Your professional journey and defining milestones

I have built my career on a simple principle: people first. Always. For nearly two decades, I’ve focused on transforming Human Resources by unlocking human potential to drive business performance. 

As Chief People Officer for MENA at Memac Ogilvy, I lead the strategic people agenda across the region. My focus is on ideating, rolling out and strengthening initiatives that enhance talent management, performance development and organizational effectiveness. 

This is underpinned by my approach to integrate commercial acumen with human-centered leadership, ensuring our people strategy directly fuels business growth and transformation.

I joined Ogilvy in 2022 as People Director for MENA. Over the years, I have several strategic People initiatives, strengthened HR operations, and driven extensive talent acquisition across markets. 

My goal has always been to foster a culture where creativity, accountability, and high performance are not just encouraged, but expected. This aligns with the overall organisational goal, reflected in the Agency’s commitment to delivering ‘borderless creativity.’ 

Before Ogilvy, I held senior HR leadership positions at VMLY&R MENA and J. Walter Thompson (now VML). My career has taken me through advertising, telecommunications, aviation and FMCG, where I’ve consistently built people-first cultures in fast-paced environments. My passion for creativity and people drives me to build inclusive, empowering workplaces where talent can truly grow, lead and excel.

The values that drive my leadership

For me, leadership has to be driven by four core values: empathy, empowerment, integrity, and inclusion. And of course, it all starts with empathy. It’s about creating an environment where people feel heard, respected, and valued. 

I champion empowerment because I believe great leadership is about unlocking potential, not controlling it. When you trust people and give them space to grow, they deliver their best work and drive the organization’s success. Integrity and transparency are central to my approach. And trust is earned through consistent action, clear communication, and principled decisions. 

I am a passionate advocate for collaboration and inclusion, recognizing that diverse perspectives are essential for innovation and a thriving culture. These values define my leadership style and guide me in fostering a people-first culture at Memac Ogilvy.

My commitment to empowerment is absolute, and it’s a principle that David Ogilvy captured perfectly when he said, “If each of us hires people who are bigger than we are, we shall become a company of giants.” 

Our focus has always been on investing in talent, and my role is to create an environment where the team feels not just trusted but actively encouraged to challenge my perspective and push boundaries. 

I have always believed that an empowering leader builds a launchpad for talent. We must focus intentionally on building a team that is so strong that everyone is consistently outperforms expectations and makes the entire organization stronger. I firmly believe that a leader’s greatest legacy is the strength of the team they build, not the work they do alone.

My interpretation of “Give to Gain”

“Give to Gain” is a guiding principle in my professional and personal life. In my career, it means prioritizing the growth and success of others by mentoring emerging talent, sharing knowledge, and creating opportunities for people to excel. 

By investing in others, my goal is to build loyalty, trust, and long-term impact. By enabling the team with the tools, autonomy, and confidence to succeed, we have built a high-performing, motivated workforce that drives business results. 

Personally, this philosophy extends to generosity and purpose. The most meaningful achievements come from creating value for others and contributing to a community that thrives together. Giving is both a mindset and a strategy that builds relationships and leads to shared success.

My advice to the next generation of women in our industry

I encourage the next generation of women to embrace the power of their network. We are not working in isolation; we are a collective force capable of driving meaningful change in the MENA region. 

Speak up with confidence, share your ideas without hesitation, and actively support one another. Progress accelerates when we champion each other’s growth and create space for diverse voices. Resilience, continuous learning, and strategic self-advocacy are crucial. 

A successful career requires both competence and the courage to lead and challenge the status quo. Above all, lift others as you rise. By fostering collaboration and championing female leadership, we can collectively shape a more inclusive and equitable future for our industry.