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Rim Darazi #women2watch

Official Title:

Business Unit Director- OMD UAE

Away from the usual, my bio is:

As a mother of two young children, I dedicate the majority of my time to balancing work, meetings and devising solutions for briefs and challenges with organizing the schedules of my kids, birthday parties and various life-enriching activities. The remaining time that I try to keep for myself, I enjoy practicing Pilates, exploring new places with friends, and traveling. Maintaining all the facets of one’s life can be tough at times but once achieved, it’s hugely rewarding.

If I were to nominate anyone on this list it would be, and why:

If I were to nominate anyone on this list, it would be all the mothers who have chosen to balance the demands of a full-time role in a fast-paced, high-pressure industry with the responsibilities of motherhood. These are women who had the option to choose one path but made the intentional decision to pursue both, a fulfilling career and a meaningful life role. They are modern-day heroes because they truly contribute to our collective growth, present and future, with their intellect, drive and energy.

Some of the reasons I should not be on this list are:

If there were a reason I shouldn’t be on the list, it is that I didn’t get to where I am on my own. Like it takes a village to raise a child, my leaders, my colleagues, my clients, all played a part in making me who I am today. What’s more, I’m still a work in progress. I am constantly learning, evolving, and challenging myself to do better—for my team, my clients, my agency and the industry. I owe it to them to fulfill my potential and support them in fulfilling theirs. Because the biggest learning from this list is that we are all in this together. Our success will be a collective achievement, not an individual one.

The lowest point of my career was/the highest point of my career was:

One of the lowest points in my career also turned out to be one of the most defining. It occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic —an unpredictable time that tested every professional’s adaptability and resilience. Lessons had to be identified, learned and applied in real time. It was an intense period of uncertainty, and as a leader, I found myself questioning my ability to stay motivated, guide my team, and continue delivering results in the face of constant change.

Yet, it is precisely in moments of adversity that we are called to reflect, realign, and rediscover our purpose. During this challenging phase, my team and I identified a timely business opportunity for one of our brands. We tracked emerging consumer trends and behaviors, successfully turning the learnings into a scalable growth initiative. The recognition I received from both the client and my senior leadership team was deeply meaningful, but the greatest reward was the opportunity to grow through adversity. This episode impressed upon me the critical importance of morale, agility, emotional intelligence and the mindset that even the most difficult setbacks can become steppingstones for reinvention and impact.

What I learned from either

I learned that both the highs and lows of any journey are temporary; the key is to strive for consistent excellence over time. There is no point in dwelling on what could have been or wallowing in self-congratulation. Take the lessons from both and move on. Everything should be taken as an opportunity to grow and improve with humility.

If there’s one thing on my bucket list I want to do, it would be:

Launching my own fashion brand—a venture addressing a distinct market niche shaped by a unique consumer need. This endeavor would allow me to channel my professional experience and build on the insights I’ve gained from guiding clients and accelerating their growth. While I’m deeply passionate about the work I do and the people I collaborate with, I also want to experience the fulfillment that comes from being the architect of your own vision and success. Having the opportunity to pursue both—stimulating other people’s growth while building something of my own—is truly empowering, especially when the two paths complement and inspire one another.

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