50 Visionary Women: Her Excellency Sarah Bint Yousif Al Amiri, Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology
This article is a part of Entrepreneur Middle East’s Special Edition: 50 Visionary Women
Her Excellency Sarah Bint Yousef Al Amiri is the UAE Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology and Chairwoman of the UAE Space Agency and the Emirates School Establishment. In her role as Minister of State for Advanced Technology, H.E. Al Amiri spearheads the UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology’s efforts to empower the adoption of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies and promote research and development in the advanced science and technology sector, in order to create new industries that drive the shift towards a knowledge economy.
This, in turn, contributes to the overall mandate of the Ministry to strengthen the UAE’s industrial base, ensure in-country value, and raise the competitiveness of local industries. As Chairwoman of the Space Agency, H.E. Al Amiri is responsible for overseeing the Agency’s mandate of guiding the space sector, ensuring its contribution to the national economy and to the UAE’s sustainable development. H.E. Al Amiri is also the Chairwoman of the Emirates Scientists Council, Chairwoman of the Emirates School Establishment, Chairwoman of the Fourth Industrial Revolution Council, Chairwoman of the Dubai Future Academy Board of Trustees, and Deputy Project Manager and Science Lead of the Emirates Mars Mission (Hope) at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC).
Previously, H.E. Al Amiri was the Head of R&D at MBRSC, where she established the Centre’s knowledge management, strategic research and product assurance functionalities. She was also involved in DubaiSat-1 and DubaiSat-2, and in the establishment of the KhalifaSat program. In 2014, H.E. Al Amiri was tasked with and led the establishment of the Advanced Aerial Systems Program, where she championed development efforts on a prototype High Altitude Pseudo- Satellite.
The project resulted in a successful 24-hour flight of the unmanned vehicle, which recorded the highest altitude of any aircraft over UAE airspace. In 2015, the World Economic Forum honoured H.E. Al Amiri as one of its 50 Young Scientists for her contributions to science, technology and engineering. H.E. Sarah Al Amiri holds a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering from the American University of Sharjah.
50 Visionary Women: Racha Elhassan, Head of Marketing & Strategy – Emerging Markets, GE HealthCare
This article is a part of Entrepreneur Middle East’s Special Edition: 50 Visionary Women
Racha Elhassan is the Head of Marketing & Strategy for GE HealthCare in the Middle East, Africa, Turkey, South-Central Asia, Russia and CIS countries. She is responsible for driving growth and expanding market share across the region. Her strategy and approach for the healthcare sector is focused on developing, executing, and sustaining strategic initiatives that are crucial for the success of the region. This involves identifying and prioritizing growth programs across various segments, crafting long-term strategies, and spearheading the activation of initiatives in collaboration with all marketing team members, clinical and commercial partners.
Her journey with GE Healthcare began in 2009 when she joined as a Sales leader for the Healthcare Digital team. Over the years, she has taken on increasingly challenging roles within the organization, including regional sales and marketing positions for Services in EAGM. In 2016, she made the move to Wisconsin to serve as the Global Marketing Manager, where she successfully led the global launch of Asset Performance Management and RTLS-based tracking system like Encompass.
Subsequently, she transitioned into the role of Market Development Manager for EAGM with a focus on interventional modality. Prior to her tenure at GE Healthcare, ElHassan held various roles in IT and Operations at Clemenceau Medical Center in Lebanon. She holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science and a master’s in business administration from the American University of Beirut. ElHassan enjoys outdoor activities, traveling, and spending time with her husband and children.
50 Visionary Women: Joelle Mardinian, Founder and CEO, Clinica Joelle
This article is a part of Entrepreneur Middle East’s Special Edition: 50 Visionary Women
Joelle Mardinian is a Lebanese-British beauty icon, entrepreneur, and television presenter, widely known in the Middle East for her expertise in beauty and fashion. Mardinian gained immense popularity as the host of the successful makeover TV show “Joelle”, which aired on MBC (Middle East Broadcasting Center). On the show, she helped transform people’s appearances, offering beauty tips and showcasing cutting-edge cosmetic treatments. She has built a strong personal brand over the years, becoming a significant influencer in the beauty industry, especially in the Arab world.
Known for her dynamic and engaging personality, Mardinian is passionate about helping others feel confident through beauty transformations. Mardinian’s ability to balance her role as a beauty expert, entrepreneur, and mother has inspired many women in the region. She frequently shares her life, beauty routines, and insights into cosmetic trends with her millions of followers on social media.
50 Visionary Women: Mayada Badr, CEO, Culinary Arts Commission of the Ministry of Culture, KSA
This article is a part of Entrepreneur Middle East’s Special Edition: 50 Visionary Women
Mayada Badr is the CEO of the Culinary Arts Commission of the Ministry of Culture in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. She was appointed by a decision of the Minister of Culture in 2020. She is a graduate of the International School of Le Cordon Bleu Paris and the former Creative Executive Chef of Black Cardamom. She represented the Kingdom on several international occasions and was supervised by a group of renowned chefs around the world.
Badr pursued studies in the culinary arts and joined the renowned Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management Institute in the capital city of France, Paris. She obtained a higher diploma in baking and culinary arts after intensive training under the supervision of world-class chefs. Before her studies in France, she earned a Bachelor’s degree from Parsons School of Design in New York, USA.
She worked at Black Cardamom as a Creative Executive Chef. In 2020, a decision was issued to appoint her as the head of the culinary sector, and to appoint her as CEO of the Culinary Arts Commission, one of the eleven authorities concerned with developing the cultural sector in the Kingdom.
50 Visionary Women: Amira Sajwani, Co-Founder and CEO of PRYPCO
This article is a part of Entrepreneur Middle East’s Special Edition: 50 Visionary Women
Amira Sajwani is the co-founder and CEO of PRYPCO, a dynamic proptech startup pioneering the way forward in the UAE’s real estate landscape. It is transforming the sector by simplifying the entire real estate journey and connecting all key stakeholders—buyers, sellers, investors, brokers, agents, banks, and more—on a single ecosystem. The company offers a comprehensive suite of services to meet a diverse range of needs. With PRYPCO Mortgage, the company guides clients through the journey of owning their dream home, offering quick approvals and seamless processes.
PRYPCO Golden Visa provides a smooth pathway to long-term residency in the UAE, and PRYPCO Blocks enables investors to invest in Dubai’s real estate with as little as AED 500. With PRYPCO One, its partners can access exclusive secondary properties and refer clients for mortgage and Golden Visa services. One of PRYPCO’s key competitive advantages in the proptech industry is the unparalleled expertise of Sajwani, whose extensive knowledge and experience in real estate set the platform apart. As the Managing Director of Sales and Development at DAMAC, Sajwani has also been instrumental in driving success for one of the region’s leading real estate developers.
Additionally, Sajwani holds one of the largest networks of real estate agents and brokers in the region, comprising over 3,000 professionals. This vast network and her strategic vision position PRYPCO as a market leader, delivering innovative and impactful solutions tailored to the evolving needs of the real estate industry. What truly sets PRYPCO apart is its ability to provide a comprehensive suite of real estate services, covering every aspect of a client’s real estate journey. Unlike competitors who offer standalone services, PRYPCO delivers a seamless, all-in-one solution, making it the preferred choice for anyone navigating the real estate landscape.
50 Visionary Women: Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi,President and Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of American University of Sharjah, UAE
This article is a part of Entrepreneur Middle East’s Special Edition: 50 Visionary Women
In January 2023, Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi was appointed Chairperson of the Board of Trustees and President of American University of Sharjah to align the institution with Sharjah’s socio-economic, workforce and innovation priorities. She is working to achieve excellence in teaching, research and public service to develop global citizen graduates who become future leaders in their communities, the United Arab Emirates and the world.
Sheikha Bodour is forging deeper university-industry R&D and commercialization collaboration as Chairperson of the Board and President of the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP). She oversees SRTIP’s $150 million push to position Sharjah as a global leader in emerging technology fields. As Chairperson of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority, Sheikha Bodour has mobilized more than $4 billion in foreign direct investment, created more than 20,000 jobs, and contributed to a 78 percent growth in Sharjah’s gross domestic product.
Her work as Chairperson of Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) is accelerating the development of Sharjah’s entrepreneurship ecosystem and has supported 150 startups that have raised $128 million in investment and created 1,400 jobs. Sheikha Bodour was appointed Chairperson of Sharjah Book Authority in May 2023 to solidify Sharjah’s status as an emerging global publishing hub. Sharjah Book Authority manages the Sharjah International Book Fair, the world’s largest book fair, and operates Sharjah Publishing City, the world’s first free trade zone for publishing.
Sheikha Bodour established the Emirates Publishers Association, UAE Board on Books for Young People and Knowledge Without Borders to boost the growth of the UAE’s $300+ million publishing sector. She founded Kalimat Publishing Group, a global, multi-imprint publishing and edtech company with licensing and distribution in more than 15 countries. She also chaired the Sharjah World Book Capital 2019 Committee and led efforts to establish the Emirates Reprographic Rights Management Association. Sheikha Bodour served as the International Publishers Association’s second-ever female and first-ever Arab president since the influential global association’s founding in 1896.
She also founded PublisHer, a 1,000+ member global community of female publishing leaders addressing publishing’s diversity and inclusion challenges. Sheikha Bodour is taking action on the world’s most pressing challenges through her involvement in international organizations. She has leveraged these global platforms to catalyze action on youth education and employment, female entrepreneurship, small and medium-size enterprise development, expanding funding for the cultural industries, and climate change.
50 Visionary Women: Donna Sultan, CEO, KEO
This article is a part of Entrepreneur Middle East’s Special Edition: 50 Visionary Women
Donna Sultan has been the CEO of KEO since 1991 and became President and CEO in 2016. Educated in the US and raised in Europe and the US, her background includes strategic planning and management consulting. She has over 40 years’ professional experience in the Middle East and is ranked as one of the 100 Most Powerful Women in the Arab World, one of the 12 most influential businesswomen in the Gulf. She has been awarded many accolades for her efforts and was named ‘Construction Executive of the Year’, ‘Business Woman of the Year’ and recently named MEED’s ‘Female Leader of the Year’.
Sultan has skilfully positioned the firm as a globally recognized multidiscipline practice working on some of the region’s largest and most prestigious construction projects and serving a wide array of public and private sector clients spanning the Middle East, North Africa, Asia and Europe. She has fostered and developed KEO’s renowned blend of highly skilled project and construction management competencies, design innovation, engineering know-how, sustainability principles, local knowledge and global insights, which has in turn, earned the company the highest level of client confidence and industry respect.
She oversaw the development of the allied practices, as subsidiaries bringing in new revenue streams from brands such as InSite, C-Quest, F&M+. Sultan has devoted her career to leading KEO into becoming one of the leading multi-disciplinary and award-winning consultancies in the GCC and worldwide.
50 Visionary Women: Alina Valcare, founder, Valcarce Architects
This article is a part of Entrepreneur Middle East’s Special Edition: 50 Visionary Women
Alina Valcarce is a trailblazing architect redefining the built environment with bold innovation, sustainability, and an unparalleled creative vision. As the Founder and Design Director of Valcarce Architects, she has established herself as a leading force in global architecture, pushing boundaries and setting new benchmarks for excellence. With a career spanning Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, Valcarce has led transformative, award-winning projects that seamlessly merge architecture with nature, creating fluid, organic spaces that inspire and elevate human experiences.
Her firm, founded in 2022 in the UAE, has gained international acclaim, earning prestigious recognitions such as Emerging Architecture Firm of the Year 2024 by Design Middle East and Best Luxury Architecture Company of the Year by the Luxury Lifestyle Award. Her exceptional talent was recognized early in her career when she was named one of Asia’s 40 Best Designers Under 40 in 2018. She was also honoured as one of the Top 50 Design Powerlist 2024, solidifying her reputation as a visionary shaping the future of architecture. Over the years, her projects have received multiple international awards, celebrated for their distinctive, nature-driven designs and pioneering sustainability strategies.
Notable works like Gaia – Luxury Habitat exemplify her commitment to environmentally responsible design, utilizing prefabricated structures to minimize waste and achieve net-zero carbon goals. Beyond architecture, Valcarce is a powerful advocate for gender equality in the construction industry, breaking barriers in a traditionally male-dominated field. She is dedicated to empowering women in leadership, fostering innovation, and reshaping industry standards through sustainable solutions and cutting-edge construction technologies.
50 Visionary Women: Katrina Mankani, Managing Director and Director of Positive Education, Fortes Education
This article is a part of Entrepreneur Middle East’s Special Edition: 50 Visionary Women
Katrina Mankani is an accomplished leader in the UAE’s educational sector, serving as the Managing Director and Director of Positive Education at Fortes Education, a Dubai-based operator of K-12 schools and preschools. She is also the Managing Director of Jumeirah International Nurseries (JINS), Fortes Education’s preschool chain, and a driving force behind the Positive Education initiative implemented at its flagship schools, Sunmarke School and Regent International School.
These roles highlight her commitment to integrating innovative teaching practices with positive psychology principles, fostering environments where students excel both academically and emotionally. With a legacy spanning over four decades, Fortes Education is a distinguished institution in the UAE’s educational landscape, operating two premier K-12 schools and ten preschools in Dubai. Its flagship schools, Sunmarke School and Regent International School, are highly acclaimed, both earning the prestigious “Outstanding” rating from the British Schools Overseas (BSO) Inspection Bureau.
Notably, Sunmarke School ranks 69th globally and 3rd in Dubai for International Baccalaureate (IB) results, with an impressive average score of 36.2 points—5.88 points above the world average. Fortes Education is a pioneer in Positive Education, an innovative approach that combines academic learning with character development and emotional well-being. This philosophy is woven into the curriculum, creating an environment where students thrive holistically.
Additionally, Jumeirah International Nurseries (JINS) offer nurturing and stimulating settings for early learners, laying a strong foundation for lifelong learning. With over 40 years of experience, Fortes Education is steadfast in its mission to deliver world-class education that enlightens young minds, empowers students to reach their potential, and enriches the communities it serves.
“Education is often described as the great equaliser, but at Fortes Education, we believe it’s also the great differentiator,” Mankani says. “What sets us apart? We teach students to think critically, act compassionately, and live purposefully. Our schools and nurseries champion Positive Education, a revolutionary approach that blends academic excellence with character building and emotional well-being. Imagine children not just solving complex equations but also showing genuine kindness to their peers—a rare but vital combination in today’s world.”
50 Visionary Women: AlDhabi AlMheiri, Founder, Rainbow Chimney Educational Aids
This article is a part of Entrepreneur Middle East’s Special Edition: 50 Visionary Women
Rainbow Chimney Educational Aids is a brand inspired by the extraordinary journey of AlDhabi AlMheiri, the youngest Emirati entrepreneur. From the age of three, AlMheiri’s deep love for books sparked a vision within her family to create something meaningful. Today, Rainbow Chimney stands as a beacon of joy, learning, and inclusivity for children around the world. The name Rainbow Chimney reflects AlMheiri’s fascination with rainbows and the timeless song Chim Chim Cher-ee from Mary Poppins. Before founding Rainbow Chimney, AlMheiri delighted in gifting her friends and cousins’ toys paired with books, driven by her desire to share the magic of reading.
Now, through Rainbow Chimney, she inspires children everywhere, including individuals of determination— those with Down syndrome, autism, or visual impairments. Rainbow Chimney is the first bookshop in the Middle East to offer inclusive books and educational boxes tailored for children of all abilities. Its mission is to foster a love for reading and empower children to explore the world through stories that celebrate diversity and inclusion. AlMheiri is not just a young entrepreneur but also the recipient of several prestigious awards. She has been honored with the Women of Worth award by L’Oréal Paris, the Emirati Women Achiever award, and a fellowship from the Atlantic Council in collaboration with the U.S. Mission to the UAE. In 2024, she was also recognized with the Diana Award for her dedication to fostering equality, sustainability, and humanitarian work through her initiatives.
By the age of six, AlMheiri had read over 1,200 books, showcasing her immense passion for knowledge. Alongside her Guinness World Records as the youngest bilingual book publisher and columnist, she continues to lead with creativity and purpose, driving initiatives like inclusive books for children with special needs and storytelling projects in healthcare to aid in emotional healing.