“I came to Dubai in 1996, and joined a marketing agency called Connexions where I was responsible for managing two key clients- Microsoft and HP . In 2000, I joined HP as the channel marketing manager, and for the past 12 years I have been working with the company’s commercial and retail channel in both the Middle East and African regions,” says Hady.
Hady credits a few gender-based rejections that had her all the more convinced on working within the IT industry. “After graduating from engineering school , I applied to two companies , both of whom rejected me due to my gender and the nature of the business and the working hours involved. One was a prominent oil company where I applied for a post as computer engineer and the other was an international 24-hours airline computer company. By the end of it, I was more eager and determined than ever to work in the IT industry,” she says.
Hady adds, “It is important to realise that although partners may have the same requirements they all differ in their characteristics and objectives. This understanding of cultures, people and countries is what I enjoy the most.”
Suffice to say, Hady has come a long way since then earning numerous accolades along the way including the Windows User Award for Middle East IT Marketing Manager of the year in 2005 and the Middle East IT Woman of the year Award during the Woibex Women in Business Conference and Middle East Women’s Achievement Awards in 2006.
Hady is also the co-founder of the HP Channel Awards, a prominent event held annually during GITEX.
Passionate about making a difference, Hady lists persistence, positivity, honesty, empathy and communication skills as being her key strengths. She believes thatthese traits help her deal successfully with people, manage and get the very best out of her team.
“My desire to over achieve and be proud of these achievements, together with my conscience always pushes me to do my best. I must also add that my managers’ belief in me, in addition to the invaluable support of my husband and children back my drive for success,” Hady says.
