Women in Leadership; Interview with Nadia Ezz

As part of our Leading Women inspirational stories, we want to shed the light on the professional challenges and career aspirations of the women in leadership of today. In this interview, Nadia Ezz, Executive Marketing & PR Director at Marakez, talks about the figure that has inspired her professional career, what keeps her driven and passionate about work, as well as how Marakez at large creates and implements value on a day-to-day basis.

When did your adventure with Marakez start? Can you walk us down the line?

I started with Marakez back in 2015 as their Events Director. We envisioned Marakez as the leading mixed-use developer in Egypt and now MARAKEZ has become a leader in the industry with an ever-expanding inventory of residential as well as commercial projects, such as the Mall of Arabia, the Mall of Tanta, the Town Center, and the Mall of Mansoura, in addition to AEON and District Five. Marakez had an incredibly precise plan for every project whether operating it, building it, or inheriting an unfinished project and delivering a brilliant outcome. In 8 years of working with my team, I would say it has been an impressive journey witnessing immense changes and achievements across the lane. 

How did you change across these years working at Marakez?

Back in 2015, we only had our flagship project – Mall of Arabia. I was then, MARAKEZ’s Events Director, then as the company grew and more projects came to life – Mall of Tanta, AEON, and Town Center, then District Five later on, I became the Marketing Director of MARAKEZ’s commercial and residential projects. Working across different areas within the same entity made me gain profound experience and grow personally and professionally. I am now the Executive Corporate Marketing & PR Director handling all corporate marketing and aiming to solidify MARAKEZ’s strong market presence.

• What are the values you think Marakez adds to the life of its communities?

MARAKEZ adds value to the communities it serves through having a wide range of facilities and services designed in a contemporary modern way and all located within walking distance from each other to facilitate everyday living for either people who work, shop or reside in Marakez developments.

Describe Marakez in five words.

I would say innovative, contemporary, professional, design-oriented, and progressive. 

How do you define success?

Success is when you see projects you have worked on developed and have a life on their own. I appreciate it when efforts are paid off at the end of the day. Not to mention, being successful within a creative hard-working team makes all the difference in the world. One has to create this cycle of ongoing effort, achievement, and willpower to reach the top. It is a continuation of accomplishments that creates success. 

How do you usually start your day?

I wish I had a fixed routine but I don’t. As simple as it is, my day starts at 6:30 sharp and ends around midnight. I am a mom, so I try to fit a lot into my day to get things done regarding my kids, home, and work. However, I like to start my day with my prayers, to keep things spiritual, grounded, and peaceful. I try to incorporate some workouts into my routine because I do believe in the mentality; of a “Healthy Body, Healthy Mind.” 

Is there such a thing as a balance as a working mom?

It is extremely challenging. There is no such thing as a perfect balance. It involves doing the right tasks at the right time, not doing everything for the same length of time. Remembering that we go through seasons in life is crucial. Seasons, in my definition, are specific instances that require our attention, time, and energy. You can decide what your goals should be by looking at the season you’re in right now. For me, it is getting easier since my kids are growing up, so it all comes down to priorities.

What makes Marakez the great entity it is today?

Behind MARAKEZ success is the team – a team of expert professionals who know how to get innovative projects come to life. There is an open environment for new ideas which are all always welcomed and listened to. We follow our aim and strategy instead of imposing a technical one; hence, it is easier to go from an idea phase to an implementation phase quickly.

How do you aim for achievements?

You have to know what you want or aim for before you even conduct a plan. Some people don’t know where to start or what to do. Setting goals is necessary if you want to thrive. Without objectives, you lack direction and focus. Setting goals gives you the power to direct the course of your life and gives you a standard by which to judge whether you are truly succeeding.

As a leading woman of success, what advice would you give to the youth to handle rejection best?

I would say to never give up, I am a firm believer that rejection doesn’t define who you are. If there is a will, there is a way – and this applies to everything. Rejection allows us to grow and learn new lessons. Put your personal growth first (spiritual, emotional, mental, social, physical). Don’t pay attention to the critics. Instead, concentrate on honing your skill and be persistent.

What was the most difficult decision you made in your career up till now?

Every single decision I make is challenging and risky at Marakez; however, we make these decisions after thorough analyzing and thinking as a team and we live up to these challenges. What matters the most is having similar-minded people around you which eases up any obstacle and facilitates communication which is the key to any success.

Who did you look up to when you were first starting?

My father – he taught me a lot about defining one’s purpose and being professional whilst being understanding and compassionate toward others.

Give us one word that describes you best.

Eclectic, I would say.