The thriving business landscape of the UAE has been a desirable destination for business ideas to take shape and reach new heights of success. From aspiring professionals to visionary leaders, everyone who aims to make a difference is welcome to the region.
Throughout the decades, the UAE has witnessed the rise of impactful leaders who shape the business ecosystem with their innovative ideas and unwavering resilience. The top business leaders featured in this article are redefining the way businesses operate across industries in the UAE. Renowned for their strong voice, strategic acumen, and advocacy for giving back to the community, these top business leaders are driven by a unified passion to make the world a better place.
The Top Business Leaders to Watch in the UAE
In the sections that follow, you will read about the top business leaders in the region and how they are creating a wave of transformation in the UAE. We will share what they do, their achievements, the choices that led them to their current roles, and their significant contributions in their fields. You will also learn how they are reframing the sectors across the UAE.
1. Mohamed Bouhouti | Driving Digital Excellence in the GCC
A serial technology entrepreneur and visionary leader, Mohamed Bouhouti is driving digital transformation across the GCC and beyond. Bringing over 20 years of experience in technology and digital transformation, Mohamed is known for turning complex digital initiatives into structured, scalable, and sustainable businesses. With a career at the intersection of product strategy, software architecture, and business execution, he emphasizes making technology a practical driver of growth, performance, and long-term value.
To turn this vision into reality, Mohamed founded Decloedt Digital Factory, a company to help organizations design strong foundations through clear processes, operational excellence, and intelligent automation. Decloedt Digital Factory supports companies in structuring their digital operations, optimizing ways of working, and automating business workflows to unlock efficiency and scalability. This pragmatic approach also led Mohamed to create Wayo, a digital platform designed for coaches and trainers, enabling them to structure their activity, automate operational tasks, and focus on what truly matters: delivering impact to their clients.
Today, through Decloedt Digital Factory, Mohamed works with organizations navigating growth, transformation, and scale. His leadership is defined by execution, clarity, and strategic alignment between business and technology. By building robust digital ecosystems and scalable operating models, he helps companies prepare for sustainable growth in fast-evolving markets, including the dynamic business landscape of the GCC.
Parallel to this, as the CEO of Wayo, Mohamed empowers professionals and founders through mentorship, growth frameworks, and peer-driven learning ecosystems. Mohamed also leads Vetinside, an AI-powered platform reimagining veterinary care through intelligent scheduling and appointment automation. Looking forward to building a suite of tools that bring AI efficiencies to veterinary practices, Vetinside will enhance patient care while reducing administrative burden.
Additionally, as a Co-Founder of HWE Academy, Mohamed supports high-performance entrepreneurs with coaching programs that blend business strategy, mindset conditioning, and operational discipline to scale ventures to new heights.
Across all his ventures, Mohamed Bouhouti champions an agile, AI-first approach — helping businesses unlock innovation, scale sustainably, and compete on a global stage.
LinkedIn | Decloedt Digital Factory
2. Sélim Chidiac | Driving Growth and Championing Corporate Governance Globally
A seasoned Board Director, CEO, and governance expert, Sélim Chidiac brings over three decades of global experience across public and private sectors. With strong leadership roles in publicly listed companies, family businesses, private equity-backed firms, and technology startups, he brings exceptional results to every organization he associates with. By driving innovation, guiding transformation, and building success stories across diverse industries from FMCG to retail and technology, Sélim’s leadership is unmatched.
Alongside leading in CEO roles at reputed global brands, Sélim has accumulated a strong expertise in strategy development, corporate governance, and mentoring CEOs. Leveraging his expertise in ensuring sustainable growth, Sélim brings his unique insights from the wide range of industries he has worked in, fostering innovation and efficiency.
As a proven strategic advisor, Sélim’s career path reflects a strong track record in corporate governance, IPO execution, and driving shareholder value. Passionate to help others unlock their true potential, Sélim guides businesses toward growth, strategy, and innovation.
Adept at strategic decision-making, risk management, and corporate governance, Sélim has a proven track record in successful IPO and capital market strategies. Success for Sélim Chidiac comes with an in-depth knowledge and understanding of people and cultures globally, and a few impactful ideas to drive transformation.
3. Jaime Wong Mei Yee | Patient Career Reimagined with Innovation
A seasoned professional, Jaime Wong Mei Yee leads as the Clinical Marketing Director for the International region for GE HealthCare, based in Dubai. With a clinical background and over 17 years of firsthand experience in patient care, Jaime understands the critical importance of empathy in healthcare. This experience shapes her passion for integrating the human touch into medical technology—ensuring innovation not only improves diagnostic accuracy but also enhances the patient experience.
In her role at GE HealthCare, Jaime leads strategic initiatives to advance ultrasound technology and deliver meaningful clinical solutions across diverse markets. Jaime acts as a bridge between complex technology and the medical community, translating technical jargon into clear, clinically relevant language that empowers healthcare professionals to adopt innovation with confidence.
She has spearheaded numerous ultrasound education programs and international collaborations, fostering knowledge exchange and elevating standards of care globally. In addition to her leadership responsibilities, Jaime is an ICF-certified coach, committed to empowering individuals and fostering professional growth within the healthcare community.
With years of experience in the medical imaging industry, she demonstrates a strong expertise in introducing new, disruptive medical technologies to the market and adopting empathetic marketing strategies to connect with potential customers. Aligning her vision to bridge technology and empathy with GE HealthCare, Jaime Wong Mei Yee is creating solutions that truly transform healthcare.
LinkedIn | Instagram | Website
4. Ahsan Jan | Driving Digital Transformation in the GCC
A result-driven leader with a strong background in program leadership and enterprise transformation, Ahsan Jan, PMP®, is known for delivering measurable impact across complex digital initiatives in the GCC. His career spans high-stakes environments where execution, governance, and stakeholder alignment are critical to success, particularly within large-scale transformation programs based in Dubai, UAE. Previously part of EY, he now leads end-to-end enterprise and SME transformations as a Consultant at Odoo.
Ahsan’s approach to leadership is rooted in collaboration and clarity. Rather than chasing trends, he focuses on turning complex digital challenges into tangible business value through structured execution, risk mitigation, and adaptable delivery models. His experience in scaling PMOs and strengthening project governance has enabled organizations to move from strategy to outcomes with confidence, even in fast-changing environments.
Earlier in his career, Ahsan worked closely with international clients on enterprise system implementations, where he played a key role in streamlining operations and ensuring seamless ERP deployments. This hands-on exposure sharpened his client-centric mindset and reinforced the importance of aligning technology with real business needs rather than theoretical frameworks.
Reflecting on leadership, Ahsan believes that experience earned through execution far outweighs surface-level innovation. His work across enterprise-wide change initiatives has shown that resilient PMOs and disciplined delivery are what enable organizations to succeed when conditions are uncertain. From planning through execution, his focus remains on building structures that endure pressure and deliver results.
With PMP certification, a strong ability to identify meaningful trends, and a commitment to scalable excellence, Ahsan continues to inspire leaders seeking sustainable transformation. His career blends enterprise discipline with practical innovation, positioning him as a trusted force in shaping the future of digital delivery across the region.
5. John Jossifakis – JJ Productions | Driving Excellence in the Event Landscape
An acclaimed name in the global event industry, John Jossifakis – JJ Productions has reshaped the approach to a series of successful grand events. As a boutique events agency with an extensive network spanning the Middle East, Europe and the America, JJ Productions designs, produces, and delivers bespoke solutions with amazing quality and creativity. Founded by John Jossifakis a Certified Special Events Professional (CESP) in Canada in 2000 and headquartered in Dubai since 2015, the agency is run by a team of innovators, creators, dreamers, and doers alike, making every event vision into reality.
John Jossifakis has been the driving force behind the successful management of more than 3,000 events globally. With projects spanning across 100 countries, his work reflects a blend of innovation, technical precision, and creativity. As a regional events consultant and expert with a niche in Show Direction, Multimedia & Fireworks Design, Creation, and Show Calling, John leverages his expertise to establish the agency as one of the leading boutique events agencies in the Middle East and even globally.
With offerings ranging from event management to live event consultancy, JJ Productions ensures tailored services, reflecting a client-centric approach. Handling concert tours for renowned artists, including Shakira, Ricky Martin, Cher, Britney Spears, Def Leppard and the Scorpions, JJ Productions’ high-quality production and seamless coordination, make these events a huge success. Leveraging the strong technical background of the founder and the team, the agency is renowned for its seamless management of all these challenges, from artist coordination to technical and production management. “Usually they call us when they need stuff to be sorted. We are a squad of specialists that literally rappels into the eye of the tornado and deliver time and time again”– says Jossifakis.
Having worked in the Olympics and other major events for over two decades, John Jossifakis’ experience has helped him grow the agency to new heights of success. By striking the right balance of meeting client requirements and fulfilling audience expectations, JJ Productions is crafting a legacy in the industry, in the Middle East and abroad.
LinkedIn | Instagram | Website
6. Liliane Abou Reslan | Empowering Brands to Build Purpose-driven Businesses
A marketing strategist, brand architect, and certified business coach, Liliane Abou Reslan brings over a decade of experience in the field. She’s someone who has built her career on passion, resilience, and the courage to reinvent herself again and again. Starting her journey in the fast-moving world of startups across the Middle East in 2015, Liliane has never looked back.
Working closely with founders, especially in GCC taught her how to build brands from zero: understanding people, reading the market, and shaping stories that feel real, needed, and unforgettable. Over the years, she led full 360° campaigns across strategy, content, PR, influencer partnerships, retail activations, and large-scale events—always choosing clarity and intention over noise and hype.
In 2022, driven by a genuine desire to help others grow, Liliane became a certified business coach. She now mentors entrepreneurs and early-stage founders, offering honest guidance, strategic direction, and the ability to see the bigger picture when they feel lost in the details. She also got certified as a professional trainer in December 2025 to enable teams to grow strategically and take sustainable decisions. Additionally, she serves as KSA Brand Marketing Manager at one of the leading global gold jewellery designers and manufacturers.
Today, Liliane is also co-building TNT Consults with her brother, turning ideas into scalable brands. Leveraging her in-depth knowledge and experience in the industry, Liliane empowers her clients to build and scale purpose-driven businesses. Being adept at cross-cultural communication, she adapts brand identities with regional markets, helping brands grow confidently.
Through her work and storytelling, Liliane Abou Reslan inspires thousands—showing that real success is a mix of creativity, discipline, and believing in yourself even on the days when it feels hardest.
7. Hanan Alshayeb | Driving Success in the FinTech Landscape
Hanan Alshayeb stands out as a transformative leader in the FinTech sector, bringing more than 22 years of experience across digital payments, e-commerce, and cryptocurrency. Known for her ability to translate strategy into scalable growth, she has built a career at the intersection of technology, commercial leadership, and market expansion—shaping high-performing organizations in an increasingly complex financial ecosystem.
With deep expertise in business growth, digital transformation, and go-to-market strategy, Hanan has consistently delivered measurable impact. Her leadership style combines data-driven decision-making with strong people leadership, enabling teams to execute ambitious growth agendas while navigating fast-evolving regulatory and technological landscapes.
Hanan holds an MBA, and a Diploma in Education from Harvard Business School, credentials that underpin her structured yet adaptable leadership approach. As well as many international training courses in the AM/CFT, Compliance, Risk , secuirty …. Etc
Hanan serves as CEO of Altery MENA, where she focuses on strengthening and expanding the digital payments ecosystem. Her work centers on enabling businesses to adopt secure, scalable, and future-ready payment solutions, with a strong emphasis on innovation, customer experience, and financial accessibility
Along with her position as CEO, in her previous role as Chief Commercial Officer at Paytiko Group, she has been a key force behind the company’s commercial success, delivering sustained 100% year-on-year revenue growth and positioning Paytiko as a recognized leader within the global FinTech market. Under her leadership, the company achieved significant increases in sales and profitability while optimizing costs—demonstrating her ability to balance growth with operational discipline.
A strong advocate for diversity and inclusion, Hanan is also recognized for her role in advancing women’s leadership in FinTech. She actively contributes her expertise as a member of the Dubai Business Women Council, Igynte, and WOMENCHOICE.ORG, supporting initiatives that empower women to lead and innovate within the financial services and technology sectors.
Looking ahead, Hanan’s vision is firmly anchored in the future of financial services. She is focused on scaling FinTech and crypto innovation across emerging markets, particularly in MENA, while pursuing executive and board-level roles where she can influence strategy, governance, and sustainable growth. She is also exploring opportunities to launch, advise, and invest in FinTech startups—especially those operating in AI-driven payments, Remittance, cross-border, and E-wallet models.
In parallel, Hanan aims to contribute to the evolution of digital payment regulations in the region, working closely with stakeholders to foster innovation, financial inclusion, and responsible adoption of new technologies. As a thought leader, she plans to continue speaking at global FinTech conferences, sharing insights on digital transformation, commercialization, and the future of payments.
With a clear vision for global FinTech leadership, crypto adoption, and strategic investment, Hanan Alshayeb is shaping the next phase of the digital payments revolution—where innovation, regulation, and customer-centricity converge to redefine how value moves across borders.
8. Claire S.: Culture, Connection, and the Essence of POYAUD
For more than a decade, Claire S. has built her career around a simple belief: the most meaningful partnerships are rooted in culture, intention, and genuine connection. From Paris and Milan to Doha and Dubai, her path has unfolded at the intersection of luxury, business, and cultural dialogue.
Educated at Paris IV Sorbonne University and ESCP Business School, and fluent in French, English, and Italian with working knowledge of Arabic, Claire moves effortlessly between worlds. Her professional journey spans the French Ministry of Culture and Communication, HSBC Bank, and Icade, before leading her to the Private Office of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, where she oversees partnerships linked to the Racecourse — a central element of a visionary development shaping Dubai’s future landscape.
Across every role, Claire has cultivated a reputation for collaborations that feel elegant, deliberate, and deeply human. For her, luxury is never about spectacle, but about resonance — the quiet alignment of values, place, and emotion.
That philosophy took shape in POYAUD, a contemporary luxury project launched in Dubai as a sensory and cultural expression rather than a traditional product line. Its first chapter unfolds through a limited capsule of large-format scented candles, conceived as quiet companions within a space.
The inaugural scents — Earl Grey and Lemongrass — reflect a dialogue between heritage and modernity. Presented in abyss-blue boxes with restrained typography, each candle invites interaction and ritual, transforming an object into an experience.
POYAUD is not about scale, but intention. It reflects a modern vision of luxury — one that values discernment over display, and moments of pause over noise.
9. Wael Kouja | Leading Dubai’s Next Era of Branded Luxury Through Visionary Development
In a city defined by ambition, innovation, and architectural boldness, Wael Kouja, Project Director at London Gate Development, stands among the leaders shaping Dubai’s luxury real estate narrative. With more than a decade of experience in the UAE and a portfolio exceeding 40 residential towers, Kouja has emerged as a key figure redefining high-rise living through strategic vision, design-led development, and globally influential partnerships.
Dubai’s real estate sector demands more than ambition—it requires precision, resilience, and the ability to execute under constant pressure. Over the years, Wael Kouja has led and supervised project delivery across more than 40 towers, developing deep expertise in planning, construction management, stakeholder coordination, and market-driven development strategies.
Since establishing his professional footprint in Dubai in 2012, Wael has consistently delivered large-scale developments that reflect both technical excellence and long-term market relevance. At the core of Wael Kouja’s current success is London Gate Development, where, as Project Director, he leads high-profile projects developed in collaboration with world-renowned luxury brands.
With key projects including Franck Muller Vanguard Tower at Dubai Marina, Franck Muller Aeternitas at Dubai Marina, and Franck Muller Yachting at Dubai Maritime City, Wael Kouja’s work reflects his exceptional expertise in high-profile projects. Franck Muller Aeternitas is designed to become the tallest residential tower in the world and features the largest mechanical clock ever constructed, with a surface area of approximately 1,200 square meters.
With a proven track record and visionary leadership, Wael Kouja continues to shape Dubai’s skyline through iconic branded developments.
10. Samar Hajir | Guiding People Back to Emotional Clarity and Inner Strength
Samar Hajir is the Founder and CEO of CoachSamar369 FZ LLC and a Master Certified Coach (MCC) accredited by the International Coaching Federation in the United States. Her work centers on emotional intelligence, self-worth, spirituality, and healing deep-rooted emotional wounds. Many know her as the “Healer of Hearts,” a title earned through years of patient, personal work with individuals seeking clarity, peace, and stronger relationships with themselves and others.
Her journey into coaching was shaped by study, lived experience, and deep curiosity. Samar traveled across the United States, Europe, and the Middle East to learn directly from spiritual teachers and mentors. These experiences helped her develop a grounded approach to inner healing, one that blends structure with compassion. She has also shared her knowledge as a lecturer at The Clique Academy in the UK, where she guided aspiring coaches and practitioners through the foundations of emotional awareness and personal growth.
Samar’s coaching focuses on helping people understand their emotional patterns and the impact of early life experiences. She works closely with clients on healing childhood wounds, rebuilding self-love, and forming healthier connections. Her belief is simple and steady. Pain carries meaning, and when faced honestly, it can become a source of insight rather than suffering. “Trauma into transformation, wounds into wisdom,” is not a slogan for her. It is the core of her daily work.
At the heart of Samar’s philosophy is love. She believes that every person is made of it, and that many struggles begin when that natural state is blocked. Her sessions do not aim to fix people. Instead, she helps remove what stands in the way of ease, trust, and emotional flow. Clients often describe moments of quiet realization during her sessions, when long-held tension finally loosens and clarity replaces confusion.
Today, Samar continues to guide individuals who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected. She believes that everything happens for a reason, and that each challenge carries a lesson waiting to be understood. Through her coaching, she helps people uncover those reasons, reconnect with themselves, and move forward with steadiness and self-respect. Her work is not about quick change, but about lasting inner balance that carries into every part of life.
Conclusion:
Guided by the values to drive transformation in the region, the top business leaders featured in this article are turning setbacks into opportunities for growth and expansion. Backed by their experience and creativity, these top business leaders of the UAE are leaving a strong legacy for the next generation of professionals to look up to.
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