Even if you don’t know Sahia Ahmad’s name, you’ll certainly know the globally renowned homegrown projects, organisations, and successes that bear her fingerprints. 

An intrinsic part of Dubai’s growth over the past 30 years, she has been involved in Emirates Airlines’ first bond issue; the development of Emirates Towers, the Burj Al Arab, Palm Jumeirah, and DP World; the creation of the first offshore regulations at Jebel Ali Free Zone; and enabling freehold ownership of property.

As CEO of Regulatory Policy and Governance at the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), her life and work are inextricably interwoven with the very fabric of Dubai’s story.

“I feel very fortunate to have been a part of Dubai’s growth,” she says. “My purpose has always been one of wanting to help. I only ever wanted to be a lawyer – it was my mission from the age of five, and I was driven by a sense of fairness and justice at a very early age.”

“In my work, I’m not just seeking economic growth and prosperity, but also building a better quality of life and a strong future for our people,” she adds. “I feel nothing is more rewarding than that.”

As the first Emirati to be a member of the UK Bar, the mother-of-four credits two inspirations for her success, drive, and motivation – family and faith.

“When I first became qualified and started work, it was a very male-dominated environment,” Sahia recalls. “My purpose was to set an example for my children that, if you put your mind to it, there are no limits. We can be good wives, good mothers, and successful professionals at the same time.” 

“Now, it’s not just about my children. I think about their children and creating a better world for future generations,” she adds. “Faith is an integral part of my mindset, I believe it’s been my safety net. We all face challenges in life – it’s about how we grow and learn from them, and how we rise.”

As a trailblazer who was often the only woman in the room in her early career, the fact that today’s young women have a plethora of role models to look up to and mentors to learn from is a source of pride for Sahia, as is the position her country has rightfully earned on the global stage.

“The visionary leadership we have in the UAE filters down into all of us and helps us to constantly think ahead,” Sahia says. “We have been given so much by our country and leadership that we have a responsibility to make the most of that, to not take it for granted, and to contribute back and do the best we can. For me, an Emirati is not just someone who is thinking about today. We are following that visionary leadership and envisioning the future.”