Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is an entrepreneur, author, public speaker, founder, and academic with extensive experience in the fields of sustainability, climate change, and social development. In 2023, she was selected as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum.

Sustainability and Climate Initiatives

Sheikha Shamma is a passionate advocate for climate action, driven by her deep belief in the need to adopt a comprehensive strategy to combat climate change. She emphasizes the importance of close collaboration between various sectors, including governments, civil society, private companies, and individuals. Her commitment is evident in her relentless pursuit of innovative solutions that work at both the macro and micro levels to ensure progress in combating climate change globally.

As President and CEO of Frontier25, Sheikha Shamma works to foster the growth of a green economy in the UAE and around the world. She seeks to unite the public and private sectors and local communities to develop green financing frameworks and support effective policies, contributing to accelerating the development and implementation of practical climate technology solutions.

Frontier25 projects and initiatives include a program to launch and accelerate climate technology solutions, a think tank that publishes research and policy reports, and community platforms aimed at empowering those most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Her Highness also launched The Climate Tribe, a social and media project in the UAE that aims to effect global environmental change through sustainable storytelling, environmentally conscious production, and community engagement. Building on the UAE's leadership in sustainability, The Climate Tribe aims to inspire collective action and empower environmentally conscious communities.

In addition, Sheikha Shamma is the founder of Reset MENA, a consultancy that provides energy and water efficiency solutions that reduce electricity costs by 25% and water costs by 50%. She also chairs the Alliance for Global Sustainability, which aims to identify and direct investments in high-performance sustainable projects such as recycling, renewable energy, and smart city development.

Sustainability and Climate – Councils and Committees

Additionally, Sheikha Shamma serves as a senior advisor and active member of numerous high-profile councils, coalitions, and companies making a tangible impact in the areas of sustainability and climate. In 2022, she was the first woman from the GCC to be selected to participate in the Women Leaders in Energy and Climate Fellowship, organized by the Atlantic Council's Global Energy Center (Class of 2022-2023). She is also a member of the World Economic Forum's Global Council for Net Zero Living.

Her Highness serves as Chair of the Global Sustainability Coalitions and a member of the Advisory Board of the Center for Environmental Law and Policy at Yale University. She is also the Honorary Chair of the Emirates Green Building Council and a member of the UAE Circular Economy Council. She also serves on the advisory boards of several small and medium-sized enterprises, such as Pure Harvest, and is an observer at Bamboo Capital Partners. In 2024, she was appointed Chair of the Advisory Board of Chapter Zero UAE, an initiative that aims to empower board members across the country to integrate climate governance into corporate strategies.

Sheikha Shamma has delivered keynote speeches on policy and sustainable finance at prestigious global events, such as London Climate Action Week, the Bonn Climate Change Conference, and the World Economic Forum on the Middle East and North Africa. She also regularly publishes articles and opinion pieces in various media outlets across the Arab world.

Social and gender equality initiatives

Sheikha Shamma has been an active participant in community development initiatives in the UAE and around the world for many years. She is the co-founder of Aurora50 , an organization with a strong vision to achieve gender balance in the workplace. Aurora50 partners with companies to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion standards, offers a range of training and networking programs for promising female leaders, and aims to increase the number of women on boards in the UAE. Additionally, Sheikha Shamma serves as Chair of the Aurora50 Advisory Board, established in November 2024 to provide strategic guidance, insights, and support to achieve the organization's mission.

Additionally, Sheikha Shamma founded the Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan Sustainability Initiatives, a social enterprise dedicated to the transition to natural climate solutions and clean energy, placing sustainability at the heart of its priorities.

In recognition of her outstanding contributions to society, Sheikha Shamma has received several awards, including the "Inspirational Woman of the Year" award at the Arab Woman Awards UAE 2020 and the "Wind Tower" award for Inspirational Leaders from the Academy of International Business in the Middle East and North Africa in 2021.

Academic field

Sheikha Shamma holds an MSt in Sustainable Leadership and an MPhil in Contemporary Middle Eastern Studies from the University of Cambridge, as well as a degree in Business Administration from Zayed University.

As an academic researcher, Sheikha Shamma has presented research papers at international conferences in the fields of gender studies, migration studies, sustainable development, and Emiratisation, in addition to a number of research studies published in peer-reviewed academic journals.

Sheikha Shamma holds the position of Research Assistant at the Social and Economic Research Institute at Zayed University and is a member of the Industrial and Academic Advisory Board of the Academy of International Business in the Middle East and North Africa.

Source of inspiration

Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan draws her inspiration from the vision of her great-grandfather, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founder of the United Arab Emirates, who prioritized environmental sustainability, philanthropy, and women's empowerment. Through her work and achievements, Sheikha Shamma seeks to embody this great legacy and ensure its continued positive impact globally, reflecting her deep commitment to these noble principles.

Other activities

Sheikha Shamma is a multi-talented individual who combines sports and literature. She is a distinguished show jumping equestrian and a member of the prestigious Al Aseel team. She is also a children's book author, aiming to instill concepts of sustainability and environmental awareness in young children through engaging stories.