Misba Mithwani

Director, Operations and Retail Design

Al Ghurair Real Estate

Real Estate

United Arab Emirates

⭐ Leaders at a Glance

Leaders at a Glance

At the helm of operations and retail design as Director at Al Ghurair Real Estate, Misba Mithwani brings a dynamic, strategic vision to the real estate sector in the United Arab Emirates. Blending operational precision with cutting-edge retail concepts, she shapes environments that redefine consumer engagement, anchoring future-proof growth and operational excellence across the enterprise.

Name: Misba Mithwani
Designation:Director Operations and Retail Design
Company: A Pioneer Retail and Real Estate Group
Industry: Real Estate
Country: United Arab Emirates

Misba Mithwani-Visionary Women Leaders of Asia 2026

The strongest leaders aren’t remembered because they solved every problem. They’re remembered because people trusted them enough to solve those problems together. Misba Mithwani has carried that belief throughout a career spanning nearly three decades across Dubai Festival City, Majid Al Futtaim and now Al Ghurair Real Estate. Milestones, promotions and landmark retail destinations tell one side of her journey. Equally important are the quieter lessons that shaped the leader behind those achievements, respecting every individual, remaining curious enough to seek answers instead of assumptions, and believing that determination means little unless it lifts others along the way. In this conversation with Portfolio Magazine, Misba shares the experiences that continue to shape her leadership and why giving back has become the most meaningful chapter of her journey.

Which experience from your early years still influences your leadership today?

When I came to Dubai 30 years ago, both the city and my career were still taking shape. I saw this as a tremendous opportunity to ensure that my own growth would be aligned with the growth of the city. It wasn’t always easy. I had no local experience, struggled to secure a role as an architect and, as a single woman, even obtaining an employment visa was a challenge because that wasn’t common at the time. I never considered giving up. I took on whatever work was available, stayed focused on my goal and trusted that persistence would eventually open the right door.

Living through Dubai’s extraordinary journey only strengthened that belief. If the Ruler’s vision of creating a snow park in the middle of the desert could become a reality, I knew I was in a city that never accepted the word impossible. I also vividly recall seeing the Ruler of Dubai simply walk into Dubai Municipality and observing the way he interacted with people. His humility and accessibility left a lasting impression on me. During those early years, whether I was standing on the highway waiting for a ride into the city or working on construction sites, I realised leadership begins with respecting people. Genuine interactions with people at every level give you the most valuable firsthand insights.

Success is never about “I”. It’s always about “us” and “we”. Great achievements are built by people who succeed together, not alone.

What did succeeding as a woman leader thirty years ago teach you that still guides you today?

When I reflect on those early years, I realise building a career wasn’t the only challenge. Women first had to earn the opportunity to study and work without being labelled as less feminine for choosing a profession alongside the role of a homemaker. What is rightly considered a basic opportunity today often required permission and societal acceptance then.

We’ve certainly made progress, but glass ceilings still exist. Women who speak with confidence are often labelled as bossy or abrasive, while the same behaviour in men is recognised as leadership. My journey taught me that barriers can be broken. Once you’re clear about what you want, work hard, stay persistent and don’t let setbacks define you. Life’s journey is not about how many times we fall. It’s about how well we rise after falling. Passion, courage, resilience and belief in yourself matter far more than circumstances, and grit will always carry you further than talent alone.

Which project challenged your thinking the most, and what did it teach you?

Every project teaches you something, but redevelopment projects have challenged me the most. Unlike greenfield developments, you’re working within live operating assets where surprises are inevitable. Limited as-built information, uncovering structural elements midway through construction and balancing the expectations of tenants, customers and the business all happen at once. I often call these the “sweet pains” because they push you to find solutions in the middle of complexity.

One lesson has stayed with me throughout my career: never rely on assumptions.

“Leadership means knowing when to stay on the balcony to gain perspective and when to step onto the dance floor to understand the challenge firsthand.”

I learned this during the opening of a shopping mall, when a single punctuation mark in a base-build authority application delayed authority approvals for tenants.

It reinforced a simple truth: small details can make a big difference, and every challenge has a solution if we are willing to look closely.

Moving across Development, Retail Design, Delivery and Operations required very different mindsets. What helped you make those transitions?

Every new role required me to think differently, but one thing never changed. The focus was always on people. Whether I was working with tenants during development or improving the experience for customers in operational assets, the objective remained the same: creating a seamless journey.

The biggest transformation was moving from being a functional expert to seeing the business end-to-end. Experiencing challenges from every angle taught me that no function succeeds in isolation. Leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about listening, asking the right questions and bringing people together around a shared purpose. Adaptability, continuous learning and respect for people have remained the constants throughout my journey, and they continue to guide the way I lead every day.

After decades of growth, what continues to motivate you, and what legacy do you hope to leave behind?

Even after three decades, I still enjoy the excitement of creating great retail destinations and seeing tenants successfully open for business. The pressure, complexity and satisfaction of delivering projects and ensuring smooth operations still give me the same sense of purpose they did at the beginning of my career. Challenges have never intimidated me. Complacency does. I believe every challenge has a solution when we approach it with determination, resilience and a positive attitude instead of leaving it for someone else to solve.

Looking ahead, my greatest aspiration is to give back by sharing the lessons I’ve learned over the past thirty years and mentoring the next generation of leaders. If there’s one message I’d leave them with, it’s this. Success isn’t defined by talent or education alone. It’s driven by grit, the determination to keep going when things become difficult. I also encourage young professionals never to limit themselves by a job title. It’s never about the role. It’s always about the goal. When you’re driven by purpose, opportunities to learn, grow and lead will always follow.

Quotes to pick from

“Purpose will always take you further than a job title. It’s never about the role. It’s always about the goal.”
Grit is the stubborn refusal to quit