The 2025 Excellence Awards by Gulf News and BeingShe is back

Gulf News and BeingShe will host the fifth edition of Excellence Awards 2025, set to take place on June 14 in Dubai. This milestone edition celebrates the visionary women who are not only shaping the future but are also inspiring positive change across industries in the UAE and beyond.

The Excellence Awards have been a powerful platform for recognising women’s leadership, innovation, and resilience. From entrepreneurship and technology to the arts and philanthropy, these awards have honored women who are not just breaking barriers but are rewriting the rules of success. This year, the celebration takes on even greater significance as Gulf News and BeingShe continue to amplify their mission of empowering women and championing diversity.

“The Excellence Awards 2025 are a testament to the extraordinary women who have redefined industries, broken barriers, and shaped the course of history. As we celebrate this milestone fifth edition, we are not only honoring established leaders but also recognizing the visionaries of tomorrow — the women whose innovation, resilience, and determination will inspire future generations," says Aparna Bajpai, CEO of BeingShe.

"This event is more than just an awards ceremony; it is a movement — one that celebrates achievements, fuels ambition, and creates lasting impact. Every woman, regardless of where she stands in her journey, deserves to be seen, heard, and celebrated."

The 2024 edition saw keen participation from women across a variety of sectors including business, health, media, the arts and technology. More than 40 exceptional women from diverse domains were honoured at the 2024 edition at the Museum of the Future in Dubai on 8 June.

Shaikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi, the UAE’s first female minister, graced the venue in her capacity as Chief Guest and delivered the keynote address. It was followed by keynotes from Ismail Al Naqi, Director General of the Free Zones Authority of Ajman, and Eugene Mayne, Tristar Group Founder and CEO.

The Excellence Awards are not only about recognising extraordinary achievements — they are about giving women a platform to amplify their influence. Nominees will benefit from extensive media exposure, with personalised PR packages offered to shortlisted candidates, enabling them to reach a global audience.

“We are beyond proud to support the Excellence Awards once again in 2025,” says Tina Bhakta, Head of Commercial Partnerships & Events at Gulf News. “This platform brings together powerful women from across sectors. This year’s event will shine a spotlight on the diversity of women’s contributions — from established industry leaders to young women breaking boundaries. It’s truly inspiring to witness the impact they are having, and it’s an honor to celebrate them on such a prestigious stage.”

This year, Excellence Awards includes more than 20 major categories, where women can choose sub categories as per their area of expertise and nominate themselves. It also introduces a new category: Women Under 30 – Rising Stars of the Future. This category will spotlight young women under the age of 30 who are already making significant contributions in industries such as business, technology, sustainability, arts, and social change. These rising stars are breaking norms, driving innovation, and leading with vision, proving that leadership is defined by ambition and courage, not age.

 “We’re excited to introduce this category for the first time in 2025,” says David George, Publisher – Commercial & Head of Design at Gulf News. “We’ve seen the incredible impact these young women are making, and we believe it’s crucial to celebrate their accomplishments early on. The future is bright, and these women are trailblazers who will inspire the generations that follow.”