Her Excellency Hala Badri is a veritable powerhouse, juggling not one but seven prestigious board memberships. She doesn’t just wear multiple hats – she is the hatmaker herself, leading each role with
hands-on creativity that’s reshaping Dubai’s cultural and creative landscape. 

Her path to becoming the Director General of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority wasn’t paved with ease. Instead, it was forged through diverse experiences across various industries – oil and gas, real estate, telecommunications, and media — each contributing to making her the leader she is today. 

Determined to keep the city’s arts and culture scene at the forefront of innovation, the initiatives she led have put the Emirate on the arts map. And while Dubai’s cultural landscape has reached the heights of global acclaim, HE Hala Badri’s vision is ever-expanding. 

Can you walk us through your career journey from your early days to your current role as the Director General of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority?

Starting in the oil and gas sector, I honed crucial strategic and operational skills before moving into leadership roles in telecommunications, media, and real estate, expanding my innovation and management prowess.  I’ve held influential board positions, including Vice Chairperson for the Dubai Women Establishment, and memberships with the Dubai Media Council, HIPA, and the Higher Colleges of Technology, among others. 

In April 2019, appointed by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, I became the Director General of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, driving initiatives like the Dubai Public Art Strategy and securing the bid to host the 27^th ICOM General conference in 2025 in Dubai, becoming the first city in the MENASA region to do so. My efforts have been recognised with several prestigious awards, including the Arab Woman Award UAE for Art, a ranking among Forbes Middle East’s most influential Arab women, and I’ve twice received the Sheikh Rashid Award for Scientific Excellence.

How did your previous experiences in different roles shape your approach to now leading Dubai Culture?

My experience across telecommunications, oil and gas, media, and real estate has equipped me with a broad perspective on strategic planning and operational excellence. I now use this versatile skill set to enhance Dubai Culture’s digital presence and communication strategies, focusing on innovation, strategic growth, and digital transformation. This approach not only preserves our cultural heritage but also positions Dubai as a global leader in the creative economy.

What are some of the key milestones and achievements during your tenure at Dubai Culture since your appointment in 2019?

In 2019, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum initiated Dubai’s Cultural Vision 2020-2025, setting the stage for Dubai to emerge as a global cultural leader. 

This ambitious vision led to pioneering efforts such as MENA’s first cultural statistics framework, hosting significant events like the 2025 ICOM General Conference and the 2024 World Cities Culture Summit, enhancing our digital presence with new libraries, and receiving UNESCO recognition for Al Talli embroidery.

Under this vision, Dubai Culture has advanced in global rankings, now standing eighth in the Global Power City Index and fourth in the Cultural Interaction parameter, thanks to impactful projects like the Al Shindagha Museum. Our commitment has earned us a top rating in the Dubai Government Excellence Programme, and over 10,000 cultural visas were issued. 

These achievements, which earned us the 2024 Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award for three of our cultural assets, are proof positive of the hard work and the leadership of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture & Arts Authority.

Can you share your vision for Dubai’s cultural scene? How are you positioning the city as a centre for culture and creativity?

Under HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s vision, Dubai aims to become a global centre for culture, an incubator for creativity, and a thriving hub for talent. 

Our 2020-2025 strategic roadmap prioritises Talent and Education, Accessibility & Engagement, the Creative Economy, Global Footprint, and Cultural Responsibility. We’ve issued cultural visas, integrated arts into education, and boosted community engagement through digital libraries and cultural events.

Dubai now leads globally in creative sector investments and hosts major events like the ICOM General Conference 2025 and World Cities Culture Summit 2024. We’re also preserving our heritage with initiatives like the UNESCO-listed Al Talli embroidery and opening the Al Shindagha Museum, the UAE’s largest open-air heritage museum.

Can you discuss some of the projects, like the Al Quoz Creative Zone, that you spearheaded?

In response to the Dubai Creative Economy Strategy, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence of the UAE and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, initiated the Al Quoz Creative Zone project. It aims to establish a dynamic creative hub with multi-purpose spaces, art workshops, and a smart online rental platform, transforming part of an industrial area to attract global talents and investors. 

Under the guidance of HH Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, efforts are focused on refining the zone into a global destination for creatives. 

How has Dubai Culture expanded its digital presence? What impact has this had on making art and culture accessible to a global audience?

We’ve significantly enhanced our digital presence by using social media and collaborating with Google Arts & Culture. Our ‘Dubai’s Culture & Heritage’ profile features over 1,200 images, more than 340 artefacts, and 175 stories, creating a detailed digital archive of cultural heritage. This initiative has improved global access to the city and marked Dubai’s Culture as the first government entity globally to offer content in Arabic and English and the largest content contributor to the platform in Arabic and English, widening our global impact.

Congratulations on being named one of the Middle East’s Most Creative People in Business for 2024. What does this recognition mean to you personally and professionally?

This accolade affirms our innovative leadership in the cultural sector, honouring the collective efforts of the Dubai Culture team to transform Dubai’s cultural landscape. Personally, it fuels my drive for positive change and creativity, while professionally, it highlights the significance of our initiatives like the Al Quoz Creative Zone and digital expansion in impacting the community and beyond. 

How have your initiatives at Dubai Culture contributed to social innovation and community engagement in Dubai?

The Ramadan Heroes initiative is an example of how we promote values of solidarity and compassion within our community. Through this initiative, we have supported families with community donations, enhancing social responsibility across Dubai. Over five editions, the initiative has raised over Dhs7 million, benefiting 923,125 people and earning awards like the 2024 GovMedia’s Digital Initiative of the Year and the 2022 PRCA MENA Best CSR Campaign.

What challenges have you faced in your role? How have you overcome them?

The COVID-19 pandemic was a major challenge that hit just as our 2020-2025 strategic roadmap was approved. With government funds redirected to the health sector, we had to swiftly innovate to meet our targets despite limited resources, introducing several initiatives to maintain a vibrant cultural sector.

This included 298 virtual museum tours reaching over 11,000 students, a digital educational platform on LinkedIn with 100+ courses for 2,000+ creatives, and the distribution of Dhs200,000 in grants to 75 creatives from 47 nationalities. We also secured a Dhs1 million grant for Dubai Design Week, launched the Dubai Ideathon to foster community ideas, and raised over Dhs7 million through our Ramadan Heroes campaign, benefiting nearly a million people. Additionally, our #CreateTogether initiative generated over 43,500 creative entries.

Thanks to the visionary leadership of HH Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and our dedicated team, we’ve continued to make significant progress toward our long-term cultural goals despite the pandemic.

What are your future goals for Dubai Culture? How do you plan to further enhance the cultural and creative landscape?

We are only at the beginning of a much larger journey. My future goals for Dubai Culture include expanding our global cultural footprint, strengthening the creative economy, and enhancing community engagement and cultural accessibility. 

To achieve these goals, we will launch more cultural initiatives, forge global partnerships, and promote sustainability in all our projects. 

As a prominent female leader in the UAE, what advice would you give to other women aspiring to leadership roles in the cultural sector or
other industries?

To women aspiring to leadership roles, I encourage you to always see the big picture and understand your pivotal role in Dubai’s grand narrative. We’ve made strides in creating spaces where women can showcase their capabilities. Remember, our natural inclination to nurture is a strength – use it to guide and mentor the next generation. Embrace continuous learning and innovation, foster collaboration, and draw from diverse experiences to spearhead change. By doing so, you’ll leave a lasting impact in your field and inspire others to follow your lead.

Can you share an experience or mentor that has had a significant influence on your approach to your work?

I’ve been incredibly lucky to have mentors from diverse sectors like telecommunications, oil and gas, media, real estate, and culture and arts. They taught me the crucial roles of strategic vision and adaptability, which have deeply influenced my leadership at Dubai Culture. 

These experiences remind me daily that a great leader is both a lifelong learner and a flexible navigator through change.

How do you manage to balance your numerous roles, including your positions on various boards, with your responsibilities at Dubai Culture?

For multi-role leaders, time management is paramount. I prioritise tasks by urgency and importance, delegate effectively to a trusted team, and maintain open communication with everyone involved.

Structured schedules and integrated plans keep me organised, but I never forget to prioritise my personal well-being. This balance keeps me sharp and grounded, ensuring I can give my best both professionally and personally.

In your opinion, what does the future hold for culture and arts in Dubai? How can the city continue to innovate in this space?

I’m optimistic about the future of culture and arts in Dubai. We’re set to expand our museums, galleries, and heritage sites, enhancing our cultural landscape. Through upgraded digital platforms, international collaborations, and cultural diplomacy, we’ll keep innovating. We’re also committed to sustainable practices and nurturing young talent to keep Dubai at the forefront of cultural innovation. This journey fills me with pride.

Follow @halabadri on Instagram.

Interview: Asma Al Fahim
Photographer: Amina Zaher
Stylist: Lindsay Judge
Set designer: Yehia Bedier
Make-up: Karolina Kurowicka