Early Life and Education
Farah Zafar’s journey began in the UK, where she was raised in a disciplined household that prioritized academia. Her family, having immigrated in the 1950s, instilled in her the values of hard work and perseverance. Faced with limited career choices from her father—doctor, lawyer, or dentist—Farah chose law. After completing her studies, she faced 532 rejections before securing a training contract at a small criminal legal aid office in South London. This period was challenging, marked by long hours and a demanding environment, but it laid the foundation for her resilience and work ethic.
Career Milestones
After her training, Farah secured a position at a prestigious Mayfair law firm. Her career took a significant turn when she was selected as the Sole Legal Counsel for the Engineer’s Office of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum in Dubai. This role marked the beginning of her influential presence in the Middle East. She went on to hold prominent positions, including roles at Omniyat, Dubai Holding, and as Chief Legal Officer for the Public Investment Fund of Saudi for Amaala. Her contributions have been recognized with numerous awards, such as Legal CEO of the Year at the 2019 CEO Awards and General Counsel of the Year in both 2019 and 2020.
Transition to Tech Entrepreneurship
In her current role as CEO of Lyvely, Farah is leading the development of a fully integrated platform designed to assist content creators, independent professionals, and businesses in monetizing their skills and passions online. Lyvely aims to enhance the experiences of creators and consumers through a revenue generation model, empowering individuals to get paid for doing what they love. This venture represents Farah’s commitment to making a positive impact and helping people transition to a more empowering Web 3 world.
Advocacy for Female Empowerment
Farah is passionate about female empowerment and has witnessed significant progress in the Middle East regarding women’s roles across various sectors. She mentors upcoming female leaders and celebrates the rise of Arab women in fields such as leadership, sports, filmmaking, and entrepreneurship. Her journey from a challenging start in the legal profession to becoming a tech CEO serves as an inspiration to women worldwide, demonstrating that dedication, innovation, and a commitment to social impact can turn ambitious dreams into reality. Do follow on Instagram.
Also read: Legal Insights into Setting Up a Franchise in the UAE
