Driving Progress Across Sectors: The Visionary, Multidimensional Leader Aarefa Al Falahi
What exemplifies a leader dedicated to uplifting society’s prosperity? For Aarefa Al Falahi, the answer lies in tirelessly devoting one’s talents across pivotal business, government and community roles to advance economic inclusion. Through her diverse executive positions and magnanimous civic affiliations, this groundbreaking Emirati has cemented herself as a champion for progress across Ras Al Khaimah and the broader United Arab Emirates.
Guiding Business Excellence Through RAK Chamber
As a prominent Ras Al Khaimah Chamber of Commerce Board Member, Aarefa activates change through oversight of the preeminent association empowering regional trader success. She advises on policies and programs that assist SMEs in overcoming obstacles, drive entrepreneurship for future generations and support businesses upholding ethical operations.
Accountability Authority at RAK Insurance Company
Serving as a Board Member directing strategic planning for RAK Insurance Company, Aarefa monitors overall performance, financial controls and shareholder interests to ensure this vital regional firm delivers excellence and value for policyholders through transparent processes.
Multi-Industry Corporate Governance Leader
Respected for sharp business acumen, Aarefa lends wide expertise guiding half a dozen diverse firms from real estate’s Vilal Housing to preservation of cultural mainstays like Al Mataf Traditional Boat Rowing Art Society to coordinating today’s youth as a leader within the UAE Scout Association. Her governance oversight spotlights organizational excellence.
Barrier-Breaking Banking Executive
Aarefa made history as the first Emirati woman ever to rise to a bank management executive role within Ras Al Khaimah upon becoming Vice President and Senior Branch Manager for A Distinguished Bank. There she oversees diligent daily operations, client relations, business growth and regulatory compliance for her branch, leading by example with integrity and vision.
Directing Sports Development
Understanding vibrant athletic culture and facilities enrich youth experiences and quality living, Aarefa serves prominent athletic institutions like the Emirates Sports and Cultural Club, where she was a X Board Member from June 2021- June 2023. She also lends out her expertise to Al Mataf Rowing Society leader and Ambassador. She spotlights accomplishments motivating rising talent while advising boards on policies for advancement.
Accelerating Entrepreneurs
Passionate about small business as economic engines, Aarefa advises the RAK SME Association as a board member on programs that provide practical assistance so entrepreneurs can overcome common obstacles in founding resilient ventures that drive inclusive job growth and benefits for all of society.
Champion for Women Leaders
Realizing the immense potential of women equally contributing at the highest levels, Aarefa works to uplift other female change-makers through prominent groups like Women on Boards Circle formed under guidance of Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan. She empowers the next generation.
Fostering Workforce-Aligned Technology Education
Dedicated to ensuring students gain maximum career competitiveness, Aarefa serves HCT Ras Al Khaimah as Member of both the Computer Information Sciences Industrial Advisory Committee as well as the institutional Business-Industry Academic Council.
In these vital roles, she partners the higher education curriculum directly with IT sector executives to consistently evolve computer science and information technology education, ensuring graduates master precisely the technological competencies and leadership abilities that globalized industries demand in a rapidly accelerating digital era. Her oversight and counsel ensure HCT RAK technology training leads the nation.
Tireless Community Volunteer
Understanding collaboration and compassion as cornerstones of progress, Aarefa dedicates volunteer service extensively across groups like Sport Company working to increase medical research funding and supporting Sports activities in Sri Lanka.
Diplomatic Role Model
Aarefa’s prolific leadership across over a dozen business and economic committees has cemented her reputation as committed to diplomatic missions advancing cross-sector collaboration. As RAK’s emissary, she builds bridges internationally, uniting diverse groups through solutions-focused dialogue conveying the cooperative mindset of today’s interconnected world needs.
Guiding Education For the Workforce
Eager to develop future generations competitively, Aarefa advises prominent academic committees at Higher Colleges of Technology focused on aligning business and IT curriculum and facilities to best prepare graduates’ skills matching private sector workforce demands.
Showcasing Regional Commerce Excellence
As Chairman of the Exhibitions Committee for the RAK Chamber, Aarefa plans and directly oversees major events spotlighting thousands of the nation’s business luminaries convening to network, showcase excellence and inspire innovation for the future.
Enriching Society’s Institutions
She is the Chairman of Emirates Sports Club Ambassadors. Through holding ambassadorships and further volunteering to elevate organizations like the celebrated Emirates Sports Club, Aarefa works to enrich community touchpoints supporting healthy lifestyles and constructive activities for area families.
Accelerating Skills Development
Understanding knowledge as power for positive change, Aarefa generously shares her own expertise broadly as a certified professional indoor and outdoor trainer, helping working professionals as well as promising youth develop valuable leadership skills for enriching organizational contexts and the community over the long-term.
Other Notable Achievements
- First UAE Female Bank Manager in Ras Al Khaimah History Aarefa carved an enduring spot in regional history as the very first female Emirati citizen ever to rise to a bank management role within Ras Al Khaimah upon becoming VP and Senior Branch Manager a Distinguished Bank – pioneering possibility for women in finance.
- Recipient of Service Society Medal: Recognizing the immense positive influence of her over decade of economic and societal leadership benefiting multitudes, Aarefa has been awarded the prestigious Service Society Medal by H.H. Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan to honor her tireless community enrichment.
- Named Among Top 50 Women Leaders by Sri Lankan Council: Highly respected even beyond the Emirates, the Sri Lankan Council has listed Aarefa Al Falahi among their Top 50 Women Leaders worldwide to spotlight her trailblazing example empowering females to excel across industries globally today.
Across over one dozen pivotal business, government and community roles, Aarefa activates meaningful improvement with each endeavor through her integrity, vision and ability to open doors for marginalized groups. Honored extensively with accolades like the Service Society Medal and awards lauding her barrier-breaking leadership empowering other women, this pioneering banker, chamber leader and board member whose oversight spans housing, sports, the arts and education makes progress possible across every venture.
