A defining milestone in my career was moving to the UAE in 2020.

”This is a country run by values, and those values flow from the Founding Father through leadership, through CEOs and institutions, and ultimately to the people on the street.”

That realization came to me not long after I moved to the UAE in 2020. A defining moment in my career.

At the height of Covid, I was living in New York City, where everything had come to a halt. During that time I had the opportunity to visit the UAE, and what I witnessed was remarkable. The pandemic was managed with calm, clarity and a clear vision for the day after.

While events were cancelled across New York and the city felt frozen, life in the UAE was managed in a way that still allowed people to live. Masks were on and social distancing was respected, but public spaces remained open, restaurants operated, and cultural events continued. There was a sense of normalcy that people around the world were craving.

I moved to the UAE shortly after the Abraham Accords, excited by the opportunity to help tell the story of a new chapter in the region, one rooted in peace, tolerance and positive growth. I was fascinated by the story of the UAE itself, the unification of seven Emirates in 1971 and the extraordinary prosperity achieved in just a few decades.

Very quickly, I noticed a pattern. This is a country run by values, and those values flow from the Founding Father through leadership, through CEOs and institutions, and ultimately to the people on the street.

I realized the story of the UAE is universal and deserves to be shared far beyond its borders. One of my early goals became finding a way to help tell that story internationally. I was fortunate to partner with Emirates Airline to protuce three leadership interview series that explored the story of Dubai and the UAE through the people shaping the country.

Through these series I interviewed extraordinary individuals, astronaut and Minister of Youth Sultan Al Neyadi, Chairman of Dubai Chambers Sultan Al Mansoori, Minister of AI Omar Al Olama, Citi Bank UAE CEO Shamsa Al Falasi, Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths, flydubai CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith, Rotana Chairman Nasser al Nowais, Chalhoub Group Executive Chairman Patrick Chalhoub, Dubai Future Foundation CEO Khalfan Belhoul, Group CEO of Al Gurg Group Easa Al Gurg, Emirates Airline Festival of Literature Founder Isobel Abulhoul, DAMAC Founder Hussain Sajwani and many others.

This period became a turning point in my career.

Through these conversations I encountered leaders who were, first and foremost, deeply human. In fact, the more accomplished the person, the kinder they often were. My videographer and right hand, Kareem, and I spoke about this often. We felt immense gratitude for the people who crossed our path. Many of them became mentors, and some even became friends, something far more meaningful than any professional milestone.

Two months ago, when I decided to launch my own platform, Built. UAE, focused on leadership and the values that build thriving societies, I reached out to several of the leaders I had interviewed to share the news.

Almost every response was the same, “How can I help? You have my full support.”

In many ways, my professional journey in the UAE began in 2020, but the most defining milestone is happening now, as I build something of my own with the support of some of the country’s brightest, kindest and most inspiring voices.

The values that drive your leadership

The values I admire most in leadership are empathy, clarity of vision and genuine respect for people.

I try to learn from the examples around me and continuously grow into a better leader and human being myself.

The UAE reinforced something important for me, leadership is not about individual success. It is about purpose that is greater than oneself. When leaders operate with humility and a shared mission, collective success naturally follows.

How you interpret “Give to Gain”

Personally, I don’t believe in “give to gain.” I believe in give to give.

When you give with sincerity, your time, support, knowledge or encouragement, the rest tends to take care of itself. You attract the right people and the right opportunities.

Giving is not a transaction, it is simply the right way to move through the world.

Advice to the next generation of women in our industry

Surround yourself with people whose values align with yours and who genuinely want to see you succeed.

Value friendship over status. Some people will only appear when things are going well, and that’s okay. Learning to manage expectations is part of growing.

Kindness matters more than people realize. Making someone feel heard can change their day, and sometimes even their life.

Stay true to your values regardless of what others do. Other people’s behavior reflects on them, not on you.

Walk into every room with confidence and clarity, no matter who is present. Authenticity is one of the greatest strengths you can have.

And finally, allow yourself to believe that anything is possible. Very often, the only real limits are the ones we place on our own minds.