SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
Although she works quietly behind the scenes, her impact is clear: Powering homes, businesses, and institutions, each connection sparking new beginnings.
For Maryam AlDhanhani, Vice President of Connection at Etihad Water & Electricity, such moments define her work. She oversees nationwide connection services, to ensure homes, businesses, and infrastructure across the UAE receive water and electricity efficiently and reliably.
“Behind every switch we flip or pipe we activate, there is a person waiting to begin a new chapter. That is what drives me — knowing our work directly enables people’s lives and ambitions,” she said.
“It is not just about megawatts and metres. It is about trust, consistency, and helping people move forward – on time, and with peace of mind.”
Many assume utility services run on fixed routines, but in reality, AlDhanhani’s work is anything but predictable.
“Every request we receive is different – each one is tied to someone’s vision,” she explained.
“Whether it is an individual setting up a home or a strategic government project, there is urgency, pressure, and real-life impact behind every connection.”
A typical day sees AlDhanhani making executive decisions, reviewing key performance indicators, resolving high-priority escalations, and aligning service performance with national infrastructure goals. But her leadership style stands out in a field often defined by intensity.
“In an environment full of metrics and deadlines, I lead with calm. I do not raise my voice to be heard — I listen to understand.”
Reflecting on her proudest professional achievement, AlDhanhani does not point to large-scale rollouts or technical feats. Instead, she talks about trust.
“In this field, earning trust is not easy — especially as a woman in leadership,” she said.
“But I have built it not through promises, but by being present, delivering solutions, and showing up consistently in critical moments.”
Today, many of the colleagues she once mentored now lead projects of their own, which she says is her greatest reward.
“What I am most proud of is not what I have delivered – it is the people I have helped grow into confident, thoughtful leaders.”
AlDhanhani acknowledged that being an Emirati woman in a leadership role comes with its own set of challenges; especially when navigating traditional expectations.
“The real challenge was proving that I didn’t have to change who I am to succeed,” she said.
AlDhanhani’s journey is deeply intertwined with the UAE’s national vision for women’s empowerment — one that has opened doors and removed barriers for countless women.
“In the UAE, I never had to justify my ambition,” she said.
“Our leadership sees women as partners in building the nation, not bystanders. What my country gave me was not just opportunity — it was trust.”
And that trust, she noted, is a responsibility she carries with pride.