Soft Power, Big Impact: The Woman Empowering the Maldives to Dream Big

Ayesha Nurain Janah is among the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders Class of 2025, a recognition that reflects her years of impact across corporate, policy, and grassroots arenas. Though she may appear reserved at first glance, her professional journey speaks volumes. From corporate finance strategist to community organiser, Nurain has steadily built a legacy grounded in service, resilience, and a deep connection to her roots.

“It’s a little bit hard to believe,” she says. “Because a lot of the work that I’ve done and the recognition I’ve received is for the social impact work that I do. I guess I don’t really think about it as leadership but being in service to the community.”

Nurain has worn many hats in her career—corporate finance strategist, policy advisor, community organiser, and most recently, founder of the Kandūfā Foundation, a grassroots initiative empowering youth and women across the Maldives.

Born in the Maldives and raised in New Zealand from the age of 15, Nurain now splits her time across the region, although she recently made the Maldives her full-time home. “I’ve been back for three years now,” she says. “It’s where I feel rooted. There’s something deeply special about being close to the ocean, to community, to memory.”

Her work is as wide-ranging as it is grounded. In her twenties, she made her mark in New Zealand’s corporate finance sector—a tough space, especially for women. “I worked in insolvency and restructuring, where only 20% of professionals in New Zealand were women—and just 8% in Australia,” she recalls. “I had to learn very quickly how to hold my own in rooms where no one looked like me.”

That experience shaped her. “I used to be incredibly shy as a child,” she says. “But I found my voice in my mid-twenties. I started leading more intentionally, choosing what aligned with my values, and letting go of trying to be everything for everyone.”

Now in her thirties, Nurain is channeling that voice into systems that often leave women and young people behind. Through Kandūfā, she’s nurturing a new generation of island-based changemakers—offering micro-grants, mentorship, and a space to dream: “It’s not just about funding,” she says. “It’s about standing beside people, believing in them, and co-creating something bigger.”

Having now gained international recognition with her addition to the WEF’ Young Global Leaders program, Nurain has no intention of resting on her laurels: “I didn’t apply to be on that list to be recognised,” she says. “I applied because I want to be in rooms where big decisions are made—especially if they affect small islands and communities like mine.”

She credits much of her perspective to her upbringing of the values instilled in her by her parents. Her maternal grandparents were orphans who worked in unglamorous service and labour jobs that, although lacking in social prestige, form the foundations of every society. Nurain recognises their importance: “There’s such dignity in that,” she says. “My maternal grandfather never missed a day of work. He was dedicated to delivering excellence no matter how small the task. That work ethic, that grace—it’s in me.”

Her reflections on the past have shaped a guiding principle she wishes her younger self had known: “You don’t need to be anyone other than who you are,” she says. “You can take up space. You can be soft and strong. And you’re allowed to live a life that’s aligned, not just impressive.”

For Ayesha Nurain Janah, leadership isn’t about titles or applause. It’s about showing up, staying rooted, and building something better—for everyone.