exclusive interview

Sonja: What has been your personal journey in becoming a leader in sustainability—what educated, empowered, and enabled you?

Laila: My journey so far has definitely been influenced by my childhood, when I spent most of my weekends out in nature, and being inspired by it. I knew from a very young age that I wanted to play a role in protecting the planet. As a child, I would spend most of my weekends out at sea with my father, reconnecting with our Emirati fishing roots. It allowed me to understand the importance of catching a meal, and that we shouldn’t be wasting anything we’re consuming.

This started to build a deep connection around the importance of living in harmony with nature, and it’s something that we’re really striving to instil through Emirates Nature-WWF: creating that connection with nature, and providing the community with opportunities to be out in the field, so people can start to understand how to live in harmony with nature. This way, they can implement changes in their daily lives, and even within their businesses, to make that market transformation and ensure that it’s done in a sustainable manner.

I joined Emirates Nature-WWF in 2009 as a sustainability coordinator, and grew into my current role as Director General, where I work closely with Board Members, C-Suite Leaders and high-level stakeholders in the public and private sector. I was given the opportunity to rise at Emirates Nature-WWF as well as the WWF International network, and I took it. This role has given me a real chance for me to live my values, and to make a significant contribution to address nature and climate, two things I am deeply passionate about.

Sonja: In your experience, what are the main misconceptions people have about conservation in the UAE, and how do you address them?

Laila:  Globally, perceptions have evolved culturally around women being out in the field, doing the work of tracking wildlife, research and data collection, and getting their hands dirty with the more labour-intensive fieldwork. There is less and less stigma around this, but regionally, it’s not really the norm, so we are working towards normalizing that.

Sonja: What role do women play in sustainability and conservation projects in the UAE?

Laila: It’s worth noting the massive progress in the UAE with regards to women in the field of climate, conservation and sustainability. The UAE government takes gender equality very seriously and has made high visibility appointments in this space to demonstrate that women can in fact break the glass ceiling and achieve transformational results. This matters because gender equality and women’s empowerment are central to effective environmental decision-making processes – they lead to better resource governance and

biodiversity conservation outcomes.

Research has consistently demonstrated the benefits of having women in leadership positions, in terms of progressive leadership styles, increased risk appetite & openness to change, better teamwork, more compassion which contributes to better work cultures and performance. On a personal level, it has been important for me to foster an environment for my team, which is inclusive and supportive of diverse individuals who always have different perspectives on the challenges we are facing. It’s a great working ethos because it allows for autonomy, and for female – and male -change-makers to create solutions.

Sonja: Could you share examples where women-led initiatives have made a tangible

difference in protecting nature or promoting sustainability?

Laila: I am proud to share that women are involved in all aspects of environmental conservation at Emirates Nature-WWF. Our women leaders are doing fantastic work in developing conservation programmes and community outreach initiatives. We are spearheading climate action conservations, implementing innovative Nature-based Solutions, inspiring and onboarding new partners, and bringing together influential stakeholders to create impactful financial solution. We are involved on the ground, leading field trips in nature and charting the future of citizen science in the UAE. When it comes to civil society engagement, we have seen that digitalization is a great equalizer for women in sustainability. Our digital-first platform Leaders of Change empowers women of all backgrounds with both virtual and in-person opportunities to upskill themselves, co-create solutions and volunteer for nature through exclusive conservation trips and citizen science initiatives. Young trailblazers – men and women alike – have joined our Leaders of Change, Connect with Nature and Ambassadors for Nature initiatives, where they have honed their skills, organized and spoken at local events, and participated at global events including the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15), Stockholm+50 and the COP27 climate change conference. At Emirates Nature-WWF, we also make sure that the voice of local women is incorporated in conservation projects, by organizing special women-only majlis discussions through which women can voice their opinions, brainstorm solutions and co-create solutions around climate. Their inputs and insights are critical to conservation success and growth of local economies.

Sonja: What barriers prevent more people—especially women—from engaging in conservation work, and how can we remove them?

Laila: To support people in becoming climate leaders, we must first provide them with equal opportunities for education and skill development. Access to quality education and specialized training programs in areas such as sustainability, environmental sciences, and policy-making will equip these future leaders with the knowledge and tools they need to understand and address climate-related issues effectively. We can support women leaders in particular through mentorship and networking opportunities, by putting aside bias when it comes to funding women entrepreneurs and women-led projects, and by giving women a voice by bringing them into the decision-making process.

Sonja: What message would you like to share with women leaders across the world who want to make a difference in their communities?

Laila: We are increasingly seeing how nature and climate are top of the agenda as the impacts of climate change become more frequent and severe. To get ahead of our environmental challenges, the world needs more advocates for nature, environmental scientists and researchers, sustainably driven entrepreneurs, and professionals who are knowledgeable about the issues and solutions. By joining the environmental sector, women and men have a unique opportunity to be part of an exciting evolution that is instrumental to secure a prosperous future for generations to come. A career in conservation is deeply rewarding both professionally and personally. I encourage leaders to lean into what they love doing. We excel when we truly care about something, and I think that is when real impact is made – when we can’t help but influence other people with our enthusiasm. Find learning opportunities in the subjects that pique your curiosity – you never know where it might lead.

Sonja: How can organizations like the Soroptimists collaborate to expand environmental education among women and communities?

Laila: Mentorship and networking opportunities that are geared to women, educational supports and opportunities to learn new skills, platforms to gain visibility and build confidence, these are some of the tangible things that we can do, as NGOs, businesses and organizations to support the transformation of future leaders.