Tell us about yourself and your background
I am a project and product management professional with around seven years of experience leading initiatives across technology, digital transformation, and management consulting in the MENA region. My journey began with software engineering & engineering and management foundation, which I later complemented with certifications in Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Agile, Scrum and AI in project management. Over the years, I have had the privilege of managing projects that required balancing complexity, collaboration, and innovation.
I was drawn to this career path because I enjoy being at the intersection of strategy and execution—where vision meets action. My engineering background gave me analytical discipline, while my project management roles have sharpened my ability to align business priorities, solve challenges, and lead diverse teams toward a shared outcome.
What is it that you currently do?
Currently, I am based in Dubai, working as a Project Manager. I help organizations define their digital strategies, implement large-scale projects, and unlock greater value by aligning operations with innovation. My role often bridges leadership vision with team execution, ensuring that ambitious strategies translate into tangible, measurable results.
What has been your greatest career success?
One of my greatest career successes was during my time at FRWRD, which was also the very first project I worked on in my first job after moving to Dubai. I started my career in Dubai with Dunes Ventures, and I will always remember how supportive and helpful the team was in guiding me as I transitioned into a completely new environment.
Coming from Libya, I had to adapt not only to a new city but also to a different work culture and lifestyle. The professional environment in Dubai was very diverse, with colleagues and stakeholders from many nationalities, and it required me to quickly adjust my mindset, communication style, and approach.
Despite the challenges, I was able to apply the skills and qualifications I had gained through my studies and previous experiences to deliver meaningful impact. I led the creation and management of an (MVP) for a new platform. The task involved collaborating across multiple stakeholders and ensuring that the product vision was translated into a structured, prioritized, and actionable roadmap.
What made this project stand out for me was the opportunity to use my expertise to directly contribute to the product development process and help achieve the management’s vision. Being able to connect strategic objectives with execution, while ensuring the delivery of a valuable product from scratch, was both rewarding and motivating.
This project was particularly meaningful to me because it symbolized my own personal transition—adapting to UAE’s professional landscape, embracing its multicultural environment, and proving to myself that I could thrive in a new market. It reinforced my belief in the power of structured innovation, adaptability, and collaborative execution.
What interesting projects are you currently involved in?
Currently, I am engaged in HR-focused projects that aim to streamline and improve internal processes, which requires close collaboration with multiple departments. The goal has been to ensure compliance while reducing processing times and creating a smoother experience for employees. These projects highlight how operational efficiency directly impacts organizational performance and employee satisfaction.
In my previous role, I worked on a fitness app, a product that gave me the opportunity to operate across multiple markets. I was responsible for adding and enhancing several features designed to increase user experience, engagement, and retention. Beyond the product enhancements, I also focused on ensuring business continuity and aligning the app’s growth with strategic objectives. This experience allowed me to combine customer-centric product development with cross-market adaptability, ensuring the platform’s success in a competitive landscape.
How do you help organizations solve complex challenges and unlock greater efficiency and value?
I approach challenges with a blend of structured problem-solving and adaptability. By applying frameworks such as Lean Six Sigma and SCRUM, I help organizations reduce waste, streamline workflows, and improve outcomes.
For instance, I often begin with a diagnostic phase—listening to stakeholders, gathering data, and mapping processes. Then I design solutions that are both scalable and pragmatic, supported by KPIs to measure progress. My role is not only to deliver solutions but also to build confidence and alignment across teams, ensuring sustainability long after the project ends.
The world is fast-paced and constantly changing. How can organizations embrace innovation?
Innovation requires both mindset and mechanism. On the mindset side, leaders must create a culture where experimentation is encouraged, and failures are seen as learning opportunities. On the mechanism side, organizations need structured processes to test, validate, and scale ideas quickly.
In my experience, innovation flourishes when organizations combine agility with discipline. It’s about encouraging curiosity while anchoring it in strategy. Small pilots, fast iterations, and cross-functional collaboration can help organizations move at the speed of change without losing focus.
How do you see AI integrating with business in the UAE in the future?
The UAE is already positioning itself as a global hub for AI, and I see its integration deepening across industries. From personalized customer experiences, I believe AI will become embedded in business models rather than being an optional add-on.
In particular, I believe AI will play a transformative role in compliance, risk management, and operations—areas where the UAE is highly focused. Businesses that adopt AI not only for efficiency but also for decision-making and customer engagement will be the ones that thrive.
As a project manager, how do you create a positive work culture and foster collaboration within your team?
For me, culture starts with trust and clarity. I make sure my teams understand the “why” behind what we are doing, not just the “what.” When people feel connected to the vision, they naturally contribute more fully.
I also focus on communication—being transparent, setting realistic expectations, and celebrating small wins. Collaboration thrives in environments where people feel valued, respected, and safe to share ideas. I encourage open dialogue, mentorship, and continuous feedback, which creates a sense of ownership within the team.
What challenges have you faced in your career, and how have you built resilience in yourself and your teams?
One of the biggest challenges I faced was navigating high-pressure environments with limited resources. Early in my career, I sometimes felt overwhelmed by expectations and timelines. Over time, I learned the importance of prioritization, setting boundaries, and leveraging tools and data to support decisions.
Resilience, for me, comes from preparation and mindset. I practice breaking problems down, anticipating risks, and maintaining adaptability. For my teams, I encourage resilience by modeling calm under pressure, fostering problem-solving skills, and creating a support system where challenges are shared rather than carried alone.
Tell us about your leadership philosophy.
My leadership philosophy is rooted in empowerment. I believe leaders should enable their teams, not control them. I value transparency, accountability, and empathy. I aim to lead with integrity, ensuring that results are achieved without compromising people’s growth or well-being.
How has the business leadership landscape changed?
Leadership today is less about hierarchy and more about influence. Modern leaders must be adaptive, digitally fluent, and emotionally intelligent. The old model of top-down command is giving way to a more collaborative style, where leaders act as facilitators of change.
This shift is especially visible in the SME and startup sector, where agility and innovation are critical for success. Leaders are now expected to balance strategy with empathy, and performance with purpose.
As a female, how do you make an impact and inspire other women?
Over the years, women have proven that they can be just as efficient as men in leadership, decision-making, and driving successful initiatives. They have shown that their contributions can create meaningful impact and bring lasting value to the workplace.
For me, one of the challenges early on was leading projects in teams where I was the only woman. In those situations, I focused on using my skills and qualifications to create structured plans that the team could follow, ensuring clarity and direction. At the same time, I added a transparent and collaborative environment where every voice could be heard and respected. This approach not only helped us achieve our goals but also built stronger team cohesion.
I believe women bring empathy and inclusiveness to leadership, which helps reduce stress and pressure within teams. At the same time, they remain fully capable of delivering results and meeting targets. By balancing empathy with accountability, women can inspire others—both men and women—to embrace collaboration, resilience, and shared success.
What advice would you give to women starting out in the industry?
My advice would be: believe in your capabilities and don’t underestimate the value you bring. Build your technical skills, but also invest in communication and networking. Find mentors who can guide you and allies who can support you. Most importantly, don’t wait for permission to lead—step up, contribute, and trust that your work will earn its recognition.
What are your goals for the next 5 years?
In the next five years, I aim to:
- Advance into a senior leadership role where I can influence strategy on a larger scale.
- Increase my contribution to developing successful SAP and SaaS products on an international scale, driving innovation and measurable business impact.
- Continue contributing to digital transformation projects that shape different industries.
- Invest in my personal development, including language learning and global leadership exposure.
- Start my own business, applying the knowledge and experience I have gained throughout my career to build something impactful and sustainable.
Where can readers connect with you?
I am active on LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/halaabughali, where I share professional updates, insights, and industry perspectives. Readers can reach me directly via email at hala.haitham1312@gmail.com for collaborations or discussions.
