It is a pleasure to introduce myself as the new Director of the Young Professionals division of the Finnish Business Council.
Some of you may already know me from my time working at the Finnish Pavilion Shop during Expo 2020 Dubai in 2021, where I had the opportunity to be part of Finland’s presence at such a significant international event.
My name is Saara Sabbagh, and I am half Finnish and half Syrian, and was raised in the UAE before moving to Finland for my studies. Having grown up between cultures and later returning to Dubai, I have always found that some of the most valuable perspectives come from being able to see the world from more than one point of view. As a third-culture child, building connections between people, cultures and communities has naturally become an important part of how I see both my personal and professional life.
Today, I work in my family’s dental business as a Marketing and Strategy Manager, where my work sits at the intersection of business development, branding and the rapidly evolving dental industry. Alongside this, I have recently taken on the role of Secretary of the Dubai Finnish School (Suomi-Koulu). I am very excited about these new responsibilities and about contributing more actively to the Finnish community in Dubai as a whole.
For young professionals, these are interesting, and at times uncertain, years in which to be building our careers. Geopolitical shifts, technological transformation and the rapid development of artificial intelligence are changing the way we work and challenging some of the assumptions we have traditionally had about careers and professional development. The idea of following one clearly defined career path is becoming less certain, particularly as the skills and roles of tomorrow continue to evolve.
I believe that this makes community and conversation more important, not less. We need places where young professionals can openly discuss the opportunities and uncertainties ahead, exchange perspectives across industries and generations, and learn from one another. At the same time, professional communities should not always have to be about work. Having an inclusive and welcoming environment where people can simply meet, socialise, make new friends and enjoy shared experiences is equally important.
Through the Young Professionals division, I hope to create a space that brings these elements together, from meaningful professional discussions and networking to informal gatherings and social activities. My aim is to build an open community where everyone feels welcome, whether they are newly arrived in Dubai, have been here for years, are building their own business, developing their career or simply looking to connect with other young professionals with Finnish ties.
In an increasingly digital and rapidly changing world, strong human connections remain one of our most valuable resources. I look forward to meeting many of you, hearing your perspectives and building a strong, open and forward-looking Finnish young professionals community here in Dubai.
Saara Sabbagh
Young Professionals Director
