In a world where the corporate ladder often dictates success, Nadine Zidani made a bold decision that would transform her career, and ultimately, her life. After over a decade in the corporate world, she reached a turning point where the promise of financial stability and career progression no longer felt enough. Despite having a clear career path and comfort in her position, something was missing—a deeper sense of fulfillment.
A Life-Changing Moment in Paris
While living in Paris, Nadine experienced a shift in perspective, one that would alter the course of her career. A close friend encouraged her to volunteer with a nonprofit organization that taught French to African immigrants and refugees. The opportunity to interact with these resilient individuals left a profound impact on her. Witnessing their perseverance and determination, despite facing unimaginable challenges, opened Nadine’s eyes to the power of giving back.
“I felt a deep sense of fulfillment I had never experienced before. It made me realize that I wanted more than just climbing the corporate ladder. I wanted purpose,” Nadine shared. That moment of clarity was the catalyst that led her to embrace the world of impact entrepreneurship—a decision that would not only change her life but inspire others to do the same.
MENA Impact: A Platform for Change
The transition from corporate life to entrepreneurship was not easy, but it was driven by Nadine’s desire to align business with purpose. She recognized that the business world could and should be a force for good. Nadine wanted to work with organizations that were creating positive environmental and social change. It wasn’t enough for her to be successful; she wanted to contribute to building a better world.
That’s when the idea for MENA Impact came to life. MENA Impact is a B Corp-certified, purpose-driven company and a digital platform that empowers businesses, entrepreneurs, and professionals across the MENA region with localized sustainability resources, courses, events, and a thriving community to drive measurable impact.
The Journey to B Corp Certification
One of Nadine’s proudest milestones in her entrepreneurial journey was building MENA Impact into a B Corp-certified company—a rare achievement in the UAE. B Corps are businesses that meet high standards of environmental and social impact, transparency, and accountability. Achieving this certification was not just a milestone for MENA Impact. As a certified B Corp, we hold ourselves to high standards of social and environmental performance, proving that purpose and profit can go hand in hand.
Empowering the MENA Region with Sustainability Knowledge
MENA Impact is building the impact ecosystem in the MENA region by bridging the knowledge gap and providing businesses with actionable sustainability solutions.
Our digital platform offers localized courses, resources, events, and a strong peer-learning community, ensuring sustainability education is affordable, accessible, and action-oriented.
A Mission Bigger Than Success
Nadine’s entrepreneurial journey has been guided by a clear mission—one that goes beyond personal success. She is driven by a purpose that is bigger than herself: to make the world a better place through impact-driven entrepreneurship. It’s this sense of mission that has kept her grounded, even when faced with challenges.
“I’m not chasing success. I’m chasing purpose and impact,” Nadine said with conviction. She acknowledges that the entrepreneurial path is filled with uncertainties and obstacles, but it’s the sense of fulfillment that comes from pursuing a meaningful mission that keeps her focused.
Trusting Intuition: A Key to Success
In addition to her mission-driven mindset, Nadine has learned the importance of trusting her intuition as an entrepreneur. Earlier in her career, she often ignored that inner voice, but since embracing entrepreneurship, she has learned to listen and trust her instincts.
“Intuition has saved me so much time. It’s a tool I rely on heavily in my business decisions. If something doesn’t feel right, I don’t hesitate to say no,” she explained.
Nadine believes that everyone has an inner guidance system that can lead them to the right decisions, and it’s simply a matter of being open to it. “Deep down, we always know what is meant for us. We just need to allow that inner guidance to emerge,” she said.
Embracing the Journey and its Challenges
As Nadine continues her journey, she emphasizes the importance of embracing every step of the entrepreneurial path. The pivots, setbacks, and challenges are all part of the process. It’s not just about reaching the destination but about learning and growing along the way.
“True success is measured by the impact you create. The challenges and setbacks are just as valuable as the triumphs because they help shape your purpose,” Nadine reflects.
Her message to aspiring entrepreneurs is simple yet powerful: trust your instincts, stay focused on your mission, and never lose sight of the positive impact you can make. Nadine’s story is one of resilience, purpose, and dedication to building a better future for the MENA region and beyond.
Looking Ahead: A Vision for the Future
As Nadine continues to grow MENA Impact and build a legacy of sustainability and social good, her vision for the future remains clear. She envisions MENA Impact becoming the go-to hub for sustainability in MENA, equipping businesses with the knowledge, resources, networks, and tools to lead the transition toward an impact-driven economy.
Nadine hopes to inspire others to embrace the idea that sustainability is not just a buzzword but a necessity for the future.
“My goal is to see as many people and organizations as possible embrace sustainability and realize that they have the power to drive meaningful change,” she said. Through her work, Nadine is not only creating a platform for change but is also leading by example, showing that business and purpose can indeed go hand in hand.
For more about Nadine’s journey and the work she’s doing with MENA Impact, follow her on Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok.
Final Thoughts
Nadine Zidani’s journey from the corporate world to becoming a purpose-driven entrepreneur is an inspiring example of how passion and purpose can transform a career. By aligning business with sustainability and social impact, she is creating a legacy that will impact future generations. Nadine’s commitment to the values she holds dear is not only shaping her entrepreneurial journey but is also helping to inspire countless others to pursue their purpose.
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