Celebrating trailblazers: 2025 Excellence Awards gets under way tomorrow

A celebration of women’s achievements, ambition and impact will take centre stage tomorrow as the 2025 Excellence Awards — presented by Gulf News and BeingShe — gets under way at the iconic Museum of the Future.

Now in its fifth edition, the prestigious awards night will honour 36 extraordinary women — changemakers, innovators and entrepreneurs — each recognised for their remarkable contributions and commitment to progress, empowerment and excellence in their respective fields.

Chief guest Badreya Al Maidoor, Assistant Undersecretary of Support Services Sector at Ministry of Economy, UAE, along with other dignitaries, will present the awards at the grand event organised by Gulf News and BeingShe. She will also deliver the keynote address at the event.

“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. From business and innovation to culture and public service, women are breaking barriers and redefining leadership with resilience and vision,” Badreya says.

“This progress reflects the unwavering support of our nation’s leadership and the inclusive policies that create opportunities for every woman to thrive.”

With honourees representing a broad spectrum of backgrounds and industries, the awards aim not only to applaud success stories but also to amplify voices that have broken barriers and inspired change. The spotlight this year is firmly on women whose journeys stand as powerful testaments to resilience, leadership, and impact.

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. 

 “As we celebrate this milestone fifth edition tomorrow, we are not only honouring established leaders but also recognising the visionaries of tomorrow — the women whose innovation, resilience, and determination will inspire future generations," says Aparna Bajpai, Founder of BeingShe.

All the winners of Excellence Awards 2025 will be featured in a collector’s edition coffee table book, which will be published by Gulf News in association with BeingShe after the event.

"Tomorrow will shine a spotlight on the diversity of women’s contributions — from established industry leaders to young women breaking boundaries,” says Tina Bhakta, Head of Commercial Partnerships & Events at Gulf News. “It’s truly inspiring to witness the impact they are having, and it’s an honour to celebrate them on such a prestigious stage,"

This year’s 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.