The UAE has grown into a center of new ideas, opportunities, and big dreams — and women are playing a leading role in this change. From beauty and banking to education and technology, they are building businesses, creating jobs, and motivating the next generation of leaders. This article shares the stories of 10 female entrepreneurs in the UAE who are redefining what success means, each in their own special way.
Huda Kattan
Huda Kattan is one of the most well-known entrepreneurs in the UAE and a global beauty star. She is the founder of Huda Beauty, one of the top cosmetics brands in the world. Huda was born in the United States to Iraqi parents and later moved to Dubai, where she began her career as a makeup artist and beauty blogger. Her love for makeup and sharing tips quickly made her very popular on social media.
In 2013, Huda started Huda Beauty with her first product — false eyelashes — which became very successful. After that, her brand grew to include many products such as foundations, eyeshadow palettes, lipsticks, and skincare. Today, Huda Beauty is sold all around the world and is worth billions of dollars.
Huda is not only a successful businesswoman but also a big social media influencer. She connects with millions of fans on Instagram and YouTube. People admire her creativity, honesty, and the way she inspires women to feel confident. With her brand and life story, Huda Kattan has motivated many young entrepreneurs and is seen as one of the most powerful women in the beauty industry.
Mona Ataya
Mona Ataya is a well-known entrepreneur from the UAE and the founder of Mumzworld, one of the leading online shopping platforms for mothers, babies, and children in the Middle East. She started the company in 2011 after realizing how difficult it was for mothers in the region to find trusted baby products online. Her vision was to create a one-stop shop that gives parents easy access to thousands of products, from diapers and toys to clothes and healthcare items.
Under her leadership, Mumzworld has grown into a trusted brand, serving millions of parents across the Middle East and North Africa. The platform offers a huge range of products, fast delivery, and reliable customer service, making it a favorite for families.
Mona Ataya is not just a business leader but also a strong advocate for women in business. She has received many awards and recognition for her work in empowering women and supporting mothers. Through Mumzworld, she has not only built a successful company but also created a positive impact on families by making parenting easier and more convenient.
Raja Easa
Raja Easa Al Gurg is one of the most respected business leaders in the UAE and a strong advocate for women in business. She is the Managing Director of the Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group (ESAG), a large family-owned company founded by her late father. The group is one of the biggest in the region, involved in sectors like retail, construction, real estate, and consumer products.
Apart from leading the group, she also serves on several boards, including the Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and has played an important role in shaping business policies in the UAE. She is especially known for supporting women entrepreneurs and encouraging female participation in the workforce.
Raja Al Gurg has been recognized internationally as one of the most powerful Arab women in business. Her leadership, vision, and efforts to create opportunities for women have made her a role model for many. Through her work, she has shown that women can lead at the highest levels of business while also making a positive impact on society.
In March 2020, the National Bank of Fujairah appointed Raja Easa Al Gurg as the deputy chairperson of its board. She is also on the advisory board of Coutts Bank, the wealth division of the Royal Bank of Scotland Group.
Hana Al Rostamani
Hana Al Rostamani is one of the most successful business leaders in the UAE and a strong example of women in leadership. She is the Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), which is the largest bank in the UAE and one of the biggest in the region.
Before becoming CEO, Hana worked in banking and finance for many years, gaining experience in strategy, operations, and risk management. In 2021, she made history by becoming the first woman to lead FAB, showing how women are taking key roles in industries that were once mostly led by men.
Under her leadership, FAB has focused on innovation, digital banking, and expanding globally. She is also passionate about encouraging young people, especially women, to step into leadership and finance careers.
Hana Al Rostamani is widely respected for her vision, confidence, and commitment to building a strong future for the UAE’s banking sector. She is seen as an inspiration for women across the region who want to succeed in business and leadership.
Shaikha Al-Bahar
Shaikha Al-Bahar is a famous business leader from Kuwait and one of the most powerful women in banking. She is the Deputy Group CEO of the National Bank of Kuwait (NBK), the biggest bank in Kuwait and one of the top banks in the region.
She has played a crucial role in strengthening NBK by facilitating its expansion outside Kuwait and maintaining its reputation as one of the safest banks in the Middle East. Under her leadership, the bank has focused on modern banking, digital services, and giving customers better financial solutions.
Shaikha Al-Bahar is respected for her smart decisions, leadership, and ability to guide the bank even during tough economic times. She also supports women in business and encourages young people to build successful careers in banking and finance.
Today, she is considered one of the most successful women in the Arab world, showing that with hard work and vision, women can achieve top positions even in fields like banking that were once led mostly by men.
Shaikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi
Shaikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi is a well-known leader from the UAE, especially in the fields of culture, education, and publishing. She is the daughter of the Ruler of Sharjah and has worked hard to promote books, reading, and knowledge around the world.
She founded the Kalimat Group, a publishing company that creates books for children and young adults in Arabic, helping to share stories and ideas with the younger generation. She also started many projects to make reading easier and more enjoyable for people in the Arab world.
Shaikha Bodour has also held important global positions. She was the President of the International Publishers Association (IPA), becoming only the second woman ever to lead this big international organization. Through this role, she helped support publishers, writers, and the freedom to read and share ideas.
She is admired for her vision, creativity, and dedication to spreading knowledge. Many young people and women see her as a role model because she has shown that leadership can be about creating opportunities, inspiring others, and making a positive impact on society.
Dr. Mariam Shaikh
Dr. Mariam Shaikh is a well-known education leader in the UAE. In the early 1980s, while looking for the best schooling for her children, she realized that there was a big gap in early childhood education. To fill this need, she opened a nursery school, which later grew to serve more than 60 children.
After finding success in school education, she moved into higher education. In the early 2000s, she played an important role in setting up the University of New Brunswick’s branch campus in Dubai Knowledge Village. Over the years, she also held top leadership roles at Canadian University Dubai, Heriot-Watt University Dubai, and Amity University Dubai.
In 2020, Dr. Mariam started MS Education Consultants, a company that helps students with admissions, supports universities with campus setups, and provides special training programs. Her work has guided thousands of students and helped many institutions grow.
She is admired for her passion, leadership, and dedication to improving education in the UAE, making her one of the most respected women in the field.
Nayla Al Khaja
Nayla studied image and filmmaking in Toronto and finished her bachelor’s degree in film studies at Ryerson University in 2005. Just a year later, in 2006, her film Arabana premiered at the Dubai International Film Festival, where she was named the Best Emirati Filmmaker.
In 2007, she started the Scene Club (later called The Scene), the UAE’s first film club. It quickly grew to over 22,000 members and became a cultural hub for introducing independent films to audiences in the UAE.
In 2023, Nayla produced her first full-length film, Three — a mix of drama, horror, and thriller. It premiered at the third Red Sea International Film Festival and became the first Emirati film to reach a global audience. As the CEO of Al Khaja Films, Nayla has played an important role in supporting and growing local film production.
Samia Bouazza
Samia earned her bachelor’s degree in political science and public administration from the American University of Beirut. She later continued her studies, receiving a certificate in Strategic Intelligence from Harvard Business School in 2014 and another in Digital Development from the University of Cambridge in 2021.
In 2003, she started Multiply Marketing Consulting Company, which later grew into the Multiply Group. Over the years, she has been active in many organizations, including the International Young Presidents Organisation (YPO) and the Abu Dhabi Art Friends Group, and is also a well-known speaker in marketing and communications.
In August 2021, Samia became the Group CEO and Managing Director of Multiply Group. She also serves on the Board of Directors for several important organizations such as the Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA), Emirates Driving Company, and Arena Events Group. Since 2018, she has also been part of the Strategic Council of the Middle East Public Relations Association (MEPRA).
Amina Al Rustamani
Amina Al Rustamani is one of the most respected business leaders in the UAE. She is best known for her leadership at TECOM Group, where she worked for many years and played a big role in building Dubai’s free zones, including Dubai Media City, Dubai Internet City, and Dubai Design District. These areas have helped bring together global companies, creative talent, and entrepreneurs to Dubai.
She is admired for her vision in supporting industries like technology, media, and design, and for helping Dubai grow into an international hub for business and creativity. Over the years, she has also held leadership roles in other organizations and is recognized as one of the most influential women in the Middle East.
Amina Al Rustamani is seen as a role model for young professionals, showing how determination, leadership, and innovative thinking can create lasting impact.
Conclusion
These 10 amazing women show that the UAE is not only a place of growth and opportunity but also a country where women leaders are shaping the future. From beauty and banking to education, culture, and technology, they have started businesses, helped communities, and inspired millions of people. Their journeys prove that success is not just about personal wins but also about making a difference, creating opportunities for others, and showing new ways of leadership. As the UAE continues to grow, these women are leading the path for the next generation of dreamers, creators, and entrepreneurs.
