Dubai, UAE – In celebration of Emirati Women’s Day, IFZA partnered with the Mexican Business Council UAE to host an exclusive business panel at IFZA on 4 September, bringing together women leaders and entrepreneurs for a discussion on leadership, innovation and entrepreneurship.
The event welcomed leaders and entrepreneurs from the business, media and creative sectors to discuss the opportunities and challenges shaping professional and entrepreneurial growth in the UAE. The conversation centred on practical experiences of leadership, innovation and resilience, as well as building businesses across cultures and markets.
Guests included representatives from the diplomatic and business communities, as well as IFZA Partners, licensees, and entrepreneurs. Also in attendance were members of IFZA’s partner business councils in Dubai, including Anastasia Bobrysheva from the Ukrainian Business Council, Roula Harb from the American Chamber and Avani Thakrar from the Portuguese Business Council.
Perspectives from Across Industries
Moderated by Dr. Lena Janina, Board Member of the Mexican Business Council UAE, and hosted by Natalie Thompson, Marketing Director at IFZA, the panel featured Abeer AlKhaja, Marketing Director at Sharjah Capability Development and a fitness entrepreneur; Patricia Yun, Founder and CEO of Yuniq Project Management; and Pamela Batiz Garita, Founder and CEO of The Artiko.
The speakers shared lessons from their careers and entrepreneurial journeys, including how to navigate change, build professional networks and turn ideas into sustainable opportunities.
Abeer AlKhaja reflected on the challenges she faced at the start of her journey as a pioneering sports entrepreneur in the UAE.
“Barriers will always exist, but they should never define how far we go. Whether in sport, business or life, progress comes from showing up consistently, taking it step by step and never apologising for trying again.”
Patricia Yun encouraged the audience to take risks and balance their leadership style with the human and feminine qualities they should always be proud of.
“As women, we don’t have to choose between being strong leaders and staying true to who we are — the real power is learning how to balance both with confidence,” Yun commented during the panel.
Attended by more than 100 guests, the event featured an interactive Q&A session that enabled participants to exchange ideas with the speakers and explore the conditions that support business growth, including access to knowledge, professional networks, market-focused ecosystems and cross-sector collaboration.
Advancing Business Growth Through Partnerships and Dialogue
Reflecting on the discussion, Natalie Thompson, Marketing Director at IFZA, said:
“What stood out during the discussion was the honesty with which each speaker shared her journey. While their experiences were very different, a common theme emerged: success is built through resilience, strong networks and the confidence to take opportunities when they arise. Creating spaces for these conversations is important because they allow future entrepreneurs to learn directly from those who have already navigated the challenges of building and growing a business.”
By fostering collaboration across sectors and cultures, IFZA supports the UAE’s vision for a dynamic, inclusive and future-focused economy, while creating platforms for businesses, entrepreneurs and industry leaders to contribute to the country’s long-term growth.
