Arison among "Forbes" 100 most powerful women

Shari Arison, ranked 64, is the only Israeli on the "Forbes" list, which is topped by German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Arison is the controlling chairwoman of Bank Hapoalim (TASE: POLI) and Shikun & Binui Holdings Ltd. (TASE: SKBN), which she inherited from her late father, Ted Arison. "She is not your typical heiress", in the words of "Forbes". India's president of Congress Party Sonia Gandhi is number 7 on the list, followed by IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde, and Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg, at number 10, and Burmese Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Aug San Suu Kyi is number 19.

"Forbes" writes, "Based in Tel Aviv, the 54-year-old is on a mission to be a force for good in business. Her companies are guided by her spiritual values. Among them: sustainability, financial freedom and volunteering. Her investments and philanthropy focus on abundance rather than scarcity. The legacy of the business may be her father’s, but the future is hers." Arison said, “I’m going to do things my way."

"She founded global water efficiency company MIYA in 2006, which is currently modernizing out-of-date water systems in the Philippines and the Bahamas. Last year she launched online social platform Goodnet.org to support volunteer work and community service, and partnered with MTV to expand her international initiative Good Deeds Day, meant to inspire people around the world to do a good deed for others."

Arison told "Forbes", "When I first took over the businesses, I felt it was very important to be respectful of what I inherited. So for many years I had in place the same management, the same board members, the same visions. After several years, I decided: Now it’s my time, and I’m going to do things my way. I created a group that’s a business and philanthropic groupI see it as one, not separateand implemented values and vision in each one of the organizations. For instance, Shikun & Binui is an international infrastructure and real estate company that I’ve turned into a 100% sustainable company."

She added that the reason for her motto, “doing good is good business," is that, "I think it’s really important to do good. It’s important to think good, speak good and do good. If we want to see positive change in the world, then we need to connect to goodness. I try in everything I do, both in business and philanthropy, to make a positive change and do that by doing good."

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on August 23, 2012

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