“No One Can Jump into a Triathlon Overnight. It's all about Small Steps Every Day”

Episode 4,   Oct 03, 2021, 10:16 PM

Helen Al Uzaizi is a leader in both the social enterprise and entrepreneurship eco-system in the MENA region. She does this by applying her 19 years of experience in the fields of marketing communications with leading agencies such as Saatchi and Saatchi and Young and Rubicam, and community development with Her Majesty Queen Rania of Jordan’s Jordan River Foundation. She has worked with some of the region’s largest brands including Porsche, Audi, EMAAR, LG and many others. 

Her genuine passion for children’s entrepreneurship education in particular, has led to her becoming the Founder of Future Entrepreneurs and CEO for BizWorld UAE, Jordan, and Egypt, a social enterprise teaching children entrepreneurship and life skills. Her active leadership role in education, has led to the creation of inclusive programmes, in which BizWorld’s mission is shared with marginalized populations, such as children living in refugee camps and in community-based organisations. To date, her work has been adopted for students between the ages of 7 and 18 by public, IB, and underprivileged schools in the UAE and in Jordan. 

Helen’s most recent work with GEMS World Academy - Dubai includes creating a curriculum integrating entrepreneurship, innovation, and social impact for students from kindergarten to their senior year. Not only does she believe entrepreneurship education teaches youth the basics of starting and running a business, it further enables them to develop critical thinking skills and confidence. Through various custom-designed programmes and Shark-Tank style competitions, such as the KidPreneur Award, she has created opportunities for students to nurture a resilient character, become empathetic, and develop a sense of optimism. This is achieved by showing off their entrepreneurial and business ideas to an engaged audience throughout the academic year. Integrating such skills into academic systems will positively contribute to the future of youth. 

Arabian Business recognises Al Uzaizi as one of the UAE's Smartest 100 People and CEO Magazine named her one of the 50 most influential women in the Arab world. Indeed, she received the ‘Social Impact Award’ by Entrepreneur Middle East & RIISE in 2019. She has also been recipient of the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashed Award for Young Business Leaders, the Social Enterprise of the Year 2017 by Ta’atheer, and the Best Kids Entrepreneurship Programme in 2018 by MENA Markets. She honors each of these roles by serving as a Board Member, Brand Ambassador, Advisor, Fundraiser and Mentor to many charitable and social causes, namely the Social Enterprise Project (SEP), PACES Charity and the King Hussein Cancer Foundation.

On a personal level, Helen is the mother of two girls, a runner, triathlete, and an adventurer who enjoys mountain climbing and who believes in making dreams come to life.