The senior-most woman in the UAE’s aviation sector, Laila Hareb left Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority, to join the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) in 2009, and has risen through the ranks ever since.

Now the organisation’s assistant director general, Hareb is becoming an increasingly influential voice in a sector that is estimated to contribute $53bn to the UAE’s GDP by 2020.  Her role also involves helping lead the country’s negotiations on a series of key issues, such as airspace-sharing, open skies and emissions.

Internationally, the Emirati National was recognized as one of the 70 Inspiring Women of the World by the International Aviation Women’s Association and won a Stevie Award in 2014 for her contribution to aviation. She was also recognised by Dubai Quality Group in 2015 as one of the leading female professionals in the aviation industry.