Sherina AlSowaidi’s career spans many disciplines. As the founder of Interlace Investments, she has launched multiple UAE-based hospitality concepts including Ritual Café & Studio (soon to be House of Ritual), Bento Bowls, and Glaze Bakehouse. She also serves as the Vice Chair of the Abu Dhabi Youth Council and is the founder of Mashaeri, an initiative dedicated to supporting children and families in developing emotional awareness and wellbeing.

Although her work is varied, everything she does is guided by the belief that the most rewarding ideas are those that make a genuine difference. It’s a philosophy that feels particularly fitting as the UAE celebrates Emirati Women’s Day in 2026.

Across the country, a new generation of Emirati women is reshaping the definition of leadership, moving beyond traditional career paths to create businesses, communities, and initiatives that leave a lasting social impact. Sherina’s own career is a testament to that evolution.

Whether she is creating a hospitality concept, mentoring young people, or developing programmes that encourage emotional wellbeing, each stems from the same instinct.

“Whatever I’m building, whether it’s a business, a community initiative, or an educational programme, I always come back to the same question: How does this improve people’s lives?” Sherina says. “Because I believe success isn’t just about creating something new. It’s about creating something meaningful that people genuinely benefit from.”

That sense of purpose took root long before she launched her first business. In fact, it began much earlier, shaped by a childhood that encouraged curiosity.

“I don’t think it was one defining moment,” the entrepreneur explains. “It was the values I grew up with. I was raised to care about people, to contribute to my community, and to stay curious. My parents always encouraged me to ask questions, explore different interests, and believe that there was always more to learn.”

Until today, that same curiosity remains the thread that connects every chapter of her career. “I’ve always been someone whose mind is full of ideas,” Sherina explains, noting that she has never been afraid to step into unfamiliar territory, trusting that each new experience will bring fresh perspectives.

“As a child, I was constantly imagining, creating, and wanting to try new things,” she adds. “Instead of telling me to stay within the lines, my mother and father gave me the freedom to explore, experiment, and sometimes even fail.”

Looking back, she sees that freedom as one of the greatest gifts they could have given her.

It instilled in her the confidence to move between industries and projects without feeling constrained by convention, and to approach each new venture with openness. Her parents helped her understand that “our biggest limitations are often the ones we place on ourselves”, a belief that continues to shape the way she approaches both business and life.

As someone who grew up here, Sherina belongs to a generation that has witnessed extraordinary change, watching the country evolve into a global centre for innovation while remaining deeply connected to its heritage. “Growing up in the UAE has shown me what’s possible,” she says. “We’ve seen our country constantly evolve, dream bigger, and create opportunities that didn’t exist before.”

That combination of ambition and heritage has inevitably shaped her own perspective. She describes the UAE as a place where possibility feels tangible, where bold ideas are encouraged rather than questioned. “It teaches you that progress is always possible, but also that staying connected to your identity and values matters just as much,” she notes.

The same philosophy is embodied in her homegrown hospitality venture, Ritual Café & Studio. The Abu Dhabi community café concept was born from a desire to encourage genuine human connection, which often feels hard to find. Sherina’s goal was to create a place that encouraged people to take a moment, share ideas, discover new interests, or simply spend quality time together.

“We’re living in a world where we’re constantly connected online, yet many people still feel disconnected from one another,” she states. “Ritual became my way of creating a space where community could happen naturally. No pressure. No agenda. Just people connecting over simple moments. Those moments often become the most meaningful.”

The idea of belonging is one the Emirati entrepreneur returns to often. “I think we sometimes overcomplicate community,” she says. “Community isn’t built through one big event. It’s built through hundreds of small moments. Remembering someone’s name, checking in on someone, creating spaces where people feel welcome enough to come back, and helping people feel seen.”

This perspective extends far beyond hospitality into every aspect of her work. If Ritual creates a physical space for connection, her role as Vice Chair of the Abu Dhabi Youth Council helps her create opportunities for young people to shape their country’s future.

Although the settings are very different, the underlying purpose remains remarkably consistent – listening first, creating opportunities second, and last but not least, ensuring that people feel they have a place where their ideas matter.

Working closely with young Emiratis has given her a unique insight into the ambitions of a new generation. Far from lacking aspiration, she believes today’s youth are filled with ideas and energy. “One thing that always inspires me is how ambitious young people in the UAE are,” she says. “They want to build businesses, create meaningful careers, and contribute to society in ways previous generations couldn’t have imagined.”

The greater challenge, however, is helping them develop the confidence to act on those ideas in an increasingly fast-moving world. “The people who will thrive aren’t necessarily the ones with the perfect plan,” Sherina says. “They’re the ones who are willing to keep learning, adapt when things change, and stay curious.”

For Sherina, resilience has become integral to her success. Moving between industries has inevitably meant stepping into unfamiliar territory, but she has always viewed uncertainty as an essential part of growth, a reminder that progress often begins with a willingness to learn something new.

“Entrepreneurship has humbled me. It’s taught me that resilience isn’t about pretending everything is okay. It’s about adapting,” she elaborates. “I’ve also learned that not every opportunity is the right opportunity.”

“In the beginning, I thought saying yes meant growth,” she adds. “Now I realise that knowing when to say no is just as important. Sometimes protecting your vision means letting go of things that don’t align with it.”

Becoming a mother brought an entirely new perspective to Sherina’s outlook, prompting her to think more deeply about the emotional foundations laid during childhood and the lasting impact they have throughout our lives. That reflection would eventually lead to the creation of Mashaeri, an initiative dedicated to helping children and families develop emotional awareness from an early age.

“I’m most excited about growing Mashaeri. The more I work across entrepreneurship, education, and community-building, the more convinced I become that emotional wellbeing isn’t an extra. It’s the foundation for everything else,” Sherina explains. “It deserves the same attention as academic achievement or physical health, giving children the language and confidence to understand their feelings as they grow.”

On her own personal challenges, Sherina acknowledges that finding a balance between business and motherhood is perhaps the greatest of all.

“Honestly, I don’t believe balance exists,” she says. “I believe in priorities. There are seasons where work needs more of me and seasons where family does. I’ve stopped chasing the perfect balance because I don’t think it’s realistic. What matters more is being fully present wherever I am.”

This is a perspective that has allowed her to define achievement on her own terms. “Success isn’t measured by titles or achievements alone. It’s measured by the relationships you build, the people you help and whether the people closest to you feel your presence,” she says. “Presence is far more valuable than perfection.”

Those values naturally shape the advice she offers to other women, particularly those navigating careers alongside family life. There will always be moments of uncertainty, she believes, but growth rarely happens within the boundaries of knowing what’s next.

“Don’t wait until you feel completely ready because you probably never will,” she says. “Start anyway. Be curious. Ask questions. Trust yourself enough to learn along the way.”