In these pressing times, if there is one thing that brings us courage and hope is learning about the way another peer has handled their challenges and risen to the top. Meet the region’s most influential women in the built environment. They have often found themselves as the only woman in the room, and yet they have managed to succeed in this male-dominated environment. Each one of them has broken gender stereotypes, have often been misjudged as dominating, bossy, etc. but these words have never once bogged them down but have given them more strength to stand by their skill and right to be where they are. And that’s what makes these beautiful souls inspirational and influential.

CM today brings to you 20 such journeys that women have taken in this environment but mind you, this doesn’t end here! This is a dynamic list, and we intend to share them constantly, and hope to encourage more women to connect, support, and inspire the community of the built environment.

Alaa Al Boali

Director, Middle East Facilities Management Association (MEFMA)

With a background in accounting and finance, Alaa entered the field of FM knowing nothing... Read more

Andrea Deutschbein

Director FM, Emaar Facilities Management LLC

Andrea is an accomplished Soft Services FM specialist with more than 22 years of experience... Read more

Anuradha Harish

Executive Director of Strategy & Business Excellence, Dubai Holding Real Estate

It was her love for iconic buildings and architecture that brought Anuradha to the built environment... Read more

Dana Awad

Executive Director, Provis

Having worked in various roles ranging from TV production to foreign affairs, Dana has always been on the lookout for something exciting to do... Read more

Esra Fanoscu

Regional Head of Corporate Real Estate MENAT, HSBC Bank Middle East Limited

It was the wonder towards designing and buildings that pushed Esra towards this industry... Read more

Evie Boustantzi

General Manager, Management Services, Bloom Holding; General Manager, bfm

One of the first things you notice about Evie is her passion for the built world... Read more

Geetha Shanmugam

Senior Manager – Client Relations, Ejadah

From a very young age, Geetha was always fascinated by the fact of how some buildings last for decades... Read more

Heba Khalil

Managing Partner, RAY Labs

The real estate sector has been the common denominator across Heba’s jobs, which led her to explore market dynamics from multiple angles... Read more

Hend Al Marri

Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Real Estate Institute, Dubai Land Department

Hend Al Marri joined DLD in 2006 and has held several positions since then before being appointed as CEO of DREI in October 2018... Read more

Jayshri Singh

Head of Communities, Three60 Communities

When Jayshri entered the industry back in early 2000 the real estate market in the region was booming... Read more

Jennifer Peltenburg

Strategic Advisor

It was a combination of events that landed Jennifer into this industry... Read more

Karen Stevens

Account Manager/Business Solutions Advisor, FSI Middle East

Karen's entry into the FM world was via a Business Development role in the Specialist Cleaning Division of Rentokil Initial UK... Read more

Kristina Ruehland

Senior General Manager - Property Management

It was a fortunate turn of events when Kristina was offered a job change from events to sales of a premier development at the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai... Read more

Lynnette Abad

Director of Research & Data for the Property Finder Group

When a childhood dream turns to reality, it can be fulfilling right? For Lynnette, it wasn’t just about that... Read more

Michelle Saywood

Vice President at North 25 - Project Management of Dubai Holding and Meraas

For Michelle it has been an interesting journey from wanting to be an architect in London to being part iconic buildings that have shaped the Dubai’s skyline... Read more

Prancesca Ma Rogelia Perey

Assistant Quality Engineer, Al Bonian Facilities Management

In this edition, we caught up with Prancesca Ma Rogelia Perey, Assistant Quality Engineer, Al Bonian Facilities Management... Read more

Rizane Aouad

Community Manager, Lebanon, Enova

Rizane describes her entry into the real estate world as a ‘happy accident’... Read more

Sam Emery

Chief Financial Officer, Emrill Services

Right from the beginning of Sam’s career she knew what role she wanted to be in, she wanted to belong to an industry that had an impact on people’s lives... Read more

Sara Momtaz

FM Industry Expert/Consultant/Advisor

Sara is a recognized industry expert in the Facilities & Workplace Management, Property Management, Real Estate, and Assessment Management fields with over 20 years of experience... Read more

Shellei Leonor Teves Gaza

Senior Community Association Manager, Member of Community Association Institute Middle East

It was the service for the people that inspired Shellei to enter the world of Community Management... Read more

Zinah al Saffar

Director – Soft Services, ServeU

When you talk to Zinah, you come across a very smart, witty, social, and a strong personality... Read more