Women Of Influence 2025: Dubai Business Women Council's Nadine Halabi de Francesca
The Head of Business Development and Operations at the Dubai Business Women Council (DBWC) has been named one of Inc. Arabia’s Women of Influence 2025, which showcases 30 women rewriting the rules of business in the MENA region.
For the past 14 years, Nadine Halabi de Francesca has served as the Head of Business Development and Operations at the Dubai Business Women Council (DBWC), leading the organization’s strategic vision and designing its member-centric initiatives. As a strong advocate of technology integration, she has led the council’s pivot toward future-focused learning, leading initiatives that have included embedding artificial intelligence (AI), sustainability, and digital transformation into its core programs. She also spearheaded sAIdaty, a program that provides DBWC members with over 200 hours of AI and automation training for free, in collaboration with global tech giant Oracle, as well as Odoo, a data-driven business automation program that gives entrepreneurs tools to streamline their operations and to scale efficiently.
De Francesca’s tenure at DBWC has thus allowed her to witness firsthand the ways that women are reshaping the conversation when it comes to business.
“Over the years, I’ve witnessed a powerful shift: women of influence are no longer just joining the conversation in our industry, they’re shaping it,” she says. “In the business and economic development space, especially here in the UAE, women are not only building businesses, they’re building ecosystems… It’s not just about breaking the glass ceiling anymore; it’s about building structures where ceilings don’t exist. I’ve seen women leave our sessions or mentorship programs with a different posture—more confident, more certain that their voice matters. And to me, that’s the real impact: when one woman leads with authenticity and courage, it creates a chain reaction that lifts many more.”
Lessons Learned: Q&A with Nadine Halabi de Francesca
Looking back on your journey, if there is one piece of advice you’d give yourself before you embarked on your career, what would that be? Additionally, if you could go back in time and tell yourself something that you should avoid or simply not do, what would that be?
If I could go back and give myself one piece of advice before I began this journey, it would be: don’t wait for the perfect moment; just start. There’s never a perfect time to take a risk, speak up, or step into something bigger than you imagined. I used to think I had to be fully ready, fully equipped, or have all the answers before making a move. But what I’ve learned is that growth happens when you lean into discomfort, trust your gut, and allow the journey to shape you as you go.
And if there’s one thing I’d tell myself not to do, it would be to stop shrinking myself to make others feel more comfortable. There were moments, especially early on in my career and personal life, when I softened my voice, downplayed my ideas, or second-guessed my instincts just to avoid rocking the boat. I know now that there’s power in being direct, in standing firm, and in choosing courage over politeness when necessary.
For women following in my footsteps: be bold but grounded, curious but clear on your worth. Don’t apologize for wanting more, and don’t be afraid to take up space. You don’t need to have it all figured out, but you do need to believe that you belong in the room. Because you do. Finally, stay hungry for knowledge and growth; keep learning so you can “become more.”
Pictured in the lead image is Nadine Halabi de Francesca, the Head of Business Development and Operations at the Dubai Business Women Council. Courtesy of DBWC.
Nadine Halabi de Francesca was one of Inc. Arabia's Women of Influence 2025, a showcase of 30 women rewriting the rules of business in the MENA region. For the full list, please click here.
