#WomenInPower: Illuminating Insights from Maggi Kewlani, COO of Vivaah Celebrations

by  EVENTFAQS Bureau Industry Watch | March 8, 2024 | Feature

Maggi Kewlani Vivaah Celebrations

In anticipation of International Women’s Day, EVENTFAQS Media presents #WomenInPower - a series of interviews spotlighting leading women professionals within the Events & Experiential Industry.

Maggi Kewlani, COO, Vivaah Celebrations, is celebrated as one of the 'Most Influential Women.' With unmatched dedication, she crafts unforgettable celebrations worldwide. Maggi also champions a women's appreciation forum and serves as the brand ambassador for Vivaah Celebrations, inspiring the next generation of wedding planners.

In an exclusive interview with EVENTFAQS Media, Maggi Kewlani offers profound insights into her entrepreneurial journey within the event and experiential industry. She delves into strategies to inspire more women to pursue entrepreneurship or ascend to senior leadership positions in their careers. Moreover, Maggi sheds light on her initiatives aimed at supporting and empowering women in the workplace and beyond, underscoring her commitment to fostering inclusivity and diversity in all spheres of influence.

Take us through your journey as an entrepreneur in the event and experiential industry? What inspired you to start your own venture?

I've embarked on an enthralling international odyssey thus far. Originating from India, I came into the world in the UAE and was nurtured in Poland. Subsequently, I pursued higher education in London, opening doors to professional endeavors in eclectic cities such as Paris, and Madrid.

My academic journey encompasses formal education in events, a rarity in an industry often devoid of professional training. My extensive professional tenure spans various event domains, including fashion exhibitions, sporting galas, corporate assemblies, and wedding celebrations. 

Finally I saw Vivaah celebrations is the pioneer in prestigious destination weddings globally and my family has investments in Dubai. It all worked out and this how I decided to move to dubai and venture in this industry.  

How can we encourage more women to pursue entrepreneurship or senior leadership roles in their career?

It is important to lead by example; merely using words on stage or presenting the usual jargon will not be effective enough. The new breed of women entrepreneurs needs to see for themselves that others before them have paved the way for the next generation.

Accolades and accomplishments are the truest forms of success, which will definitely inspire other women to take the lead and venture into various different industries where their hearts may be set. Without a doubt, there are enough and more opportunities available for those who are passionate, focused, and serious about their careers.

It is the responsibility of us accomplished women to provide other ambitious women with any such opportunities that may arise and work towards the common welfare and growth of womanhood.

If you could have dinner with three inspirational women, dead or alive, who would they be and why?

If I could have dinner with three inspirational women, I’d definitely want to have dinner with these below. 

Princess Diana - She epitomized courage within the confines of the royal family, fearlessly standing for her principles and advocating for causes close to her heart, despite facing immense scrutiny and challenges. 

Mother Teresa - Revered for her humanity, humility, and kindness, Mother Teresa exemplified selflessness and dedicated her life to serving the poorest of the poor, leaving an enduring impact on humanity.

Oprah Winfrey - Coming from a minority community, Oprah Winfrey's journey to becoming a powerful woman in a predominantly male-dominated industry is truly inspiring. Her ambition, resilience, and commitment to empowering others through her media empire make her a remarkable figure worth dining with.

Dinner with these extraordinary women would offer invaluable insights into courage, humanity, and ambition, providing inspiration and wisdom that transcends generations.

Finally, with International Women's Day approaching, what does this day mean to you personally, and how do you think we can continue to support and empower women in the workplace and beyond?

I believe that a woman should be celebrated every day. A woman plays different roles in just one single day: of a daughter, of a mother, of a sister, of an entrepreneur, and then whatever else society expects of them. This makes a woman the strongest living form of a human that this planet sees. However, International Women’s Day is a great event that is celebrated worldwide to recognize women across all walks of life.

Women empowerment is a movement that has taken the world by storm over the last decade or so. It is interesting to see women in different parts of the world take up leadership roles and, to a large extent, prove more effective than their male counterparts in the same roles. There are many such examples of CEOs and business owners who have contributed tremendously towards the success of an organization. With this in view, it comes down to us as women, foremost, to be able to make opportunities available for other women. In cases where we observe that there is a woman with ambition and skills, we should then look at investing time and energy into honing those skills to enable women to become independent and further inspire others. In my opinion, it’s a ripple effect that takes place where one supporting the other would further lead to a chain of actions where we will then have a large community of women making a difference not just in businesses but in the world in general.