Women Entrepreneur

The Middle East Young Talents Program marks its 12th edition, celebrating Arab women advancing STEM and empowering 63 researchers with AED3.8 million in endowments.

"Chase things that excite you, that make you think, give yourself time to enjoy the little moments, and stop scrolling social media for inspiration of what your life should be like."

"Success without balance is unsustainable. I've learned that financial and emotional security are deeply connected."

Zafar led Phoenix Group's historic IPO on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange in 2023.

"The mindset shift I recommend is this: don't chase "having it all." Instead, define what matters most to you, and align your choices around that."

"My greatest achievement is not just one project or company, but the fact that I built a path where opportunities for myself and my family are limitless, and where I can also create opportunities for others."

"For me, the definition of success today means freedom in decision-making, the ability to choose how I spend my time, who I work with, and what I create and how I prioritize."

"For me, success is waking up every day inspired, creating something that carries meaning, and seeing people connect emotionally with what we do."

Sajwani holds one of the largest networks of real estate agents and brokers in the region, comprising over 3,000 professionals.

"The meaning of life is to leave it as a more advanced version of yourself than when you entered it. To me, the purpose of life is a kind of spiritual upgrade. We evolve not just for ourselves, but to light the path for others."

Known for her dynamic and engaging personality, Mardinian is passionate about helping others feel confident through beauty transformations.

"If you're a professional who has spent years mastering your craft, you should also value the expertise of people who have mastered theirs."

"What started out as a personal mission tremendously grew into something bigger than one-to-one therapy and today Dzeny gives people around the world access to timely support anytime, anywhere."

"The more you know yourself — how you react, what drives you, what scares you —the better your chances of success and of living a full life that includes everything that matters."

"I came to the point when I turned down a role that offered me more seniority, more money, more spotlight, but less purpose. However, I was convinced that this was the right thing to do and I managed to convince the key stakeholders. It worked out very well and I found myself to be truly energized and even more committed to succeed.

"To anyone seeking to balance career, money, and life, I would say: be clear about your values, never lose sight of why you are running your race."

It's really about investing in yourself, and putting your time and money into your business."

"If I could give one mindset shift, it would be this - Do not chase money, chase stability. When you are stable, the money flows naturally."

"Running a jewelry brand means living between markets, metal prices, and creativity — balance is non-negotiable. I've learned to make discipline my ally: I start each day early, review numbers, but then consciously switch to the creative side — sketching, planning campaigns, or reflecting in silence."

"The point of creating any video content is to raise awareness and attract people. You attract them first, and then they can go to your website, call you, and find all the information they want."

The MENA region stands at a defining moment. By harnessing the talents of all its people, it can unlock innovation, resilience, and growth.

Six steps to reclaim your power.

"The question isn't whether sustainability matters– it's whether you're moving on it while competitors hesitate."

The impressive speaker lineup also included prominent UAE government leaders.

AI reflects the world as it's described to it. If those descriptions are predominantly male, we risk perpetuating systems that overlook women's lived experiences.

"The modern CFO must be both economist and ethicist — recognising that how we finance growth is as important as what we grow. Profitability and responsibility are not at odds."