Fatima Musharbek

For UOWD alumna Fatima Musharbek, one of the most defining chapters of her career began with a powerful goal: to help transform museums into spaces where People of Determination and their families felt welcomed, heard and represented.

Working in accessibility and inclusion early in her career, Fatima knew that true impact required more than making buildings easier to enter. It meant listening to the community, building trust and involving People of Determination in shaping the visitor experience. Over time, this work became recognised as a leading practice, attracting government entities and professionals from across the UAE to learn from Sharjah’s experience in creating inclusive museums.

It was also the beginning of a wider career shaped by public service, empowerment and social impact.

Since graduating from the University of Wollongong in Dubai in 2015 with a Master of Quality Management, Fatima’s career has grown from local government leadership roles to national-level initiatives. She progressed from Section Head to Department Manager and later led a government institution, before being appointed as a Board Member of the Sharjah Sports Council. Today, she serves as Director of Empowerment and Welfare Programs at the Ministry of Family, where her work contributes to federal initiatives that support communities across the UAE.

As UOWD celebrates Emirati Women’s Day 2026, Fatima’s journey reflects the ambition, resilience and contribution of Emirati women who are helping shape the future of the country through leadership, service and purpose.

Her work in accessibility has also taken her to important international platforms. One of her proudest achievements was presenting a research paper at the Victoria and Albert Museum in the UK on accessibility and best practices in Sharjah Museums. This was followed by professional training at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, where she explored international approaches to accessibility and inclusive museum experiences, bringing those insights back to Sharjah to help strengthen local practices.

More recently, Fatima represented the UAE at the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. As part of the UAE delegation, she contributed to a workshop on key pillars of the UAE’s National Strategy for People of Determination, while engaging with international experts to exchange knowledge and bring global best practices back to support the Strategy’s development.

For Fatima, choosing a career in public service was a natural extension of what has always motivated her: the opportunity to improve people’s lives.

“I chose this career because I have always believed that meaningful change starts with people,” she says. “What continues to inspire me is the opportunity to help shape initiatives and policies that improve people’s lives and create more inclusive communities.”

That sense of purpose became especially important during the early stages of her career. In her work on accessible museums, success depended on earning the trust of People of Determination and their families. Fatima’s goal was not simply to introduce new initiatives, but to create truly inclusive spaces where the community could feel a sense of ownership, dignity and belonging.

Achieving that required patience, collaboration and genuine listening. By involving People of Determination in decision-making and empowering them to help shape the visitor experience, Fatima and her team helped create a model of inclusion that others across the UAE looked to learn from.

Later, when she was entrusted with leading an entire government institution, she faced a different kind of challenge. Transforming organisational performance and culture required vision, teamwork and a commitment to continuous improvement. In less than two years, she and her team achieved remarkable results, reinforcing her belief that sustainable success is built through collaboration, trust and shared purpose.

Fatima credits her time at UOWD with strengthening the way she approaches leadership and problem-solving. Her Master of Quality Management gave her more than technical knowledge; it shaped how she thinks.

“My Master’s degree in Quality Management gave me more than technical knowledge. It changed the way I think,” she explains. “It strengthened my ability to analyse complex challenges, make evidence-based decisions and lead continuous improvement initiatives.”

The experience also reinforced the importance of lifelong learning, a principle that continues to guide both her professional and personal growth.

Beyond the classroom, what Fatima remembers most fondly from UOWD is the diversity of perspectives she encountered. Studying alongside professionals from different industries and backgrounds made each discussion richer and challenged her to think differently. She also valued the strong connection between academic learning and real-world application, which made the experience both practical and inspiring.

Like many successful leaders, Fatima’s journey has included moments of uncertainty. There was a period in her career when, despite working hard and achieving strong results, unexpected setbacks made her question her path. It was difficult, but it became one of the most important turning points in her life.

Instead of giving up, she chose to invest in herself, continue learning and trust that every experience was preparing her for something greater.
“That experience taught me that setbacks can redirect us toward opportunities we never imagined,” she says. “Looking back, I realised that the moments I thought would define my limits actually became the moments that redefined my future.”

Today, Fatima is focused on continuing to contribute to national priorities through transformative initiatives that create lasting social impact. She hopes to take on broader strategic leadership roles where she can help shape policies, empower future leaders and contribute to positioning the UAE as a global leader in social development and inclusion.

Her motivation remains deeply personal and purpose-driven. She believes success is not only about personal achievement, but about the people we support and the legacy we leave behind.

Outside of work, Fatima enjoys travelling and exploring different cultures, which she says broadens her perspective and inspires new ideas. She also enjoys horse riding, fashion design and spending time with her family and her cat, Mishmish.

For UOWD students preparing to enter the workforce, her advice is clear: do not chase titles.

“Don’t chase job titles, chase opportunities to learn, grow and create value,” she says. “Your reputation, integrity and willingness to keep learning will take you much further than any title ever will.”

She encourages students to stay curious, embrace challenges and step outside their comfort zones. Every experience, even the difficult ones, can shape them into stronger professionals and better leaders.

Most importantly, she reminds them that success is not only about where they reach, but about the impact they leave on others along the way.