Dubai’s business community celebrated another season of the esteemed Impact CEO Gala on January 16th, 2026 at the Metropolitan Hotel under the patronage of H. H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Faisal Al Qassimi. Powered by Impact Events, this autumn-season top-notch event fostered innovation, strategic collaboration, and boost sustainable growth among global business icons. The ceremony was chaired by known names in the business eco system of the UAE including CEO Dunston Pereira spearheading the Private Office of Sheikh Ahmed bin Faisal Al Qassimi, Ahmad Al Mahmood, Sharjah Government Advisory and Eng. Zayed Ahmad Al Tamimi the Founder CEO of Nobel International Group.
This autumn, Dubai has witnessed an exclusive gathering of innovators, CEOs, investors, and special dignitaries for power-packed keynote addresses, inspirational storytelling, and impactful networking at the Impact CEO Awards Gala. Keynotes highlight leadership styles, modern developments in leading and building efficient teams and wellness were delivered by inspiring speakers including CEO Dunston Pereira, Premal Patel, Dr. Ravi Shankar and Dr. Prithvi Priyadarshini. Planned for pioneers across diverse domains, the Gala evening delivered powerful insights and connection-building for shaping business growth and prosperity.
Leaders in multiple sectors including Healthcare, Technology, Cyber Security, Space Research, Banking, Finance, Education, Lifestyle, Wealth Management, Sustainability, Retail, and many others joined the ceremony from around ten different countries including France, Serbia, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, UK, Pakistan, India, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Jordan. Participation of business leaders and corporate executives from many different continents indicated the global contributions towards expanding the outreach of Impact Leadership Program which has been designed to benefit the global business community.
The evening was designed to infuse professional engagement and high-level entertainment sessions. The prime objective was to make guests meet, interact, and engage with industry leaders and business icons of the top tier. Nousheen Mukhtar, the Founder of Impact Leadership Program and CEO Impact Events motivated the participating leaders by sharing her vision. She is acknowledged globally for her advocacy on business leader growth, globally. She endorsed and appreciated the efforts of rising leaders in many sectors. The awards ceremony appreciated and awarded Dr. Reshma Khan, Letizia Mantovani MSc, Premal Patel, Dr. Prithvi Priyadarshini, and Senthuran Kanthasamy. In the area of technology distinguished leaders including Padam Kafle, Lara Alsafadi, Kashif Ali, Ghassan Brinji, Sunnykumar Kamani, Dr. Saeed Almansoori and Dr. Ahmed Mohamed Elnabawy won the awards. Leaders in business and finance and multiple other areas won awards including Dr Ravi Shankar, Sirine Dia, Zeina Akkawi, Sajida Younis, Jon Ane, Fatima Al Bashrahi, Muhammad Hisan, Sasa Pejic, Dr. Mohamed Adel Badawy, Shivanee Deshpande, Anu Sharma, and Amjad Khan.
The Impact CEO Awards Gala 2026 stood out as a masterclass in how a business event can blend prestige with purpose. From the moment guests arrived, the atmosphere signaled that this was more than a ceremony—it was a gathering of visionaries shaping the future of global leadership. The curation of honorees showcased a powerful mix of innovation, resilience, and social impact, turning each award into a story of transformation rather than a simple accolade. Leaders from diverse industries found themselves in meaningful conversations, forging connections that extended far beyond the ballroom. The event’s seamless flow, elevated production quality, and thoughtful storytelling created an experience that felt both exclusive and deeply human.
What truly made the gala exceptional was its ability to convert inspiration into opportunity. The room became a live ecosystem of collaboration, where CEOs, investors, policymakers, and innovators discovered shared ambitions and potential partnerships. CEO Nousheen Mukhtar highlighted, “Impact Events is now looking forward to launch its next Big Leadership Event in Doha Qatar in April. It aligns with the company’s mission to foster economic development through building a powerful and thriving global business community of leaders”. Impact Events adds various economic hubs to its portfolio with every passing year to ensure it is achieving its goals. Every conference and summit leaves the participants expecting more with new cohorts of industry icons adding into the community fostered by the Impact Leadership Program.
