The real estate sector in the Middle East, particularly in the UAE, is seeing a growing push toward greater inclusion and representation of women. As more women enter and advance within the industry, conversations around leadership, mentorship, and equity are gaining ground. This shift is being driven not only by policy and market needs, but also by professionals who are setting new benchmarks through their own careers. Among them are women who are not just contributing to business outcomes but are also creating space for others to grow—challenging old norms and building more supportive, inclusive workplaces.
One of the professionals leading this change is Komal Badar, whose work in talent development and mentorship is helping shape a more inclusive future for the industry.
Komal is among the women driving this transformation forward. As Regional Talent Development Manager at Savills Middle East, she plays a central role in shaping careers and building leadership across the region. Her focus goes beyond training—it’s about creating opportunities, especially for women, to grow, lead, and thrive in a competitive industry. With a career that began in aviation and evolved through roles in administration, management, and corporate training, Komal brings a practical understanding of career development and a strong commitment to helping others move forward—particularly women navigating male-dominated spaces.
In this interview, we speak with Komal, a recognized industry leader, about her journey, the lessons she’s learned, and how she’s using her position to open doors for other women in real estate.
As one of the main figures reshaping how leadership is perceived in real estate, Komal brings a people-first approach to a traditionally rigid industry. In her role as Regional Talent Development Manager at Savills Middle East, she focuses on building inclusive leadership pipelines and supporting professionals—especially women—to advance with confidence and purpose.
“For me, leadership isn’t about hierarchy,” Kamal shared. “It’s about influence, empathy, and helping others unlock their potential.”
Kamal’s career path, which began in aviation and moved through administration into corporate training, has given her a deep understanding of how diverse experiences can shape strong leaders.
“I’ve worked my way up, step by step. I know what it’s like to start over, and I know how important it is to have someone believe in you along the way.”
Kamal’s impact lies not just in her position, but in her intention—to challenge outdated norms and make space for more women to lead, grow, and thrive in real estate.
Climbing the Ranks, Lifting Others
Climbing the career ladder wasn’t just a personal achievement for Komal —it became a way to create space for others to rise with her. With each step—from Supervisor to Assistant Manager, Store Manager, Cluster Manager, Trainer, and now Regional Talent Development Manager—she has carried a clear purpose: to open doors for women in environments where they’ve historically been underrepresented.
“I’ve led teams of four and teams of fifty,” she shares. “What’s stayed constant is the pride I feel watching women I’ve mentored become confident leaders and entrepreneurs.” she added.
At Savills Middle East, she now oversees talent development across multiple markets, aligning career growth with both business needs and personal ambition. Her focus remains on helping women identify their strengths and take ownership of their professional journeys.
“There was a time when I wasn’t getting opportunities because of my background, my attire, or simply because I didn’t ‘fit’ the mold … Eventually, I understood that I couldn’t change the system overnight. But I could change how I showed up—and how I helped others show up, too.”
Komal’s Commitment to Women’s Empowerment
Komal’s impact goes far beyond job titles or professional milestones. For many women navigating periods of transition—whether personal or professional—she offers both a relatable story and a steady voice of encouragement. Having experienced a divorce at the age of 18, she rebuilt her life on her own terms, carrying forward the lessons of resilience and self-belief.
“If you’re divorced, separated, or simply finding it hard to find your footing—know that your journey is valid. Your pace is perfect. Keep believing in yourself and trust the process.”
Her openness about personal hardship—the emotional highs and lows, the long nights filled with doubt, the slow but steady work of healing—makes her message resonate deeply. Komal’s story is as much about survival and self-discovery as it is about success. She continues to use her platform to support others, not just through words, but through action.
She has been a significant part of the Women Who Thrive in Real Estate event, a joint initiative by Women Org x Property Finder. The event focused on increasing the visibility of women leaders and entrepreneurs in the real estate sector—an area where Komal is setting new benchmarks. She is also a sponsored member of Women Choice Org and has contributed to roundtable discussions with the Abdullah Al Ghurair Foundation, where she offered insights on how to better support and develop local Emirati talent.
Whether through public forums or private mentorship, Komal remains deeply committed to empowering women—not only to find their voice, but to use it with confidence in spaces where they’ve long been underrepresented.
Building Bridges in Real Estate Leadership
Komal’s role in learning and development isn’t just about upskilling—it’s about creating long-term visibility and career mobility for women across the real estate sector in the Middle East.
Her approach is grounded in mentorship and inclusion, principles that research consistently links to improved organizational performance and employee engagement. According to a 2020 McKinsey report, companies in the top quartile for gender diversity on executive teams were 25% more likely to have above-average profitability. Komal’s focus on developing women leaders directly aligns with this evidence, showing that inclusion is not just a value—it’s a business advantage.
She credits her own growth to the women who shaped her early perspective.
“I’ve always drawn strength from my mother and sister,” she says. “They’ve been my constant support system.”
She also acknowledges the importance of professional mentorship, highlighting the guidance of Samar Mallah, HR Director at Savills Middle East.
“Having someone like Samar believing in me and investing in my growth made a significant difference in how I lead today,” she adds.
For Komal, leadership isn’t about climbing alone—it’s about widening the path. “Empowered women don’t just break ceilings—they build bridges for others to cross,” she shares.
And in her work, that’s exactly what she continues to do.
UAE: A Land for Growth and Reinvention
For many women across the region, the UAE represents more than professional opportunity—it offers a chance to start over. For Komal, Dubai became the setting for personal transformation and long-term growth.
Arriving as an expatriate with no guarantees, she navigated the uncertainty familiar to many women who relocate alone: tight living conditions, career instability, and social isolation. But rather than allow these challenges to define her, she chose to build around them.
“The UAE gave me more than a career—it gave me safety, confidence, and space to grow … It’s a place where if you’re willing to work hard, you can rewrite your story.”
Her early days involved a patchwork of roles—administrative jobs, temporary work, and even providing pick-and-drop services to stay afloat. Yet each step was part of a larger path toward independence. Her story echoes that of many women in the region, where over 80% of the workforce in cities like Dubai is made up of expatriates, a significant number of whom are women navigating their way through unfamiliar systems to build careers and autonomy.
Komal’s journey underscores the power of perseverance and self-belief in a city known for reinvention. It is also a reminder that success often starts with quiet, unseen moments of persistence—and that these moments deserve just as much recognition as the milestones they eventually lead to.
Beyond the Boardroom: Building with Vision
While Komal holds a prominent leadership role in one of the region’s top real estate firms, her ambitions extend far beyond corporate structures. In 2020, she launched Little Edenn, a licensed design and décor studio focused on creative transformations of interior and outdoor spaces.
The business quickly gained traction, securing projects with well-known F&B establishments like Around the Block in Al Wasl and Sharjah, and Anomaya Café in Dubai Design District. She also completed several private residential design projects, bringing personalized, functional aesthetics to villas and apartments across the city.
Though Little Edenn is currently on pause due to personal reasons, the vision behind it remains. Komal sees it not as a detour but as part of her wider path—one that reflects her long-standing belief in creating spaces, whether physical or professional, where people can thrive.
Her entrepreneurial work highlights the same values that guide her corporate leadership: initiative, creativity, and resilience. It also reflects a broader trend in the UAE, where an increasing number of women are entering entrepreneurship—supported by initiatives like the UAE Gender Balance Council and SME-focused funding opportunities that aim to close the gender gap in business ownership.
Komal’s story in entrepreneurship, like her career, is a work in progress. And for her, that’s the point—growth doesn’t have to follow one path. It just has to keep going.
From rebuilding her life after early personal setbacks to establishing herself as a leader in a competitive industry, Komal has carved out a path that reflects both strength and service.
Her work in real estate goes beyond talent development; it challenges long-held norms about leadership, gender, and opportunity. Her mentorship extends to women navigating uncertainty, her voice resonates with those still finding their own, and her story offers a powerful reminder that professional success and personal integrity can—and should—go hand in hand.
In a region where women continue to push boundaries and define new possibilities, Komal stands as both a contributor and a catalyst. Not by making noise—but by doing the work, lifting others, and proving that leadership is not just about where you go, but who you bring with you.
