The Dubai 100: The most influential people in the emirate 2025

Arabian Business

26-03-2025

The Dubai 100 is Arabian Business 's definitive ranking of the people driving that future — from business and government to tech and culture. This year's list is powered by a reimagined, nine-factor methodology that looks beyond financial success to measure real influence, impact and inspiration.
Want to know how the rankings came together — and what they reveal about power in Dubai right now? Don't miss our in-depth analysis and special podcast episode, where our editors unpack the trends, surprises and standout names on this year's list.
So, who's defining Dubai in 2025? Who's rising, who's holding steady — and
The answers are here.
Madhav Dhar is redefining residential development through sustainability innovation. As Co-founder and COO of ZāZEN Properties since 2018, he has carved out a distinctive niche by prioritising environmental responsibility in a market traditionally defined by luxury and scale, establishing new standards for sustainable living in Dubai.
His breakthrough came with ZāZEN Gardens – Dubai's first LEED Gold-certified residential project – which garnered significant industry recognition by winning both 'Apartment Development of the Year' and 'Residential Development (20+ Units) of the Year' at the 2024 Arabian Property Awards. This achievement underscores how his sustainable approach is gaining traction in Dubai's competitive real estate landscape.
What distinguishes Dhar's vision is his three-pillar philosophy balancing quality, affordability, and sustainability – a rare combination in Dubai's property market. Under his leadership, ZāZEN has integrated features like solar panels that power common areas, reducing service charges for residents while minimising environmental impact. His emphasis on creating a 'community within a building' reflects recognition that Dubai's maturing real estate market increasingly values quality of life considerations beyond mere luxury amenities.
Before co-founding ZāZEN, Dhar built a diverse career across major Dubai property developers, including Director of Marketing roles at DAMAC Properties and The First Group. This insider perspective on Dubai's real estate ecosystem has informed his strategic approach, allowing him to identify gaps in the mid-market segment that larger developers had overlooked.
Dhar's vision aligns perfectly with key government initiatives including the Dubai 2040 Urban Masterplan, which aims to create a '20-minute city' where all services are within walking distance or accessible by public transport. ZāZEN Gardens' location near the Metro demonstrates his practical implementation of this vision, positioning his developments to benefit from Dubai's evolving urban planning priorities.
As Dubai continues its push toward sustainability goals and net-zero targets by 2050, developers like Dhar who have established credentials in environmentally responsible building practices are positioned to gain further influence. His approach represents an emerging pathway to recognition in an emirate increasingly focused on balancing spectacular growth with environmental responsibility.
Marwan Parham Al Awadhi, better known as DJ Bliss, represents the cultural shift that has propelled entertainment entrepreneurs into Dubai's power elite. His ranking at 99 reflects his unique position as a pioneer who has pushed traditional industry boundaries to become both a cultural ambassador and business innovator in Dubai's rapidly expanding media landscape.
As one of the first Emirati DJs to achieve international recognition, Bliss has carved out a powerful niche that blends entertainment, cultural influence, and entrepreneurship. His journey from local DJ to Netflix star on Dubai Bling illustrates the growing commercial power of media personalities in Dubai's business ecosystem. What distinguishes Bliss in the rankings is his ability to translate cultural capital into business ventures through his company BLISS Inc Entertainment, which has established itself as a cornerstone of the UAE's entertainment industry.
Bliss's influence extends beyond typical entertainment metrics. His collaborations with global artists like Shaggy and performances alongside stars such as Drake, Beyoncé, and Swedish House Mafia have positioned him as a cultural bridge-builder at a time when Dubai is aggressively expanding its global entertainment footprint. This aligns perfectly with Dubai's strategy to become a global creative hub, making figures like Bliss increasingly valuable to the emirate's economic diversification plans.
His career trajectory mirrors the broader trends in Dubai's power structure: the rise of personal brands as business assets, the growing influence of cultural entrepreneurs, and the blurring of lines between media, entertainment, and business. While traditional sectors still dominate the elite circles of Dubai's business leaders, Bliss's position in the rankings signals the rising importance of those who can build platforms that connect Dubai to global entertainment networks.
With Dubai pouring billions into creative sectors, DJ Bliss has carved out a distinctive position few can match. The Emirati artist straddles two worlds — global entertainment figure and homegrown entrepreneur — at precisely the moment Dubai is rewriting the rules of influence. This dual identity as cultural bridge-builder and business strategist represents a new archetype of power in a city rapidly expanding beyond its traditional commercial foundations.
Mishal Kanoo represents the enduring influence of Gulf family business dynasties in an era of startup disruption. As Chairman of The Kanoo Group, which operates across shipping, logistics, travel, real estate, energy, and specialty chemicals, he has maintained the relevance and growth of one of the region's oldest and most respected business conglomerates.
His leadership has been defined by entrepreneurial vision and community engagement. Under his direction, The Kanoo Group has significantly expanded its operations and diversified its investment portfolio, making substantial contributions to the UAE's economic development while maintaining the family's legacy of business excellence that spans generations.
Born in Bahrain and educated in the United States with dual MBAs from the University of St. Thomas in Houston and the American University of Sharjah, Kanoo brings both international perspective and local insight to his leadership role. His experience as an auditor at Arthur Andersen in Dubai before joining the family business in 1997 provided valuable external expertise that has informed his approach to governance and strategy.
Beyond his direct business responsibilities, Kanoo has established himself as an influential thought leader and educator. As a visiting lecturer at the American University of Sharjah and frequent speaker on business leadership, family business governance, and economic development, he extends his influence beyond commercial operations into shaping regional business thinking and practices.
His additional roles as chairman of KAAF Investments and KHK & Partners Limited, vice chairman of HAYAH Insurance Company, and board member of Gulf Capital further demonstrate his extensive involvement across multiple sectors of the UAE's economy. These positions have earned him recognition on various influential rankings of powerful and wealthy Arab business figures.
Mishal Kanoo demonstrates how traditional family business leadership remains a significant path to influence in Dubai's business ecosystem, even as digital entrepreneurs and cultural figures gain prominence. By honoring traditional values while embracing innovation, he exemplifies how multi-generational businesses can maintain relevance and impact amid rapid economic transformation.
Talal Moafaq Al Gaddah is elevating luxury real estate from aesthetic indulgence to holistic well-being. As founder of Keturah and Senior Executive Vice Chairman of MAG Lifestyle Development, he has carved out a distinctive niche that transcends conventional luxury through scientifically-informed wellness design.
Five years ago, Gaddah recognised that 'luxury' had become an overused, increasingly meaningless descriptor in Dubai's saturated premium real estate market. This insight sparked the creation of Keturah and its pioneering 'Bio Living' concept – an approach that integrates nature into the built environment to enhance residents' physical, mental, and emotional health. This philosophy has resonated powerfully in post-pandemic Dubai, where wellness has become a prime consideration for affluent buyers seeking more than just opulence.
Gaddah's flagship development, The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Dubai, Creekside, became the first project in the region to pursue a WELL Health-Safety Rating certification, while Keturah Reserve in Dubai's Meydan district introduced the Bio Living concept to the Middle East. The latter project features over one hundred olive trees – some as ancient as 1,400 years old – embodying Gaddah's philosophy of 'living a legacy from the first day.'
His career trajectory within the family-owned MAG Group spans over two decades, including founding MAG's property development arm in Syria and serving as CEO of MAGme Real Estate before assuming leadership of MAG Lifestyle Development in 2014. Under his guidance, the company has delivered 14 completed projects with 7 more under construction, with a total portfolio valued at over $4 billion. Keturah alone generated $1.45 billion in sales in 2023, demonstrating the market's enthusiastic response to Gaddah's revolutionary approach.
Not content with transforming Dubai's luxury real estate landscape, Gaddah is now expanding the Keturah brand internationally. The company recently announced its first international project, Stabio Garden Living by Keturah, a AED 781 million ($212 million) development in Switzerland, with additional projects planned in Italy – positioning Keturah as a global luxury brand encompassing hospitality, bespoke design, and furniture.
Through this reimagining of luxury through science-based wellness principles, Talal Gaddah represents the next evolution of Dubai's real estate offerings – moving beyond mere opulence toward creating transformative living environments that enhance residents' overall quality of life.
JS Anand is redefining hospitality for the conscious traveler. As the founder of LEVA Hotels, he has identified and filled a distinctive niche in Dubai's competitive market by prioritising a 'People-First and World-Focused' philosophy that resonates with evolving consumer preferences for sustainable, authentic hospitality experiences.
Under Anand's leadership, LEVA Hotels has earned the Dubai Sustainable Tourism Stamp by implementing environmentally responsible initiatives that align with the emirate's growing emphasis on sustainable development. This environmental focus, combined with his drive for digital transformation through contactless experiences and personalised services, positions LEVA as a forward-thinking brand in a traditionally high-touch industry.
His approach to workplace culture – promoting an inclusive environment that balances hard work with collaboration – has established LEVA as an employer of choice in Dubai's competitive hospitality talent market. This hands-on management style that emphasises open communication and employee empowerment creates a differentiated experience for both staff and guests, translating into authentic service delivery.
As LEVA Hotels continues to expand across the Middle East and beyond, Anand's blend of affordable luxury, innovation, and sustainability represents a fresh approach to hospitality that aligns perfectly with Dubai's evolving tourism landscape. His ability to create distinctive hospitality concepts that address contemporary concerns while maintaining operational excellence demonstrates how entrepreneurs can establish influence in Dubai's competitive business environment, even amid established luxury hoteliers.
By reimagining what hospitality can be – more sustainable, more authentic, more digitally integrated – JS Anand is helping shape the future direction of Dubai's hotel industry while creating a distinctive new voice in regional hospitality.
Greg Karpinski powers the operational engines behind Dubai's most ambitious developments. As Chief Operating Officer of KEO International Consultants, a leading design, engineering, and project management firm, he brings strategic precision to the complex infrastructure that underpins the emirate's dramatic growth.
His responsibilities span financial management, operational performance, strategic initiatives, and business process improvement – the essential but often overlooked machinery that enables Dubai's headline-grabbing megaprojects. With more than 22 years of management and investment experience across diverse industries, Karpinski brings versatile perspective to infrastructure development at a time when the sector faces unprecedented sustainability and technological challenges.
Before joining KEO, Karpinski built a global career across multiple continents and sectors. His decade at Standard Chartered Bank culminated in a Managing Director role with Standard Chartered Private Equity, where he facilitated over $1 billion in equity investments across Asian and African power, transportation, shipping, telecommunications, water, and environmental services companies. This experience in financing critical infrastructure across emerging markets has positioned him to understand the complex interplay between capital flows and development needs.
His entrepreneurial background adds another dimension to his approach. As a co-founder of Arizona Heart International and former COO of on-demand custom clothing startup Isabella Wren, Karpinski has demonstrated the ability to navigate both established corporations and entrepreneurial ventures – a valuable skillset in Dubai's rapidly evolving business landscape.
Karpinski's public presence has grown through speaking engagements at industry events like The Big 5 Global in December 2023, where he emphasised how partnerships and transparency form the foundation for economic and infrastructural sustainability. This messaging aligns perfectly with Dubai's broader push toward collaborative approaches to urban development and positions him as a key architect of the emirate's infrastructure future.
Rashed Belhasa has redefined influence for Dubai's digital generation. Known online as 'Money Kicks,' he represents a new breed of content creators who've leveraged social media fame into diversified business ventures and cultural impact, demonstrating the shifting power dynamics in the emirate's business ecosystem.
As one of the UAE's first major YouTubers, Belhasa gained prominence around 2015 by showcasing luxury sneakers, cars, and celebrity encounters at his family's private zoo. With over 3.1 million YouTube subscribers and massive followings across Instagram and TikTok, he has positioned Dubai as a glamorous content creation hub that attracts global attention and high-profile visitors.
Born in 2002 into a prominent business family, Belhasa has leveraged his privileged position to build distinctive personal brands and commercial ventures. His entrepreneurial activities extend beyond content creation to his streetwear brand 'Kings Ambition,' online retail operations, and various brand collaborations featuring limited-edition products – demonstrating how social media influence can translate into tangible business impact.
More recently, Belhasa has expanded into sports entertainment through celebrity boxing matches, following the path of international influencers like Jake Paul and KSI. This move has brought additional attention to Dubai's growing combat sports scene, aligning with the emirate's push to become a major hub for international sporting events. His exploration of NFTs and digital investments further showcases his ability to identify emerging trends.
As Dubai diversifies beyond traditional sectors like real estate and finance, figures like Belhasa who utilise digital platforms to promote the emirate's luxury lifestyle and attract international attention are gaining increased recognition. His ability to blend entertainment, business, and digital innovation exemplifies the new pathways to influence emerging in Dubai's evolving power structure.
Dietmar Siersdorfer is engineering the energy revolution across the Middle East. As CEO of Siemens Energy Middle East & Africa since April 2024, and with decades at Siemens, he's orchestrating the region's transition from traditional power generation to sustainable energy systems that will power its future growth.
His leadership in pioneering renewable energy and decarbonisation projects is fundamentally reshaping the region's energy landscape. The Middle East's first industrial-scale green hydrogen plant at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park exemplifies his contribution to Dubai's Net Zero 2050 strategy and the UAE's ambitions to become a hydrogen production leader.
With over 30 years in key managerial positions across Siemens' divisions, Siersdorfer has guided the company's transformation from conventional power supplier to comprehensive energy solutions provider addressing the complex challenges of energy transition. Under his direction, Siemens Energy has deployed AI-driven and digital twin technologies to optimise energy grids and power plants in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, reducing wastage and enhancing grid resilience.
His groundbreaking technologies are helping Dubai build a more sustainable and efficient energy infrastructure while supporting major developments like Expo 2020 Dubai. From smart grids to AI-powered energy systems, these innovations address the region's unique energy challenges while positioning Dubai at the forefront of global energy innovation.
Beyond corporate leadership, Siersdorfer is developing local talent through STEM programs at UAE universities and training Emirati engineers in renewable energy technologies – ensuring the human capital needed for long-term energy transformation. Through both technological innovation and capacity building, Dietmar Siersdorfer is helping construct the sustainable energy backbone that will power Dubai's continued growth for decades to come.
Rabih Fakhreddine has reinvented Dubai's nightlife and dining scene. As Founder and CEO of 7 Management since 2015, he has created an unparalleled portfolio of high-end restaurants, lounges, and entertainment destinations that have cemented Dubai's reputation as a global lifestyle capital.
His unique vision identifies gaps in the market and transforms them into distinctive hospitality concepts that blend exceptional entertainment with sophisticated dining experiences. Under his guidance, 7 Management has launched some of Dubai's most talked-about venues – including Antika, Sayf, The Theater, February 30, B018.DXB, Café Beirut, Black Flamingo, and Lucia's – each with a unique identity that contributes to the vibrant diversity of Dubai's hospitality landscape.
Fakhreddine's most groundbreaking contribution was establishing The Theater, an elevated artistic entertainment venue combined with fine dining that redefined nightlife possibilities in Dubai. This innovative approach transcends traditional restaurant or club models, introducing unprecedented sophistication to the emirate's entertainment offerings.
His influence continues to grow through strategic expansions, including Limonata, a beachside Italian dining concept, and a second February 30 location at Dubai Islands developed in partnership with Nakheel. Beyond Dubai, Fakhreddine has extended 7 Management's footprint to Beirut, Riyadh, Erbil, and Doha, with plans to launch Bagatelle in Athens and collaborate on multiple themed restaurants at NEOM's Sindalah Island in Saudi Arabia.
By selecting prime locations and curating distinctive experiences that resonate with cosmopolitan audiences, Fakhreddine has positioned himself as a hospitality innovator who doesn't just follow trends – he creates them. His commitment to excellence and creativity continues to elevate Dubai's standing as a premier global destination for world-class dining and entertainment.
Ziad El Chaar has elevated luxury real estate development to a global art form. Since becoming CEO of Dar Global in 2019, he has transformed the company from regional player to international powerhouse, successfully listing on the London Stock Exchange and overseeing more than $6 billion in projects across multiple continents.
What distinguishes El Chaar is his strategic global vision. Rather than concentrating solely on Dubai's competitive market, he has systematically expanded Dar Global's footprint internationally, developing signature projects across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Spain, and the UK. This diversification strategy has positioned the company to capture luxury real estate opportunities worldwide while managing market-specific risks.
His most notable recent project, the $500 million Trump International Oman in Aida, exemplifies this outward focus—directing investment and development expertise to neighboring Oman. Similarly, his vision of creating 'the first real estate company that addresses the needs of global citizens' has positioned Dar Global as a conduit for international capital flows across diverse markets.
Prior to joining Dar Global, El Chaar built an impressive track record with Dubai's premier development companies. His roles as CEO of Emaar's international, ventures, and blockchain divisions, CEO of Dar Al Arkan, and Managing Director at DAMAC Properties for over 12 years provided comprehensive insight into luxury real estate development across multiple markets and regulatory environments.
As a thought leader in the sector, El Chaar has consistently argued that real estate development is undervalued as a driver of foreign direct investment. This global perspective has shaped his strategy at Dar Global, where the majority of buyers are non-nationals investing fresh capital into local economies—a model he applies across an increasingly diverse portfolio of international markets.