When Iman Al-Omrani began her career in technology, she often found she was the only woman in the room. But along her career journey to become Chief Digital Advisor at Amazon Web Services (AWS), MENAT, she saw women increasingly joining the workforce not just in public sector roles, but in all business sectors, including science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) roles.
Today, Iman is working at the forefront of the tech industry, using tools including up-to-the-minute AI applications and creating innovative solutions for customers. The growing number of home-grown leaders like Iman is a clear indicator that the UAE’s ongoing efforts to create more opportunities for local talent to work in the private sector are paying rich dividends.
Empowering environments
The UAE government has made significant strides to promote a work environment in which Emiratis, and women in particular, can thrive – not least through legislative reforms to strengthen women’s economic inclusion. Other initiatives include the ‘Women’s Leadership Program’, which was developed to enhance the leadership skills of Emirati women, and the training and support offered through the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council, part of the ‘Nafis’ initiative to create job opportunities for Emiratis in the private sector.
As part of this effort, the government works extensively with the private sector to facilitate the participation and progress of Emirati talent across various industries. After earning her computer science degree at the United Arab Emirates University, she worked in various roles in the tech sector, climbing the ladder to her current position at AWS. “I’ve had a wealth of opportunities for professional growth working for some of the UAE’s flagship companies and brands,” she says. “I am inspired by the scale at which AWS operates, which allows me to deliver value to customers and companies across the region and the globe, in countless sectors and industries.
“It is also very fulfilling to be part of a team where your ideas and contributions are encouraged, valued and can drive significant change. I believe that there is no limit to what my team and I can achieve and deliver for our customers every day.”
Inclusion by design
Iman cites an engaging work culture dedicated to inclusion as a foundational factor in her success. It’s a view that chimes with the experiences of Hanan Abdulla, Marketing Manager Consumables, Amazon Retail UAE & KSA. “An encouraging, collaborative, flexible and supportive environment is crucial to achieving both personal growth and professional development,” she says.
Hanan has shown great promise in her field. She was recently presented with the prestigious Nafis Award, which honours outstanding Emiratis working in the private sector, by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council (ETCC). President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan welcomed her as one of the winners.
The dedication to diversity and inclusion in the UAE’s private sector and the UAE talent development initiatives make it an exceptional environment for women like Hanan to thrive. “Emirati women have tremendous opportunities in the private sector, which offers opportunities to collaborate with international teams and organisations,” she adds. “The dynamic nature of the sector allows you to engage in numerous projects, which really helps you to enhance and refine your skills and gain more knowledge.”
Mentorship and collaboration
With as many as a billion jobs likely to be transformed by technology in the coming years, developing new skills is of key importance to equipping the Emirati workforce for the future of work. And many Emirati graduates are looking to the innovative, collaborative environments of the private sector for the learning and development opportunities it provides, according to PwC Middle East’s recent Emiratisation Survey.
Abeer Mohamed, HR Assistant at Amazon in the UAE, has had a diverse career that spans roles in marketing and human resources – as well as being a personal trainer, teaching clients everything from cardio exercises to Pilates. Whatever the field, for Abeer life is about pushing boundaries and continuous learning. And she says that this growth mindset reflects the ethos of the UAE’s workplace.
“Professional development and mentorship programmes are critical for the advancement of Emirati women,” she says. “Mentorship, in particular, is invaluable as it provides access to experienced professionals who can share their knowledge, offer career advice and serve as role models for aspiring women in the workforce.”
This belief is held by her employer, too, which in 2023, launched ‘Amazon Future Leaders Program – Injah’, an initiative designed to accelerate the career growth of Emirati talent across all Amazon business units and prepare them for leadership roles. Mentors are helping participants to hone essential leadership skills as they undertake the two-year programme, which includes on-the-job training, cross-functional exposure, regular meetings with business leaders, and accelerated paths to leadership. According to Bikram Walia, Director, Human Resources, Amazon MENA, “Amazon deploys a multi-year talent strategy in the UAE, which is dedicated to ensuring the success of Emirati women employees. The ‘Amazon Future Leaders Program – Injah’ is a cornerstone of this strategy, providing deep knowledge, leadership development and industry-specific management skills to build the leaders of tomorrow.”
A vision for the future
By creating a pipeline of Emirati business leaders, the Amazon initiative is contributing to the UAE’s Emiratisation goals and supports the We the UAE 2031 vision – helping to foster economic prosperity, social well-being and development of human capital in the country.
For Hanan Abdulla, making an impact in the digital sector is one of the most rewarding aspects of her job. “It plays a pivotal role in driving economic development and achieving the UAE's ambitious vision for a diversified future,” she says. “By advancing within this sector, you contribute directly to the country’s economic growth and development.”
Contributing in this way is also a “powerful motivator” for Alia Alshamsi, Program Manager, Amazon MENA Services. She moved from a background in aviation to Amazon, drawn by the company’s reputation for industry-leading technology and obsession with customer satisfaction. With a role that includes working with multiple stakeholders to ensure projects for Amazon MENA Retail’s fashion pages are delivered efficiently and effectively, she says she thrives in nurturing environments that embrace big ideas and redefine what is possible.
And she has a message for anyone aspiring to follow in her path. “Remember as you start your career journey that skills can be learned and expertise is built over time,” she advises. “Don't feel discouraged by the unknown; rather seek to explore it and focus on being curious, asking questions and seeking out opportunities to learn; all experts were beginners at one stage.”
Whatever stage of their career journey they are at, when Emirati women thrive, so too the industries they represent and the country itself.
