Excellence Awards 2025: Mridula Singh redefines property management

Through thoughtful design, curated experiences, and a business philosophy grounded in empathy, intelligence and bold innovation, Mridula Singh, Founder and CEO of ZENA Properties, has made an impact on the property management scene in Dubai.

With an MBA and a background spanning shipping, oil and gas, and technology, she sharpened her leadership instincts in industries known for complexity and rigour. But it was her investments in Dubai’s real estate market that sparked something deeper. “I discovered my deep affinity for interior transformation and the value it could create—not just in ROI, but in lived experience,” she says.

That passion led to the founding of ZENA Properties, a boutique real estate firm that blends strategic acquisition, smart design upgrades, and modern property management. From luxury short-term rentals to executive long-term leases, ZENA specialises in optimising underutilised assets, turning them into high-performing, high-impact homes.

Breaking into the real estate sector, especially in Dubai where major players dominate the scene, was not without its challenges. As a woman entrepreneur relying on personal networks rather than institutional backing, Mridula faced scepticism. But she embraced it. “I never set out to follow existing norms. Instead, I redefined them, bringing a new aesthetic and operational sensibility that championed design, empathy and curated experiences alongside financial discipline.”

Those principles quickly set ZENA apart. By integrating smart tech, streamlining leasing operations, and prioritising guest-centric models, Mridula turned each property into a brand statement and built investor trust along the way. Her hands-on leadership style, paired with a strategic mindset honed by Wharton Executive Education, helped her navigate everything from vendor reliability to market volatility.

Under her leadership, ZENA has achieved what few boutique firms have: recognition, profitability, and a loyal base of investors and tenants. From achieving exceptional occupancy rates to raising property valuations, the firm has carved out a niche in premium short-term rentals and asset upgrades. “My greatest achievement is building ZENA into a trusted name in Dubai’s real estate market,” Mridula says. “It’s not just about managing properties; it’s about creating spaces people truly love living in.”

Mridula also received the Excellence in Real Estate – Best Innovation in Property Management award at Excellence Awards 2025.

Her advice to women entering real estate? “Don’t wait to be validated—start building,” she urges. “Understand markets, speak with confidence, and lead with vision. Your intuition, discipline, and emotional intelligence are not superpowers.”

Today ZENA Properties is poised for its next chapter: international expansion, tech-enabled leasing platforms, and strategic partnerships with institutional investors. Mridula’s mission is clear: to scale ZENA with “structure and soul,” while redefining what property investment can look like in a smarter, more sustainable future.

“Real estate, for me, goes far beyond square footage or rental yields,” she says. “It’s about elevating spaces, fostering trust, and shaping a legacy that lasts.”