Emirates Projects speaks with Marisa Kamall, a Vistage Chair, about leadership, diversity, and empowering entrepreneurs to scale up.
Marisa Kamall brings over 20 years of global executive experience across the Middle East, Latin America, Asia, and Europe. As a former Managing Director of a FTSE 100 company, she has managed multimillion-dollar P&Ls and led large teams. Now an executive coach keynote speaker And Vistage Chair, Marisa specializes in leadership, diversity & inclusion (DE&I), and change management. With certifications in transformational coaching, she helps executives unlock their potential through empathy-driven leadership and practical DE&I strategies, drawing on her own experience at the highest corporate levels.
Emirates Projects: Could you share how your journey from finance led you to executive coaching and ultimately becoming a Vistage Chair?
Marisa Kamall: After having my child, I began to reflect more on my career and what truly motivated me. I realized that, while finance was stable and secure, my passion lay in leading large teams and helping others develop. That’s when I decided to leave banking and establish my own executive coaching practice, this evolved into a management consultancy focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion, which I’m deeply passionate about.
Vistage was the perfect platform for me. It combines my interest in executive coaching with working alongside leaders at the top of their game. When I was approached by Nathan, the CEO, to become a Vistage Chair, it felt like a natural fit. Now, those four hours a month spent with my group are easily the best investment of my time.
Vistage holds CEOs accountable, driving business success.
Emirates Projects: What unique strengths do you believe you bring to your role as a Vistage Chair, and how do they influence the way you lead your group?
Marisa Kamall: I’ve spent a lot of time with senior executives in the corporate world, but Vistage introduced me to a different kind of leader, entrepreneurs who started and built their own businesses. While I bring the perspective of scaling up and managing larger organizations, I find it fascinating and rewarding to be in the room with entrepreneurs who are navigating the early stages of growth. Their hunger and drive are incredibly inspiring.
In my Vistage group, we focus a lot on scale-up strategies. Entrepreneurs transitioning from 10 to 100 employees often need help structuring their businesses or creating policies, frameworks, and processes that support that level of growth. But just as important is diversity of thought. I’m intentional about ensuring that every voice is heard, and that diverse perspectives, whether they be from different industries, backgrounds, or age groups are brought to the table.
Emirates Projects: How do you facilitate meetings to ensure each member gets what they need?
Marisa Kamall: Our meetings follow a structured format, but there’s flexibility within that structure. The first part of the session is dedicated to leadership development or executive learning. I stay up to date on trends and challenges across industries, and I tailor content to what the group needs. For instance, we recently focused on Atomic Habits by James Clear, which resonated well with the members, particularly in terms of discipline and habit-building as CEOs.
The second part of the meeting revolves around issue processing, where members present their challenges or opportunities, and the group helps resolve them. This is where I step in as a facilitator. My role isn’t to provide all the answers but to curate the conversation and bring out the best thinking in the room. That’s what makes the process powerful, each member’s experience and insight come into play.
Authenticity and openness build trust in the group.
Emirates Projects: As a Vistage Chair, how do you strike a balance between coaching to draw out answers from within the group compared to contributing advice drawn from your own experience?
Marisa Kamall: It’s a blend of both. In coaching, my goal is to ask thought-provoking questions that unlock insights for my members. However, Vistage also allows for direct advice, especially during issue-processing sessions. After the member on the ‘hot seat’ has shared their challenge, everyone in the room, including me, has the opportunity to offer advice. Ultimately, the member decides what resonates with them, and they commit to taking action. Accountability is key in our sessions. it’s one thing to brainstorm solutions, but following through on them is where the impact happens.
Emirates Projects: Could you share a specific example where a member experienced a breakthrough in your group?
Marisa Kamall: Absolutely. One of my members runs a successful business and was planning to launch a new tech product. It was a significant departure from their existing model, and while they had been discussing it for months, there hadn’t been much progress. During one of our sessions, we worked through the mental and operational barriers holding them back.
By the next meeting, they had already had several investor discussions, secured funding, and moved forward with pilot clients. It was a massive leap, and interestingly enough, I and another Vistage member ended up investing in the venture because we believed in it so much. It’s incredible to see that kind of progress happen within the group.
Emirates Projects: How do you ensure that the learning aspects of Vistage remain relevant and impactful for seasoned executives?
Marisa Kamall: That’s always top of mind for me. I invest a lot in my own development, reading books, listening to podcasts, and staying up to date on trends. But it’s also important to ask the group what they need. I tailor our sessions based on feedback and supplement them with guest speakers who bring in fresh perspectives.
Even experienced business leaders find value in new leadership trends, whether it’s understanding how to manage remote teams or navigating the complexities of global markets. There’s always something to learn, and by keeping the content relevant and dynamic, we ensure it continues to have an impact.
Members benefit from leadership development, not commercial referrals.
Emirates Projects: What do you look for in prospective Vistage members, and how do you determine if someone is a good fit for your group?
Marisa Kamall: I look for authenticity, openness, and a growth mindset. Being part of Vistage means being willing to be vulnerable and share real challenges with the group. We build trust quickly, and that only happens when members are willing to be honest and open from the outset. I also look for individuals who are willing to challenge and be challenged. It’s not about ego, big egos don’t tend to work well in this environment.
The selection process involves several meetings where I ask a series of questions to gauge whether someone is a good fit. I want to ensure they’ll both contribute to and benefit from the group dynamic.
Emirates Projects: In your opinion, how does Vistage differ from other executive coaching or peer advisory models?
Marisa Kamall: The biggest difference is that no one has anything to gain from the group except for the mutual development of one another. I’ve been part of other groups where the focus is more commercial, with an emphasis on referrals or business deals. Vistage is purely about leadership development. The combination of peer group sessions and one-on-one coaching creates a holistic approach that’s hard to find elsewhere.
The consistency of the group also sets us apart. The trust built over time within a stable group of peers creates a safe space for vulnerability and growth, which is essential for the kind of breakthroughs we see.
Emirates Projects: What are your aspirations for your Vistage group and your own journey within Vistage?
Marisa Kamall: My immediate goal is to fill the remaining three slots in my group with the right industries—I’m looking for sectors like growth marketing, construction, and possibly an NGO. Beyond that, I’d love to start a second group and continue building Vistage’s presence in the UAE. I believe in the power of this platform, and I want to make it even better for our members, helping them scale their businesses and grow as leaders.
To discover how Vistage could help push your leadership skills to new levels, click HERE go to Marisa’s LinkedIn page HERE or email her at marisa@vistage.ae. You’ll be made very welcome.