100 Real Estate Agents: Alessia Sheglova, CEO, DACHA Real Estate

Alessia Sheglova is the CEO of Dacha Real Estate, a Dubai-based property agency specializing in residential sales, leasing, off-plan properties, and commercial real estate. Originally from Russia, Sheglova has lived in Dubai for more than 30 years and has spent 18 years building her career in the emirate’s real estate sector.

She joined Dacha Real Estate in 2008 and was appointed managing director at the age of 21, taking on a leadership role during a challenging period for Dubai’s property market following the global financial crisis. Having experienced multiple market cycles, Sheglova has been involved in the company’s expansion, now with three offices in Dubai with more than 150 agents across multiple divisions.

Today, as CEO, Sheglova oversees Dacha’s overall operations, including business development, marketing, administration, financial management, team development and strategic growth. She has gained experience across different areas of the real estate industry, including leasing, property sales, property management and government relations.

Under her leadership, Sheglova has helped Dacha Real Estate achieve industry recognition through the Bayut Awards. In 2024, Dacha Real Estate was named Agency of the Year (Premium) in the People’s Choice category.

The company also previously won Agency of the Year 2023 (SME) and People’s Choice for Agency of the Year 2023 (SME). In the same year, Sheglova was recognized among the Inspiring Women Leaders in Real Estate.

Founded by her mother, Angelika Sheglova, in 2004, the name Dacha reflects the company’s connection to the international nature of Dubai’s property market. In Russia, a “dacha” traditionally refers to a summer house or cottage outside the city, often used as a second residence. The company adopted the name as many people in Dubai are expatriates who consider the emirate their second home. Today, the company focuses on providing property advisory services to buyers, investors, landlords and tenants, with an emphasis on market knowledge and transparent transactions.

Beyond her role at Dacha Real Estate, Sheglova has developed a strong presence as a real estate content creator. With more than 330,000 followers on Instagram, alongside audiences across various social media platforms, she shares content focused on Dubai’s property market, real estate investment, business and lifestyle. Her platforms are used to educate buyers, investors and real estate professionals about market trends, property opportunities and industry practices.

Sheglova also provides mentorship and training sessions for real estate brokers and home buyers, sharing her experience from nearly two decades in the industry. Through her content and educational initiatives, she has positioned herself as a resource for people looking to understand Dubai’s property sector.

Before joining Dacha Real Estate, Sheglova studied at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, before returning to Dubai to become part of the family business. Since then, she has played a role in strengthening the company’s operations, developing its workforce and supporting the growth of its real estate professionals.

As CEO, Sheglova continues to focus on expanding Dacha Real Estate’s capabilities while supporting the next generation of property consultants. Her career reflects Dubai’s own transformation into a global real estate market, with her work spanning periods of uncertainty, recovery and sustained growth in the sector.

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