Meet the trailblazing Emirati women shattering glass ceilings and driving the UAE’s future

As the United Arab Emirates marks its annual Emirati Women’s Day this Wednesday, female pioneers are making waves in diverse sectors – from finance and technology to academia and business. These trailblazers are not only paving the way for women’s empowerment in the country but also serving as beacons of inspiration for the young and ambitious.

Their stories of success paint a picture of a country rapidly evolving, where women are not just participants but architects of the future.

Established in 2015 by Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, affectionately known as the “Mother of the Nation,” Emirati Women’s Day stands as a testament to the UAE’s unrelenting commitment to gender equality and women’s advancement. This year, as the country continues its journey toward becoming a global hub of innovation and sustainability, Emirati women are at the forefront, their voices resonating in boardrooms, laboratories, and government offices alike.

In a series of exclusive interviews with Arabian Business, five distinguished Emirati women shared their journeys, challenges, and visions for the future.

Dr. Saeeda Jaffar – Visa

Dr. Saeeda Jaffar’s journey from studying engineering to leading operations at a global financial technology company reflects the diverse opportunities available to Emirati women today.

“The UAE’s strong focus on women’s empowerment has had a significant impact on my career and the opportunities I’ve had,” said the SVP and Group Country Manager, GCC, at Visa.

She credited the country’s initiatives as key enablers of her success.”The government’s initiatives, such as requiring female representation on corporate boards and leading the MENA region in women’s economic participation, helped create a supportive environment for my professional growth,” she said.

Dr. Jaffar’s role at Visa goes beyond corporate leadership; she is actively working to empower the next generation of women entrepreneurs. The “She’s Next” program, which she launched in the region, is a testament to this commitment.

“Today, the program has expanded across all GCC markets, increased its prize money, and attracted numerous participants, which underscores Visa’s commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs,” she explained.

The program addresses key challenges faced by women entrepreneurs, as revealed by Visa’s “Women SMB Digitalization Index.” Dr. Jaffar elaborates, “36 percent of women entrepreneurs face barriers to capital, 51 percent seek new market opportunities, 46 percent want to expand their product range, and 42 percent find networking difficult.”

By providing mentorship, access to capital, and integration into Visa’s ecosystem, “She’s Next” is helping to overcome these hurdles, she added.

Looking to the future, Dr. Jaffar sees immense potential for Emirati women in technology and innovation-driven industries.

“The increasing participation of women in STEM fields (56 percent) positions them well to seize opportunities in technology, engineering, and innovation-driven industries,” she shared.

This statistic, she believes, is a harbinger of a future where Emirati women will play pivotal roles in shaping the UAE’s knowledge-based economy.

Alya Al Zarouni – DIFC Authority

In the bustling heart of Dubai’s financial district, another Emirati woman is making waves. Alya Al Zarouni, Chief Operating Officer of DIFC Authority, brings a fresh perspective on the UAE’s progress in gender equality and the role of financial institutions in fostering women’s empowerment.

“According to the World Economic Forum’s 2024 Global Gender Gap Report, the UAE is ranked as a leading country in gender equality in the region,” she told Arabian Business.

This achievement, she believes, is a source of national pride and personal motivation. “As an Emirati woman, I am not only proud to be a citizen of a nation that celebrates the achievements of women, but furthermore provides limitless opportunities to reach senior leadership positions throughout society,” she added.

The UAE’s commitment to gender equality, Al Zarouni said, goes beyond rhetoric to concrete action.

“The UAE’s leadership has consistently led the way for equal opportunity, most notably by investing in several initiatives and projects targeted at empowering women,” she said. This top-down approach has created a ripple effect across various sectors, including finance.

At DIFC, this commitment to women’s empowerment is deeply ingrained in the organisational culture, according to Al Zarouni.

“At DIFC, we devote our efforts in tapping their skills and potential, which ultimately contributes to the UAE’s growth.”

The focus is on creating an ecosystem that not only supports women but actively enables their success.

“DIFC continues its efforts to embody an ecosystem where women are presented with a supportive and enabling work environment that truly empowers and creates value.”

Al Zarouni also paid tribute to Sheikha Fatima bin Mubarak, the ‘Mother of the Nation’ for “believing in the phenomenal contribution of women towards the progress of the country.”

Sheikha Fatima’s support, she believes, has been instrumental in encouraging Emirati women to achieve pioneering feats across vital sectors.

Looking to the future, Al Zarouni emphasised the importance of collaboration, echoing this year’s Emirati Women’s Day theme, “We Collaborate for Tomorrow.” This spirit of cooperation, she believes, is key to unlocking the full potential of Emirati women and driving the nation’s growth in an increasingly interconnected world.

Nahed Ahmed – NYU Abu Dhabi Institute

Nahed Ahmed, Assistant Director of Public Programming at The NYU Abu Dhabi Insitute, is making significant strides in academia and cultural exchange. Her work in organising groundbreaking talks and encouraging intellectual discourse exemplifies the UAE’s commitment to becoming a global center of knowledge and innovation.

“The UAE’s commitment to empowering women gave me the confidence to take on new challenges, such as organising the first UAE and Gulf-focused talks at NYU Abu Dhabi,” she said. This initiative not only showcased local expertise but also brought global perspectives to the UAE audience, furthering the country’s vision of becoming a melting pot of ideas and cultures.

To highlight the role of mentorship in her career, she shared a personal anecdote. “Professor Philip Kennedy, who was then the Vice Provost of Public Programs, became a mentor who shaped my path with his calm guidance. His support helped me transition from feeling like an outsider to confidently leading initiatives that align with my passion for public programs.”

Ahmed’s experience also highlights the UAE’s emphasis on continuous education and skill development. “I was encouraged to take part in the INSEAD leadership program, pursue a certification in social media marketing, and earn a Certified International Protocol Management Training certificate from the Protocol School of Washington,” she explained. These opportunities, Ahmed believes, have been crucial in equipping her with the diverse skill set needed to excel in her role at NYUAD.

Looking ahead, Ahmed sees technology, AI, and sustainability as key areas of opportunity for Emirati women.

“These sectors are not only important for the future of the UAE but also offer great opportunities for women to lead and make a difference,” she said. Her vision aligns with the UAE’s broader goals of diversification and sustainable development, areas where women’s perspectives and leadership are increasingly valued.

Haif Zamzam – TECOM Group

Haif Zamzam, Senior Vice President of Strategy and Marketing at TECOM Group, is breaking new ground for Emirati women in the cutthroat world of corporate strategy and branding. Her role as the SVP of Strategy and Market at one of the UAE’s leading business enablers puts her at the intersection of policy and practice in women’s empowerment.

In an interview with Arabian Business, Zamzam credited the UAE’s progressive policies for her career trajectory.

“The UAE’s commitment to gender parity has empowered me at all stages of my career to boldly pursue new opportunities and step into leadership roles with confidence,” she stated, adding that initiatives like the UAE Gender Balance Council Strategy 2026 and the Women on International Boards programme were creating an ecosystem where women can thrive.

The impact of these initiatives is tangible, Zamzam said, highlighting that women represent 45 percent of the UAE’s national space sector and nearly 20 percent of its nuclear energy workforce.

These statistics, she said, are not just numbers but indicators of a profound shift in the UAE’s social and economic fabric.

Zamzam’s perspective extends beyond traditional corporate roles. She enthusiastically pointed out the diversification of women’s contributions across all sectors.

“From the first 4 female fighter pilots serving in the military, to the first Emirati female cyclist competing at the recent Olympics in Paris, Emirati women are breaking barriers and expanding the ways in which we contribute to the economy.”

In her role at TECOM Group, Zamzam has a front-row seat to the burgeoning entrepreneurial spirit among Emirati women.

“Aljoud Lootah is a female Emirati designer based at Dubai Design District (d3) who references local heritage and customary patterns in modern products and furniture. Additionally, Majedah Alawadhi, founder of Jod Design Services at d3, started with a home business in 2015 dedicated to digital graphics and has since expanded to include printed stationery and invites, jewellery, footwear, and bespoke products,” she shared.

These success stories, Zamzam believes, are just the beginning.

“Together, these examples highlight the scope of Emirati women’s progress in all spheres of life, and I am eager to see how these new opportunities will continue to unfold,” she said, her words brimming with optimism for the future.

Muna Al Ghurair – Mashreq

In the traditionally male-dominated world of banking and finance, Muna Al Ghurair, Group Head of Marketing & Corporate Communications at Mashreq, is leading by example. Her role in one of the UAE’s oldest and most respected financial institutions places her at the forefront of the country’s economic transformation.

Al Ghurair’s career trajectory mirrors the UAE’s journey in women’s empowerment. She pointed to key milestones that have shaped this landscape.

“Back in 2012, the UAE government was one of the first in the region to issue a decision mandating the inclusion of Emirati women on the boards of directors of federal bodies, private companies, and institutions.”

The impact of such policies, Al Ghurair noted, has been profound.

“Today, women make up 70 percent of all university graduates with a significant literacy rate of 95.8 percent. Additionally, I’m proud to see Emirati women representing 66 percent of the UAE’s public sector workers, with 30 percent in leadership roles and 15 percent in technical and academic roles.”

At Mashreq, Al Ghurair is not just a beneficiary of these policies but an active contributor to the empowerment landscape. As the Chairperson for Ashriqi, a Mashreq-led initiative for women’s networking and mentorship, she is fostering the next generation of female leaders. “At Ashriqi, we work to empower women to harness their potential and lead in their respective fields,” she explained.

The banking sector itself is undergoing a massive transformation, with women playing increasingly significant roles. Al Ghurair proudly shared, “Even for us at Mashreq, women currently represent 36 percent of our global workforce, with a goal to reach a 40:60 gender ratio in the near future.” This push for gender balance, she believes, is not just about equality but about harnessing diverse perspectives for better business outcomes.

Looking to the future, Al Ghurair sees technology, finance, and renewable energy as sectors ripe with opportunity for Emirati women.

“These industries are not only at the forefront of innovation but also align with the UAE’s vision for a sustainable future,” she observed. The combination of strong educational foundations and supportive policies, she said, positions Emirati women to take leading roles in these transformative sectors.

A future shaped by diversity and ambition

As the UAE celebrates Emirati Women’s Day, the stories of these five leaders – Dr. Saeeda Jaffar, Alya Al Zarouni, Nahed Ahmed, Haif Zamzam, and Muna Al Ghurair – stand as powerful testimonies to the nation’s progress in women’s empowerment.

Their diverse experiences, spanning finance, academia, business strategy, and banking, paint a picture of a country where women are not just participating but actively shaping the future across all sectors of society.

The UAE’s journey in women’s empowerment is far from over. As these leaders attest, each milestone reached opens new horizons of possibility. From boardrooms to research labs, from entrepreneurial ventures to public service, Emirati women are redefining leadership and success on their own terms.

This Emirati Women’s Day, the message is clear: in the UAE, the future is not just bright – it’s brilliantly diverse. With women at the helm in key sectors, the nation is poised to continue its trajectory of innovation, sustainability, and inclusive growth.