Priya Rex Fernandez: Winner – Women Leader in Market Research & Consumer Intelligence | International Women Awards 2026
- Great Companies
- 13 hours ago
- 3 min read
The 8th International Women Awards 2026 by Great Companies celebrates women leaders who are helping businesses grow through innovation, intelligence, and purpose-driven leadership.
Among this year’s distinguished winners is Priya Rex Fernandez, Founder of Hayyakum Market Research, honored as Winner – Women Leader in Market Research & Consumer Intelligence.
Based in Sharjah, UAE, Priya has built a trusted research and consulting firm that enables organizations to make confident, culturally intelligent business decisions across the Middle East, Africa, and emerging markets.
Company Overview
Founder: Priya Rex Fernandez
Business: Hayyakum Market Research
Location: Sharjah, UAE
Founded: 2020
Category: Market Research & Consumer Intelligence
Industry: Market Research & Consulting
Website: https://hayyakumresearch.com/
Socia Media: https://www.linkedin.com/in/priyarex/
Helping Businesses Decode Real Consumer Behavior
Hayyakum Market Research is a UAE-based insights consultancy specializing in both qualitative and quantitative research solutions across the Middle East, Africa, and emerging markets.
The company provides:
Focus groups and in-depth interviews
CATI and face-to-face research studies
Customer experience and satisfaction research
B2B intelligence and market-entry studies
Competitive benchmarking and mystery audits
The mission is clear: To help organizations move beyond surface-level data and uncover real human behavior, market context, and actionable intelligence.
Where Global Standards Meet Cultural Intelligence
What sets Hayyakum apart is its ability to combine:
International research standards
Deep regional and cultural understanding
Strong field execution capabilities
Relationship-driven client partnerships
The company operates with one defining principle: Research should not just generate reports—it should create clarity for confident business decisions.
Key differentiators include:
Context-led research frameworks
Strong quality controls and transparency
Agile execution across Middle East and African markets
Long-term client relationships built on trust and sincerity
Nearly 99% of Hayyakum’s clients are repeat customers, reflecting the company’s credibility and consistency.
A Leadership Journey Built on Courage and Reinvention
Priya’s entrepreneurial journey began with self-belief and continuous reinvention.
From overcoming self-doubt as a student to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the UAE, she transformed challenges into opportunities for growth.
With over 15 years of experience in market research and consulting, her expertise spans:
Client servicing and business development
Pre-sales and project management
Consumer insights and strategic research
International market intelligence
Her leadership philosophy is rooted in: Continuous learning, resilience, and disciplined self-development.
Growth Through Continuous Self-Expansion
One of the most defining aspects of Priya’s journey is her commitment to upgrading herself every year.
Whether it was:
Learning advanced business analytics and machine learning
Expanding expertise in research methodologies
Stepping outside her comfort zone to learn karate and strengthen mindset discipline
She believes: Growth is not an event—it is a lifelong commitment.
Building Trust in a Competitive Industry
Building Hayyakum came with multiple challenges:
Establishing credibility in highly competitive markets
Managing growth with limited resources
Navigating cultural nuances across multiple countries
Balancing leadership with personal responsibilities
Instead of seeing obstacles as setbacks, Priya viewed them as: Opportunities to evolve, sharpen leadership, and strengthen purpose.
Leadership Philosophy: Sincerity Builds Stronger Businesses
Priya’s leadership is centered around:
Integrity and transparency
Strong communication and accountability
Meaningful client relationships
Excellence in execution
She believes that: Relationships built on trust outlast short-term wins.
Advice for Women Entrepreneurs
Priya shares deeply empowering advice:
“Start before you feel ready. Confidence does not come first—courage does.”
She emphasizes:
Building competence relentlessly
Continuously upgrading skills
Leading with sincerity and consistency
Trusting your ability to grow through every challenge
Her message is powerful: “Obstacles are not roadblocks—they are upgrades.”
The Future
Hayyakum Market Research is focused on:
Expanding its intelligence and consulting capabilities across global emerging markets
Strengthening AI-powered and data-driven research methodologies
Supporting organizations with culturally intelligent decision-making
Building one of the most trusted research ecosystems across the Middle East and Africa
The vision is to help organizations: Listen better, think sharper, and grow stronger through meaningful insights.
Official Recognition
Priya Rex Fernandez has been honored as the Winner – Women Leader in Market Research & Consumer Intelligence at the 8th International Women Awards 2026 by Great Companies, recognizing her contribution to research excellence, business intelligence, and purpose-driven leadership.
About the Awards
The International Women Awards by Great Companies celebrates women leaders who are driving innovation, impact, and excellence across industries worldwide.