Rumina Fateally is an investor and serial entrepreneur with over 25 years of C-suite experience, a philanthropist devoted to social progress, and a transformational coach and mentor committed to unlocking human potential. With a vision rooted in possibility and a deep belief in people, she brings together strategy, heart and innovation to build environments where both individuals and communities can thrive.
Can you share what inspired your journey into social entrepreneurship and community impact?
My journey into social entrepreneurship comes from a deep belief in positive change. I have always been inspired by the strength and potential within communities and how much can transform when people are given the right support. This is why I focus on challenges such as poverty, education, and health and gender inequality, not only to address immediate needs but also to help people build self-sustainable futures.
At SPROWT Foundation, I am motivated by the principle of shared value. Social impact and economic progress can, and should, grow together. When communities thrive, everyone benefits and that is the kind of progress I am passionate about driving.
What drives you personally, and how does that influence your work and decisions?
What motivates me most is seeing people step into their full potential. As a woman, I lead with both empathy and determination, combining a compassionate approach with purposeful action. I believe each person has unique talents waiting to be recognized and nurtured. Values such as compassion, inclusion, fairness, kindness, ethics, trust and giving back guide every decision I make. True leadership is reflected not only in results, but also in how we lift others as we move.
I am a purpose-driven person, and my inspiration comes when I can positively make a difference to people which fills my heart.
How do you define success in your professional and social endeavors?
Success begins with how people feel in your presence. If I contribute to someone’s confidence, growth or sense of belonging, then I know I am making a meaningful difference. I also measure success by how our work strengthens organizations and uplifts communities in a lasting way. Doing what I love is essential as well, because passion brings purpose, energy and commitment to everything I do.
As a strategic, purpose-driven leader with a proven ability to influence, success is inspiring and moving forward people and organizations through a shared vision.
Which principles guide your leadership and approach to problem solving?
Through clarity of vision and purpose, a leader can bring to people and organizations a stable environment while encouraging thoughtful, intentional decision-making. Clear two-way communication is essential to me because solutions become stronger when every voice is heard.
Collaboration, empowerment, resilience and emotional intelligence allow me to lead with confidence and care through any challenge.
I take decisions with short- and long-term vision and assertiveness, while remaining open to course corrections, flexibility and adaptability according to the dynamics.
How do you integrate sustainability and global development goals into your projects?
I believe we are part of a shared global ecosystem, and that requires accountability for how our actions affect both people and the planet. Every decision I make needs to reflect responsibility, purpose and long-term value.
At SPROWT, this means investing in education, inclusion and empowerment so communities can grow with dignity and resilience. When knowledge expands and opportunities become accessible, progress takes root in a sustainable way.
How do you empower communities and create opportunities for change?
Education and inclusion have shaped my purpose from a young age.
Understanding who we are and what we want opens the door to growth and transformation. I want people to feel capable of shaping their own path.
By designing programs that expand knowledge and connect communities, we help individuals develop self-worth and unlock new possibilities. For me, impact becomes real when my actions consistently reflect my intentions and when progress is visible in people’s lives.
What current projects and initiatives are you excited about?
SPROWT Foundation has always championed innovation and challenged- limiting mindsets. We operate with a strong sense of accountability and an integrated stakeholder approach that has earned national and international recognition. We remain excited about our work because we see the real impact it brings to people and organisations.
Currently, we are building our first capacity and training center inside an orphanage to support children, teenagers and young adults. It will be the first of nine centers guided by our pillars of gender, education and sustainable development, designed to become centers of excellence for the community it serves.
We are also expanding our Little Genius Early Childhood Development and Whole Brain Learning program through digital platforms, reaching more children with foundational learning. Our commitment to women’s leadership continues through the PIONEER Network, the Executive Program, the W5FDC Conference and the PIONEER Recognition Award.
The Genderful Society Exhibition is another initiative we are proud of, celebrating culture and identity while promoting inclusion. All these projects reflect the future we are building, where innovation leads to empowerment and shared prosperity.
Can you share a story that illustrates the impact of your work?
During one event, a young woman said, “I didn’t know how to dream.” That sentence deeply moved me. It reminded me how transformative it is when someone finally sees possibility in their own life, often because someone believed in them first. I was also a scout leader when I was young, and year’s later one of the girls told the impact my presence had on her life. Those moments reaffirm what I believe. True impact is often quiet, felt in encouragement, in being there and in helping someone feel seen and capable.
I share those moments so we can understand the invisible impact. Of course, then you have a visible impact.
How do you approach mentorship, education and talent development?
I believe everyone has extraordinary potential. Mentorship and education help that potential rise to the surface. I focus on nurturing curiosity, developing soft skills and encouraging people to set meaningful goals. Growth mindset is at the heart of this work, supporting individuals in believing that their abilities can evolve and expand.
When someone grows emotionally, intellectually and personally, the world opens. That transformation is what inspires me every day.
What are your aspirations for the next five years?
In the years ahead, I want to deepen my humanitarian work while expanding as an entrepreneur committed to sustainable business and women’s economic advancement. I see myself supporting emerging markets, contributing to leadership where innovation and social impact can create long-term change.
Education and inclusion will continue to lead my path as I work to create opportunities that empower people to thrive and shape their own future.
What legacy do you hope to leave?
I want to inspire others to become the best version of themselves, to recognize their talent and to keep moving forward even when the path is not easy. I hope my journey shows that a life filled with purpose has room for both ambition and wellbeing — embracing spirituality and strategy, heart and action.
If my work encourages people to grow while uplifting others along the way, that is the legacy I would be proud to leave.
Which broader trends are shaping your vision?
Innovation, leadership and social responsibility continue to guide how I understand the future. I am committed to a holistic approach that connects education, wellbeing, climate and the economy to ensure that progress is both inclusive and sustainable.
I want to help build societies where belonging is a right, and where empathy, fairness and accountability are essential values at every level.
How can others contribute meaningfully to the causes you care about?
When organisations share the mission behind the work, collaboration becomes powerful, constructive and deeply fulfilling. There are many ways to make a difference. Mentorship, partnership, advocacy, program support or amplifying voices that need to be heard all contribute to lasting impact when done with intention.
