Across the UAE, extraordinary women are redefining healthier futures, sustainable lifestyles, and greater well-being. From sports empowerment to filmmaking, campaigning for mental health to leading global diplomacy in renewable energy, they are making a difference far beyond the national stage.
This is the story of H.E. Dr. Nawal Al-Hosany, Nayla Al Khaja, Hala Kazim and Amna Al Haddad — four trailblazers whose lives are a testament to resilience, vision, and purpose. Collectively, they show us that well-being and sustainability are not policies or trends, but lived values that enrich society and safeguard our planet.
H.E. Dr. Nawal Al-Hosany: The Energy Transition Pioneer
Few voices champion the UAE’s clean energy vision as powerfully as H.E. Dr. Nawal Al-Hosany. Since 2018, she has served as the UAE’s Permanent Representative to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), where she is recognized globally as an ambassador for renewable energy and climate diplomacy.
Key Work
- At Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s clean-tech hub, Dr. Nawal helped design Masdar City, one of the world’s most sustainable developments.
- As Director of Sustainability at Masdar, she ensured buildings were energy neutral through green architecture and smart waste management.
- She also managed the Zayed Future Energy Prize (now Zayed Sustainability Prize), honoring global projects that deliver clean energy, safe water, and healthier lives.
Advocacy
Dr. Nawal is deeply committed to empowering women in STEM and sustainability. She co-founded WiSER (Women in Sustainability, Environment and Renewable Energy), a global mentorship and training platform that equips women scientists, entrepreneurs, and policymakers with the tools to lead in climate and energy fields.
Her voice carries beyond the UAE, from publishing articles on renewable energy to representing the nation at international summits. She emphasizes that the energy transition is not just a technological shift, but one tied to human well-being, health, and future security.
Impact
Dr. Nawal’s career reflects both grit and vision — even scaling Mount Kilimanjaro as one of the first Emirati women to raise awareness for sustainability. Through projects, mentoring, and diplomacy, she is building a world where clean energy supports both planetary health and human resilience.
Nayla Al Khaja: Storytelling for Sustainability
Film has the unique power to touch hearts and spark dialogue. Nayla Al Khaja, the UAE’s first female film director, has used that power to spotlight sustainability, cultural identity, and environmental heritage.
Key Work
- In 2023, her short documentary “The Road to Fulfilment” won the Silver Dolphin Award at the Cannes Corporate Media & TV Awards.
- The film highlighted the UAE’s fragile ecosystem, emphasizing the importance of sustainable living practices, from wildlife conservation to mindful resource use.
Advocacy
Rather than advocating through policy or business, Al Khaja harnesses storytelling as activism. She places sustainability in an emotional, human context, making it accessible to both local communities and international audiences.
Her broader work often explores themes of social responsibility and cultural identity, reminding us that caring for the environment is inseparable from preserving traditions and values.
Impact
Through her films, Nayla Al Khaja ensures sustainability is not only a government agenda but also a cultural conversation. She inspires audiences to adopt eco-conscious habits and take responsibility for their community’s future.
Hala Kazim: Healing Through Change and Nature
Well-being goes beyond diet and exercise — it is also about mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Hala Kazim, life coach, counselor, and founder of Journey Through Change (JTC), has pioneered new ways for Emirati women to reclaim balance and resilience.
Key Work
- Founded in 2011, Journey Through Change combines travel, hiking, therapy, and coaching. Women embark on guided retreats, from mountain hikes to rural escapes, where they reconnect with themselves and build clarity, confidence, and strength.
- Developed “Coffee with Hala”, informal support circles that normalize mental health conversations.
- Published books and online content offering practical tools for self-care, emotional awareness, and healing.
- Spoke at the United Nations #MyVoiceMatters event, advocating for mental health awareness and women’s empowerment in the Arab world.
Advocacy
Hala’s approach stems from her own recovery from depression. She realized that conventional therapy needed to be complemented with nature, community, and movement. Her philosophy underscores that healing is holistic, requiring alignment of mind, body, and spirit.
Impact
By creating safe spaces for women to open up and heal, Hala Kazim has destigmatized mental health in the region. Her retreats and coaching programs highlight that well-being and sustainability start within — through conscious living and connection to nature.
Amna Al Haddad: Breaking Barriers in Fitness and Mental Health
When Amna Al Haddad lifted weights on the international stage, she carried more than a barbell — she lifted barriers for Emirati women in sports. Today, she is celebrated as a pioneer in fitness and mental health advocacy.
Key Work
- Former journalist turned athlete, she became the first Emirati and GCC woman to compete internationally in Olympic weightlifting and CrossFit.
- In 2017, she collaborated with Nike to develop the Nike Pro Hijab, based on her personal experience as a hijabi athlete. This product revolutionized inclusivity, empowering millions of Muslim women to train and compete freely.
Advocacy
Amna is now a global speaker, consultant and coach, addressing not only fitness but also mental health awareness. She shares her journey through depression and burnout, showing how sport became her pathway to healing. By speaking candidly, she challenges stigma and inspires young people — especially women — to use fitness as a tool for self-discovery.
Impact
Her message — “Strong bodies build strong minds” — has resonated globally. Amna’s legacy is not just in medals, but in inspiring programs that harmonize physical strength with mental resilience, breaking stereotypes about Emirati women in sports and beyond.
A Shared Legacy of Health and Sustainability
Though their paths differ, Dr. Nawal Al-Hosany, Nayla Al Khaja, Hala Kazim, and Amna Al Haddad share a vision: a UAE where sustainability and well-being are lived realities. Together, they embody four pillars of sustainability: energy, culture, wellness, and sports. They are shaping a healthier, greener, and more inclusive UAE — and inspiring the world along the way.