Top 10 Most Powerful Emirati Women

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a land of innovation and progress, and its remarkable rise on the global stage is significantly attributed to the influential women driving change. From leading businesses to pioneering social initiatives, these trailblazing women are making their mark across various sectors. Here, we spotlight the 10 most powerful women in the UAE whose leadership and vision are shaping the future of the nation.

Dr Aisha Bin Bishr

Dr Aisha Bint Buti Bin Bisher (commonly known as Dr Aisha Bin Bishr) served as the Director-General for the Smart Dubai office. She is responsible for enacting the city’s ‘Smart Transformation Goal’.

Smart Dubai has launched 130 initiatives with government and private sector entities, including the Dubai Data Initiative, the Happiness Agenda and the Dubai Paperless Strategy.

Bin Bishr led the creation of “The Smart City Index,” which was the first-ever benchmark for smart city implementation across the globe in cooperation with ITU and the UN.

Before taking up her current role, Bin Bishr served as the Assistant Director General of the Dubai Executive Office and worked as the Assistant Undersecretary of the U.A.E. Ministry of Labor.

HE Ohood Al Roumis

Ohood Bint Khalfan Al Roumi is the Minister of State for Government Development and Future. Formerly the first Emirati Minister of Happiness.

Al Roumi 2015 she was appointed as a member of the UN’s Global Entrepreneurship Council, becoming the first Arab member to secure that position.

She holds an Executive Masters Degree in Business Administration from the University of Sharjah.

HE Mona Al Marri

Mona Al Marri is the Vice President and Managing Director of the Dubai Media Office.

Al Marri was also President of the Dubai Press Club, Secretary General of the Arab Journalism Award, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Arab Media Forum, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Arab Social Media Pioneers Summit, and a member of the Emirates Experts Program.

Mona Al Marri began her career in the field of women's empowerment and support in the year 2003 when Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum chose her as her deputy in the presidency of the Dubai Ladies Club.

 

HE Noura Al Kaabi

Her Excellency Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi is Minister of State for UAE's Ministry of Affairs and International Cooperation. She was named Minister of Culture and Youth in July 2020.

Al Kaabi has worked as the Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development and Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs to act as the key link between the Cabinet and the Federal National Council.

H.E. Noura Al Kaabi holds a B.A. in MIS from UAE University in 2001 and has also completed the Executive Leadership Programme from London Business School in 2011.

HE Lubna bin Khalid bin Sultan Al Qasimi

She is an Emirati politician who has served as the Minister of State for Tolerance, Minister of State for International Cooperation, and Minister of Economics and Planning of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

She became the first woman in the UAE to hold a ministerial position. 

Hoor Al Qasimi

She served as the President and Director of the Sharjah Art Foundation. Al Qasimi has supported the contemporary art scene in the UAE and helped the field flourish. She also promotes Arab art internationally. 

Al Qasimi currently works as the Artistic Director for the Biennale of Sydney and Aichi Triennale. 

Raja Easa Al Gurg

Raja Easa Al Gurg is the first Emirati woman on the Board of HSBC Bank Middle East Limited. She is the Managing Director of the Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group, the biggest conglomerate in the Middle East that focuses on retail, construction, industrial and joint ventures and a Board Member of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Al Gurg is also Vice Chairman of the Board for the National Bank of Fujairah and for the Mohammed bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences. 

She is an alumnus of Kuwait University with a degree in English Literature.  

Maitha Al Dossari

Maitha Al Dossari, Chief Executive Officer of Special Projects & Corporate Functions at Emaar Properties PJSC. 

Maitha has occupied several key roles within Emaar. She has been the Chief Operating Officer of Emaar Entertainment.

Amina Taher

Amina Taher is the Vice President of Brand Marketing and Sponsorships for the Etihad Aviation Group.

Taher joined Etihad in January 2013.

Amina Taher gained an MBA degree from London Business School and an MPA degree from Harvard University's Kennedy School.

She was celebrated as one of the top 50 Forbes Power Businesswomen in the Middle East in 2020.

Lana Zaki Nusseibeh

Lana Zaki Nuseibeh is credited with establishing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Policy Planning Department in 2009.

She has served as the Ambassador and permanent representative of the UAE to the United Nations since 2013. She has also served as President of the UN Women Executive Board.

She has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in history from Queens College, University of Cambridge and a Master’s in Israeli and Jewish diaspora studies from the University of London.

The UAE is home to a remarkable group of women who are not only breaking barriers but also setting new standards of excellence across various sectors. Their achievements serve as an inspiration and a testament to the transformative impact women are making in the UAE’s growth and global standing.