Alia Abdulla Al Mazrouei has been appointed as the Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and SMEs. The announcement came from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on a bright Sunday morning.
Alia Al Mazrouei isn’t a new name in the world of business and leadership. Currently, she holds the role of Vice Chairman at Insurance House in the UAE and serves on several influential boards, including Finance House, the Dubai Trader Youth Council, the Abu Dhabi School of Management, and the Abu Dhabi Business Women Council.
Her career has been nothing short of impressive. Between July 2020 and July 2022, Alia served as the Director General of the Human Resources Authority of Abu Dhabi. She also held the position of Acting Director General at the Abu Dhabi School of Government. From 2012 to 2018, she was the Chief Operating Officer at Mazrui International, and earlier, she offered her expertise as a Human Resources Advisor to the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation.
Alia’s journey in the professional realm began with a series of notable roles at the Executive Affairs Authority, including Chief Human Resources Officer, Human Resources Manager, and Director of Compensation and Benefits at Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Company.
Beyond her corporate achievements, Alia is an entrepreneur at heart. She founded Little Haven Nursery and co-founded The Foodsters Inc., which is behind the popular Just Falafel restaurant chain. Her leadership extended to the Khalifa Fund as CEO, where she played a pivotal role in empowering Emirati entrepreneurs and startups.
Her contributions and leadership have garnered international recognition. Forbes Middle East listed her among the “100 Most Powerful Arab Businesswomen in the World” in 2017 and the “200 Most Powerful Arab Women in the World” in both 2017 and 2012.
With such a diverse and accomplished background, Alia Abdulla Al Mazrouei is set to bring a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to her new role. The UAE’s entrepreneurial landscape is poised for remarkable growth under her leadership.
