Celebrating Woman Power: Gulf News and BeingShe Honor Excellence in 2024

The 2024 Excellence Awards in Dubai is set to be a night of celebration and recognition for over 40 exceptional women from various fields. The event, taking place at the Museum of the Future, will be graced by Shaikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi, the UAE’s first female minister, as the Chief Guest. Alongside other dignitaries, she will present awards to the deserving winners and deliver a keynote address.

The Excellence Awards has garnered significant interest from women across sectors such as business, health, media, arts, and technology, with nominations flooding in since April. A distinguished jury, including prominent figures like Dr Eesa Mohammed Al Bastaki and Ismail Al Naqi, has been appointed to select the winners.

Sponsored by Ajman Free Zone, Tristar, and Century Financial, the event aims to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women in various fields. Awards will be presented in categories like Business, Health, Education, Hospitality, Corporate, Media, and Human Resources.

Some of the notable winners include Dr Mary Jane Alvero Almahdi for Best in Quality Management in Business, Shilpa Mahtani for Best in Property Management in Hospitality, and Humeira Badsha for Best Healthcare Entrepreneur in Health. Other winners include Alia Noor for Best Corporate Tax Advisor, Kanika Bhatia for Best Event Planner in Media, and Poonam Bhojani for Best Education Entrepreneur.

The ceremony kicked off with a Lifetime Achievement Award in Education for Shakuntala Mankani, followed by keynote speeches from Eugene Mayne, Ismail Al Naqi, and Shaikha Lubna. In her address, Shaikha Lubna praised the UAE leadership for their support in empowering women and creating a society where women have equal rights and opportunities.

Aparna Bajpai, the Founder of Being She, welcomed the audience and highlighted the platform’s mission to empower working women through networking and mentorship. The collaboration with Gulf News has further amplified their impact and provided greater opportunities for growth and visibility for women members.

Gulf News also announced the launch of The Empowered, an annual subscription for working women in the UAE, offering unique benefits and support from Gulf News and Being She. Tina Bhakthavalsalan, Sales Manager, Events, Supplements & Contract Publishing, expressed gratitude to all nominees for their contributions and emphasized the transformative and invaluable role of women in various spheres.

As Chief Guest Shaikha Lubna arrived at the venue, the celebrations began in full swing, marking a night of recognition, empowerment, and inspiration for women across diverse domains. The 2024 Excellence Awards truly showcased the talent, resilience, and leadership of women in the UAE.