37 outstanding women named winners at Excellence Awards 2025

The fifth edition of Excellence Awards celebrates women’s achievements in all spheres

Last updated:
Priya Mathew, Head Of Content - Reach
6 MIN READ
Winners of Excellence Awards 2025 at the Museum of the Future on Saturday
Winners of Excellence Awards 2025 at the Museum of the Future on Saturday

Courage, conviction and commitment took centre stage on Saturday as 37 women who have made a mark in their professions were honoured at Excellence Awards 2025, organised by Gulf News and BeingShe.

In a glittering ceremony at the Museum of the Future, Badreya Al Maidoor, Assistant Undersecretary of Support Services Sector at the UAE Ministry of Economy, along with other dignitaries and jury members, presented the awards to winners for their innovation, resilience and leadership.

From the arts and the automotive industry to business, education and finance, the fifth edition of the awards saw representation of women from a broad spectrum of sectors, demonstrating its growing reach and impact.  

Pushing boundaries

With a compelling keynote address, Badreya set the tone for the awards evening that won the hearts and minds of the audience. “It is a matter of great pride for us that in the UAE women constitute 29 per cent of ministerial positions — one of the highest in the Middle East,” she said. “Women also make up 50 per cent of the Federal National Council, and constitute 66 per cent of the UAE’s public sector workforce, with 30 per cent holding leadership positions.

“These remarkable achievements are a testament to the UAE’s visionary leadership, which has consistently recognised women as equal partners in the nation’s development and as a foundation of a flourishing, forward- looking society.”

She commented Excellence Awards for being a platform that celebrates the extraordinary potential everyone has to positively influence work and drive meaningful change.

Addressing the winners, she said: “Your achievements are more than personal milestones — they are powerful reminders that with vision and determination, boundaries can be pushed and new pathways forged.

“It is through your courage, commitment, and belief in yourself that you will continue to shape a future filled with opportunity — not only for yourselves, but for generations of women to come.”

She exhorted the women to continue to believe in their worth, voice and vision. “Never underestimate the power of your dreams or the impact of your journey. The road ahead may not always be easy, but it will always be worth it.”

Maintaining the momentum

Eugene Mayne, Founder and Group CEO of Tristar, the sponsor of Excellence Awards 2025, said there was a growing realisation that diversity was not only about being fair but also smart business. Although there’s been a symbolic as well as a structural shift, he reminded in his keynote address that a lot more work remains to be done.

“Women in the Middle East, Asia-Pacific and parts of Africa still lag behind in board representation and far too many women face bias, burnout and broken career ladders.”

But transformation doesn't happen by accident, he added. “It comes from bold policies and relentless advocacy by women and allies who refuse to be sidelined. It also comes from leaders who understand that creating space for women isn't an act of charity; it's part of a strategic vision. Teams perform better when inclusive leadership is the norm and not the exception.”

Awards like Excellence Awards are an annual reminder of the need to keep this trend alive, he said.

“The goal for all of us today is not simply to invite women to the table but also to ensure they have the voice, the influence and the power to shape the table. And the next chapter will be written not by a few trailblazers but by all men and women who believe in the leadership model that is just, balanced and visionary.”

The power of recognition

As Excellence Awards celebrated its fifth edition on Saturday, Aparna Bajpai, Founder of BeingShe, emphasised the power of recognition in her address. She urged the women to use the recognition as a starting point to build their brand and share their vision and open doors not just for themselves but also others watching them.

“This journey has never been about simply awarding the who’s who,” she said. “It has always been about bringing the established leaders and the rising stars together on one powerful platform so that real mentorship, shared wisdom, and meaningful opportunities can grow.

“Because growth doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens when power meets potential, when stories are heard, and when strength is celebrated — not in silence, but in spotlight.

“Together, we’re not just hosting an event. We’re building a legacy where visibility leads to validation, and where recognition creates ripple effects of growth, ROI, and global impact.”

Rewriting the narrative

For Tina Bhaktha, Head of Commercial Partnerships & Events, Gulf News, Excellence Awards was a platform to honour the fierceness, sacrifice and undeniable strength behind every woman of success.

“Her determination moves mountains; her unity builds bridges,” she said in her welcome address. “Together, women don’t just change the narrative—they write a new one."

Honouring the winners who stepped beyond their traditional roles to become CEOs, doctors, artists, entrepreneurs, educators, builders and dreamers, she said: “You dared to break barriers, to claim spaces that once whispered: not yet. Today, you roar: welcome. Your success is a beacon to every young girl watching, saying, “Yes, she can. And so can I.

“Whether in heels or flats, whether leading a boardroom or a household, whether standing centre stage or working behind the scenes, you embody excellence.

“But this room holds more than excellence. It holds empathy. It holds unity. It holds the undeniable truth: when women lift each other, we all rise.”

Excellence Awards 2025 winners

  • Chloe Belloy: Excellence in Legal Services — Best in Criminal and Family Law

  • Poonam Bhojani: Excellence in Education — Best in Innovation & Leadership

  • Amrita Hothi: Women Under 30 — Rising Entrepreneur of the Year

  • Aparna Verma: Excellence in Education — Lifetime Achievement Award

  • Dr Hanan Al Mheiri: Excellence in Business — Best in Leadership and Mindset Transformation

  • Dr Elizabeth Thomas: Excellence in Pet Care — Best Entrepreneur

  • Nawarh Faran: Excellence in Corporate — Best in Healthcare Management

  • Sarah Fayad: Excellence in Technology — Best in Urban Design

  • Swetha Prabhakaran: Excellence in Business Lifetime Achievement Award

  • Shubha Mishra: Excellence in Real Estate — Best in Construction

  • Sanaa Ouahmane: Excellence in Automotive Industry  — Best in Mobility Services

  • Alia Noor: Excellence in Finance         — Best in Corporate Taxation

  • Ahlam Ali Al Marzooqi: Excellence in Finance — Best Strategic Financial Planner

  • Dr Mehri Pourkand: Excellence in Health — Best in Cosmetology

  • Nada Adwan Yazbeck: Excellence in Education — Best Education App

  • Fariha Fatima: Excellence in Finance — Best in Product Development & Strategy

  • Nooshin Mortazavi: Excellence in Real Estate — Best Start-up of the Year

  • Priyaa Telavvane: Excellence in Arts — Best in Interior Design

  • Layal Hamdeh: Excellence in Media — Best Content Creator

  • Ryoko Kuwata: Excellence in Media — Best Creative Agency

  • Vineetha Jose Thachil: Excellence in Finance — Best in Audit & Assurance

  • Nithya Reuben: Excellence in Human Resources — Best Transformational Leadership Coach

  • Shirin Asgar: Excellence in Business — Best in Fragrances and Cosmetics

  • Mridula Singh: Excellence in Real Estate — Best Innovation in Property Management

  • Cynthia Trench: Excellence in Legal Services — Best Legal Consultant

  • Margaret Adeniyi: Excellence in Fashion & Beauty — Best Style Coach

  • Areeba Sheikh: Women under 30 — Rising Star in IT & Digital Transformation

  • Linda Muldoon:           Excellence in Real Estate — Best Boutique Agency

  • Maya Moghrabi: Excellence in Business — Best Health and Food Entrepreneur

  • Dr Lioudmila Grigorievna Vassiliev: Excellence in Health — Best in Holistic Medicine

  • Dhanya Rejish: Excellence in Finance — Best in Tax Consultancy

  • Dr Vidhya Vinod: Excellence in Education — Best in Student Placement

  • Dr Summia Zaher: Excellence in Health — Best in Obstetrics and Gynaecology

  • Shanti Kumari Bhandari: Excellence in Tourism — Trailblazer of the Year

  • Amreen Iqbal: Excellence in Business — Best in Luxury Retail

  • Maryam Rastegar Poor: Excellence in Education — Best in Music Training

  • Dr Randa Diab-Bahman: Excellence in Education — Best Consultant

Distinguished jury

More than 400 nominations were received for this year’s Excellence Awards. Jury members comprising Dr Aisha Bint Butti Bin Bishr, Global Digital Transformation Expert and Strategic Leader in Smart City Initiatives; Dr Sonia Ben Jaafar, CEO of the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation; Khalid Anib, CEO of Abu Dhabi National Hotels; Omer Elamin, President of Orient Group; Salima Gutieva, Vice President and Country Manager, Visa UAE; and Samia Bouazza, Group CEO and Managing Director of Multiply Group, selected 37 winners out of the nominations.

Excellence Awards 2025 was supported by Sterling Group as the Fragrance Partner, Ahmad Tea and Rouge as Gifting Partners, Crystal Gallery as the Trophy Partner, and Luxe as Decor Partner.

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