2026 Virtual Coaches
Nayaab Rais
Executive Creative Director
FP7McCann
Dubai
With 18 years of creative leadership across MENA, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, Nayaab Rais has built a global reputation for ideas that win both hearts and hardware. From securing DDB Dubai’s first Cannes Lion to leading campaigns for brands like Mastercard, Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, and Arla, she’s helped over 50 brands earn global recognition—collecting 200+ awards, 100M+ views, and a spot among the Top 15 Creative Directors globally.
In an industry where no creative leader looked like her, Nayaab built a career by redefining what leadership could look like - and now she’s helping others do the same. She is spearheading McCann’s Ilon Collective in the region, mentoring young female creatives and training them to not just create better work, but to own the room while doing it. She’s a regular speaker at universities and regional forums, known for blending creative inspiration and her insights as a licensed psychotherapist, as well as rants about why the industry still labels “female creatives” like an endangered species. Her unique perspective has earned her jury seats at LIA, Cannes Lions, One Show, Clios, and NYF, and a place on regional advisory boards for young creatives. Through it all, her mission remains the same: to help more diverse talents rise, more unheard voices break through, and more young women realise they don’t have to fit the mold to lead it.
In an industry where no creative leader looked like her, Nayaab built a career by redefining what leadership could look like - and now she’s helping others do the same. She is spearheading McCann’s Ilon Collective in the region, mentoring young female creatives and training them to not just create better work, but to own the room while doing it. She’s a regular speaker at universities and regional forums, known for blending creative inspiration and her insights as a licensed psychotherapist, as well as rants about why the industry still labels “female creatives” like an endangered species. Her unique perspective has earned her jury seats at LIA, Cannes Lions, One Show, Clios, and NYF, and a place on regional advisory boards for young creatives. Through it all, her mission remains the same: to help more diverse talents rise, more unheard voices break through, and more young women realise they don’t have to fit the mold to lead it.