Self-belief, ambition and passion: The top Emirati businesswomen
Gone are the days when men predominantly led the world of business. Things have changed and now women are shaping the future of business across the globe. We’ve rounded up a list of the top Emirati businesswomen who have truly excelled in their respective fields and whose influence stretches way beyond the UAE. So, are you ready to meet these highly inspirational and immensely talented ladies?
EMIRATI BUSINESSWOMEN IN THE UAE GOVERNMENT
DR AISHA BIN BISHR
- She currently serves as a Board Member at Sharjah Research, Technology, and Innovation Park
- Dr Aisha Bint Buti Bin Bisher (commonly known as Dr Aisha Bin Bishr) currently serves as the Director-General for the Smart Dubai office. She is entrusted with transforming Dubai into a full-fledged smart city.
- As a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council, she has 27 years of experience in ICT development.
- She also serves as the chairperson of the Dubai Future Council for Digital Transactions, a part of the Dubai Future Councils initiative launched by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council.
- Dr Aisha is credited with creating “The Smart City Index”, a groundbreaking benchmarking tool that enables the assessment of smart implementations across the globe.
Her Excellency MARYAM ALMHEIRI
- Her Excellency Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri is currently the Head of the International Affairs Office at the Presidential Court of the United Arab Emirates.
- Prior to that, she was the UAE’s Minister of Climate Change and Environment and a member of the COP28 UAE Higher Committee.
- Her Excellency also served as the Minister of State for Food and Water Security.
- As a minister, she has spearheaded many initiatives to promote climate-smart agricultural solutions and has been a significant driving force in marine conservation efforts in the UAE.
- Prior to her role as a minister, Her Excellency headed the Biodiversity, Fisheries, Coastal & Marine Sustainability, and Marine Research Departments as Assistant Undersecretary for Water Resources and Nature Conservation Affairs at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE).
OHOOD KHALFAN AL ROUMI
- Ohood Khalfan Al Roumi is the current Minister of State for Government Development and the Future at The Government of the United Arab Emirates
- As a minister, she oversees several strategic projects such as the UAE Centennial 2071, The National Agenda, the UAE Government Strategy and UAE Vision 2021, to name a few.
- Before her current role, she worked as the Head of the Economic Policy at The Executive Office of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum U.A.E. Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.
SUCCESSFUL EMIRATI BUSINESSWOMEN IN THE UAE’S BANKING AND FINANCE SECTOR
HANA AL ROSTAMANI
- With over 2 decades of experience in the banking and finance industry, Hana Al Rostamani serves as the board member of her family business, AW Rostamani Group, a member of MasterCard Advisory and chairperson of FAB Private Bank Suisse.
- She made headlines in 2021 when she was appointed the first female CEO of First Abu Dhabi Bank, the biggest lender in the UAE.
ROLA ABU MANNEH
- Rola Abu Manneh is the current CEO of Standard Chartered Bank, entrusted with the responsibility of turning UAE into the “five biggest markets for the Standard Chartered Group.”
- Before joining this bank, she was Head of Corporate and Investment Banking (for Abu Dhabi) at First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) and General Manager of FAB’s Wholesale Banking Group.
- As a testament to her efforts, she was listed in the Forbes Middle East’s 100 Power Businesswomen in 2020.
DR SAEEDA JAFFAR
- A financial sector veteran, Dr Syeda Jaffar, is the GM GCC for Visa Group.
- She has formerly held leadership positions in United Arab Bank, Alvarez and Marsal and Bahrain FInTech Bay.
DR RAJA EASA AL GURG
- A well-known figure in the world of business, Dr Raja Al Gurg is the Chairperson and Managing Director of the Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group LLC (ESAG).
- In addition to her current title, she is the president of the Dubai Business Women Council, a board member of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the president of the Dubai Chambers of Commerce and Industry Business Women Committee.
- With a career spanning over a decade, she has achieved several distinguished laurels and awards, such as the “Most Influential Arab Woman in Family Business” award from Forbes Middle East CEOs Forum 2012 and the ‘Excellence in Leadership Award’ from the Global Thinkers Forum 2014.
INFLUENTIAL BUSINESSWOMEN IN THE UAE’S REAL ESTATE SECTOR
MAITHA ALDOSSARI
- Maitha Aldossari is the Chief Executive Officer, Special Projects & Corporate Functions at Emaar Properties PJSC.
- Maitha has occupied several key roles within Emaar in her career spanning over 2 decades.
- She has been the Leader in charge at Emaar Entertainment, Head of Corporate Services and Head of Operations at Emaar Entertainment.
- Maitha has broad experience working in logistics, procurement and operation divisions.
MAJIDA ALI RASHID
- Majida Ali Rashid is the CEO of the Real Estate Promotion and Investment Management Sector in the Dubai Land Department (DLD).
- She played an instrumental role during the “Commercial Property Price Index” launch by DLD in 2021. The index serves as a key benchmarking tool for analysing and performing commercial real estate in Dubai.
- As a testament to her valued contributions as the head of the Investment Management and Promotion Centre, the DLD’s investment arm, Majida Ali Rashid, was presented with the Female CEO of the Year Award from the CEO Middle East Awards.
PROMINENT EMIRATI BUSINESSWOMEN IN CORPORATE LEADERSHIP ROLES
DR DALYA AL MUTHANNA
- Our next pick is Dr Dalya Al Muthanna. Starting her journey from establishing a multi-brand retail organisation, Haya Enterprises, Dalya has come a long way.
- She is the current Managing Director & CEO in the Gulf (UAE, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain)
- Her role entails executing market business strategy across different business verticals, including aviation, energy and healthcare in the UAE. She also leads the organisation’s strategic direction, enabling GE to operate in complex, strategic, up-and-coming markets globally.
- She joined the GE group in 2008 as a part of the organisation’s two-year Experienced Commercial Leadership Programme and has taken up several leadership roles since then. She has created a growth strategy for North Africa, the Middle East and Turkey.
AMINA TAHER
- Amina Taher is the Vice President of Brand, Marketing and Sponsorships for the Etihad Aviation Group and a Board Member at twofour54 Abu Dhabi.
- Before joining the Etihad group, she was the Executive Director of Public Relations and Marketing at Zabeel Investments and Head of Social Development and Sponsorship at Mubadala Investment Company.
- As a fitting testament to her hard work, she was celebrated as one of the top 50 Forbes Power Businesswomen in the Middle East in 2020.
NAJLA AHMED MIDFA
- Considered a patron saint of entrepreneurs in the UAE, Najla Ahmed Al Mifda is the Director and Chairwoman of Corporate Governance, Remuneration & Nominations Committee (CGR&NC)
- She also serves as the Vice Chairperson of the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa).
- Additionally, Najla serves as a board member of the United Arab Bank, Vice Chairman of Young Arab Leaders and Founder of a career development platform, Khayrat.
FAQs ABOUT EMIRATI BUSINESSWOMEN AND MORE
WHO IS THE TOP EMIRATI FEMALE ENTREPRENEUR?
There are many immensely talented female Emirate entrepreneurs out there, showing remarkable feats of success… every day. So, it’s impossible to name just one.
HOW CAN I START A BUSINESS IN DUBAI?
The critical aspect of starting a business in Dubai is understanding the requirements, rules and regulations. Make sure also to know the risks associated with setting up a business. Read our guide on setting up a business in the UAE to get you started.
WHICH ARE THE BEST BUSINESS SET-UP COMPANIES IN THE UAE?
Starting a business can be a daunting task. Therefore, it is recommended to seek guidance from these business setup companies in Dubai to understand the initial stages of operation.
That ends our list of famous Emirati businesswomen in Dubai who have made a mark in business through their strength, knowledge and foresight. MyBayut congratulates these remarkable women on their fantastic achievements, knowing there’s still much more to come. Explore what life is like for working women in Dubai if you plan to move here to work.
Other women are making their mark in different fields across the country. For instance, there are some fabulous female-led restaurants in Dubai. You can also visit the Women’s Museum Dubai to pay tribute to the incredible women of the UAE.
Like their female counterparts, many Emirati businessmen in Dubai have proved how a fusion of talent and purpose could help achieve amazing feats in business and beyond.
Talking about influential men, learn about the Founding Fathers of the UAE, whose contributions have played a pivotal role in shaping the country’s future.
