Nancy Nese Ozbek has held numerous leadership positions across shopping centres in the UAE and has risen to general manager of Times Square Centre. The shopping mall supports local homegrown brands with pop-up concepts, including The Ripe Market, Baby Bazaar and Arte – The Maker’s Market. Ozbek oversees leasing, tenant relations, business planning, finance, facilities and operational management of the mall. She shares how the character Pollyanna inspires her.
What is the best way to start your day?
I am a stickler earlier than everyone to get started on some quiet time with my tea and create my to-do list for the day. I like to prioritise my tasks and map my day out accordingly. Once I have completed that, I check my emails for any new activity that may have popped up. I like a quick walk around the mall to know if anything requires my or my team’s immediate attention.
If you could be any character from a movie, who would you be?
I think Pollyanna, the character from the eponymous novel by Eleanor H. Porter, would make a great role model! Pollyanna is a little girl who is always cheerful, even in tough times. She believes that if you can imagine something, you can fulfil any dream. Nowadays, I feel like people have a difficult time maintaining a positive outlook. A little bit of inspiration from Pollyanna is just what the doctor ordered!
What is your greatest achievement?
It is my greatest desire to witness the success of the new generation that I mentor in different organisations during my career. Their success is my achievement, and it means that I have performed my duties well.
What advice would you give your 13-year-old self?
I would tell her that she has her whole life ahead of her as she will realise that she only needs to believe in herself to be successful. If someone brings her down, move on and grow from the experience. Girls can be mean and parents can seem intolerable, but the world is a beautiful place, and you are a beautiful person.
I also would tell her not to skip out on family dinners. Spend more time with her parents and enjoy time without financial responsibility.
If you had 24 hours left on Earth, what would you do?
Spend time with my partner, friends, and family in the middle of the sea.
Say goodbye and thank everyone for everything, try to leave everything in order before departure…..
Who or what is your biggest inspiration?
As I grow older and wiser, I have come to appreciate the growing relationship I have made with my dad. He inspires me to be a better person and to accept people for who they are. He reminds me to put myself first, and to learn to love myself hence I can love everyone and everything on the planet.
What would you like to achieve in the next 10 years?
The freedom and adventure of life on the sea and being the best fisherwoman.
