She Leads 2026 Global Women Corporate Leadership Conference & Awards
9th – 11th Feb 2026 | Dubai, UAE
Elham Mattar, Chief of Staff, PayTabs Group conferred with a Life Time Achievement Award at the She Leads Conference in Dubai, UAE on 10 February 2026. Below is a note of appreciation from Elham on receiving the award.
It is a massive honor to accept this Lifetime Achievement Award while serving the PayTabs Group. This recognition is a testament to the evolving power of the human resources profession, the incredible women who have shaped it alongside me, and our collective commitment to redefining the workplace and empowering the people who drive the future of fintech.
Crucially, this achievement has been fueled by the unwavering support of our Group CEO, Abdulaziz Al Jouf (AA), and the PayTabs management team. Their commitment to enabling and empowering women is a core pillar of our success. At PayTabs Group leadership is about creating the space for every individual to lead from the grassroots.
A Reflection on the Journey
Throughout my career, I’ve viewed HR as the heartbeat of organizational success. My mission has always been to move beyond the “process” and focus on the “people” advocating for cultures where empathy is a strategy and inclusion is a non-negotiable standard.
- Championing Growth: From the early days of manual payroll to the current era of AI-driven talent management, I’ve prioritized the human element in every technological shift.
- Building Bridges: My focus has been on closing the gap between corporate goals and employee well-being, proving that a company’s ROI is directly tied to its “Return on Individuals.”
- Mentorship: Perhaps my proudest achievement is seeing the next generation of female HR leaders rise. Your voices are bolder, your visions are clearer, and the future is safe in your hands.
The PayTabs Culture & My Goal
At PayTabs, we build culture intentionally every single day. We have cultivated an environment that thrives on agility, respect, and the breaking of boundaries.
- The Borderless Mindset: Our culture is truly borderless not just geographically, but intellectually. We encourage a “one-team” philosophy that bridges our diverse hubs across the MENA region, ensuring that innovation is shared.
- Radical Empowerment: Under the guidance of our leadership, we’ve moved toward a culture of radical empowerment. We prioritize social integration and open dialogue, ensuring that our “culture code” is a true promise to our employees.
- Innovation through Diversity: We believe that the future of fintech is built by diverse perspectives. By fostering a safe space for different ideas, we turn cultural diversity into our greatest competitive advantage.
As I look toward the future, my goal remains steadfast: to build a world-class, borderless workplace culture that fosters innovation through diversity. While building payment infrastructure and processing payments, we are also building a legacy of excellence. I am dedicated to ensuring that every employee regardless of gender or geography feels valued, heard, and empowered to reach their full potential.
To My Peers and Mentors
This recognition belongs to the past and present mentors who challenged my perspective and the teams who turned “ambitious ideas” into “cultural realities.” To the women of She Leads: thank you for creating a space where we celebrate the resilience it takes to get there.
“Leadership isn’t about being in charge; it’s about taking care of those in your charge.”
I’m looking forward to the next chapter we will build together.
