The Dollar Diaries

In this episode of The Dollar Diaries, we sit down with Jodi Thompson, the Group Head of Recruitment at White Co Real Estate. With a background in HR and a relentless attitude towards achieving her goals, Jodi shares her fascinating journey of moving to Dubai nine years ago on a whim and thriving in the real estate industry ever since. Her story is a testament to the power of seizing opportunities...

Join Muhammad Shayan, Founder/Partner at Milkshake Studios, on an insightful journey through the world of storytelling and branding. Discover how Shayan's passion for creativity and meaningful narratives led him to establish Milkshake Studios at a young age, driven by a vision to create impactful content that resonates with audiences on a deep level. In this engaging podcast episode, Shayan delves...

Join Rajender Prasad, Managing Director at Money Maestro, as he shares valuable insights on banking, mortgages, and real estate in the UAE in this engaging podcast episode of Dollar Diaries. Discover the importance of strategic financial planning when it comes to investing in property and leveraging bank mortgages effectively. Rajender emphasizes the long-term vision required for successful proper...

Join Greg Hirst, Business Director at Shake Shack Middle East, as he delves into the evolving landscape of hospitality and technology in the region. Discover how Shake Shack redefines the customer experience, from drive-thru innovations to ensuring quality through technology and meticulous planning. Gain insights into the strategic approach behind Shake Shack's limited-time offers and the challeng...

In this insightful podcast episode featuring Taher Jhanjharya, CFO at EFSIM Facilities Management Company, listeners are taken on a journey through his career and expertise in the finance industry. Taher emphasizes the importance of focusing on delivering impact rather than being fixated on titles. He shares how his company excels in the facilities management sector by prioritizing people-centric...

Join Sinda Hamdi on the latest episode of The Dollar Diaries, a true superhero and inspiration, on a captivating journey of entrepreneurship and innovation in the textile industry. Starting with humble beginnings, Sinda's determination led her to establish Infinite Design, specializing in uniforms for the automotive sector. Despite facing challenges and personal tragedies, Sinda's resilience and u...

In this episode of The Dollar Diaries podcast, we have the pleasure of hosting Lara Geadah, the Founder and CEO of Cameo Comms. Lara brings a fresh perspective to the world of PR with her innovative approach to performance PR, where clients only pay for secured coverage. With over five years of experience in the industry, Lara is reshaping the traditional PR model and paving the way for more trans...

In this episode of The Dollar Diaries, we sit down with Emre Aksahin, the CEO of EdGenie, a trailblazer in the education sector. Emre shares his journey from tutoring during university to founding EdGenie, focusing on revolutionizing the way students learn and succeed. With a passion for efficient learning solutions, Emre sheds light on the challenges faced in the education system and how EdGenie...

In this episode of The Dollar Diaries, we have the honor of hosting Mohamed Samir, a seasoned professional with a wealth of experience as the Group CEO and former President of Halwani Brothers and P&G. With a background in FMCG and a passion for business development, Mohamed shares invaluable insights into the world of consumer goods and marketing strategies. His impressive career trajectory a...

In this episode of The Dollar Diaries, Khalid Chami, Group CFO at Ali & Sons Holding, explores how finance leaders should move beyond bookkeeping to become strategic value creators. He emphasizes that trust and the “tone at the top” are foundational in family businesses: understanding shareholder culture, earning trust through competence and honesty, and being included in strategy formulation...

In this episode of The Dollar Diaries podcast, we are thrilled to have Jacqueline Perrottet, the founder and CEO of Hoopla, as our special guest. With a passion for emotional wellness, Jacqueline shares her journey of creating tools for families to connect and bring joy and calm into their lives through her innovative company, Hoopla. During the conversation, Jacqueline delves into the inspiration...

Raaed Sheibani, Country Manager for StashAway in the UAE, traces his journey from early-stage startup roles and McKinsey consulting to growth and operations leadership before taking on local expansion at StashAway. He explains that his attraction to the firm lies in its mission to democratize investing—no minimums, curated investment options, and tailored products for both retail and high-net-wort...

In this episode of The Dollar Diaries, Suzana John — Head of Operations at Kendal — shares her unconventional path from studying chemical engineering in India to building a career in marketing and startups. She recounts early co-founding experience with an immersive reading app during university, the challenges of ragging and adapting to campus culture, and how hands-on startup work quickly pushed...

On this episode of The Dollar Diaries, Ambassador Dr. Dunston Pereira — Group CEO of The Private Office of Sheikh Ahmed bin Faisal Al Qassimi for Consultancy and Project Development — traces a long career arc from college lecturer to corporate logistics head, entrepreneur, and now head of a global family office. He described formative years at Murugappa Group, a decade building ventures in India a...

Khushie Mallya joins The Dollar Diaries to discuss her transition from agency PR to an in-house PR role within the events and construction sector. She contrasts the fast-paced, multi-client chaos of agency life with the more focused, structured environment of corporate communications, explaining how each setting shaped her media relationships, networking habits, and day-to-day responsibilities. Kh...

In this episode of The Dollar Diaries podcast, Rizwan Tufail, Group Chief Data Officer at PureHealth, shares profound insights into the evolving nature of careers and leadership in the modern workforce. Emphasizing the shift away from traditional lifelong careers, Rizwan highlights the importance of continuous learning, humility, and adaptability. He challenges the assumption that senior leaders a...

In this episode of The Dollar Diaries podcast, M Junaid Khan, Group Chief of Planning, Performance, and Business Excellence at PureHealth, shares insights from his extensive career journey across telecom and healthcare sectors, highlighting the importance of adaptability and calculated risk-taking. He discusses how shifting roles and industries intentionally has contributed to his professional gro...

In this episode of The Dollar Diaries podcast, host Aditya Poddar interviews Sadiq Ansari, Group Chief Risk & Compliance Officer at Al Ansari Financial Services, who shares his unique journey into the financial crime compliance field. Originally a chartered accountant and treasury professional, Sadiq stumbled into financial crime regulation while working at the UAE Central Bank. Over his 16-ye...

In this episode of The Dollar Diaries podcast, Dr. Anuraag Guglaani, Chairperson at Wazir Holdings and a seasoned board member of multiple family businesses across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the USA, shares his extensive insights on business leadership, family business dynamics, and organizational transformation. Drawing on his rich experience spanning over 30 years and 24 industries, Dr....

In this insightful episode featuring Ramkumar Balasubramaniam, CFO of Barclays MEA, the discussion delves deep into the evolving role of a CFO beyond traditional financial stewardship. Ramkumar emphasizes the importance of CFOs adopting a holistic mindset, understanding the broader business drivers, and not merely being gatekeepers who say no. Drawing from his extensive experience transitioning fr...

In this episode, Vuk Zlatarov, Co-founder and CEO of Poddster and Podyx, shares his entrepreneurial journey that began in Dubai with a software development company called Creaitive Ventures. He discusses the challenges of the traditional agency model, leading him to pivot towards venture building and eventually founding Poddster, a podcast studio concept designed to create meaningful professional...

In this episode, Yulia Malova, a numerologist, delves into how numerology serves as a psychological tool to understand oneself rather than a method for predicting the future. She explains that numerology combines ancient mathematics and spirituality, tracing its roots to Pythagoras, and interprets the matrix of life through numbers found in everything around us, such as birth dates, car plates, an...

In this episode, Rayana Masri, a senior communication and content executive at BPG Group, shares her inspiring journey of balancing work, lifestyle and education while making significant strides in the media and PR industry. Starting her career during her second year at university, Rayana navigated the pressures of academics alongside long hours at a production house, which helped shape her strong...

In this episode of The Dollar Diaries, Nourhan Fahmy, Associate Producer at Moniify , shares insights into her role and the competitive media landscape in Dubai. Nourhan explains that as an associate producer, she supports the newsroom by helping reporters and producers with research, data gathering, and producing her own articles. She emphasizes the importance of networking in Dubai’s media indus...

In this episode, Pranav Jyoti, General Partner at Mirai Capital and Chief Investment Officer for the Private Office of His Highness Shaikh Ahmed bin Faisal Al Qassimi, shares his insightful perspectives on education, entrepreneurship, and investment in the modern global landscape. He reflects on the rigid and outdated nature of traditional education systems, particularly in India and other coloniz...