We discover some of the influential Emirati nationals who are carving out the future of the country both from abroad and within the UAE.
Lana Zaki Nusseibeh
Lana Zaki Nusseibeh is flying the flag for women’s empowerment. In 2013, she became the first Emirati woman to be appointed a Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirates to the United Nations. She has also served as President of UN Women since 2017. Nusseibeh has a strong focus on women’s empowerment, regional peach, sustainable development and human rights and has been known to speak powerfully on these subjects.
Hazza Al Mansouri
Hazza Al Mansoori made headlines in the UAE this year when he became the first Emirati national to travel to space. In 2017 young astronauts were invited to register for the UAE Astronaut Programme through the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre. Al Mansouri was one of two people selected from over four thousand candidates and his first mission to the International Space Centre took place this September. Al Mansouri was in space for eight days before successfully landing in Kazakhstan on October 3rd.
Abdulla Al Kaabi
Born and raised in Fujairah Abdulla Al Kaabi started as a TV presenter before moving into the realm of directing – something he had always dreamed of. In 2010 he directed his first short film The Philosopher starring French actor Jean Reno. Al Kaabi was just 23 at the time. His movie Only Men Go To The Grave earned him global recognition and awards. It’s thought Al Kaabi is currently working on an Arabic series that will air on platforms including Netflix and Starzplay in the region.
Alia Al Neyadi
Following in the footsteps of her mother Svetlana Al Neyadi, who had a 20-year career as a ballerina in The United States, Alia Al Neyadi became the First Emirati ballerina to perform publicly. Al Neyadi knew she wanted to dance from a young age as she watched her mother. After moving back to the UAE from the States Alia was taught how to dance by her mother who set up her own ballet school in 1998. Alia has fast become a role model to young girls in the region and her dedication dance has seen her take to the stage across the world.
Mohammad Saeed Al Shehhi
Mohammad Saeed Al Shehhi was recently named CEO of Dubai Design District. Having worked with the creative zone as COO since 2014, Al Shehhi was previously CEO (Strategies, Technologies and Executive Affairs) at Dubai Media Incorporated and he has been instrumental is directing the purpose-built creative zone towards realising its potential. D3 has become the go-to creative hub and community in the region, bringing together local and international creative minds. As home to D Dubai Design Week, Fashion Forward, Sole DXB and many more international creative platforms, D3 has begun to build quite a name for itself under the guidance of Al Shehhi.
Hissa Al Dhaheri
As Deputy Director at Louvre Abu Dhabi having a passion for art is essential for Hissa Al Dhaheri. Born in Abu Dhabi Al Dhaheri spent her childhood studying visual arts and even considered becoming an artist. Today, Al Dhaheri serves as deputy to the Louvre Abu Dhabi’s Director Manuel Rabaté and plays a crucial role in ensuring the international art museum lives up to its name and continues to pave the way for the art industry in the region. With many of the team at the museum coming from international backgrounds. Al Dhaheri has become somewhat the local representative of the museum.
Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi
The UAE’s Minister for Tolerance is one of the UAE’s most prominent names in the region and has been especially important in the nation this year as it was announced 2019 would be the year of tolerance in the UAE. Sheikha Lubna was also the first woman to hold a ministerial post in the United Arab Emirates, and the first Emirati to receive the Clinton Global Citizen Award. She has been named one of the most influential women in the Arab world by Forbes.
HE Reem Al Hashimi
Reem Al Hashimi was named Director General for Expo 2020 after it was awarded to Dubai. She also became the UAE Minister of State in the cabinet of the UAE in 2008. She is also is a chairperson for Dubai Cares, a children’s education charity established by Sheikh Mohammed in 2007. Since her ministerial appointment, she has managed the International Affairs Office of the UAE Prime Minister, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Last September, Al Hashimi revealed the UAE’s plans to welcome 15,000 Syrian refugees into the Emirates over the next five years.
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