The awards honour women’s leadership and shared efforts toward building a more inclusive future.
An evening of inspiration, recognition, and celebration took place yesterday at Dubai’s Museum of the Future as the Excellence Awards 2026 honoured 35 outstanding leaders and organisations whose work is transforming industries and advancing women’s progress across the UAE. Set against a backdrop of entertainment, networking, and a vibrant gathering of business leaders and entrepreneurs, the sixth edition of the awards highlighted excellence across finance, technology, healthcare, education, arts and culture, sustainability, hospitality, media, automotive, logistics, real estate, and wellness.
Organised by Gulf News and BeingShe, the awards recognised winners chosen from more than 300 nominations, spotlighting not only individual achievements but also, for the first time, organisations fostering workplaces where women can lead, innovate, and thrive.
Delivering the keynote address, Sheikha Alia Bint Khalid Al Qassimi, Managing Director of the UAE National Orchestra and guest of honour, drew a compelling parallel between the Museum of the Future and the women being recognised.
She said, “The future is not something we wait for. It is something we design and build with our own hands.”
She described the evening as a tribute to women whose leadership and determination have shaped today’s UAE while also contributing to the nation still in the making.
She also spoke candidly about the self-doubt many women experience in their careers, noting that confidence is often strengthened through the support of mentors and advocates.
“The most powerful sound is never the loudest voice. It is the moment when every voice finds its place,” she said.
Drawing on her experience leading the UAE National Orchestra, she explained that just as an orchestra achieves excellence through the harmony of different instruments, society thrives when diverse talents come together. She added that every honoured woman serves as an example to the next generation that ambition is attainable.
“I am not looking at women preparing for the future. I am looking at women who are already building it,” she said.
Opening the ceremony earlier, Vijay Vaghela, CEO of Gulf News, paid tribute to the UAE leadership for fostering an environment where such initiatives can thrive.
He said, “This event and many others across the UAE would not have been possible without the strong and inspirational UAE leadership that has guided us through unprecedented and challenging times over the past few months. I take this opportunity to thank the leadership.”
Welcoming the nominees and guests, he described the winners as women who have “broken barriers, shattered ceilings and paved paths for the next generation,” adding that their achievements in creativity, innovation, and leadership deserved recognition.
He further noted that the Excellence Awards is a key fixture in the Gulf News calendar and has evolved over the years. “This year we also celebrate organisations that actively support, develop, and empower women in the workplace,” he said.
In her speech, Aparna Bajpai, Founder of BeingShe, said the awards represent far more than a platform for recognition.
“BeingShe was never just about entrepreneurship. It was never just about leadership. It was never just about awards,” she said. “It was about creating a space where women could feel seen, valued, recognised, and supported.”
Bajpai noted that recognition can often serve as a turning point that helps women rebuild self-belief, while stressing that sustained empowerment depends on ongoing support through networking, mentorship, and visibility.
She also announced a new initiative, set to launch in November in partnership with Gulf News, which will honour men who have consistently supported, mentored, and championed women in their personal and professional journeys.
“At Gulf News and BeingShe, we believe that women’s empowerment becomes stronger when men actively participate in it with respect, responsibility, and genuine support,” she said.
On behalf of Gulf News, Editor-in-Chief Mark Thompson welcomed the jury of the Excellence Awards 2026, which included Badreya Al Maidoor, Assistant Undersecretary for the Support Services Sector at the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism; Shaikha Ebrahim Al Mutawa, Director of Hospitality Affairs at the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism; Shaikha Al Beshri, Senior Manager – Business Excellence at Dubai Chambers; and Madhurima Nigam, Founder of Numen Rising.
He said, “The integrity and prestige of the Excellence Awards are made possible by an outstanding panel of jury members whose expertise, leadership and commitment guide the selection process.”
Adding a memorable highlight to the evening, Ahmad Haffar, widely known as the Voice of Dubai, delivered a captivating presentation titled You Win by Trying. Recognised for his iconic announcements at venues such as Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai Opera, and Dubai International Airport, he engaged the audience with his performance.
As winners received their honours to resounding applause, the Excellence Awards 2026 reaffirmed its position as a platform celebrating leadership, resilience, and collective effort in building a more inclusive future for women across the UAE
Corporate Awards
- Al Khaznah Leathers — Excellence in Sustainability (Shamsa Muaid Al Ahbabi)
- Pari Cosmetics — Best Innovation in Retail (Yvonne Becker)
- Advance Business Consultancy LLC — Best in F&B Solutions (Shariq Rabbani)
- Gulf News Editor’s Choice Award for Excellence in Property — Luxury Villa Community of the Year: KABBALI HILLS by Arif Developments (Adil Arif)
- Devika Mankani — Excellence in Health: Best in Psychology
- Noor Alsayegh — Excellence in Arts: Best in Creative Writing
- Zinaida Mascarenhas — Excellence in Business: Best in Live Entertainment
- Maysoun Ramadan — Excellence in Sustainability: Best in DEI Strategy
- María José Paiz Olivares — Excellence in Philanthropy: Best in Strategic Philanthropy
- Dr Lioudmila Vassiliev — Excellence in Health: Best in Integrative Medicine
- Logeswari KM — Excellence in Media: Best Creative Agency
- Darli Myint — Excellence in Hospitality: Best in Luxury Travel & Tourism
- Dr Tahani Al-Qadiri — Excellence in Health: Best in Workforce Development
- Zohra Dawoodani — Excellence in Wellness: Best in Pregnancy Care
- Kripa Gokal Dewani — Excellence in Wellness: Best in Nutrition Science
- Sanaa Ouahmane — Excellence in Automotive: Best in Leadership & Mobility Impact
- Shamsa Muaid Al Ahbabi — Excellence in Business: Best in Transformational Leadership
- Dr Sangeetha Vijay — Excellence in Wellness: Best in Transdisciplinary Healthcare
- Vanessa Abernethy — Excellence in Business: Best in Transaction Advisory
- Anjali Ramchandani — Excellence in Corporate: Best in Logistics
- Myuri Behary — Excellence in Education: Best in Education Management
- Sabrina Denis — Excellence in Finance: Best Investment Strategist
- Kusuma Narayana — Excellence in Health: Best in Dermatology
- Simona Mariana Barbulescu — Excellence in Business: Best Real Estate Agent
- Kelly Hand — Excellence in Business: Best in Design Innovation
- Kavita Srinivasan — Excellence in Wellness: Best Parenting Coach
- Hayat Abubeker — Excellence in Real Estate: Best Boutique Agency
- Alexandra Govorukha — Excellence in Technology: Best in Digital Transformation
- Hajra Jaafar — Excellence in Wellness: Best Life Coach
- Dr Nivedya Sohan Roy — Excellence in Wellness: Best in Medical Tourism & Healthcare Innovation
- Dr Priya Verma — Excellence in Health: Best in Dentistry
- Aditi Trivedi — Excellence in Business: Best in Technology Leadership
- Alex Makarovski — Excellence in Business: Best Career Coach
- Sara Chemmaa — Excellence in Business: Best Innovation in Consumer Products
- Najah Musthafa — Excellence in Health: Best in Trauma Care
