“My deepest strength comes from my family, my mother and daughter, and the spiritual grounding my grandmother instilled in me as a child,” shares Her Excellency Hala Badri, revealing the profound personal foundation that underpins her very public success. This intimate wellspring of resilience fuels the Director General of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, a leader who has been instrumental in shaping the Emirate’s rapid ascent as one of the world’s leading cultural and creative hubs. She doesn’t just wear multiple hats, she is the hatmaker herself, leading each of her prestigious roles with a hands-on creativity that is actively reshaping the city’s landscape.
However, H.E. Hala Badri’s path to this pivotal position wasn’t a linear one; it was forged through a rich tapestry of experiences across diverse industries. This unique background informs her visionary approach, which is reflected in long-term frameworks such as the Design Sector Strategy 2033 and initiatives that bring creativity into everyday spaces. Determined to keep the city’s arts scene at the forefront of innovation, the programmes she champions – from the Cultural Grant Programme to major international partnerships – have firmly placed the Emirate on the global arts map, strengthening its presence through UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network and collaborations with design capitals like London, Milan, and Osaka.
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In a conversation aligned with this issue’s theme of ‘Strength,’ H.E. Hala Badri reveals that her power stems not from title or tenure, but from a profound sense of stewardship. “Strength is not about power in isolation but about possibility,” she reflects. “In culture, it means creating an environment where ideas can flourish, where heritage is preserved while new expressions are welcomed.” For her, true strength is measured not only by the policies shaped but by the people enabled: “the artists, designers, writers, and entrepreneurs who carry our story forward,” she says.
This philosophy has been her North Star through sectors often perceived as male-dominated. Her unique source of strength? An unwavering sense of purpose. “Knowing why I do the work anchors me in every environment,” she states. This internal fortitude is bolstered by a powerful external force: the unwavering support of the UAE leadership. Yet, she consistently returns to that foundational family support system, acknowledging it as the foundation that supports her through any challenge.
And challenges, she affirms, are not obstacles but “invitations to grow.” In difficult moments, she says that she draws upon a collective energy – the trust of leadership, the dedication of colleagues, the belief of mentors – to turn uncertainty into clarity. “Real strength is also about rising higher, with purpose and with others by your side,” she shares.
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This collaborative strength is visibly paying dividends for women across the UAE. H.E. Hala Badri points to substantive growth beyond mere numbers. “Today, women in the UAE are at the forefront of progress, defining strategies, budgets, and public agendas,” she notes, highlighting that at Dubai Culture, women constitute 60% of the workforce and a remarkable 80% of the leadership. This is no accident – it’s the result of decades of purposeful policy.
When asked about her advice to the next generation of Emirati women, she says it is to “embrace the power of their own voice.” She believes that while technical skills can be acquired, “self-belief must be nurtured from within.” Looking ahead, she sees the next frontier as a move “from participation to full authorship of our future.” This means having women not just sitting at the c-suite tables, but standing at the helm – owning enterprises, shaping investments, and setting global agendas. “But more than just about structures of power,” she adds, “empowerment is about the spirit we bring. Determination and authenticity will carry us forward, but empathy and compassion will define how we lead.”
It is in the culture and arts sector that this redefinition is most potent. Here, H.E. Hala Badri sees a unique catalyst for challenging global stereotypes about Arab women. “Through art, literature, and performance, Emirati women are telling their own stories on their own terms,” she says. Platforms like the Sikka Art & Design Festival are making women’s creativity visible, allowing their voices to travel beyond borders, “carrying with them the truth of who we are.”
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This vision is seamlessly woven into her strategy for a city of over 195 nationalities. For H.E. Hala Badri, “heritage is our anchor and inclusivity is our horizon.” Emirati traditions are the roots, but from these roots, the city opens its arms wide. This is encapsulated in Dubai Culture’s powerful mantra: “Culture everywhere, and for everyone.” She envisions culture not confined to art spaces, but as a bridge “between who we are and who we can become,” integrated into the very fabric of daily life.
A master of synthesis, H.E. Hala Badri is now future-proofing the sector by merging technology with tradition. From digitising collections for global access to using AI to reveal unseen connections between artworks, she is ensuring that “in Dubai, tradition and innovation do not compete; they complement each other.” This convergence of media, technology, and culture, she believes, will define the next chapter of Dubai’s story. A chapter in which women are already central as “editors, curators, engineers, and entrepreneurs.”
If she could offer one piece of advice to her younger self, it would be to “be bold sooner.” She wishes she could tell her past self that “it’s okay to step forward before feeling fully ready, because confidence is built through experience.” It’s a message she extends to all young women today: “Believe in your potential, make the most of every opportunity, and know that your voice has the power to shape the future around you.” In H.E. Hala Badri’s world strength is found in the blend of personal grounding, collective purpose, and boundless possibility.
October’s – The Strength Issue – Download Now
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