Name: Issa Ataya
Designation: Chief Executive Officer
Company: Alef Group
Category: Developer Titans
At the helm of Alef Group since its inception in 2014, Issa Ataya has propelled the company to become a dominant force in Sharjah’s booming real estate sector. Under his leadership, Alef Group captured over 25% market share in 2024, with sales surpassing $653.5 million—a stellar 30% year-on-year growth that firmly cements its position as a market mover in the UAE’s northern emirate.
From rapid sell-outs like the Al Mamsha Hamsa building, where 50% of units sold within hours of its February 2024 launch, to ambitious masterplans such as the $954 million Hayyan development and the $680.7 million Olfah project, Ataya has not only scaled operations but redefined how Sharjah builds and sells real estate.
As of March 2025, Alef’s portfolio boasts 2,322 completed units alongside over 6,372 units under construction—a testament to Ataya’s dynamic execution and ability to manage complex, high-volume development pipelines. An alumnus of the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, Issa brings a strategic mindset sharpened by 15 years of experience across retail, hospitality, and luxury real estate.
Before founding Alef, he was the driving force behind Dynamic Hospitality, launching three new F&B brands and opening 45 branches across the region, backed by 10 franchising agreements. Ataya’s leadership is distinguished by bold vision and a deep command of business development, strategic planning, and customer engagement. His operational excellence—rooted in forecasting, budgeting, and stakeholder management—has cultivated a company culture that is both agile and ambitious.
