Grovy Developers, an award-winning real estate developer in Dubai, has broken ground on Ramada Residences by Wyndham at Dubai Islands, marking the start of main construction on the boutique branded residences. The project is developed in partnership with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and USquare Luxe Properties, the landowner and development partner.

The groundbreaking follows the signing of the agreement with Wyndham and the unveiling of the project’s show apartment earlier this year.With enabling works complete and structural works now underway, the development has reached a key stage of construction.

Grovy Developers has appointed Jaseera Building Contracting LLC as the main contractor for the project. Established in 2018, the Dubai-based contractor has built a strong reputation for delivering residential, commercial, and industrial developments across the UAE, with expertise spanning civil, structural, MEP, and fit-out works. Its portfolio includes a range of landmark projects across the UAE, alongside several ongoing developments in Dubai and the wider region. Drawing on its multidisciplinary team and end-to-end construction capabilities, Jaseera will oversee the development through to completion, ensuring it is delivered to the specifications and quality standards agreed with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts.

Abhishek Jalan, CEO of Grovy Developers, said “Breaking ground is the point at which commitments become physical. When we signed with Wyndham, we committed to delivering the project to a high standard, and today, the development is progressing well against that commitment. Appointing Jaseera Building Contracting LLC gives us a delivery partner with the capacity and the site experience to hold that schedule, and we will be measuring progress against it every month.

Grovy has built its reputation in the UAE since 2015 on delivering what we commit to, and our completed projects in Jumeirah Village Circle are the evidence of that. We are applying the same discipline to Ramada Residences. Our ambition is to create homes that deliver value beyond the physical asset. By bringing a globally recognised hospitality brand like Ramada into the development, we are adding an established layer of brand credibility, exceptional service standards, and hospitality expertise that strengthens the overall proposition for both residents and investors. This partnership is designed not only to elevate the living experience but also to enhance the asset’s long-term appeal, marketability, and value.”

Ramada Residences by Wyndham at Dubai Islands comprises a collection of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, along with four-bedroom penthouses, all delivered fully furnished. Residents will benefit from hotel-grade services and operations underpinned by Wyndham’s quality assurance, alongside more than 20 leisure amenities including an aqua gym, golf simulator, open theatre, and a temperature-controlled infinity pool. The development is among a select number of residences approved for short-term leasing on Dubai Islands, giving owners additional flexibility and income-generating potential.

The development is located within Dubai Islands, a master-planned waterfront destination designed to offer a blend of residential, hospitality, leisure and retail experiences, with beaches, green spaces and connectivity to key destinations across Dubai.

Kirsten Jenna Michaels, Founder & CEO of FEMPOWERMENT, on turning life experiences into purpose and creating space for women to rise.

ABOUT KIRSTEN – THE EXPERIENCES THAT SHAPED KIRSTEN’S APPROACH TO SUPPORTING WOMEN

Kirsten Jenna Michaels didn’t set out to build another networking group. Founder and CEO of FEMPOWERMENT, a women’s empowerment movement established in 2025 and based in Dubai, Michaels developed the platform around an observation she encountered repeatedly throughout her life: talented, ambitious women weren’t short on ability, but on access.

Today, the platform brings together a podcast, monthly seminars, networking events, workshops and certifications, coaching and business support, with its Women’s Business Launchpad and Convention forming part of its wider ecosystem.

HER STORY

For Kirsten Jenna Michaels, the origins of FEMPOWERMENT can be traced back to a question she carried through much of her life: “Why do I have to keep going through this?”

There were periods in her life when she faced circumstances that left her without stability, support or a clear sense of what came next. She describes some of those chapters as experiences that were “designed to break me” — years in which she had to navigate difficult circumstances largely on her own. Looking back, however, Michaels says the deeper impact of surviving difficult experiences was not simply what happened, but what those experiences taught her to expect from life.

“It is not the event. It is what the event teaches you to expect.”

For five years, she describes herself as being effectively removed from society. There was “no circle, no room to walk into, nobody who knew what was happening or who would have said the thing I needed to hear.”

Michaels believes that having a strong group of women around her could have helped her find the confidence to make different choices sooner. Not because they would have rescued her, she says, but because she would have been able to “see what normal looked like and understood that I was allowed to want it.”

What she needed was not simply advice, but an example of another possibility.

“What I needed more than advice was a woman standing on a stage in front of me, telling me I did not have to settle for the life I had been handed.”

That realisation would later become part of the thinking behind FEMPOWERMENT.

Michaels co-founded FEMPOWERMENT in 2025 with its structures, programmes and mission mapped out, but without funding. The breakthrough came unexpectedly during a job interview.

The man across the table noticed the FEMPOWERMENT logo on Michaels’ notebook, a logo she had designed herself in Canva. He asked what it was. Instead of offering her the role, the investor offered a 50-50 partnership, access to funding and his network.

But for Michaels, the significance went beyond the opportunity itself. It was the experience of having someone believe in the idea before there was proof.

“All it takes is one person to change the trajectory of your entire life.”

That thinking now shapes the platform’s programmes. The Business Launchpad is intended to support women with potential but without the resources to execute on it and is currently listed as “coming soon” by FEMPOWERMENT. Its monthly seminars reflect the woman Michaels once wished she could have seen on stage. Networking events draw from the five years she spent without a support circle, while coaching is designed around the recognition that sometimes what a woman needs is not another curriculum, but “an hour with someone who will tell her the truth.”

ABOUT FEMPOWERMENT

When asked to define FEMPOWERMENT’s core mission, Michaels positions the organisation around creating greater access to opportunities and resources, rather than inspiration alone.

FEMPOWERMENT describes itself as a purpose-driven movement built around community, education and philanthropy, with its work spanning coaching, events, business support, content and networking. Its stated mission is to build a global movement that connects, uplifts and celebrates women of all backgrounds.

Michaels sees FEMPOWERMENT as a platform with ambitions beyond the UAE, built around creating space for women to pursue their potential. As she puts it, “I built FEMPOWERMENT™ for every woman who was told she was too much — you are exactly enough, and this is your space to rise.”

THE FOUNDATIONS AND MOVEMENT BEHIND FEMPOWERMENT

“Empathy, first,” she says. “Knowledge, second,” followed by hope.

For Michaels, these are not abstract principles. They are informed by experience — by understanding what it means to feel unable to leave, what it takes to start again with nothing, and how difficult it can be to believe that circumstances can change until someone who has lived through them shows you that they can.

It is this understanding of what women need, rather than simply what they are told they need, that now shapes the work behind FEMPOWERMENT.

Her focus now is clear: to create opportunities for women, help them build success and, ultimately, find peace — something she considers “by far the harder of the two.” Looking back at the experiences she once believed were meant to break her, Michaels has arrived at an answer to the question she carried for so long.

“Everything that happened to me was meant to break me. It built this instead.” FEMPOWERMENT describes itself as a purpose-driven movement connecting, uplifting and celebrating women of all backgrounds, with the aim of helping women reclaim their voices, build their futures and rise together.

Today, her focus is on creating opportunities for women, helping them build success and helping them find peace — “which, in my experience, is by far the harder of the two.”

THE IMPACT OF BEING SEEN AND HEARD

Beyond the founder, mentor and CEO, the people around Kirsten describe a woman who makes others feel seen, supported and capable of more.

“Kirsten isn’t just a CEO; she has become a very dear friend to me. She came into my life at a time when I really needed someone genuine, caring, and supportive, and I feel incredibly grateful that our paths crossed.

She is one of the hardest-working people I’ve ever met and will always go above and beyond for the people around her, often putting everyone else before herself. Professionally, she constantly pushes me to do better, step outside my comfort zone, and believe in what I’m capable of, while always making sure I know that she has my back. She supports me in every way she can and genuinely wants to see the people around her succeed.

But what makes Kirsten so special to me is that our relationship goes beyond work. She has become someone I can trust, laugh with, learn from, and genuinely call a friend. She has this incredible energy that lights up every room she walks into, and her warmth makes people feel comfortable and valued almost instantly.

I’m so grateful to have Kirsten in my life, both as my boss and, more importantly, as a friend. She has had such a positive impact on me, and I honestly couldn’t ask for a better person to work alongside and have in my corner.”

— Rachel Cawley, head of brand and community

“Working with Kirsten has been such a valuable experience for me. As my boss, she has pushed me to think bigger, be more confident, and take ownership of my work. I genuinely respect her not just for what she has achieved, but for the way she carries herself and the impact she has on the people around her. I’m grateful that I got to work closely with her and that I can take so much from the experience, both professionally and personally.”

— Ayesha Ahmad

“At first, I was honestly a little intimidated by her, but once you get to know Kirsten, you realise just how bubbly, warm, and genuine she really is. She has this incredible way of making everyone around her feel seen, supported, and capable of more than they thought they could be. Having her as my mentor has completely changed the way I look at life, work, and even myself. She has challenged me to step outside my comfort zone, believe in myself, and see possibilities I may not have noticed before. I’m forever grateful to have crossed paths with her and to have someone like Kirsten guiding, inspiring, and believing in me along the way.”

— Ayesha Mustafa

“Honestly, I see Kirsten as someone who has genuinely had a meaningful impact on the person I have become, both personally and professionally.

I’ve always experienced Kirsten as a warm, ambitious, and genuinely kind-hearted person. She has a unique ability to recognise potential in people, sometimes even before they see it in themselves. She challenged me, encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone, and continuously inspired me to grow and become more confident in my abilities.

A significant part of who I am professionally today has been shaped by the opportunities, guidance, and challenges she has given me. Working with her has taught me responsibility, confidence, resilience, and the importance of thinking beyond what feels comfortable and believing in a bigger vision.

What I particularly admire about Kirsten is her passion for what she is building and her commitment to bringing the people around her along on that journey. She sets high standards because she believes in the potential of those she works with, and that has encouraged me to raise my own standards and continuously strive to do better.

I’m genuinely grateful for the experience of working with her. She didn’t simply give me a professional opportunity; she encouraged me to believe in myself, grow into my capabilities, and become a stronger and more confident version of myself.”

— Nilofar Shareef, Operation Manager | FEMPOWERMENT

Every home tells a story, and so does every hand that shapes it. This Emirati Women’s Day, Home Centre is celebrating six Emirati women whose craft, creativity and quiet determination are shaping the UAE’s design landscape today, through ‘Made By Her’, a campaign spotlighting their work in-store, alongside Home Centre’s own collections.

For a brand built on the belief that people should Love Where They Live, these six founders were a natural fit, women whose work reflects the same design-led, deeply personal spirit Home Centre champions in every home it helps create. From mosaic art shaped by heritage to ceramics born of fire and instinct, each of their stories speaks to something Home Centre has always stood for: that where we live should reflect who we are.

Made By Her brings their craftsmanship into Home Centre’s stores, displayed alongside the brand’s own collections in a beautifully styled showcase. It is a rare kind of moment, where handmade work finds its place inside spaces visited by thousands of customers every day, celebrated purely for the stories and skill behind it, giving these women’s stories room to be seen, felt and remembered.

Retail spaces can hold more than product, they can hold purpose too. It’s a belief that runs through everything Home Centre does, whether that’s celebrating homegrown talent through the Home Centre Collective, collaborating with local designers, or giving a platform to Emirati women shaping the UAE’s creative identity.

“This Emirati Women’s Day, we wanted to open our stores to celebrate the women shaping the UAE’s creative landscape,” said Arja Taaveniku, CEO, Home Centre. “There’s so much talent around us, quiet, brilliant work that doesn’t always get the audience it deserves. Made By Her is simply our way of giving it the spotlight, and giving our customers the chance to discover it too.”

MEET THE MAKERS

Safeya AlHebsi | Mosaic X

Safeya AlHebsi is the founder of a licensed Mubdia project specialising in handcrafted mosaic art inspired by nature, geometry and fine arts. Working with ceramics, glass, stone and recycled materials, each piece she creates celebrates sustainability, craftsmanship and the heritage of mosaic art.
Naila Alremeithi | Soapbar

Naila Alremeithi is the founder of Soapbar, specialising in handmade soaps, skincare and body care products crafted using high-quality ingredients and close attention to detail. Her products combine natural care and quality, offering a self-care experience suited to different skin types.

Huda Alraisi | Huda Ceramic Art

Huda Alraisi is an Emirati ceramic artist who uses clay to explore the balance between heritage and contemporary expression. Specialising in the Raku technique, her work reflects a dialogue between fire and material, with each piece shaped by fire and smoke to create a one-of-a-kind visual and emotional experience rooted in cultural identity and traditional craftsmanship.
Aisha Alkhyeli | Aisha Art Studio

Aisha Alkhyeli creates handcrafted artworks inspired by nature, texture and emotion. Each piece is thoughtfully designed to bring warmth, beauty and a touch of individuality into the home.
Mona Alqubaisi I Mona Al Qubaisi Art

Mona Alqubaisi is a crochet portrait artist whose work spans wall art, bags and accessories, turning crochet into detailed, expressive pieces for the home and beyond.
Mouza Al Kaabi | Mouza Al Kaabi Art

Mouza Al Kaabi is the UAE’s youngest Emirati artist, known for her paintings and as the founder of Charms Asap and AVS UAE.

“Love Where You Live as a motto has always meant more to us than just the home, it is about loving the country we call home,” said Siddarth Sivaprakash, Head of Marketing & Brand, Home Centre. “And what better way to show our love for the UAE than by celebrating the talent that makes it what it is. Made By Her, alongside initiatives like Collective and our local designer collaborations, is our way of paying tribute to that, bringing Emirati creativity into the stores our customers walk through every day.”

For each of these women, Made By Her is a chance to have their story and craft celebrated by a national audience this Emirati Women’s Day. The campaign continues throughout August and September, with the founders’ work on display at participating Home Centre stores in Reem Mall, Abu Dhabi and Mirdif City Centre, Dubai, giving customers the chance to interact with and experience their work up close.