Blending Leadership, Life, and Growth
Dr. Alya Al Fardan is a woman who gracefully juggles many roles: a single mother, an innovator in the world of Islamic banking, and a leader deeply committed to both professional excellence and personal well-being. Her career spans over 18 years, and in that time, she has carved a niche for herself by transforming marketing strategies and driving results in the highly competitive financial sector.
Dr. Alya Al Fardan’s journey began with a strong academic foundation, holding a Bachelor’s in Communication and Media and a Master’s in Innovation and Change Management. However, it was the real-world challenges, particularly as a single mother, that shaped her most. Balancing her career with raising her seven-year-old child, she’s learned to harmonize work and family, making family the core of everything she does. This focus has influenced her approach to work, where she leads by example, celebrating the success and joy of others, both in her personal life and in her career, whether building marketing strategies or leading teams.
Her entrance into the corporate world came when she was working as a Product Manager at the National Bank of Abu Dhabi, where her knack for marketing quickly caught the attention of her superiors. She naturally gravitated toward marketing campaigns, providing proactive support during product launches. Impressed by her efforts, her line manager offered her a role in the marketing team. “It felt like the right step,” she recalls. With her background in communication and passion for marketing, the transition was seamless, and what started as an unexpected shift soon evolved into a successful career in marketing.
At First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), where she leads marketing for the lending and Islamic segment, Dr. Al Fardan is known for her strategic vision and innovative solutions. “I’m driven by solving problems,” she says, a strength that helped her achieve a 105% increase in cardholders and 107% growth in deposits. By combining digital tools like AI and CRM with traditional marketing strategies, she has positioned FAB Islamic as a market leader.
But professional success is only one side of the story. For Dr. Al Fardan, the biggest challenge has been finding a way to balance the demands of her career with her responsibilities as a single mother. “The hardest part was being devoted to both my work and my family,” she admits. However, she found a way to create what she calls “work-life harmony”—the idea that work and life don’t have to compete, but can coexist and support each other. Thanks to FAB’s flexible working hours, she has been able to maintain this balance, allowing her to focus on both her career and her family without feeling torn between the two.
Her approach to leadership reflects this same balance. Dr. Al Fardan describes herself as hands-on, but not overbearing. She encourages her team to push for results, but she’s also learned the importance of patience. “I used to be impatient,” she confesses, explaining that early in her career, she wanted everything to happen quickly. “But over time, I’ve learned that everyone works at their own pace.” This ability to adapt and grow as a leader has been a cornerstone of her success, allowing her to mentor and guide her teams effectively.
Dr. Al Fardan’s influence goes beyond her team, with her data-driven approach to marketing using AI and CRM tools to fine-tune strategies. Under her leadership, FAB Islamic’s digital campaigns led to a 500% increase in niche audience acquisition and 25% growth in new-to-bank customers. These successes earned her the White Page International Global 200 Women Power Leaders Award in 2024 and an Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration, along with multiple Outstanding Performance Awards at FAB and recognition as an Emirati Role Model in 2018.
Despite her many awards and recognitions, Dr. Al Fardan remains grounded. She attributes her success to a constant curiosity and a commitment to lifelong learning. “Growth happens gradually,” she explains, “but it stems from curiosity and a commitment to improvement.” When she first entered the banking world, she admits that numbers and financial data intimidated her. But over time, these very metrics became her primary tools for decision-making, driving her campaigns and strategies forward.
Her message to aspiring leaders is simple but profound: success isn’t about instant gratification—it’s about persistence, learning, and, above all, helping others succeed. “Most people want to be seen as successful,” she reflects, “but few are willing to go through the obstacles it takes to get there.” For Dr. Al Fardan, leadership is not about basking in personal achievements but about creating a culture where everyone can thrive.
At her core, Dr. Alya Al Fardan’s story is about resilience, balance, and growth. More than just a leader in lending and Islamic segment, she is a mother and mentor who has mastered blending all aspects of her life into a harmonious journey. Her success lies not in a single achievement but in her ability to navigate both personal and professional challenges with grace.
