Women Hold More Powerful Jobs than Ever in the UAE.

45 years after it’s first birthday, The United Arab Emirates is one of the most developed countries in the Middle East.

Now, the advancement of that country has slowly opened the doors to women rising in business and leadership positions in the UAE – in some of the most critical job posts.

In the most recent government shake up, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced more women in senior level positions than ever.

Elan is proud to highlight the most forward-thinking women in prominent positions in the UAE:

 

Her Excellency Mona Al Marri, Director General of Dubai Media Incorporated

This powerful, accomplished woman manages anything written or said about Dubai in the media.

If I’d listened to my mother and gone to business school, perhaps the following list would not make me feel as if I’ve done nothing with my life.  Mona’s other accomplishments include:

-Chairperson of Dubai Press Club

-CEO of JiWin PR

-Vice President of Dubai Ladies

-Chairperson of the Dubai Women’s Establishment

-Executive Manager of the Dubai Press Club

-Secretary General of the International Association of Press Clubs.

She was also a jury member of the 2002 International Emmy Awards and was awarded with the Outstanding Contribution to Community Outreach at the Middle East Women’s Achievement Awards.

Ms. Al Marri has been named “The Best Government Employee” for Achieving Excellence in Government Performance in the Dubai Excellence Awards.

We believe Ms. Al Marri has secretly built a human cloning machine and has clearly cloned herself in order to amass the amazing accomplishments of at least ten normal over achievers.  Keep it up!

 

Her Excellency Noura Al Kaabi, CEO of twofour54 and Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs

Noura clearly has a set of keys to Mona Al Marri’s clone machine.

Ms. Al Kaabi is a member of the Federal National Council of the United Arab Emirates and CEO of twofour54 and of the Media Zone Authority Abu Dhabi.

You have her to thank for bringing the crew of “The Force Awakens” to shoot in the Liwa Desert.

I’m exhausted just from typing her title and accomplishments above- but this extraordinary woman has done even more.

-In 2013, Al Kaabi became the first Emirati to be ranked on Foreign Policy Magazine‘s Top 100 Global Thinkers List, and was named one of the “50 individuals who contribute to changing the world” by Le Nouvel Observateur.

-She was also one of Forbes Middle East’s “30 Most Influential Women in Government” in 2013, Arabian Business’s “100 most powerful Arab Women” in 2011, 2012 and 2013 and CEO Middle East’s “100 most powerful Arab Women” in 2012.

-Al Kaabi received a “Young Achiever Award” at the AmCham Abu Dhabi’s Excellence Awards in 2014.

 

Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of Foreign Trade

Looking for a fast route to an inferiority complex?

Check out the resume and accomplishments of Ms. Al Qasimi.

-Sheikha Lubna holds the distinction of being the first woman to hold a ministerial post in the United Arab Emirates. She is a member of the ruling family of Sharjah.

-Lubna graduated from the California State University, Chico with a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, and has an Executive MBA from the American University of Sharjah.

-Lubna received an honorary doctorate of science from California State University, Chico.

-In March 2014, she was appointed President of Zayed University.

-As of 2015, Forbes lists her as the 42nd most powerful woman in the world.

In the world.

Lubna ain’t playin’, yo.

 

Her Excellency Najla Al Awar, Minister of Community Development

Minister of Community Development is a new position that was announced on Twitter during Sheikh Mohammed’s “Dialogue of the Future”.  It’s clearly been appointed to the right woman.

-H.E. Najla Mohammed Al-Awar holds a bachelor degree in Information Technology from United Arab Emirates University.

-Her Excellency received extensive academic and professional training in the fields of management administration from London Business School.

-Ms Al Awar has also been the Secretary General of the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs since March 2006.

 

Her Excellency Ohood bint Khalfan Al Roumi, Minister of State for Happiness

Yes, The Minister of State for Happiness.  It’s a real position.

And Ms. Al Roumi is the real thing as well. Here are a just a few of her accomplishments:

-She is Director General of the Prime Minister’s Office of the UAE.  Which means she oversees multiple strategic projects and initiatives such as the UAE Vision 2021, The National Agenda, the UAE Government Strategy and many others.

-The United Nations Foundation recently announced the selection of Ms. Al-Roumi for membership to the Global Entrepreneurship Council (GEC), making her the first Arab member in the council.

-Ms. Al Roumi also made the Young Global Leaders (YGL) list at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in the year 2012 and is a board member of Dubai Museum of the Future Foundation.

 

Here are a few more amazing and powerful UAE women to check out:

-Her Excellency Jameela bint Salem Al Muhairi – Cabinet Member, Minister of State for General Education

-Her Excellency Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashimy – Cabinet Member, Minister of State for International Cooperation

-Her Excellency Dr. Maitha bint Salem Al Shamsi– Minister of State

-Her Excellency Shamma bint Sohail Faris AlMazrui – Minister of State for Youth Affairs

-Her Excellency Dr. Maryam Mattar– Medical

This list shows that Middle Eastern women are whip smart, strong, indefatigable and progressive- and should be held up as an inspiration to both genders and people of all race, color and creed.

Elan applauds these extraordinary women, their accomplishments and spirit.

Who did we miss?  Tell us in the comments selection below and share this inspirational list with your friends, accountants and life coaches.

 

Comments

comments