CNamed one of Esquire’s “75 Most Influential People of the 21st Century” and featured on WIRED’s “Smart List,” Parag Khanna is undoubtedly “influential” and “smart.” This best-selling author (four books and counting) and world traveler (100 countries and counting) is also a leading global strategist and offers government and corporate leaders alike insight into global trends, foreign policy, technological advances, market strategies, and so much more. Parag’s resume includes CNN Global Contributor, Senior Research Fellow, Managing Partner of geostrategic advisory firm Hybrid Reality, and Co-Founder & CEO of content branding agency Factotum.

A former entrepreneur, Nasif Kayed left the gulf for North America, where he established 40 companies and ventures in the U.S. and Canada. But it was his decades-long experience as a lecturer and advisor for cultural awareness programs in communities, schools, religious institutions, and law enforcement establishments that allowed him to realize his life’s mission. Now, Nasif promotes peaceful coexistence among those living and working in a multi-cultural, global environment as the Managing Director of the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU). 

While her art revolves around themes of active forgetting and collective memory, Manal AlDowayan is one artist that is impossible to forget. Using black and white photography, sculpture, video, sound, neon and large-scale participatory installations, Manal draws attention to the state of Saudi women and their representation. Her projects have attracted hundreds of women to use art as a platform to address social injustice, and she’s shown her work all over the world, including Venice, South Korea, Denmark, the U.K., and Qatar.

Dubai Tourism has vowed to attract 20 million visitors per year by 2020—no easy feat—but Issam AbdulRahim Kazim is up for the challenge. As Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Issam is tasked with branding, promoting, and marketing the Emirate of Dubai as a world leader in business and leisure. Utilizing his previous experience creating and developing live events such as Dubai Sports World, Dubai Music Week, and Dubai Classics, Issam is taking the tourism board’s ambitious plans head-on.

Dubai has set its sights on becoming the smartest city in the world—with a very smart woman leading the charge. Dr. Aisha Bin Bishr, Director General of the Smart Dubai office, is drawing from 20 years of experience in information, communication, and technology development in the public and government sectors to get the job done. She has been recognized as an effective leader with several awards, including the Middle East Woman Leader in Corporate Management Excellence.

Considered the “Godfather of Middle East Stand Up,” Jamil Abu-Wardeh kick-started the stand-up scene in the Arab world when he founded the Axis of Evil Middle East Comedy Tour. Now, he puts his ability to create engaging content and simplify complex concepts to good use for his company, JAW Media, which produces stories for print, screen and stage, empowering start-ups and corporations alike to envision and achieve their goals.

“Sawa” translates to “together,” and that was precisely what owner and director Amel Bouderba Makkawi had in mind when she created Art Sawa, a state-of-the-art gallery offering contemporary art from the Middle East, North Africa, and neighboring countries. An artist who has studied and worked around the globe, Amel has put her experience and passion for discovering new art and emerging talent to good use at Art Sawa, creating innovative exhibitions and educational programs which have made a lasting impression in the Dubai landscape.

The memories you’ll create in Dubai begin and end each day at the One&Only Royal Mirage, and we can thank President and Chief Operating Officer Philippe Zuber for the exceptional experience. A 20-year veteran of the hospitality industry, Philippe knows this city—and its must-see attractions, resorts, and restaurants—better than anyone and has been a key player in developing Downtown Dubai into the “Center of Now,” a global community and unique experience for every resident and visitor.

Sara Hamdan has been the main writer for The International New York Times based in Dubai since 2010. She is also currently editor of Dubai Magazine, the official title of the Dubai Department of Tourism. Sara speaks four languages and is a Berkeley and Columbia graduate.