What are the main achievements in your life?
- I consider having my 3 kids is my best achievement.
- Obtaining my medical degree and the Membership of Royal college of General Practitioners.
- Getting my masters in healthcare management.
- Introducing Tobacco Free Dubai: that was an idea that I proposed and I thank the people who have worked with me, especially Dr. Hanan Obaid, for the support in making this happen, to continue to foster it and work on it even after I left Dubai Health Authority.
- Working in Sheikh Mohammed’s Office –the UAE Prime Minister’s Office- and having a strategic rather than operational role is a dream I always had and it came true.
What drives you to be at the Top of your Game? What are your success strategies?
- Having the support from family, including my father and my sisters, was the main reason why I stood before many challenges.
- Creating good relationships even with people that you might not like! I’m an idealistic person and I used to be very sensitive about some people’s political and selfish side. Along the way I learned to accept that other people are driven with different values and it helped me a lot during my journey.
- The confidence and belief in myself and my capabilities.
- Enjoying the process and knowing that everything is not constant, including the bad or difficult times.
- Loving what I do! I have a passion about bettering lives!
The GCC states, and the UAE within it, are going through major change when it comes to the involvement in business and society. What do you think is driving that?
- Maturity in the government and people.
- Openness to the global market.
- The revolution in social media which has made people interact at faster pace, also it put the real people’s perspective across unlike before.
Finally, it is important for us to recognise the power of men in supporting women. Is there a man who has played an instrumental role in your personal growth and success? Who are they and how did they influence you?
- My supportive man has always been my father, he always believed in his children’s capabilities and recognised the strengths in each of us. He also gave us the opportunities to complete our studies and support us in any financial requirements.
- Support of men in our society plays an important role in women’s professional success; especially in the Arabian Gulf which is driven by male culture and traditions.
- Our leadership, Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid are role models, they influenced the mentality of men in UAE society and have always believed and supported women as leaders.