Dubai’s business landscape marked another milestone on January 16th, 2026, as the prestigious Impact CEO Awards Gala returned to the Metropolitan Hotel under the patronage of H. H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Faisal Al Qassimi. Organized by Impact Events, the autumn edition once again positioned itself as a premier platform for innovation, strategic alliances, and sustainable economic advancement. The ceremony was led by prominent figures in the UAE’s business ecosystem, including CEO Dunston Pereira of the Private Office of Sheikh Ahmed bin Faisal Al Qassimi, Ahmad Al Mahmood from Sharjah Government Advisory, and Eng. Zayed Ahmad Al Tamimi, Founder and CEO of Nobel International Group.
This season’s gala brought together an elite assembly of CEOs, innovators, investors, and distinguished guests for an evening of powerful keynote sessions, inspiring narratives, and high-impact networking. Speakers such as CEO Dunston Pereira, Premal Patel, Dr. Ravi Shankar, and Dr. Prithvi Priyadarshini shared insights on leadership evolution, team-building excellence, and wellness-driven performance. Designed for trailblazers across industries, the event offered a rich blend of knowledge exchange and meaningful engagement aimed at accelerating business growth and future-readiness.
Executives from a wide spectrum of sectors—including Healthcare, Technology, Cybersecurity, Space Research, Banking, Finance, Education, Lifestyle, Wealth Management, Sustainability, and Retail—attended from nearly ten countries, among them France, Serbia, the UAE, USA, UK, Pakistan, India, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Jordan. Their participation underscored the expanding global footprint of the Impact Leadership Program and its mission to empower business communities worldwide.
The gala experience balanced professional enrichment with curated entertainment, creating an atmosphere conducive to high-level dialogue and collaboration. Impact Leadership Program Founder and CEO of Impact Events, Nousheen Mukhtar, energized the audience with her vision for cultivating empowered, future-ready leaders. Widely recognized for her global advocacy in leadership development, she applauded the achievements of emerging and established changemakers across industries. Honorees included Dr. Reshma Khan, Letizia Mantovani MSc, Premal Patel, Dr. Prithvi Priyadarshini, and Senthuran Kanthasamy. Technology leaders such as Padam Kafle, Lara Alsafadi, Kashif Ali, Ghassan Brinji, Sunnykumar Kamani, Dr. Saeed Almansoori, and Dr. Ahmed Mohamed Elnabawy were also celebrated. Additional awards recognized excellence in business, finance, and other fields, honoring 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 2026 edition distinguished itself as a benchmark for how an awards gala can seamlessly merge prestige with purpose. From the outset, the event radiated a sense of collective ambition, bringing together leaders committed to shaping the next era of global progress. Each award represented a narrative of innovation and impact, while the evening’s thoughtful programming fostered conversations that extended well beyond the venue. Elevated production, refined storytelling, and a spirit of unity made the gala both memorable and meaningful.
A defining highlight of the night was its ability to transform inspiration into tangible opportunity. The gathering evolved into a vibrant ecosystem where CEOs, investors, policymakers, and innovators identified shared goals and explored new avenues for collaboration. Reflecting on the momentum, CEO Nousheen Mukhtar announced, “Impact Events is now looking forward to launching its next major leadership event in Doha, Qatar this April. It aligns with our mission to drive economic development by building a powerful and thriving global business community of leaders.” With each new edition, Impact Events continues to expand its presence across key economic hubs, ensuring its initiatives deliver lasting value. Every summit and conference strengthens the growing network of industry leaders shaped through the Impact Leadership Program.