Brief
Emirati entrepreneur links personal success to community volunteering
Al Zarooni credits more than 100 volunteer events and a role at the Emirates Foundation for shaping his outlook on success.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Ahmed Al Zarooni told Gulf News that "building a better future means taking responsibility for your own progress while helping others move forward too," a principle that has guided his career and extensive volunteer work.
Al Zarooni says his volunteering began with a curiosity about different work environments and has since spanned more than 100 events across the UAE, the wider region and internationally. He has taken part in sports events, government summits, charitable initiatives and world expos, and he spent time supporting communities in refugee camps in Jordan.
His volunteer experience led to a position managing Volunteers AE, the UAE’s official volunteering platform, under the Emirates Foundation. "That brought my journey full circle, from exploring my own future through volunteering to helping others discover their potential while contributing to the community," he said.
Professionally, Al Zarooni has moved across private, semi‑private and government sectors, working in aviation, telecommunications, events, entertainment, real estate, retail and philanthropy. At the Abu Dhabi Executive Office he handled projects, event management and philanthropy, and later joined Expo 2020 Dubai, helping host participants from 192 countries and 13 international organisations.
He argues that success cannot be measured solely by business size, title or financial results. "The more experience I gain, the more I feel that success cannot simply be measured by the size of a business, a job title, or financial results. Those things are important, but there is also the question of what you create for other people," Al Zarooni explained.
Al Zarooni’s story reflects a broader UAE emphasis on community service and aligns with national values that encourage citizens to give back while pursuing personal growth.
Key facts
- Ahmed Al Zarooni has volunteered at more than 100 events across the UAE and internationally. (gulfnews.com)
- He managed Volunteers AE, the UAE’s official volunteering platform, under the Emirates Foundation. (gulfnews.com)
- Al Zarooni worked on projects at the Abu Dhabi Executive Office and at Expo 2020 Dubai. (gulfnews.com)
- He spent time supporting refugee camps in Jordan as part of his volunteering. (gulfnews.com)
- Al Zarooni defines success as creating opportunities for others, not just financial or positional gains. (gulfnews.com)
Sources
- [1] gulfnews.com — originally reported as “How this Emirati is building success through community and volunteering”
