Lana Sawiris, CEO of MONIIFY, opens up in a candid, wide-ranging interview — sharing insights into her journey as a leader, creator, and entrepreneur
In her first-ever media appearance, Lana Sawiris, CEO of MONIIFY, opens up in a candid, wide-ranging interview that offers a closer look at her journey as a leader, creator, and entrepreneur.
The exclusive interview, released on MONIIFY’s official platforms, showcases Lana in a new light, raw, self-aware, and unfiltered. From addressing the recent MONIIFY layoffs that drew widespread media attention earlier this year, to confronting the misconception that her success is tied to her family name, Sawiris delivers a thoughtful and deeply personal reflection on leadership, perception, and purpose.
“I felt responsibility for those who were laid off, for those who stayed, and for the reputation of what my father built,” Lana says in the interview. “If anyone knew him, they’d know he would never allow something like that to happen. The wrong people were trusted, and I had to come in and rebuild from there.”
A New Chapter for MONIIFY
As CEO of MONIIFY, one of the fastest-growing financial content platforms for Gen Zs and Millennials across emerging markets, Sawiris has taken on the challenge of redefining how young people talk about money. Under her leadership, the platform has evolved into a bold movement that’s both educational and entertaining, inspiring a generation to make smarter financial moves. MONIIFY has rapidly become one of the fastest-growing financial content platforms for Gen Zs and Millennials across emerging markets , surpassing 1 billion views across platforms and reaching over 1 million followers. With exclusive interviews featuring industry pioneers and top voices rarely accessible to the public, MONIIFY has set a new benchmark for fast-turnaround, high-impact content. In the past year alone, its audience has grown by nearly 150%, while engagement has surged by more than 200% , reflecting the momentum and strength of its community.
Looking ahead, Lana revealed MONIIFY’s upcoming milestones, including the launch of MONIIFY Arabic, and the development of its own product designed to bring personalized financial education to wider audiences across the region.
“We want to reach more people, more dialects, and help everyone take a step toward their own financial freedom,” she says.
Beyond MONIIFY: Leadership at ORA and &LANA
Alongside her role at MONIIFY, Lana serves as Global Chief Commercial Officer at ORA Developers, one of the most influential players in international real estate, founded by business magnate Naguib Sawiris. ORA has rapidly become a force in the UAE market with BAYN, its highly anticipated luxury coastal project that has quickly become one of the most talked-about developments in the region.
“I love being part of something that’s genuinely building a community, not just buildings,” she explains. “It’s about creating spaces where our generation actually wants to live.”
She is also the Founder & Chief Creative Officer of &LANA, a New York-based creative incubator that partners with global brands to shape creative identities and brand storytelling. “We’re not a typical agency,” she explains. “Clients come to us for our eye, our taste, and our direction on how to bring their brand to life. Essentially, we incubate brands, we help people build them.”
Owning Her Story
In the interview, Lana also reflects on her early years in New York, where she built her creative career at Christian Louboutin and KITH before founding her own company. She talks openly about navigating male-dominated industries, building resilience, and leading with empathy, a theme that runs through her entire career.
“Everyone just wants to feel understood,” she says. “If you have empathy, you’re already ahead of most leaders.”
Sawiris’ openness, humor, and self-awareness make this interview a thoughtful introduction to her perspective,a statement not only about who she is, but also what she stands for.
