Page 22 - DAEP PR REPORT - FEBRUARY 2025

2/28/25, 4:25 PM Eleven Emirati women make Forbes Middle East's 100 Most Powerful Businesswomen 2025 list - Aletihad News Center
University of Kuwait, and is a member of the board of advisors of the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Centre (Sheraa).

Rola Abu Manneh, CEO of Standard Chartered UAE, Middle East, & Pakistan (39), serves on several influential
boards, including those of Standard Chartered Pakistan, Standard Chartered Uganda, and the Make-A-Wish

Foundation UAE. Additionally, she is a board member of myZoi, a Standard Chartered subsidiary, and the Dubai
International Chamber, while actively contributing to the Global Council for Sustainable Development Goal 5 – Gender
Equality.

Huda Buhumaid, Chief Impact Officer at Dubai Holding (44), also sits on the board of trustees at the Higher Colleges

of Technology and Dubai Women's Establishment and is a board member of Malta Properties.

Nadia Zaal, Co-founder & CEO of Zaya; Al Barari Group (53), boasts a project portfolio that includes ZUHA, Nurai

Island, and Al Barari. Zaal also founded the Zaya Early Learning Centre, offering alternative education for children
aged three to six.

Feryal Ahmadi, COO of Dubai Multi Commodities Centre, (64) assumed her current position in 2019. In 2024, DMCC
witnessed significant growth, registering over 2,000 new member companies and launching the region's first DMCC AI
Centre, a platform to drive AI adoption and practical scalable solutions throughout MENA. She is also a board member

of the Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange, Ports Customs and Free Zone Corporation, and Concordia Facility
Management.

Nashwa Al Ruwaini, Founder & CEO of Pyramedia Group (68), established the company in 1998, offering a range of
media services through its six subsidiaries. Pyramedia has been involved in major film projects like Pirates of the

Caribbean, Aladdin, and Kingdom of Heaven, and has managed high-profile events such as the Abu Dhabi
International Film Festival. In July 2024, the group hosted the International Emmy Awards' semi-final judging round

and acted as the exclusive partner of the Emmy Awards in the Arab region and the Gulf.

Khadija Al Bastaki, Senior VP of Dubai Design District - d3 (70), has also previously held management positions at

Economic Zones World, Jebel Ali Free Zone, and DP World. In February 2023, d3 and the Arab Fashion Council
launched Dubai Fashion Week. In November 2024, d3 hosted the 10th edition of Dubai Design Week. In December
2024, d3 partnered with Vogue Business to launch the inaugural Fashion Futures event, which focused on shaping the

sustainable future of the fashion industry.

Forbes Middle East said: "Women in MENA are leading some of the largest local and global companies and leaving an

immense impact across industries, from banking powerhouses to technology visionaries."

The UAE ranked first regionally and seventh globally in the 2024 United Nations Gender Equality Index, reflecting its
efforts to create an environment where women can thrive in business and beyond.

https://en.aletihad.ae/news/business/4552567/eleven-emirati-women-make-forbes-middle-east-s-100-most-powe 3/3