Most Powerful Women Leaders to Watch Out in 2026
Company: MARYRAY
Designation: Creative Founder & Visionary, Mentor and Guide
Country: United Arab Emirates
Maria Potjomkina stands for the freedom to express multiple facets of oneself, unlocking personal potential while expanding both material and spiritual horizons. Her work reflects a belief in living a full, meaningful life shaped by intention, depth, beauty, and conscious awareness. From an early stage, Maria was deeply engaged in self-development, creative exploration, and the cultivation of human potential, laying the foundation for a path that bridges creativity, consciousness, and leadership.
Her interests naturally span diverse cultures, non-traditional education, advanced technologies, innovation, and nature connection, all while remaining deeply rooted in aesthetic intelligence. From interior design and architecture to feminine expression through clothing, jewelry, and visual identity, Maria has consistently approached creation as both an art form and a vehicle for self-recognition.
In 2016, she founded her first brand, MARYPO, which gained international recognition through curated fashion shows in Saint Petersburg, Sweden, Estonia, and Spain. Each presentation carried a distinct narrative and visual language, defined by authenticity, artistic coherence, and emotional depth. These shows became meeting points for visionary individuals, giving rise to creative alliances, new businesses, and long-term partnerships that extended well beyond the runway.
Behind each show was a rich, immersive creative process shaped by warmth, collaboration, and precision. From assembling international teams and partnerships to fabric selection, music curation, model casting, and meticulous attention to detail, Maria approached every project as a masterpiece. For many participants, these experiences were transformational, offering the opportunity to step onto the runway, unlock confidence, and fully embody their uniqueness through self-expression.
Beyond fashion, Maria initiated developmental projects for children and young people, designed to inspire growth, self-worth, and an expanded quality of life. Through intuitive guidance and integrative practices drawn from psychology, astrology, and energy work, these initiatives addressed inner blocks, subconscious patterns, and limiting beliefs, fostering deeper awareness of universe laws and personal clarity.
Her journey has also been shaped by partnerships with international companies, where she gained valuable insight into structure, leadership, and strategic evolution. Living and working across different countries enriched her perspective, deepened her self-knowledge, and strengthened her ability to operate across cultural and creative landscapes. In parallel, she has collaborated with startups and creative communities as an idea generator, contributing to business growth, innovation, and conscious community building.
Maria’s second company, MARYRAY, represents a natural and intentional evolution of her path. Designed as a conscious platform for connection and inspiration, MARYRAY focuses on meaningful contribution to women’s lives through education, mindset expansion, and collective growth. Through this platform, Maria creates opportunities for partnerships, entrepreneurship, and the development of courses, training, digital products, and content that integrate lived experience with intuitive wisdom and practical knowledge.
These offerings are designed for women seeking deeper self-discovery, alignment, embodied growth, and development, both spiritually and materially. Alongside this work, Maria continues to expand her personal channels as refined spaces for insight, guidance, and inspiration, supporting women in enhancing their quality of life on every level.
In parallel with her entrepreneurial journey, Maria has participated in charitable initiatives as a designer and founder, contributed to environmental volunteering focused on ocean conservation, and supported initiatives dedicated to animal welfare. These efforts reflect her belief in conscious contribution and responsibility beyond individual success.
Reflecting on nearly a decade since launching her first brand, Maria acknowledges a path shaped by challenges, pivotal transitions, and continuous transformation. Each experience refined her vision, strengthened her clarity, and deepened her awareness. Through her work, she bridges creativity, consciousness, and leadership, empowering women to reconnect with their inner authority, creative force, and sense of purpose.
Maria believes that growth is available at every stage of life, an ongoing invitation to awareness, expansion, clearing and self-recognition. Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, she continues to build her brand that unites creativity, education, and conscious entrepreneurship, shaping spaces where women can evolve, heal, lead, and create meaningful global impact.
At the core of her philosophy lies a simple yet powerful truth: feel yourself - trust yourself. Maria believes each individual is the creator of their own reality, and that this moment in time invites presence, intention, and conscious choice.