Ms. Ayesha Nurain Janah

Ayesha Nurain Janah is an entrepreneur and leader driving transformation across corporate governance, technology, ESG strategy, and philanthropy. She is the Founder of Kandūfā Foundation, working on systems change at the nexus of cultural heritage, technology, and climate action to reimagine how we use cultural knowledge as living wisdom for sustainable futures.

Nurain is Group Vice Chair of JIH Global and HARIM Group, a multi-sector family enterprise and private investment office based in Dubai and the Maldives. As a second-generation leader, she drives the group's institutional governance and capital strategy, transforming a 46-year legacy of over 50 recognised luxury hospitality developments into a diversified global portfolio spanning luxury tourism, real estate, infrastructure, and cross-border investments. Nurain spearheaded the establishment of Maldives Premier Bank (MPB), a recently launched Tier-1 licensed bank providing the critical banking infrastructure and capital solutions for global brands, enterprises, and high-net-worth individuals contributing to the growth of the Maldives’s financial ecosystem.

With over a decade of experience in corporate governance, finance, and strategy, she was appointed Chairperson of the Board of Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) in 2025 - the first woman to serve in this role. She also serves on multiple industry and international boards, including as Executive Board Member of the International Federation of Asian & Western Pacific Contractors Associations (IFAWPCA).

A Chartered Accountant with experience across restructuring, governance, and finance, Nurain brings sharp business acumen to complex global industries. Her commitment to systemic change is reflected in advisory roles shaping policies on online safety, technology regulation, women's economic development, and sustainable finance. She is deeply engaged in the ethical AI and inclusive technology space, focused on ensuring emerging technologies serve communities historically excluded from digital systems. She serves as Adviser on Small States for the Commonwealth Businesswomen's Network and Member of the Oversight Committee for the New Zealand Code of Conduct on Online Safety and Harms.

Nurain is Founder of Rehendhi Consulting, a global advisory firm specialising in ESG strategy, corporate governance, and inclusive leadership, pioneering programs that have elevated women into senior executive and board roles.

She is Founder and Inaugural Chair of the Institute of Directors Maldives, shaping governance standards in the region, and Founder of Authenticity Aotearoa, an award-winning charity empowering women of colour.

Recognised for her contributions to governance, business, and social impact, Nurain has been a finalist in the Women in Governance Awards (2021, 2022) and named a University of Auckland 40 Under 40 Business Leader (2020). She was also recognised as a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader (Class of 2025).