In a landscape where leadership is defined not just by titles but by the impact one has on people and communities, Racha Moukayed McClelland’s journey illuminates the values and principles that drive success. Growing up in a nation celebrated for its cultural inclusivity and respect, and guided by the legacy of influential mentors, Racha has embraced a holistic approach to leadership. From overcoming the hurdles of a cyclical industry to championing sustainability and fostering an environment of growth and innovation, her story reflects a commitment to both personal and organizational excellence.
Racha Moukayed McClelland reflects on her journey, expressing gratitude for growing up in the United Arab Emirates. Inspired by the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, a symbol of humanity and benevolence, she has embraced values that have guided her personal and professional life.
Climbing the Ranks
Starting her career in the insurance industry right out of university, Racha followed in her father’s footsteps into the company he founded in 1999. She began at the very bottom of the organization, working her way up the ranks. Her early experiences involved challenging the status quo, facing setbacks, and learning through trial and error. These formative experiences shaped her into the leader she is today.
Over the course of twenty years, Racha’s journey took her from being a clerk with limited authority to becoming the managing director of Howden Guardian Insurance Brokers in Abu Dhabi, where she now holds full P&L responsibility. Her career progression also led to her becoming a shareholder in the company. From being an employee who followed others, she has grown into a leader who guides an exceptional team committed to the company’s goals and objectives, driving a positive impact within the UAE community.
Transcending Traditional Management Roles
At Howden Guardian Insurance Brokers L.L.C, Racha exemplifies leadership that transcends traditional management roles. While management might be viewed as the “physics” of organizational operations—encompassing tasks like moving, scheduling, procuring, and paying—leadership, as Racha defines it, represents the “chemistry” of people.
Racha’s approach to leadership involves motivating individuals to surpass their own expectations, both personally and professionally. By leading from the front and setting a positive example, Racha fosters an environment where team members are encouraged to excel in their work, home lives, and communities. Leadership, as Racha sees it, is not just a title or a position of higher compensation but an ongoing activity that positively influences others and contributes to their success.
One of Racha’s key responsibilities is to help the team achieve more than they initially believe possible, emphasizing collective success over individual accomplishment. The guiding motto, “STRONGER TOGETHER,” underscores this philosophy, reflecting a commitment to benefiting clients, employees, shareholders, and the community. Racha and the team live by this motto with integrity—when they commit, their “yes” means yes and their “no” means no. Their goal is to excel to such a degree that they become indispensable and impossible to overlook.
Building a Culture of Action
Racha’s strategy includes eliminating self-doubt and concentrating on daily tasks that drive towards individual and collective goals. The approach involves setting what are known as anti-goals—identifying the worst possible outcomes, understanding the systems that lead to them, and taking deliberate actions to avoid these pitfalls.
Additionally, Racha emphasizes the importance of setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals. The drive to achieve these goals is seen as contagious and success breeds further success. Racha encourages a culture of quick, collective action in response to necessary changes, with a focus on team buy-in rather than top-down directives. Regular town hall meetings are a cornerstone of this approach, providing a platform for all team members to question proposals and suggest alternative solutions, regardless of their position within the company.
Fostering a Harmonious Corporate Culture
Racha emphasizes that self-awareness is crucial for effective leadership. Understanding one’s team, grasping the nuances of the business, and engaging with each department is key to fostering a harmonious and unique corporate culture. According to Racha, leadership is not merely about holding a title but involves a deep understanding of the business, a commitment to improving processes, and a focus on the well-being of employees. This approach, which Racha refers to as “Leadership by Walking Around,” underscores the importance of being actively involved in all aspects of the organization.
Racha believes that companies driven by purpose and built around it can cultivate loyalty, consistency, and relevance among both customers and employees. Effective leadership, as described by Racha, entails not only articulating the company’s mission and core values but also embodying them through transparency and accountability. Racha has observed that many organizations fail to live up to their promises, leading to disillusionment among employees. This perspective highlights the importance of aligning internal policies with the organization’s mission and ensuring that these policies are communicated effectively. According to Racha, the Code of Conduct should be more than a mere formality; it must be integrated into the company’s core values and regularly updated to reflect changes in regulations and leadership priorities.
Racha stresses that while employee loyalty is often measured and rewarded, leaders have a broader responsibility. They must foster a supportive environment where employees are encouraged to grow and succeed. Racha envisions a workplace where individual and collective contributions drive organizational growth and development, ultimately benefiting clients and communities. This holistic approach to leadership, as advocated by Racha, emphasizes that true success is achieved when every team member thrives, thereby enhancing the overall impact of the organization.
The Alchemy of Success
Racha’s approach to success is built on three fundamental principles: being purpose-driven, communicating effectively, and maintaining a positive mental attitude. She believes that understanding the “why” behind any action is crucial for achieving one’s purpose, with the “what” and “how” naturally following once the purpose is clear.
Racha emphasizes that it is her responsibility to ensure her communication is clear and comprehensible, rather than expecting the recipient to decipher it. She has learned that enthusiasm, fueled by positivity and confidence, is infectious and can greatly enhance team morale and productivity. In summary, Racha’s mantra is to act with purpose, stay positive, and communicate in a way that ensures clarity and understanding.
Racha acknowledges that the insurance industry is inherently cyclical and heavily influenced by market conditions. During periods of declining business revenues, organizations often opt for less expensive or minimal insurance coverage, driven by the hope that they won’t face any significant risks. However, she emphasizes that hope alone is not a reliable strategy. The real challenge lies in finding innovative and cost-effective solutions to support clients effectively, regardless of market fluctuations.
She underscores the importance of persistence in achieving success. According to Racha, giving up or ceasing efforts equates to failure while continuing to try either results in success or valuable learning. She reflects on the wisdom of accepting when one has made a mistake and moving forward with the insights gained. This approach ensures that each new endeavor is approached with greater experience and understanding than the last.
The Empowerment Equation
At Howden, Racha fosters an “ownership” mentality across all aspects of the organization. This approach involves encouraging employees to take responsibility not only through owning shares in the company but also by being proactive in their personal learning and development. Additionally, she emphasizes the importance of mentoring and coaching others to pursue self-improvement. By cultivating critical thinking and an entrepreneurial mindset, Racha aligns with the company’s mission to deliver unique ROI solutions—relevant, original, and intelligent—that provide exceptional management of clients’ risks. This philosophy extends beyond merely selling insurance products, positioning Howden as a globally impactful force for good.
Racha’s experience drives her to challenge boundaries and employ her voice in both constructive and transformative ways. Her commitment to the STRONGER TOGETHER culture reflects her belief in the power of emotional intelligence, where she listens attentively to everyone within the organization, irrespective of their seniority or title. She values their passion and suggestions, aiming to enhance the workplace environment.
Curiosity is another cornerstone of Racha’s approach, motivating her to explore and investigate opportunities thoroughly rather than bypassing potential improvements. She leverages education to deepen her understanding and adherence to strong governing values and ethical business conduct. Additionally, Racha trusts her intuition, which has consistently proven accurate, even when contrasted with expert opinions. This combination of curiosity, education, and personal judgment informs her positive changes and leadership practices at Howden.
Accolades of Influence
In her role as a board member of the Emirates Insurance Federation, Racha views her contributions as a form of community service. She is dedicated to supporting the insurance industry by encouraging best practices, fostering innovative solutions, and promoting exemplary business conduct and ethics. Her efforts are aimed at building a vibrant and sustainable industry.
As a female leader, Racha brings a distinctive perspective to her mentoring and engagement activities at the university level. She actively participates in shaping the leaders of tomorrow through her involvement with institutions such as Hult International Business School, American University in Dubai, Michigan State University, University College London, and New York University. In addition to her board positions with the British Chamber of Commerce (Abu Dhabi) and the Emirates Insurance Federation, she works closely with businesses and organizations to ensure adherence to best practices within the industry. Under her leadership, the company’s executive team has achieved gender balance, with half of its members being women, thus providing valuable opportunities for learning and growth in a supportive environment.
The impact of these efforts is evident in the accolades received by the organization. Howden was honored with several awards, including recognition from ImInclusive, an initiative by Ma’an, for employing People of Determination. The company was also named the Best Workplace in the Middle East, Best Workplace for Women in the GCC, and Best Workplace in UAE by Great Place to Work®. Racha herself has been distinguished as one of the Global 200 Women Power Leaders 2024 by White Page International, one of the Top 10 Women Leaders in the Middle East by Women Entrepreneur™, and a Net Zero Champion in the Middle East and Africa by Howden for sustainability initiatives. Additional accolades include the British Chamber of Commerce Make a Difference Award and the Leadership & Trailblazer Award presented by the International Strategic Accelerator for Women (iSAW).
Nurturing a Greener Tomorrow
As a mother of twins, Jad and Jasmine, Racha’s dedication to sustainability has deepened significantly. She now views sustainability not merely as a matter of recycling or using alternative energy sources, but as a broader commitment to ensuring a better quality of life for future generations. Her approach focuses on fulfilling the needs of the present while safeguarding the future.
Racha’s sustainability efforts began in 2008 with a people-first strategy, aimed at nurturing young talent and providing career opportunities within the insurance industry. Her initiatives included creating a paper-free office environment through effective automation, eliminating single-use plastic products, and designing a new office space to maximize natural light. These measures were part of a broader transformational effort to enhance the company’s sustainability practices.
Under her leadership, the company was among the first to voluntarily offset carbon emissions and engage a specialized auditor to ensure accountability and transparency in its sustainability efforts. This commitment reflects her belief that sustainability extends beyond basic waste management and alternative fuels to encompass a more comprehensive approach to environmental and social responsibility.
Legacy of Vision
Racha’s current position and achievements are deeply influenced by the values and principles imparted by her family and mentors. Guided by the example set by her mother, Aroub Somakia, who dedicated thirty-five years to the banking sector, and her father, Fawaz Moukayed, with over forty-five years in the insurance market, Racha has embraced a philosophy of strength, courage, humility, and simplicity. These core values shape her approach to both personal and professional challenges.
Additionally, Racha’s journey has been significantly shaped by influential figures in her career. Among the most impactful pieces of advice she received was from her mentor, who is also her husband. He advised her to maintain a positive mental attitude, a principle she holds as essential to her continued success and growth.
Racha is driven by a deep desire to seize leadership opportunities and drive meaningful change. She is committed to enhancing her critical thinking skills and embracing challenges, such as public speaking, which she views as essential for personal growth and adapting to change. Her optimism and enthusiasm serve as powerful catalysts for achieving greater success.
Racha aims to excel as a communicator, delivering ideas clearly and concisely while valuing and considering all perspectives. She strives to be empathetic, respecting others, and build genuine, deep relationships beyond superficial connections. Resilient and determined, she is committed to pushing forward despite setbacks and maintaining relentless reliability.
Through these aspirations, Racha envisions not only the growth and success of her company but also her own personal and professional development.
