Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, Chairperson of The Big Heart Foundation and NAMA Women Advancement, has issued two official administrative decisions appointments reinforcing the role of female leaders in key sectors. Her Excellency Mariam Mohammed Al Hammadi has been appointed as Director-General of NAMA Women Advancement and as a member of The Big Heart Foundation’s Advisory Board. Additionally, Her Excellency Alya Obaid Al Musaiebi has been appointed as Director of The Big Heart Foundation, starting March 1, 2025.
These appointments reflect Her Highness’s commitment to empowering female leadership and ensuring impactful contributions to the humanitarian and women’s advancement sectors. They are based on the extensive experience and remarkable achievements of Her Excellency Mariam Al Hammadi and Her Excellency Alya Obaid Al Musaiebi, who serve as role models of strategic vision and the ability to make a tangible impact in humanitarian work and women's empowerment.
Her Excellency Mariam Al Hammadi has been a driving force in humanitarian leadership. She previously served as Director-General of The Big Heart Foundation (TBHF), leading pioneering initiatives supporting refugees and vulnerable communities. Under her leadership, TBHF’s programs reached over 5 million beneficiaries across more than 30 countries, cementing its reputation as a leader in sustainable humanitarian work, particularly in education, healthcare, and emergency relief. Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi awarded her the High Distinction Medal for Excellence, recognising her remarkable and impactful achievements throughout her journey in the Emirate of Sharjah.
Now, as Director-General of NAMA Women Advancement, Al Hammadi is poised to amplify her impact, bringing her strategic expertise to women's economic and social empowerment. She will redefine NAMA’s strategies to achieve more comprehensive empowerment for women across all segments of the local community while also strengthening global partnerships to enhance women's societal roles worldwide.
This milestone marks a new chapter in her distinguished career, reinforcing her high-impact, transformative initiatives legacy. As she steers NAMA toward new horizons, her leadership will further Sharjah’s vision of empowering female leaders and positioning the emirate as a global hub for women’s advancement.
Her Excellency Alya Obaid Al Musaiebi has been pivotal in shaping TBHF’s long-term vision and establishing transformative partnerships that have advanced its mission. Her concurrent appointment to TBHF’s Advisory Board underscores her ongoing influence in expanding the foundation’s regional and global presence.
With nearly a decade of experience in humanitarian work, she now takes on the role of Director at TBHF. A seasoned leader in social justice, education, and healthcare initiatives, she has been instrumental in developing and executing strategies that meet the needs of vulnerable communities while ensuring lasting, sustainable impact.
Her extensive field experience, including direct engagement in refugee camps and underprivileged communities worldwide, has given her invaluable insight into the realities faced by displaced populations. This deep understanding, coupled with her expertise in humanitarian strategy, positions her to guide TBHF’s mission with renewed vision and purpose.
Al Musaiebi has played a key role in crafting sustainable strategies and building impactful partnerships that have enhanced TBHF’s influence. Her leadership credentials are further solidified by her completion of the Leadership Programme at the University of Oxford, where she developed the skills to tackle complex challenges, collaborate with diverse cultures, and champion sustainable solutions in the humanitarian field. With her leadership, TBHF is poised to grow its position as a global leader in sustainable humanitarian development.