From COVID Isolation to 150,000 Strong: The Woman Rewriting What Women's Networks Can Be - Reema Mahajan

When the world shut its doors during the pandemic, one woman opened a new one. 

In 2020, while isolation gripped the globe, Reema Mahajan — a finance professional with a strategist's precision and a deep understanding of human connection — saw something others didn't: an opportunity to connect, empower, and uplift.

What began as a few Indian women exchanging messages over WhatsApp has become one of the UAE's most dynamic women's ecosystems — Indian Women in Dubai (IWD) — now a thriving community of 150,000 members spanning entrepreneurs, professionals, artists, and changemakers.

“For me, it wasn't about leaving a career behind” Reema reflects. “It was about answering a calling.”

That calling was clear: to give Indian women in Dubai not just a network, but a place to belong — something the UAE's diverse business landscape, despite its global reputation, had surprisingly overlooked for this specific demographic.

The Beginning: Building Bridges in a Time of Isolation 

Starting a movement in the middle of a global lockdown wasn't logical — but it was necessary.

Reema noticed how many talented, ambitious women around her had ideas but no platform to nurture them. They were consultants, entrepreneurs, creatives, and corporate leaders — yet many felt disconnected, unsure where to turn for collaboration or support.

"I saw incredible potential everywhere," she says, "but what was missing was a structure — a place where women could collaborate and rise together."

The early days of IWD were filled with uncertainty. There was no playbook for community building during isolation — no roadmap for creating trust through screens. Every decision was instinctive, every step an experiment in faith and persistence.

"Everyone asked me if it was the right time," she laughs, remembering those early conversations. "It wasn't — and yet it was perfect. Uncertainty became my greatest teacher."

Her first major offline event — held as restrictions eased — was a turning point. Women arrived tentative, cautious, unsure of what to expect. By evening's end, business cards were being exchanged, collaborations were forming, and one entrepreneur had found her first mentor. That night, Reema realized she wasn't building a group — she was building a movement that would reshape how women in Dubai connected and grew.

The Rise: From Conversations to Conclaves

Momentum followed naturally. From casual coffee meetups to structured learning sessions and business opportunities, IWD grew organically — one event, one genuine connection at a time.

But it was the launch of the Business Conclaves and WOW Podcast that transformed IWD into something far bigger than anyone had imagined. These weren't just additions to the calendar — they were strategic expansions that gave the community visibility, voice, and credibility in Dubai's competitive business ecosystem.

hrough the WOW Podcast, which has now crossed 100 million global views, Reema gave women across the world a platform — amplifying stories of resilience, leadership, and transformation that mainstream media often overlooked.

The IWD Awards, now entering its sixth season, celebrate outstanding Indian women making an impact in Dubai and beyond. The awards stage has featured icons like actress Lisa Ray, but Reema insists that every nominee — from tech entrepreneurs to social activists to artists — represents the same essential quality: courage in action.

"People stopped seeing IWD as just another networking group," she observes. "They started seeing it as a space for real impact, visibility, and opportunity."

The shift was palpable. What had begun as peer support evolved into a recognized ecosystem where women could find clients, investors, mentors, and media opportunities — all under one umbrella.

The Philosophy: Leadership Without the Spotlight

Unlike traditional leaders who position themselves at the forefront, Reema has deliberately chosen to stand among the women she serves.

"I see myself not as a leader standing in front, but as a connector holding space for others," she explains. "Leadership isn't about being the loudest voice in the room — it's about making sure every voice is heard."

This philosophy — rooted in authenticity and humility rather than ego — has guided every decision in IWD's journey. It's also what makes her approach distinctly different from the typical founder-centric models that dominate entrepreneurial culture.

Reema's collaborative leadership style has attracted strategic partnerships with major organizations including HSBC, Majid Al Futtaim, and the Consulate General of India, all while maintaining the grassroots warmth and accessibility that defines the community.

On platforms like LinkedIn, where many leaders curate only their wins, she continues to lead with transparency — sharing lessons learned from setbacks, celebrating member achievements over personal accolades, and modeling the vulnerability that creates genuine connection.

Her message is consistent and refreshingly honest: consistency beats perfection.

The Impact: Numbers That Tell Human Stories

Today, IWD stands as proof of what purpose-driven leadership can achieve when paired with strategic execution.

From one small digital group formed during lockdown, it has grown into 150,000 women united by connection, courage, and collaboration. That's roughly the population of a mid-sized city — all engaged, all active, all part of something larger than themselves.

Over 1,000 events have been hosted across Dubai and the UAE — from intimate coffee sessions where ideas are born to large-scale business summits where deals are made — creating countless opportunities, collaborations, and lifelong friendships along the way.

The podcast has become a go-to resource for women seeking inspiration and practical wisdom. The awards have become one of the most prestigious recognition platforms for Indian women in the region. And the conclaves have evolved into must-attend events on Dubai's business calendar.

Yet through it all, Reema has stayed remarkably grounded.

“It's never been about numbers,” she insists, and her sincerity is evident. “It's about the stories behind them — every woman who found her first client, her first collaborator, or even just the confidence to try something new through IWD. That's what matters.”

One such story involves a member who joined IWD feeling lost after relocating to Dubai. Within six months, she had launched her consultancy, found three clients through community connections, and was mentoring other newcomers. Stories like these, Reema says, are what fuel her commitment.

The Vision: Expanding the Ecosystem

“For Reema, success is not a destination — it's the foundation for what comes next.”

She's now expanding IWD into specialized initiatives designed to support women at different stages of their personal and professional journeys:

IWN (Indian Women Network) — empowering entrepreneurs with resources, mentorship, and access to funding networks to grow their ventures beyond the startup phase.

IWP (Indian Women Professionals) — designed specifically for women in corporate careers, offering leadership development, networking, and pathways to advancement.

ThriveHive — focusing on what's often neglected in business communities: wellness, work-life balance, and personal growth. Because sustainable success, Reema believes, requires holistic support.

Her newest project, the IWD Coffee Table Book, immortalizes the stories of 14 trailblazing Indian women in Dubai, turning their journeys into tangible inspiration for generations to come. The book, which pre-launched this month, represents another way IWD is documenting and celebrating the contributions of Indian women in the UAE.

“My vision is to make IWD not just Dubai's largest women's network, but a global benchmark for how communities can drive meaningful social and economic change," she states. "I want other cities to look at what we've built and say, 'We can do this too.”

The Heart of It All

If you ask Reema what truly drives her, her answer is disarmingly simple: people.

Every story of transformation within IWD reaffirms her purpose. Every event is a reminder that when women come together with intention and support, entire ecosystems thrive. What she's built isn't just about business networking or social gatherings — it's about creating the conditions for women to realize their full potential.

“We’ve come far.” she says, her voice soft but steady with conviction, “but this is just the beginning.”

From isolation to inspiration, from one cup of coffee during lockdown to 150,000 voices rising together — Reema Mahajan isn't just building a community.

She's redefining what women's networks can be, what they can accomplish, and how they can reshape the economic and social landscape of an entire region.

And if the first five years are any indication, the next chapter will be even more transformative.

Reema Mahajan is the founder of Indian Women in Dubai (IWD) and a recognized leader in women's empowerment and community building across the UAE.