We salute the multifaceted Emirati women on occasion of the Emirati Women’s Day for their strength, resilience, talent and courage, writing the next chapter of UAE.
Creating a Mowj (wave) of success
Dr. Sameera Al Obeidli
Associate Vice President, NMC Healthcare
How Dr Sameera Al Obeidli, Associate Vice President, NMC Healthcare is redefining healthcare leadership by putting people, purpose and possibility at the heart of innovation
For Dr Obeidli, Associate Vice President, NMC Healthcare, leadership has never been about occupying a position of authority. It has been about creating systems that leave no one behind.
Over a career spanning more than 25 years, the Emirati physician has seamlessly moved from pathology and family medicine to becoming one of the UAE’s pioneers in telemedicine, before stepping into strategic healthcare leadership at NMC Healthcare. Each transition, she says, has been guided by one principle: understanding people first.
“As a family physician, I could provide care for children, adults, older people and pregnant women. That gave me confidence to lead telemedicine although there is a challenge in that you don’t see the patient physically. You have to understand regulations, cultures, insurance systems and, most importantly, the patient’s mindset, and you need to do this virtually.” Those early years in telemedicine proved transformative. After training in Switzerland as part of a UAE-Swiss collaboration, Dr. Sameera quickly realised that innovation could never simply be imported.
“You couldn’t copypaste the Swiss model into the UAE,” she says. “The regulations, cultural sensitivities and even the way we respond to emergencies are different. We had to adapt everything to suit our environment.”
That ability to localise global best practices would later become one of her defining strengths.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, she helped lead large-scale telemedicine operations, supporting initiatives that enabled thousands of patients to receive medical care remotely. Today, however, her focus has shifted to what she believes could become one of the country’s most significant healthcare transformations.
As Vice President overseeing People of Determination (POD) services at NMC Healthcare, she spearheaded Mowj – Arabic for “wave” – an ambitious multidisciplinary programme designed to identify developmental delays in children aged between zero and eight years and intervene early, under the guidance of Zayed Authority for people of determination and National academy of childhood development.
“What we do is detect delays as early as possible,” she explains. “Healthcare, education and social care work together instead of in silos. If we can identify children between zero and four years, we can prepare many of them to enter mainstream schools and become more independent.”
The project is also deeply personal. Dr. Sameera is the mother of four children, one of whom has Down Syndrome. “Because of my child’s experience, I wish that all neurodiverse children can also be enabled to reach their full potential.”
Her leadership philosophy reflects the same human-centred approach. “Two things are very important if you want people to be motivated – trust, and a sense of belonging,” she says. “People also need to feel valued. As a leader, you must be ethical, deliver on your promises and connect individual goals with organisational goals.”
Education has equally shaped her worldview. Raised in an Emirati family that encouraged curiosity, she studied first at a convent school, then in an Indian CBSE school before pursuing medicine in Romania. Today, she speaks six languages and credits her parents’ unwavering emphasis on learning for her success.
“My mother always told me, ‘Just have a book with you wherever you go. Whatever book, it doesn’t matter. Just read.’”
Inspirational Message to other UAE women
As the UAE celebrates Emirati Women’s Day, Dr. Al Obeidli believes the next generation of women leaders must embrace mentorship as intentionally as they pursue ambition.
“They have to choose the right mentor, and trust that mentor. Mentorship provides concentrated experience. It helps people grow faster.”
She adds, “Women need to support women more. That’s where we are still lagging behind.”
In the UAE, women are trusted to lead
Dr. Leila Kazim
Workforce Wellbeing Leader and Preventive
& Lifestyle Medicine Strategist
“The journey of Emirati women is one of the UAE’s greatest success stories. In just a few decades, we’ve gone from opening doors to helping shape the nation’s future without compromising our identity, culture or values.
As both a physician and wellbeing strategist, I’ve experienced that transformation firsthand. The UAE gave me the opportunity to move beyond clinical medicine and influence organisational culture, leadership and workforce wellbeing on a strategic level.
What resonates with me most is that women here aren’t simply encouraged to succeed; we’re trusted to lead. That trust inspires me every day to contribute to building healthier, happier and more resilient communities.
Being a Caregiver, Leader & Mother
I’ve learned that balance isn’t about doing everything perfectly. It’s about knowing where you’re needed most in each moment.
As a mother of seven children, a physician and a wellbeing leader, people often ask how I manage it all. The truth is: I don’t do it alone. My husband, parents, siblings, extended family and friends have been my greatest support system. Their encouragement has allowed me to pursue my purpose while staying grounded in what matters most.
Working in wellbeing has also taught me that those who care for others often forget to care for themselves. Self-care isn’t a luxury; it’s a responsibility. We cannot pour from an empty cup.
As we celebrate the importance of family this year, it’s a reminder that strong families don’t just build resilient people – they build resilient communities.
On Leadership
I believe Emirati women are helping redefine leadership by showing that strength and compassion belong together.
The best leaders create environments where people feel psychologically safe to speak up, contribute and thrive.
Through my work, I’ve seen thatwhen people feel heard and valued, they become more resilient, innovative and engaged. That’s why I believe empathy isn’t a soft skill but one of the most important leadership skills of the future.
My Mentors
My greatest mTo entors have been my family. My father’s unwavering belief in me and my mother’s constant support gave me the confidence to pursue opportunities I might never have imagined.
I’ve also learned that the best mentors help you discover your own answers. Some challenged me, questioned me and pushed me outside my comfort zone, and I’m grateful they did.
Lessons from Wellbeing
I’ve learned that prevention will always outperform intervention. Investing in people’s wellbeing early creates healthier employees, stronger teams and better business outcomes.
Ultimately, leadership is about service. Titles may create authority, but trust is what creates lasting influence.
Inspirational message to Other UAE women
What makes the Emirati experience unique is that women’s advancement has never been accidental; it has been a national priority driven by visionary leadership.
The UAE has shown the world that women can lead while remaining true to their culture, values and families.
Looking ahead, I believe our greatest investment should be in mentoring and creating opportunities for the next generation to lead early, confidently and authentically.”
Women help build stronger communities
Hassa Alsuwaidi
Community Manager at TECOM Group
“I feel very fortunate to be an Emirati woman. We have visionary leaders who believed in women’s potential from the beginning and created opportunities for us to grow, contribute, and lead. What inspires me most is seeing Emirati women confidently embracing change while staying true to our values. We work hard to develop ourselves, support our families, and ontribute alongside people from different cultures and alongside men, all with one shared goal to serve and elevate our country together.
Defining Moments
At every stage of my career, I chose someone to learn from. I always had one main role model and another with a different leadership style. This helped me stay open minded and reminded me that there is never only one way to succeed. Every new journey became an opportunity to learn, adapt, and grow.
Overcoming challenges
One of my biggest challenges was my own self confidence. There was a time when I doubted myself, and moving forward felt very difficult. I eventually realized that before changing my actions, I had to let go of the fear holding me back. Every person faces struggles, and sometimes the biggest obstacle is within us. Growth begins when we accept those feelings, then choose to move forward one step at a time.
On Leadership and mentors
Technology can help us work faster and smarter, but it cannot replace genuine human connection. Empathy, emotional intelligence, and collaboration are what build trust, strengthen relationships, and inspire people. For me, technology is a tool, but people will always be at the heart of great leadership.
I’ve been fortunate to learn from many managers, colleagues, and people I’ve met throughout my career. Each of them taught me something different. In return, I try to support others by sharing what I’ve learned, encouraging them, and always making time to listen. Sometimes, even a simple conversation can make a real difference.
Inspirational message to other UAE women
To young women, I say, stay open minded and keep learning because the world is always changing. At the same time, stay grounded in your values and never lose sight of who you are. The better you understand yourself, the more confidently you can grow, adapt, and make a positive impact on the people around you.
What makes the UAE special is that women are encouraged to contribute based on their abilities. We are given opportunities, trusted with responsibility, and supported to grow across many sectors. I believe the biggest lesson is that when women are empowered with trust and equal opportunities, they don’t just succeed individually they help build stronger communities and a stronger nation.”
Contemporary design and cultural identity can beautifully co-exist together
Noor Al Muhaideb
Founding Partner – Opaal Interiors
“My career journey began with a genuine fascination for how spaces shape the way people live. Studying Interior Design at the American University of Sharjah gave me a strong foundation, and my years at Emaar taught me that design is never only about aesthetics. The spaces we create influence how people feel, connect, and experience everyday life. When I founded Opaal Interiors, my goal wasn’t simply to build a business. I wanted to create thoughtful spaces that reflect the UAE’s ambition while preserving the warmth, hospitality, and cultural values that define our country. Every project starts with understanding the people we’re designing because I believe great design should always improve the way people live.
The UAE has given me education, opportunities, and confidence to build my career, and I feel incredibly grateful for that. If, through my work, I’ve helped create homes, workplaces, and hospitality spaces that positively impact people’s lives and reflect the quality and vision of this country, then I feel I’ve contributed, in my own small way, to the UAE’s story.
Working in the UAE has shown me that contemporary design and cultural identity can exist beautifully together. The goal is never to make tradition a feature; it’s to let it naturally shape spaces that feel timeless, meaningful, and personal.
On changes in design
I’ve been fortunate to witness an incredible transformation. When I began my career, there were fewer Emirati women leading design firms or creative businesses. Today, we see women confidently building companies, leading projects, and helping shape the future of many industries. This progress reflects the UAE’s longterm investment in education, entrepreneurship, and female leadership. Young Emirati women today are ambitious, globally aware, and confident in their abilities while remaining connected to their identity and values. It is inspiring to see them creating opportunities not only for themselves, but also for those who will follow.
I’ve always believed that success means more when you help others grow alongside you. At Opaal, we encourage young designers to contribute ideas, take ownership of projects, and continue learning with confidence. I still remember the value of the mentors who guided me early in my career, and I hope to offer that same encouragement to others. If we can create opportunities for young talent to grow and believe in themselves, then we’ve contributed something meaningful beyond our projects.
Inspirational message to other UAE women
Be patient with yourself. Confidence doesn’t appear overnight. It grows through learning, working hard, making mistakes, and continuing despite them.
Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s success. Focus on building your skills, stay curious, work with integrity, and trust the process. Every challenge teaches you something, and every experience helps shape the person and leader you become.
Thoughts on Emirati Women’s Day
I hope every young Emirati girl knows that she doesn’t have to have everything figured out before she begins. We are incredibly fortunate to live in a country that believes in empowering women and creating opportunities that previous generations could only dream of. Those opportunities came through the vision of our leadership and the efforts of those who came before us, and we should value them by making the most of them.
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