Naila Khalifa Al Meraikhi

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Naila AlMeraikhi

Board-Level Strategist | Expert in Corporate Strategy, Governance Frameworks, Policies & Compliance | Driving Institutional Excellence & National Transformation Aligned with UAE Vision 2031

Driving strategic excellence and transformational leadership aligned with UAE Vision 2031. Empowering organizations through innovative governance frameworks and strategic foresight.

About Me

Executive leader with over 20 years of extensive experience in shaping strategies and executing the corporate and business strategy across the UAE federal, government, and semi-government ecosystems. My deep understanding of the local landscape has enabled me to translate long-term vision into measurable results, designing and institutionalizing strategic frameworks, policies, and governance systems that drive economic growth, enhance societal value, and strengthen institutional reputation.

 

 Recognized and trusted advisors to boards, ministers, and CEOs for leading major transformation programs, establishing governance and quality frameworks, and embedding performance-driven cultures that deliver sustainable impact. , with a track record of delivering multi-million-dirham savings, award-winning national initiatives, and strategies aligned with UAE Vision 2031.

Strategic Leadership

15+ years in executive leadership roles

Board Expertise

Extensive board and committee service experience

Strategic Leadership

15+ years in executive leadership roles

Governance Excellence

Expert in corporate governance frameworks

Projects

Case Study 1 — SAMH:

Two Strategy Cycles & NCEMA Recognition (~AED 6M savings)

Situation:

External consultants projected ~AED 3M per cycle, risking dependency and low internal ownership.

Objectives:

Deliver corporate strategy aligned with Sharjah’s economic agenda and UAE Vision 2031.

Actions:

• Directed two consecutive strategy cycles across all business units.

• Built internal frameworks and dashboards to manage strategy without consultants.

• Integrated risk into planning (via executive training at Cambridge).

• Established Group-wide QHSE & Business Continuity systems.

Results:

• Avoided ~AED 6M in consultancy fees across two cycles.

• NCEMA commended continuity frameworks.

• Institutionalised strategic maturity and resilience.

Situation:

Need to unify HR, finance and operations under a coherent performance structure.

Objectives:

Design proprietary performance architecture; cascade KPIs to team and individual level.

Actions:

• Developed the Six-Pillar Performance Framework; filed IP for design.

• Aligned departmental KPIs to strategy and built performance cadence.

• Unified language for performance culture across departments.

Results:

• Institutionalised performance methodology across the Department.

• Improved cross-departmental collaboration and accountability.

• Positioned department as a pioneer in IP-protected government methodology.

Situation:

The Ministry required modernization of operations and governance to meet national excellence standards.

Objectives:

Design a complete enterprise system architecture; establish Strategic Planning, Governance & Excellence Sector.

Actions:

• Appointed Project Leader for design and deployment of systems.

• Built frameworks for strategic planning, performance and excellence.

• Conducted nationwide training needs analysis across 7 Emirates.

• Developed multi-year sector plans and integrated monitoring.

Results:

  • • Secured Sheikh Khalifa Government Excellence Award (Corporate Operations Criteria).
  • • Established the new Strategic Planning, Governance & Excellence Sector.
  • • Elevated Ministry recognition at the federal (Cabinet) level.

Situation:

UAE Cabinet required a national classification of federal services to streamline policy delivery.

Objectives:

Represent the Ministry; design and align classification frameworks with national standards.

Actions:

• Led Cabinet-level working sessions with stakeholders and federal entities.

• Developed service classification models integrated with excellence models.

• Coordinated implementation across Ministry departments nationwide.

Results:

• Cabinet approval secured for national classification system.

• Positioned Ministry as a collaborative and compliant federal body.

Situation:

Rising congestion and safety concerns in unregulated school transport system.

Objectives:

Introduce sustainable mobility initiatives and school transport regulation.

Actions:

• Project Leader of Sharekni (Dubai’s first formal carpooling initiative).

• Drafted and enforced school transport legislation.

• Represented RTA in Dubai Open Data and executive governance committees.

• Launched awareness campaigns for modal shift behaviour.

Results:

• Sharekni recognised as a major sustainability milestone.

• Established legal framework for safe, regulated school transport.

• Enhanced RTA’s role in smart governance and transparency.

Board & Committee Service​

Strategic Committees

  • Strategic Planning Committee – Chair
  • Corporate Development Committee – Member
  • Investment & Finance Committee – Member
  • Risk Management Committee – Vice Chair

Governance & Oversight

  • Board Governance Committee – Chair
  • Audit & Compliance Committee – Member
  • Nominations Committee – Member
  • Remuneration Committee – Member

Operational Excellence

  • Technology & Innovation Committee – Chair
  • Human Capital Committee – Member
  • Sustainability Committee – Vice Chair
  • Quality Assurance Committee – Member

External Representation

  • UAE Corporate Governance Association – Board Member
  • Regional Strategic Advisory Council – Member
  • Women’s Leadership Forum – Advisory Board
  • UAE Vision 2031 Implementation Committee – Member

Education Background

B.A. Business Quality Management

Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University, Dubai

Class of 2005

International Business & Economics

Executive Coursework

University of Cambridge

Class of 2005

International Business & Economics

Professional Development Journey

2

Advanced Degrees

4

Executive Programs

2

Active Certifications

15

Years of Learning