using Montessori-based gamification. Shereen has been featured on CNN, Harvard Business Review and Fortune magazine.

Early Years
Shereen grew up in Saudi Arabia in a family of four daughters and no sons. Her father insisted that she and her sisters get the best possible education so that they could be financially independent.

Shereen's first encounter with personal finance was at the age of 12 when her father gave her a hefty allowance and a small blue notebook. His only condition was that she must record her expenses and not ask for any additional money. She soon learned the difference between an asset and a liability. At an early age she discovered how to invest and grow her money.

Education
Shereen Tawfiq attended King Abdulaziz University in Saudi Arabia and in 2012, she became the first Saudi woman to hold an MBA from Wharton in 2012

Career
In 2000, Shereen was the first Saudi woman to work with men in corporate banking (Saudi-Fransi bank in Jeddah, KSA) until 2010

In 2011, Shereen was the first Saudi woman to work at Deutsche Bank in London (mergers & acquisitions team).

Four years later, she worked as an advisor to the minister of economy in Saudi Arabia.

Life-Changing Experiences
In 2011, Shereen decided to face her fears of public speaking and self-expression. She was the first Saudi woman to join an expedition to Antarctica, an experience that changed her life.

The expedition included a number of challenging activities in tough conditions and the only way to survive was to work in teams and to speak up when there is a risk.

Shereen came out of Antarctica expedition with unforgettable experiences, and again she was the first Saudi woman to join Marine Corps Base Quantico, training for civilians (US Special Forces)

Experiential Learning
Realizing the value of hands-on and experiential learning, Shereen designed and delivered the first Saudi-British military-based boot-camp for corporate executives.

Then she expanded her expertise to become a senior trainer with Insights Discovery and senior trainer and the only Arabic speaking trainer with LUMA Institute

In 2021, Shereen acquired BALINCA globally, demystifying finance statements by the engaging methods of experiential learning.

Awards and recognition

 * 2007, Shereen was nominated as one of the top 20 Saudi women by Arab News
 * 2022, BALINCA won “The Most Innovative Company Award” with Fast Company, in the women-backed category
 * 2023, Shereen got recognized as one of EY winning women entrepreneurs (Cohort of 2023)

Women-Backed Company supporting other women
Shereen considers her mission is to empower everyone, especially women, to realize their full potential and become financially astute.

With nearly 80% of BALINCA's Team are ladies, located in different countries around the world, BALINCA's corporate social responsibility is creating Special Programs for underprivileged women through Monshaat

Interviews and Podcasts

 * Interview with Financial Freedom Today
 * Interview with Fortune Arabia
 * Featured in Entrepreneur Middle East
 * Podcast with LovinDubai
 * Featured in Harvard Business Review
 * Featured in CNN Business
 * Podcast with HeronCode

Personal Life
Shereen strives for keeping the work-life balance as she is married and a mom of two kids.