TIME100 Impact Awards Inaugural Edition Celebrates Global Leaders in Abu Dhabi
The inaugural TIME100 Impact Awards took place in Abu Dhabi, bringing together a diverse assembly of leaders, innovators, and visionaries from around the globe to honor individuals who have made extraordinary impacts on their companies, industries, and communities. The gala event, hosted on Saadiyat Island, was attended by key figures including Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, Jessica Sibley, TIME CEO, and other industry dignitaries.
The event recognized four distinguished honorees:
- Alexis Ohanian, Founder of Seven Seven Six and Athlos, and co-Founder of Reddit
- Jamie Salter, Founder and CEO of Authentic Brands Group (ABG)
- Kate Kallot, Founder & CEO of Amini Tech
- Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing
Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi remarked, “These leaders deserve this recognition for their incredible achievements. They each reflect the changing nature of our world where human, technological, scientific, and social forces are in constant dialogue. The United Arab Emirates is an ideal venue to showcase the latest achievements in each and to underscore how economic success can be harnessed to deliver prosperity and opportunity for every citizen and resident. I would like to congratulate all the winners and thank TIME, as well as the event’s sponsors, for putting together an event that I am sure will become a fixture in the years to come.”
During the ceremony, all four winners spoke about the challenges and rewards of leadership, emphasizing the significance of innovation, resilience, and determination in their journeys.
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Alexis Ohanian highlighted the value of seeking opportunities others overlook and identified women’s sports as the next significant growth arena. Ohanian stated, “Through Seven Seven Six and Athlos, I’ve learned to look for opportunities others might miss, and women’s sports represents the next big business frontier where we can create real excitement and economic impact. Receiving this award from TIME is incredibly meaningful recognition of our work to transform how the world views and invests in women’s athletics as a legitimate and lucrative market. I’m grateful to TIME, Capital.com, and NMDC Group for supporting this vision, and to the UAE for hosting us in a nation that truly understands how to identify and nurture emerging opportunities on the global stage.”
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Kate Kallot outlined her mission to leverage AI for economic empowerment of smallholder farmers. She noted, “This TIME100 Impact Award from TIME validates our mission to help over 300,000 smallholder farmers and demonstrates that AI can be a force for equity and economic empowerment when designed with local communities in mind. I’m deeply grateful to TIME, NMDC Group and Capital.com for supporting this recognition, and to the UAE for hosting us in a nation that serves as a bridge between the Global North and South, understanding the importance of inclusive innovation. The UAE’s visionary approach to building technology infrastructure that serves diverse populations perfectly aligns with our goal of ensuring that AI advancement benefits everyone, not just a privileged few.”
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Zak Brown reflected on the collective spirit at McLaren Racing and the drive for excellence at the top tier of Formula One. Brown expressed, “Winning this award is truly humbling because it represents recognition not just of my leadership, but of the collective effort of everyone at McLaren who has worked tirelessly to bring our team back to the sharp edge of F1 competition. I want to thank Capital.com, NMDC Group and TIME for their support of this event, and the UAE for hosting us in a country that exemplifies the same principles we live by at McLaren of bringing together the best talent from around the world to achieve something special. What I’ve learned at McLaren Racing is that my role is to assemble the right team and contribute to the culture that enables extraordinary people to do magical things on the track.”
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Jamie Salter recounted the evolution of Authentic Brands Group and the impact of bold decision-making in building a $32 billion global portfolio. Salter relayed, “Building Authentic Brands Group has taught me that success is never a straight line, and sometimes taking the unconventional path leads to extraordinary outcomes like our $32 billion global portfolio. I’m deeply honored to receive this TIME100 Impact Award, which recognises not just our achievements but the power of brands to hold culture and create real impact across communities worldwide. I want to thank TIME, Capital.com, and NMDC Group for their support of this inaugural event, and the UAE for providing such an inspiring venue that perfectly embodies the spirit of innovation and global collaboration we strive for at ABG.”
Support for the event was provided by Capital.com, Europe’s fastest-growing fintech company expanding rapidly in the UAE, and NMDC Group, an integrated energy and marine services company operating across MENA, South Asia, and beyond.
Viktor Prokopenya, founder of Capital.com, commented, “Capital.com is proud to celebrate these remarkable leaders who have turned ideas into impact – not just in their own sectors, but in the lives of millions around the world. The UAE has proven once again to be a magnet for the world’s most ambitious individuals, offering the possibility, stability, and system that rewards genuine effort and innovation. At Capital.com, we share the vision of these honorees in making complex systems more accessible and empowering people to take control of their futures. When you combine the energy of this region, the vision of its leadership, and the determination of leaders like tonight’s winners, you create the foundation for a stronger, more resilient, and more future-ready society.”
Yasser Zhagloul, CEO of NMDC Group, highlighted the philosophy of guardian leadership at the core of NMDC Group’s ethos, affirming, “The spirit of innovation and resilience showcased tonight reflect the values we hold deeply in the United Arab Emirates and at NMDC Group. Built on ambition, collaboration, and a belief in a better future, these principles guide how we build and contribute to a world where ideas thrive and progress is shared by all.”
The TIME100 Impact Awards have set a new benchmark for global recognition, establishing Abu Dhabi as a center for celebrating transformative leadership, innovation, and the ongoing dialogue between human and technological advancement.
Team V.4-EM-UAE
