This month, we speak to inspiring women whose ideas, resilience and ambition are helping shape Bahrain’s evolving identity and future.
Across the GCC, a powerful shift is underway. Women are not only participating in the region’s transformation – they are helping to define it. From boardrooms and startups to laboratories, ministries, creative studios and social enterprises, a new generation of female leaders is reshaping what influence, ambition and success look like in the Gulf.
This feature brings together a selection of inspiring women whose work reflects the market’s dynamism today. Each interview offers a personal perspective on leadership, resilience and purpose, while revealing the broader cultural and economic evolution across Bahrain. Their stories span industries and backgrounds, yet they are united by a common drive: to create impact beyond titles and expectations.
What makes these conversations especially compelling is the balance between tradition and progress. The women featured here navigate rapidly changing landscapes while remaining deeply connected to their identities, experiences, communities and heritage. They speak candidly about the realities of building careers, leading organisations, challenging perceptions and opening doors for future generations.
At a time when the Gulf is positioning itself as a global hub for innovation, investment and creativity, women are playing an increasingly visible role in shaping this future. Their contributions are not limited to a single sector or narrative; they are influencing diverse fields in meaningful and lasting ways.
More than a celebration of achievement, these interviews are an exploration of the perspectives, ideas, values and experiences that drive these women forward. Through their voices, we gain a richer understanding of their invaluable presence in the market and the impact they are creating in this ever-growing economy.
Redefining Success
Cristalyn Pastrana, Managing Partner at HSP Marketing and Trading, talks about career shifting and how her experience in hospitality prepared her for entrepreneurship.
You have worked for many years in the hospitality industry. Now, you have changed fields. Can you tell us more about your new chapter?
After 21 years in hospitality, I made the leap into entrepreneurship full-time. My husband and I co-own HSP Marketing and Trading, a company established in 2017, based here in Bahrain and in Jordan, that serves clients across the GCC and we are now setting our sights on expanding into Asia, mainly the Chinese market. As Managing Partner, I oversee the company’s growth, client relationships and strategy, spanning both our marketing services and our import trading operations. Alongside that, I’ve also been quietly building a real estate investment portfolio over the years, properties that now generate passive income for us. So this new chapter is really about two things: building something of our own through the business and creating lasting financial independence through smart investments.
What are the things you learned in your work experience in hospitality that you are carrying into this new phase in your working life?
Hospitality teaches us about people and that transfers to everything. In hotels, you’re constantly providing impeccable rooms, managing expectations and delivering personalised experiences, not just a service. I carry that mindset into every client interaction at HSP Marketing. I also learned the value of systems, standards and attention to detail. In a hotel, one missed detail can ruin a guest’s stay. In marketing, one misaligned message can damage a brand. The stakes are different, but the discipline is the same. And honestly, hospitality builds resilience. You learn to stay composed under pressure, which has been invaluable as an entrepreneur. But perhaps the most important thing hospitality taught me is the difference between authority and leadership. There’s a saying I truly believe in: a title might make you a boss, but your people decide if you’re a leader. In hospitality, you earn your team’s respect on the floor, in the thick of it – and I carry that same philosophy into how I lead at HSP Marketing today.
Changing career paths can be challenging but also liberating and rewarding. What do you have to say to those thinking of shifting into a new chapter?
Don’t wait for the perfect moment, because it won’t come. What I would say is: start building your next chapter while you’re still in your current one. I didn’t leave hospitality and start from zero; I had already been investing in property and developing skills on the side. By the time I transitioned, the foundation was already there. Also, be honest with yourself about what you want. A career change isn’t just about what you’re running from; it’s about what you’re running towards. Know your destination, even if the road isn’t perfectly mapped out yet.
If you could describe your career in three words, what would they be and why?
People. Purpose. Growth. People – because every role I’ve held, whether in hospitality or in marketing, has been fundamentally about relationships. Purpose – because I’ve always needed my work to mean something beyond just a paycheck, which is ultimately why I chose entrepreneurship. And Growth – not just professional growth, but personal and financial growth too. I’ve never been content to stay still, and I think that restlessness, in a healthy way, has been the engine behind everything I’ve built.
Wellness Beyond Trends
Emilia Mikulova, founder of Terra Health Middle East, explores wellness from a different perspective through the role of supplements. She shares what sets Reterra, the company’s nutraceutical line, apart in the market and the purpose that drives her forward.
What was the turning point that inspired you to launch Terra Health Middle East and create Reterra?
The turning point came from a very personal place. I have always had a deep passion for health and medicine. When I was younger, I wanted to become a surgeon, but life led me towards law instead. Still, my interest in medicine, science and how the human body works never left me. Later in life, through my own health journey with an autoimmune disease, I became even more aware of how important quality, absorption and real product effectiveness are. I started to understand that not all supplements are created equal. I wanted to bring advanced, science-backed European wellness products to Bahrain and the wider GCC – products that are high-quality, meaningful and effective. For me, Reterra is not just a business. It is a brand built on personal experience, a belief in science and a desire to make premium wellness solutions more accessible to people who genuinely need them.
How did your background in law, public service and international cooperation shape your approach to building a wellness company?
My background has given me a highly structured, responsible approach to work. I spent many years in environments where accuracy, documentation, confidentiality, compliance and trust were essential, and that mindset has naturally become part of how I build my business today. In the wellness and healthcare sector, I believe you cannot rely solely on beautiful branding. Products need to be carefully selected, properly documented, regulated and supported by quality standards. When people use something for their health, there is a responsibility that comes with it. My international experience has also helped me work across cultures, regulations and markets. With Terra Health Middle East, my goal is to create a bridge between European innovation and the GCC, bringing products to the region in a way that is professional, credible and built for long-term trust.
What makes Reterra’s products different from other wellness and nutraceutical brands in the GCC market?
What makes Reterra different is that we are not bringing ordinary wellness products to the market. Our focus is on advanced European formulations and innovative product categories that are still very new to Bahrain and the wider region. Through Reterra, we are introducing liquid liposomal supplements, targeted probiotic solutions and longevity-focussed products – categories that, to our knowledge, are not yet widely available in Bahrain in this form. This gives us the opportunity to bring something truly distinctive to the market. The difference also lies in the technology. Liposomal delivery, targeted probiotic formulas and advanced longevity ingredients are designed with a clear purpose: better absorption, more targeted support and products that actually work. For me, premium wellness is not only about packaging or branding; it has to be supported by science, quality and real functionality.
Is there a particular product or innovation you are especially proud of and why?
I am especially proud of the liquid liposomal range because it embodies exactly what Reterra stands for: science, innovation, premium quality and real functionality. Liposomal technology is exciting because it focusses on how nutrients are delivered and absorbed by the body. For me, that is the future of wellness. It is not only about which ingredients are in the bottle, but about how effectively the body can use them. When you experience health challenges yourself, you become much more aware of the importance of quality, trust and effectiveness. The liquid liposomal range is also important because it allows us to introduce something advanced and distinctive to Bahrain and the GCC market – it reflects our mission. For me, this is not just a product category. It is the heart of Reterra’s identity – wellness supported by technology, quality and purpose.
Empowered by Movement
Esraa Janahi, founder of Dynamic Fitness and Dynamic Woman, shares how her fitness journey led her to create a wellness approach rooted in movement quality, rehabilitation and women’s empowerment.
What inspired you to leave the corporate world and pursue a career in fitness and wellness? What do you offer with Dynamic Fitness and Dynamic Woman?
Participating in sports and being active has always been part of my family‘s lifestyle. My dad was a professional football player and my mother had a gym routine since I could remember. In fact, she’s one of my most consistent clients to date; she hasn’t missed a session since we opened in 2016. In 2006, I decided to hire a personal trainer to help me with my strength goals and, shortly after, my passion and intrigue for human anatomy and its biomechanics grew exponentially. I qualified as a personal trainer in 2011 and worked part-time alongside my banking gig until 2013. I then decided to quit fully and become certified in rehab training, which opened an opportunity for me to work as an Exercise Rehab Coach. In 2016, I launched my company, Training For Warriors. We wanted to bridge the gap between rehab and fitness, so I developed the concept of ‘transitional fitness’: the process of rehabilitating clients with acute or chronic injuries and helping them transition into fitness and strength training, thereby improving their quality of life.
What made you focus specifically on women’s wellness and empowerment?
In 2022, I got pregnant and was also in the process of acquiring a certification in corrective exercise specialisation for prenatal and postpartum women, as well as birth coaching. I wanted to have the best pregnancy and birth experience: an active and healthy pregnancy, a smooth birth and an even smoother recovery. This journey taught me that wellness and empowerment go hand in hand. A lot of the time, pregnancy is looked at as a medical condition and pregnant women are treated like they’re made of glass and can break at any moment. But birth is like any other athletic event; your body is designed to perform it, and should be prepared for it. In addition, a woman is expected to carry and care for a child immediately after birth, whether naturally or through C-section, with zero preparation for the postpartum period. These women need guidance and support, and I noticed it and I am here to help.
You place a strong emphasis on movement quality. Why is this so important in modern fitness?
A lot of the time, people go to group classes or hire personal trainers, but nobody pays any attention to form or movement quality, resulting in injuries. People come to exercise to feel better, not worse! Yes, sometimes soreness gets worse before it gets better, and that’s normal, but one should never get injured while trying to lead a healthier, more active lifestyle. Quality over quantity all the way!
What’s one wellness habit you can’t live without?
Steps: if all else fails, count your steps. If you can keep it between 10,000 and 12,000 steps a day, you’re doing more than OK. I would also emphasise strength training, since we do lose muscle mass and bone density as we age, and that is a non-negotiable for me.
Designing Memories
Marilia La Marca, founder of LA MARCA Design Studio, shares how storytelling, sustainability and cultural authenticity are shaping a new era of emotionally driven hospitality design.
What made you create your own design studio? What do you want to offer with it?
After years working across continents – from Rome to Mauritius to the Middle East – I founded LA MARCA Design Studio around three core values: a deep obsession with design and renovation, a commitment to sustainability and a passion for bridging Italy and the Gulf – connecting GCC investors with Italy’s finest hidden hospitality gems that need renovation. We are a collective of passionate experts, led by some of the most talented women I’ve had the privilege of working alongside. Together with Barbara Marcotulli, our Hospitality Experience Designer, we weave storytelling and emotion into every project from the very first concept. We partner with hospitality clients to optimise layouts, elevate interiors into authentic environments, and craft travel experiences that genuinely connect guests to place, culture and heritage.
You focus your projects on hospitality and F&B interiors. How do you merge Mediterranean warmth (from your Italian roots) with Gulf vibrancy in your designs? How important is local heritage in luxury hospitality today?
Mediterranean design celebrates natural materials, light and human-scale warmth – values that resonate beautifully with Gulf hospitality’s generosity and richness. I weave these together through local craftsmanship: Bahraini pottery beside Italian travertine, regional textiles in earthy palettes and contemporary Arab artists featured throughout. Local heritage isn’t just important in luxury hospitality; it’s essential. Today’s discerning travellers seek authenticity, not generic luxury. They want to understand where they are, connect with local culture, and take home meaningful memories. When we honour heritage while embracing contemporary expression, we create spaces with a genuine soul that feel both timeless and relevant.
Your studio speaks about creating memories rather than just spaces. Why do you believe hospitality design should be experience-led?
Because spaces fade from memory, but moments don’t. A child sees the ocean for the first time, a guest watches a local craftsman shape clay while unfamiliar spices fill the air. That’s not an amenity, it’s the beginning of a lifelong relationship with a place. Hospitality design should create the conditions for those moments: the right light, the right pause, the right emotional charge. When a place enters someone’s inner world, its value exceeds any price point. That’s what experience-led design means to us.
How is it possible to avoid hospitality spaces feeling overly trenddriven or temporary? How do you create spaces that remain relevant emotionally and aesthetically over time?
Timeless design is rooted in three principles: quality of the materials, cultural authenticity and sustainability. I avoid chasing trends by focussing on what genuinely belongs to the place: local stone, traditional crafts reinterpreted through contemporary eyes, natural materials that age beautifully. We ground each design to the place we need to represent and honour, featuring local contemporary art ensures spaces evolve with regional creative movements rather than following distant trends. Sustainability naturally promotes longevity; we choose materials meant to last generations, not seasons. Most importantly, spaces anchored in heritage and authentic storytelling transcend temporary aesthetics. When design celebrates history while embracing thoughtful innovation, it creates emotional resonance that lives longer than any trend cycle.
The Fashion Dialogue
Nadia Mbarek, a fashion strategist, creative consultant and co-founder of
Mon Collectionneur, shares her vision for nurturing creative talent, cultural
identity, and sustainable growth across the Gulf ’s evolving fashion landscape.
Your career bridges fashion, culture and international collaboration. How did that journey begin? Can you tell us more about what Mon Collectionneur offers?
My journey began as a packaging designer, where I developed a strong appreciation for aesthetics, storytelling and brand identity. Driven by my passion for fashion, art and design, I gradually expanded my work across the MENA region and Europe, building bridges between brands, talents and cultural institutions. I co-founded Mon Collectionneur with my two sisters, accompanying more than 200 brands internationally through brand development, creative collaborations and collection production. Mon Collectionneur also offers white-label and custom-made collection solutions for brands seeking tailored creative support. Through NM Consultancy, I advise fashion and luxury brands on strategy, positioning and international expansion, helping them grow beyond borders while strengthening their identity and global exposure.
You initiated and led three editions of Fashion Week Paris to Manama with the French Embassy. What did that experience teach you about the region’s fashion ecosystem?
Initiating and leading Fashion Week Paris to Manama with the French Embassy was an enriching experience that highlighted Bahrain’s strong creative potential. It taught me that the Gulf is home to talented designers, ambitious entrepreneurs and a growing appreciation for fashion as an industry, deeply rooted in local craftsmanship, heritage and cultural identity. At the same time, many emerging brands still need stronger strategic foundations and greater international exposure. The experience reinforced the importance of collaboration among local institutions, private-sector partners and creatives to build a sustainable ecosystem that supports local talent while connecting the region to the global fashion industry.
As a Fashion Strategy Consultant, how do you identify brands or creatives with real long-term potential? What are the most common challenges brands face today?
I believe strong brands are built on authenticity, consistency and emotional connection. When I work with creatives or fashion businesses, I look beyond aesthetics and focus on vision, identity, adaptability and the ability to create meaningful experiences for their audience. Today, many brands struggle with positioning, differentiation and maintaining a clear identity in an oversaturated digital world. Another major challenge is balancing creativity with business strategy. Success today requires not only talent and beautiful products, but also strong storytelling, strategic partnerships and the ability to evolve while remaining true to the brand’s DNA.
What advice would you give young women entering fashion and creative industries in the Gulf?
I would encourage young women to believe in the value of their voices, visions and cultural identities. The Gulf is evolving rapidly and there are more opportunities than ever for women in fashion, luxury and creative industries. My advice is to stay curious, keep learning and build both creative and business skills. Networking, consistency and resilience are essential. It is also important to create authentically rather than blindly follow trends. Women today are shaping the future of the region’s creative economy and I believe those who combine passion with strategy and purpose will have the strongest impact.
Beauty: Reimagined, Inspired
Nouf Abdulrahim is the founder of Spa Social and Crush Fitness. She shares what inspired her to rethink wellness and approach it from a different perspective and how that vision shaped both brands.
What inspired you to open your spa and salon? What market gap were you aiming to fill?
I’ve always been passionate about creating spaces that make women feel confident, empowered and taken care of, not just physically, but emotionally too. At the time, I felt there was a gap in the market for a beauty and wellness destination that combined high standards, luxury aesthetics and genuine connection. I didn’t want Spa Social to feel transactional. I wanted it to feel warm, inspiring, elevated and community-driven, a place where clients feel seen, heard and leave feeling better than when they walked in.
How do Spa Social and Crush Fitness work together to create a complete wellness and lifestyle experience?
Spa Social and Crush Fitness complement each other because they’re both built around the same philosophy: helping women feel strong, confident and at their best. Spa Social focusses on beauty, self-care and restoration, while Crush Fitness focusses on movement, strength and performance. Together, they create a more complete wellness lifestyle. Our clients don’t just come to us for a service or a workout; they come for an experience and a feeling.
What do you believe defines a truly memorable spa or salon experience in today’s wellness landscape?
Today, a memorable spa or salon experience goes far beyond the treatment itself. Clients remember how a space made them feel. Attention to detail, atmosphere, personalisation, consistency and genuine care create loyalty. People want beautiful environments, but they also want human connection, comfort and trust. Even the smallest touches, the energy of the team, the music, the scent and the way a client is welcomed, all contribute to creating an experience that feels special and unforgettable.
What makes you feel accomplished at the end of the day with your business?
What makes me feel most accomplished is knowing we positively impacted someone’s day, whether it’s a client leaving feeling more confident, a team member growing professionally or seeing the community we’ve built continue to evolve. Building businesses in wellness and beauty is ultimately about people. At the end of the day, knowing that Spa Social and Crush Fitness have become spaces where women feel inspired, supported and empowered is the most rewarding part for me.