bahrainthismonth.com | NOVEMBER 2025 INTERVIEW 9 Bicultural Roots Ms. Dawani’s compass is shaped by home as much as by chancery. With a Dutch mother and a Bahraini father, she credits her bicultural upbringing for the perspective that underpins her bridge-building today: “This combination I believe has given me an extremely sound basis to understand cultural diversity whether it be Dutch, European or Arab culture and tradition.” That heritage translates into operational empathy, giving her a closeness in understanding, depth and flexibility in dealing with the broad spectrum of matters that she faces. When cases escalate, the office switches to an emergency footing. Ms. Dawani sets out a clear, methodical playbook for urgent consular situations: “We work on the case immediately, in the best way possible in guidance with the relevant Dutch or Bahraini authorities. Often that includes family liaison across borders.” Defining Leadership Ms. Dawani defines leadership as lived across two demanding arenas: public service and private enterprise. She manages Dawani Group Holding, with activities in property and real estate, trading services and industry, yet she has deliberately redesigned her schedule around her young family. “Generally speaking, I arrange most work related activities during the period of 7am-2:30pm, including any duties involving the consular office,” she says. “The remaining time of the day, I prefer to stay at home to be there for my children.” Having married later in life, she decided to cut back her work hours from the usual full day to half a day’s work. The balance is not always easy, especially when work has demanded longer work hours than usual, but her children, Khalil and Emad, are always her priority. The evenings are carefully guarded for rest, reflection and family rhythm: “Beyond the children going to bed after storytelling and general chat, this time is dedicated to rest, a daily walk and any social obligations my husband and I would want to attend.” It is a blueprint many working parents will recognise, anchored by intentional choices and an honest acceptance that not everything can be done at once. Partners in Progress On the economic horizon, Ms. Dawani sees a fertile agenda for Bahrain–Netherlands collaboration. She frames the Dutch economy as a strong trading hub and services centre for Europe and the world, powered by trade, manufacturing, logistics, high tech industries and agriculture. There is already a track record of Dutch companies in Bahrain with Boskalis and Ballast Nedam, and the King Fahad Causeway stands as an important example of Dutch influence on the region. Policy alignment is sharpening, too, with the Dutch Embassy to Kuwait and Bahrain focusing on development on various sectors such as water, energy and food. Crucially, she argues for innovation linkages, not just contracts. “Strengthening innovationdriven collaboration between the two Kingdoms by connecting Bahrain’s key economic sectors with Dutch innovation ecosystem, such as that Brainport Eindhoven, will be very much encouraged.” The model has worked elsewhere in the Gulf, with renewable energy, water technology, agrifood and smart industry cited as promising fields. Asked about mentorship and the next generation, Ms. Dawani’s asserts: “I can only but encourage everyone out there who is determined and wanting to succeed. It will entail hard work. “Leadership positions are earned by being positive, decisive, taking the right decisions at the right time, being highly assertive, a team player and a strong strategic planner.” Above all, she champions courage of aspiration: “Anything is possible, so following your dreams and inspirations should always be kept at the forefront.” “Anything is possible, so following your dreams and inspirations should always be kept at the forefront.” - Zeenat Abdulhusain Dawani
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