Community building has become an essential driver of social and professional connection today, offering individuals a sense of belonging and a shared purpose. It transcends geographical boundaries, cultivating inclusivity and mutual support through innovative approaches. The evolution of community-building underscores creating spaces for interaction and enabling personal and professional growth. Addressing diverse needs allows members to thrive collectively and individually. As digital platforms continue to enhance reach, these communities are becoming powerful tools for bridging gaps and creating opportunities, redefining how individuals connect and collaborate in meaningful ways.
Reema Mahajan, the visionary Founder of Indian Women in Dubai, demonstrates the strength of leadership in uniting and empowering individuals. Through her empathetic approach and forward-thinking mindset, she has cultivated an environment that addresses women’s challenges and celebrates their achievements. Reema’s leadership reflects a deep commitment to inclusivity and innovation, enabling her to shape a community that inspires, uplifts, and transforms lives. Her ability to align her values with action has made her a beacon of hope and a catalyst for change in her sphere.
Indian Women in Dubai (IWD) presents the power of purpose-driven initiatives, offering a platform that nurtures connection, growth, and empowerment. This organization is dedicated to supporting women from diverse backgrounds, creating spaces where they can flourish personally and professionally. IWD is building a solid community and driving social impact through its strategic collaborations, events, and initiatives. Its mission to champion inclusivity and resilience has positioned it as a significant force for positive change, setting a benchmark for community-building efforts globally.
Let’s explore Reema’s transformative leadership journey in community building:
Establishing a Supportive Community
Reema’s journey began with a solid academic foundation, having graduated from IIT and IIM, which set the stage for her career in international management consulting at Bain & Company. Working at Bain exposed her to high-level strategic thinking and problem-solving. Still, over time, she felt a pull toward something more meaningful that aligned with her passion for creating an impact in society.
The decision to move to Dubai was another crucial moment of great importance. As an expat, she experienced firsthand the challenges women face in a new city—loneliness, cultural adjustments, and the need for support. This experience led her to establish Indian Women in Dubai (IWD) during the pandemic.
Starting as a small group to connect women in similar situations, IWD quickly became a powerful platform for empowerment, celebration, and community building. Key moments along the way, such as organizing the first large-scale event and partnering with renowned brands, have solidified her belief in the strength and potential of the community.
Building Inclusivity and Resilience
Indian Women in Dubai (IWD) is more than a community; it is a movement dedicated to empowering, supporting, and celebrating women. Its mission is to provide a safe and inclusive platform where women can connect, grow, and find the resources they need to thrive personally and professionally.
The vision of IWD is to create a community that values inclusivity, confidence-building, and resilience. It stands on three core pillars: empowering women, celebrating their achievements, and giving back to society. IWD initiatives range from networking events and workshops to CSR projects that create awareness and support diverse causes. By 2030, it aims to be recognized globally as a leading organization that champions women’s empowerment and builds a genuinely inclusive community.
Data-Driven Growth and Community Engagement
Reema highlights that IWD relies on a data-driven approach combined with community engagement to fuel growth. It closely monitors trends and feedback within the community to identify areas where value can be provided. IWD regularly hosts events and workshops that bring industry experts and thought leaders to share insights, helping members gain exposure to new ideas and opportunities.
Moreover, IWD’s strategic partnerships with leading brands offer exclusive collaborations that open doors for women entrepreneurs and professionals in the network. Another core methodology is inclusivity—creating opportunities for women from all backgrounds to tap into diverse talents and perspectives drives sustainable growth.
Partnering for Gender Diversity
At IWD, promoting gender diversity is not just about filling roles; it is about building a culture that values and elevates women leaders. The organization actively supports and mentors women within the community to take on leadership roles, offering them exposure to professional networks and resources to develop their leadership skills. It creates space for women in the network to share their journeys, insights, and achievements, inspiring others and normalizing women’s presence in leadership.
Additionally, IWD partners with organizations and industry leaders who champion gender diversity, enabling more opportunities for women to step into influential roles. Every leadership position within IWD is structured to encourage female participation, ensuring that the team represents the community it serves.
Creating a Welcoming and Supportive Environment
Core values of empowerment, inclusivity, and community support drive the work culture at IWD. Empowerment is at the heart of everything it does, as the belief is that every woman should feel confident and capable in her personal and professional life. Inclusivity is another core value; an environment is created where women of all backgrounds and abilities feel welcome, valued, and supported.
Community support is what binds everyone together. Collaboration is encouraged, celebrating each other’s successes and being there through challenges. This supportive culture extends to CSR activities, where members are encouraged to volunteer and give back, whether by supporting cancer warriors, organizing events with children of determination, or raising awareness about inclusivity through annual walks and carnivals. This culture of giving and celebrating each other strengthens the bond as a community.
Investing in Digital Tools for Broader Connections
Reema believes inclusivity and digital transformation will continue to drive change in the community-building sector. As the world becomes increasingly connected, online platforms will play a more significant role in bringing people together.
To prepare, IWD is enhancing its digital presence to make the organization more accessible to women globally, not just in Dubai. It invests in digital tools that allow for more effective member connections, provide virtual resources, and host online events to reach a broader audience.
Another shift is the growing focus on inclusivity. IWD is committed to creating spaces where all women feel included regardless of their backgrounds or abilities. This includes organizing events that promote awareness and inclusivity, such as the Al Noor Walk for Children of Determination and the annual Inclusive Carnival.
Adapting to New Cultures and Job Markets
One of the biggest challenges in Reema’s journey has been moving countries twice and rebuilding her career from scratch each time. 2010, she moved from India to London to join Bain & Company. It was an incredible learning experience where she was immersed in consulting within an international, multicultural team, working with clients from diverse backgrounds and cultures. This role honed her strategic skills and broadened her perspective, teaching her to steer cultural nuances and adapt quickly.
In 2018, she faced the challenge of moving to Dubai and starting anew. She was back to square one with no established network, navigating a new culture and job market. This was when she founded Indian Women in Dubai (IWD), driven by her experiences as an expat seeking connection and support. Building IWD from the ground up wasn’t easy, but it allowed her to create a community that empowers and uplifts women in similar situations.
Staying Aligned with Mission and Goals
One of the habits crucial to her growth is setting aside time for reflection and planning. Every week, she reviews the goals, the feedback from the community, and the progress. This helps her stay aligned with the mission and make informed decisions. Additionally, Reema firmly believes in continuous learning; she makes it a point to attend workshops, read extensively, and learn from industry leaders.
Another essential practice is prioritizing self-care. Building a community is rewarding but also demands emotional resilience. Taking time for self-care allows her to stay energized, focused, and ready to lead with compassion and purpose.
The Impact of Mentorship on Growth
Mentorship has been crucial in Reema’s journey as a mentee and a mentor. She has had the privilege of learning from experienced mentors who guided her, especially during the early stages of her career. Their insights and advice helped her steer challenges with confidence.
As a mentor, she finds immense fulfillment in helping other women reach their potential. Through IWD’s mentorship programs, she can give back by supporting women who are just starting their journeys. Mentorship, to her, is about mutual growth and learning, and it plays a vital role in building strong, supportive networks.
Setting Boundaries and Managing Time
She believes balancing personal and professional life is challenging, but she considers it essential for long-term success. She prioritizes setting boundaries and managing her time effectively. For instance, Reema sets aside dedicated family time and tries to disconnect from work during those hours. Additionally, she relies on her incredible team at IWD, delegating tasks where necessary to focus on work and personal responsibilities without feeling overwhelmed.
During high-pressure periods, Reema reminds herself of the importance of self-care. She tries to incorporate activities that rejuvenate her, such as meditation, reading, and spending time with loved ones. She believes balance is a challenging process and constantly adjusts to stay aligned with her priorities.
Growing as a Leader and Advocate
By 2030, Reema’s vision for IWD is to expand its reach beyond Dubai, creating a global network that supports women across different regions. She hopes to launch more international chapters and an online platform that makes the resources and community accessible to women worldwide. She also aspires to continue contributing to policy changes that positively impact women’s rights and inclusivity.
On a personal level, she aspires to grow as a leader and advocate, continually finding new ways to empower others. Reema envisions herself working closely with global organizations focusing on women’s empowerment, inclusivity, and social change. Both personally and professionally, her goal is to create a legacy that champions equality, resilience, and compassion.
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