Nayaab Rais

With 18+ years of creative leadership across MENA, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, Nayaab Rais has built a global reputation for ideas that win both hearts and hardware. From securing DDB Dubai's first-ever Cannes Lion to leading campaigns for brands like Mastercard, Coca-Cola, McDonald's, and Arla, she's helped over 50 brands earn global recognition with work that has garnered 200+ awards, 100M+ views, and a seat among the Top 15 Creative Directors globally. (She's still figuring out what that really means, but her mom was very proud.)

In an industry that didn't always picture someone like her at the helm, Nayaab has built a career by redefining what leadership looks like. And now, she's helping the next generation rewrite their own narratives. She currently spearheads McCann Worldgroup's Ilon Collective in the region, a platform dedicated to mentoring emerging female creatives and also regularly trains women across the industry to not just become better creatives, but more confident, visible voices in the room.

You'll often find her speaking at universities and advertising forums, where she's known for mixing creative inspiration with psychological insights (as a licensed psychotherapist) and the occasional rant about why we still say "female creatives" like it's a rare species. Her unique perspective has also earned her seats on regional advisory boards like Saudi's Athar Festival, and jury duties at awards shows like Cannes Lions, One Show, LIA, Clios, and New York Festivals among others.

All of this is part of her mission: to help more diverse creatives rise, more unheard voices break through, and more young women realise they don't have to fit the mold to lead it.