Bazaar Belief: Dr. Hanaa Almoaibed On Her Biggest Inspiration, Life Motto And The Key To Success
Your Guide To Life From The Inspirational Dr. Hanaa Almoaibed
Dr. Hanaa Almoaibed: The mother of two, who is an expert in education, youth and gender, is also education chair for Al Johara, a women’s social enterprise membership organisation that is bridging the gap between female leaders in Saudi Arabia and the west.
What Does Your Work Involve?
I’m the founder and director of ProlegoMENA Education Advisory, and I’m currently working in London as a qualitative researcher, disrupting understandings of education, work, youth and gender in Saudi Arabia and the GCC. I investigate how people make sense of themselves and others, to deepen our understandings and also to design creative interventions.
Proudest Achievement?
This year, it is being part of Al Johara, a social enterprise for women in Saudi Arabia to link with female leaders and future change-makers across the globe. I’m the education and mediation co-chair and I’m excited to connect and collaborate with powerful and inspirational leaders from around the world, but more importantly, communicating the incredible achievements of Saudi women that others don’t always see.
Defining Career Moment?
My first job out of graduate school was not the big-impact role in international development I had initially hoped to pursue. Instead, I joined a tiny start-up team in Saudi that I had never met before, initially working from home. That choice taught me how vulnerability is a virtue, how to weather every failure and disappointment I’ve encountered since, and an appreciation for how small impact grows exponentially given the right circumstances. It also gave me space to develop skills for success. creativity, resilience, communication and empathy.
Who Is Your Career Role Model And Why?
My father taught me that work never finishes, so we shouldn’t forget to live our lives while we strive for success.
The Key To Success Is…
Big dreams, a supportive tribe, a plan (in pencil) and lots of luck.
Which Experience In Life Taught You Most About Yourself And Why?
Being a working mother – it taught me how to accept balance over perfection, manage my jealousy (of the nanny), how to live with guilt, which is softened by child’s infinite capacity to love.
Who Or What Is Your Biggest Inspiration?
The optimism of youth in the face of adversity.
Favourite Adage/Motto You Live Your Life By – And Who Said It?
“Fortune may be the arbiter of one half of our actions, but she still leaves us the other half, or perhaps a little less, to our free will” – Machiavelli
Who Or What Feeds Your Soul?
Love of others, and myself.
The Values You Most Admire In Others?
Honesty, humility and motivation.
The Value You Most Admire In Yourself?
Inquisitiveness.
What Does Family Mean To You?
A daily opportunity to do better.
What Do You Listen To Most – Your Head, Hear OR Gut – And Why?
My heart, because love.
Compiled by: Devinder Bains
From Harper’s Bazaar Saudi Winter 2021 Issue