He shares his perspective on how true success comes from empowering others and creating meaningful opportunities within the community.
Dubai: For Emirati Ahmed Al Zarooni, the value of community and supporting others has been an important part of his life since childhood.
Born and brought up in Sharjah, Al Zarooni grew up in a close-knit environment where family, friends and neighbours played a central role in everyday life. Helping one another and maintaining strong community relationships were values deeply rooted in his upbringing.
His family instilled in him the importance of dedication, making the most of available opportunities and treating people with kindness and respect.
“Building a better future means taking responsibility for your own progress while helping others move forward too,” Al Zarooni told Gulf News.
This belief has continued to guide his personal and professional journey, shaping the decisions he makes, the opportunities he explores and his commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of others.
For Al Zarooni, achieving success is not simply about personal accomplishments but also about creating opportunities that allow those around him to grow and succeed.
A Journey Driven by Volunteering and Learning
Al Zarooni’s involvement in volunteering began with a strong desire to explore new experiences, develop skills and discover opportunities beyond his familiar surroundings.
Rather than limiting himself to a particular career path, he was eager to gain exposure to different professional environments and understand how various organisations and teams functioned.
Volunteering provided him with an opportunity to take on unfamiliar responsibilities, interact with people from diverse backgrounds and explore roles he might not otherwise have considered.
Through these experiences, he began developing a broader understanding of teamwork, personal growth and the importance of contributing to the community.
His enthusiasm for learning and exploring new opportunities has led him to participate as a volunteer in more than 100 events and initiatives across the UAE, other countries in the region and international destinations.
His volunteering experience spans major sporting events, government conferences, charitable programmes and international exhibitions, allowing him to engage with people from different cultures and backgrounds.
Over the years, these opportunities have strengthened his belief that volunteering is about contributing to a purpose greater than personal achievement. He considers generosity, community involvement and public service essential values that reflect the UAE’s national identity.
Among his most meaningful experiences were visits to refugee camps in Jordan, where he spent time assisting communities facing difficult circumstances.
These experiences gave him a deeper understanding of humanitarian work and demonstrated how even small acts of kindness and support can make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
His commitment to volunteering eventually led him to the Emirates Foundation, where he took responsibility for managing Volunteers AE, the UAE’s official volunteering platform.
The role allowed him to move from participating in volunteer activities to helping others discover opportunities to contribute to society.
“That brought my journey full circle, from exploring my own future through volunteering to helping others discover their potential while contributing to the community,” Al Zarooni shared.
Building a Career Through Diverse Experiences
For Ahmed Al Zarooni, professional development has been shaped by exploration, adaptability and a willingness to embrace unfamiliar challenges rather than following a conventional career path.
Throughout his career, he has worked across private, semi-private and government organisations, gaining experience in several industries.
His professional background includes aviation, telecommunications, event management, entertainment, real estate, retail and philanthropy.
At the Abu Dhabi Executive Office, he contributed to projects involving event management, strategic initiatives and philanthropic activities.
He later became involved with Expo 2020 Dubai, where he played a role in welcoming and coordinating participation from representatives of 192 countries and 13 international organisations.
Each professional experience provided him with fresh perspectives, new skills and opportunities to understand how different sectors operate.
Rather than defining career success by a particular designation or professional milestone, Al Zarooni has consistently prioritised learning, personal development and taking on responsibilities that challenge him.
He believes that while financial achievements, business growth and professional recognition are important, they do not fully capture the meaning of success.
“The more experience I gain, the more I feel that success cannot simply be measured by the size of a business, a job title, or financial results. Those things are important, but there is also the question of what you create for other people,” Al Zarooni explained.
For him, meaningful success involves using personal achievements and professional experience to create opportunities, empower others and contribute positively to the wider community.
Everyone Has a Part to Play in Shaping the UAE’s Future
Ahmed Al Zarooni believes that building a stronger future for the UAE requires collective effort, with every individual having the ability to make a positive contribution to society.
He emphasised that making a difference does not require wealth, years of professional experience or a senior leadership position. Instead, meaningful change can begin with simple actions and a genuine willingness to help others.
Whether through volunteering, mentoring, sharing knowledge or supporting community initiatives, Al Zarooni encourages people to take the first step and remain committed to their efforts.
According to him, consistency and dedication are more important than the scale of an individual’s contribution.
“Everyone who calls the UAE home has something to contribute. As an Emirati, I feel a strong responsibility to play a part in the country’s future and I believe that sense of belonging and contribution is shared by many who have built their lives here,” Al Zarooni said.
He believes that the UAE’s continued development depends not only on major achievements and national initiatives but also on the everyday contributions of individuals who support and uplift their communities.
For Al Zarooni, creating a lasting legacy is about more than personal recognition or professional success. It is about the positive influence people have on others and the opportunities they help create for future generations.
He stressed that even small acts of generosity, guidance and encouragement can leave a meaningful impact that extends beyond an individual’s lifetime.
Reflecting on the importance of community involvement and shared responsibility, Al Zarooni concluded:
“The UAE’s story is shaped by the people who contribute to it. Through the people we help and the example we set, each of us can leave something meaningful in that story.”
