Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
Energy, investment and innovation are helping shape the UAE’s future, with Emirati women increasingly playing leading roles across these sectors.
Their message is to dream boldly, embrace change, and turn every opportunity into a stepping stone for the next generation.
On the occasion of Emirati Women’s Day, Emirati women working across energy, investment and innovation shared with Aletihad how this year’s theme “We Emerge Stronger and Better” resonates with their professional journeys.
This year, the UAE marked Emirati Women’s Day with month-long celebrations from August 28 to September 28, highlighting the achievements and contributions of women to the nation’s development journey.
Leaders of Sustainable Change
For Zainab Al Ali, Director, Outreach and Stakeholder Relations at Masdar, this year’s theme is about growing through experience while ensuring others progress alongside you. “'We Emerge Stronger and Better' speaks to the progress we achieve when we learn from every experience and bring others forward with us.”
Over a 17-year career focused on education and human capital in the energy sector, she has worked to equip young people and women with the skills, confidence and networks needed for a sustainable future.
“Seeing them recognise their potential and develop into leaders of sustainable change has been one of the most rewarding parts of my journey.” Al Ali sees one of the biggest changes for Emirati women as the expansion of opportunities alongside greater expectations for them to lead. “Today, Emirati women are shaping policy, driving innovation and contributing to decisions that influence the future of our country.”
With Legacy Comes Responsibility
Fatima Al Fahim, Director – Technology (PE), Mubadala, said Emirati Women’s Day is both a celebration and a responsibility to build on the foundations laid by earlier generations.
“Emirati Women’s Day reminds me how fortunate my generation is to stand on the shoulders of remarkable women who helped shape our nation.” For her, that legacy also carries a responsibility to strengthen what future generations inherit. “We are custodians of their legacy, with a responsibility to build on it and contribute to an even stronger UAE for generations to come.”
Al Fahim is particularly proud of building a career by pursuing opportunities outside her comfort zone, including in industries where few women had gone before her. “I came to appreciate embracing uncertainty with curiosity, looking beyond challenges, and focusing on the possibilities that lie ahead.”
Community Impact
For Alya Al Hosani, Executive Director – Community Affairs, Mubadala, Emirati Women’s Day is also about turning today’s opportunities into greater possibilities for future generations.
“The opportunities available to Emirati women today should encourage us to create even more possibilities for those who follow.” For her, this means helping younger women build the confidence to pursue their ambitions and contribute to the country.
“For me, it is also a reminder of the responsibility we have to support and inspire the next generation.”
Al Hosani is particularly proud of her work on community impact and building partnerships that create opportunities across the UAE. “I am most proud of contributing to Mubadala’s community impact initiatives and helping create meaningful opportunities and lasting benefits for people across the UAE.”
Growth through Change
For Taghrid AlSaeed, Executive Director of Marketing, Communications & Events, Miral, this year’s theme reflects a career shaped by change rather than a single path.
“To me, ‘We Emerge Stronger and Better’ is about growth through change.”
Her journey has taken her from technology and digital transformation into communications, marketing, media intelligence and the experience economy.
“Sometimes, the experiences that take us beyond our original plans are the ones that expand what we believe we are capable of achieving.”
AlSaeed sees one of the most significant changes for Emirati women as the shift from being encouraged to participate to being trusted with leadership.
Today, she said, women are making decisions across organisations, boards, investments, innovation and regional and global platforms.
“When young women see other women making decisions at the highest levels, leadership stops feeling exceptional and starts feeling possible.”
