Badreya Al Maidoor announced as chief guest for Excellence Awards 2025

Badreya Al Maidoor, Assistant Undersecretary of Support Services Sector at the Ministry of Economy, UAE, will be the Chief Guest at the 2025 Excellence Awards, set to take place on Saturday at the iconic Museum of the Future in Dubai.

The fifth edition of the Excellence Awards will celebrate the achievements, ambition, and impact of women across a wide range of industries. Badreya will deliver the keynote address and present awards to outstanding honourees alongside other distinguished guests.

“As we come together to celebrate the exceptional talents and achievements of women at the 2025 Excellence Awards, I am truly inspired by the remarkable progress women in the UAE have made across all sectors,” said Badreya. “This progress reflects the unwavering support of our nation’s leadership and the inclusive policies that create opportunities for every woman to thrive.”

"Our commitment to empowering women is not just about individual success; it’s about building a stronger, more sustainable future for our society as a whole. When women are given the platform to lead, innovate, and contribute, we all benefit — from economic growth to social development. Together, we are fostering an environment where every woman’s potential is recognised and celebrated, paving the way for generations to come. Let us continue this journey with determination and collaboration, ensuring that the UAE remains a beacon of gender equality and empowerment in the region and beyond.”

This year’s Excellence Awards is powered by Tristar, which shares a deep alignment with the Awards’ mission to foster societal advancement and recognise women’s pivotal roles in shaping the future.

“Tristar endorses and embraces the transformative power of actions and initiatives that drive positive societal impact globally,” says Eugene Mayne, Founder and CEO of Tristar Group. “In the UAE, where empowering women is a national priority, our partnership with Excellence Awards for Women restates this commitment.

“We acknowledge and support the pivotal role women play in driving economic growth and social progress across the Emirates, and in dismantling perceived barriers and stereotypes. As we felicitate this year’s outstanding role models, we also hope to inspire younger cadres of women leaders and help create environments where their contributions are applauded and recognised.”

More than 400 women nominated themselves for the awards since its announcement in March, of which 36 winners were selected by the jury. This year’s esteemed jury includes Dr Aisha Bint Butti Bin Bishr, Global Digital Transformation Expert and Strategic Leader in Smart City Initiatives; Dr Sonia Ben Jaafar, CEO of the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation; Khalid Anib, CEO of Abu Dhabi National Hotels; Omer Elamin, President of Orient Group; Salima Gutieva, Vice President and Country Manager, Visa UAE; and Samia Bouazza, Group CEO and Managing Director of Multiply Group.

This year, Excellence Awards included more than 20 major categories. It also introduced a new category: Women Under 30 – Rising Stars of the Future. 

Excellence Awards is supported by Sterling Group as the Fragrance Partner, Ahmad Tea and Rouge as Gifting Partners, Crystal Gallery as the Trophy Partner, and Luxe as Decor Partner.