Balancing the Mic, Motherhood & an MBA: Maitri’s Story
Every once in a while, you meet someone whose energy fills up a room even before they say a word. Maitri Somaia is one of those people. A full-time mom, a part-time (but very in-demand) events emcee, and a professional who has spent more than two decades in Abu Dhabi, Maitri brings a rare blend of warmth, wit, discipline, and creative spark to everything she does.
In her world, no two days look the same—one moment she’s hosting a festival or steering a corporate gala, and the next, she’s navigating the joyful chaos of raising two young children. And somewhere in between all this, she made space for something even bigger: an Executive MBA.
In this candid conversation, Maitri opens up about why she chose the SP Jain Global EMBA (even if it meant 4 hours of daily travel!), how the program pushed her far outside her comfort zone, and the unexpected ways business education has shaped her career in media and events. She also reflects on memorable professors, how diverse classmates sharpened her thinking, and why creative professionals shouldn’t underestimate the power of strong business fundamentals.
Read her story in her own words:
- Could you tell us a bit about yourself?
🎤 “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen!” 😀 Yup. I’m that person at any event – microphone in hand and a big smile on my face. My name is Maitri Somaia. I’m an Abu Dhabi-based Presenter and Events Emcee, licensed through the Creative Media Authority.
I have hosted 50+ hours of events in 2025 alone, engaging and entertaining 10,000+ guests. From film festivals to wellness events, corporate awards nights to wedding celebrations, it is my job to bring the right mix of energy and humour to all events for my clients, becoming an extension of their brand values and goals. I connect instantly with people from different backgrounds and nationalities. I’ve lived in Abu Dhabi for 26+ years and have a background in journalism with CNN Academy.
However, emceeing is merely my part-time job. I only do it when my two bosses allow me to – I’m a full-time mom to a couple of little humans, who I’m raising to be kind and conscious inhabitants of our planet.
- Why did you choose the SP Jain Global EMBA, and how did the program fit your career aspirations despite being in a different industry?
I knew I wanted to do an Executive MBA program, alongside my full-time job, but I also knew that I didn’t want to cut corners. A lot of the programs being offered back then were “weekends only”, “reduced hours”, “convenient for professionals” – but come on, you don’t learn well by picking what’s easiest to do!
I chose the EMBA degree at SP Jain Global because they didn’t mince their words – they said, “This course is rigorous, but you will learn from the best in the industry. If you commit to it, we will hold you to high standards.” That confidence in their offering was what made me pick this school – even though it meant driving 4 hours every day to and from Abu Dhabi – to attend classes for 3.5 hours. Yup, I know, the math isn’t math-ing, but I did it for 6 days a week, every alternate week, for 2 years straight. And trust me, if I had to do it all over again, I would.
- Which course or project had the most immediate impact on your work in events and media?
“Business Environment” by Dr Harkant Mankad – because it opened my brain, neuron by neuron, to the infinite creativity, greed, malice, and capability of humankind. He delivered the entire course as ONE LONG STORY, and I fervently took notes, which I still have with me 13 years later, by the way. His final assignment? “Design the front page for Financial Times for 30th September 2025”. Our group went overboard and designed the entire paper, and not just the front page – that’s how invested we were. 7 pages of pushing ourselves to think ahead, researching, brainstorming and committing to our ideas. What an incredible teacher, and what an eye-opening week. Darn it! I’d forgotten how much I had – now I want to be back in class!
- Your industry is evolving rapidly—how did the EMBA prepare you to adapt or lead through these changes?
There were certain key philosophies instilled in us by the EMBA professors, that I continue to live by, to adapt to anything that life throws my way – career wise as well as outside of the office. The most important one being “MYBA” – Professor Moradian taught us that you cannot expect to sit in one place and do your job well or manage your team well. So any time I get too comfortable with where I am, his words Move Yer Bloomin’ Arse echo in my head. (Yes, I didn’t say all of the advice was polite, haha)
6. How did you find common ground with classmates from fields like banking or consulting, and what did you learn from each other?
The enthusiasm for learning was our common ground. We may have been from vastly different industries and career paths, but we were a constant source of inspiration for each other. It was especially fun to do the group assignments with professionals who brought such varied perspectives to the task at hand.
Needless to say, on a personal front too, it was highly motivating to watch each other make it to class after a long day at the office, week after week, putting all of our family commitments, social lives, work pressures aside – that created a bond between us that we still nourish and cherish even a full decade after graduation.
7. How has the EMBA cohort or alumni network influenced your professional opportunities?
Beyond my batch, I have recently begun seeing the opportunities to connect with the wider EMBA alumni community of SP Jain Global as well. I’m grateful for this, as it has already resulted in some interesting conversations for work. I do look forward to exploring more collaborations and discovering how we can all mutually contribute to each other’s success.
8. Do you think people in creative fields underestimate the value of an EMBA? What would you tell them?
Ooh. Yes, absolutely. The fact remains that we may be poets and artists and creators at heart, but if we don’t understand and align ourselves to the business angle of it all, we’re going to end up furious like Howard Beale yelling on The Network – “I am mad as hell and I can’t take it anymore!”
Recommended Reads:
From Tasks to Strategy: The EMBA Shift I Didn’t See Coming – Aneesha Kochar, EMBA intake of 2024
Ad Tech Sales by Day, Strategy Student by Night: My EMBA Life
