Mona AlHebsi: Thought Leader, Hotelier, HR Expert, and Success Coach
She Wears Many Hats with Distinction
Mona AlHebsi is a thought leader, accomplished hotelier, Human Resources expert, success coach, passionate author, and multi-award winner. She has won awards in the fields of HR, Hospitality, and Leadership.
She Grew Up in the Magnificent Mountains of Ras Al Khaimah
Born to a traditional Emirati family, Mona hails from the magnificent mountain area of Ras Al Khaimah, one of the seven cities in the United Arab Emirates. She grew up there and completed her schooling. Later, she acquired her pre-graduate degree from the Higher Colleges of Technology – Ras Al Khaimah Women’s College in 2004.
Her Passion for Hospitality Began in College
During her college years, she volunteered as a host in the One & Only Hotel Chain. She also completed her internship at Hilton Ras Al Khaimah. There, her interest and passion for the hospitality industry grew significantly.
She Pioneered in Hospitality as a UAE National
She then moved to Dubai in early 2005. She became among the very few UAE nationals who pioneered the hospitality industry. At that time, hospitality represented a rather unpopular career path for Emiratis. Despite this, she pursued her passion.
Burj Al Arab Opened the Door to Glamour and Challenges
Her first assignment with the iconic Burj Al Arab hotel provided a fascinating learning experience. This role became her door to a world of glamour, endless discoveries, and astounding challenges.
She Stepped Away to Focus on Self-Education
In January 2008, Mona stepped out of the hospitality industry for some time. She wanted to focus on self-education. Since then, she has embarked on a lifelong learning journey. She worked for Zayed University while earning several professional certifications. She also earned a dual MBA in Human Resources and Operations Management.
She Returned to Hospitality in 2012 as an HR Manager
In May 2012, Mona rejoined the hospitality industry. This time, she served as a Human Resources Manager at Grand Hyatt Dubai. She took responsibility for overseeing the day-to-day HR operations. She also formalized and executed the Emiratization Strategy for the hotel.
She Pressed Forward Despite Resistance
She kept pressing forward despite resistance from line managers who hesitated to hire local talent. She visited colleges, universities, and career fairs to attract potential Emiratis. She also promoted local culture within Grand Hyatt Dubai.
She Doubled the Number of UAE Nationals
During her 2.5-year tenure at Grand Hyatt Dubai, Mona doubled the number of UAE Nationals from 17 to 35. She also accomplished her PMP and CIPD certifications. Additionally, she received a shortlist nomination as “Best HR Person of the Year” at Hotelier’s Middle East Award 2014. She earned various appreciations and accolades for her contributions to supporting Emiratization in the hospitality industry.
She Became Director of HR at Jumeirah Creekside Hotel
In December 2014, Mona took the position of Director of Human Resources at Jumeirah Creekside Hotel, part of Jumeirah Hotels and Resorts, the luxury hospitality brand in the UAE. In this role, she became the only Emirati woman on the Executive Committee Team of the hotel.
She Transformed the HR Department
From that position, she transformed the team in the HR department. She introduced several HR initiatives to uplift employees’ performance and engagement scores. These initiatives also supported business results.
She Promoted to Jumeirah Zabeel Saray Resort
In August 2017, Mona earned a promotion to Director of Human Resources at the majestic Ottoman-inspired Jumeirah Zabeel Saray resort.
She Achieved the Highest CIPD Status
In April 2019, the CIPD awarded Mona the highest status in the HR profession: FCIPD (Chartered FCIPD).
She Is Also a Success Coach and Published Author
In addition to being an accomplished hotelier, Mona also serves as a success coach and a published author. She published her first book titled “Beat The Odds” (or “المألوف اكسر”) in both Arabic and English. In the book, she shares her tried and tested techniques and success secrets with working women and especially hoteliers. She helps them achieve success by adding value throughout their working life.
She Belongs to Several Professional Bodies
Mona holds membership in several professional bodies. These include the Project Management Institute (PMI), the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development (CIPD), and the International Coaching Federation (ICF).
She Serves on the Advisory Council
Furthermore, Mona serves as a member of the Advisory Council at the Dubai College of Tourism. She also writes a blog and publishes periodic articles on LinkedIn and in Brainz Magazine. She writes about her life experiences and areas of expertise such as Human Resources, Coaching, Leadership, Self-Development, Emiratization, Hospitality, and Women & Youth Empowerment.
She Continues Adding Value to the Community
Mona currently continues adding value to the community through her unique coaching program, workshops, webinars, and writings. She has recently launched two exclusive career talk shows on YouTube. One show is in English, titled “Beat The Odds in 1 Minute.” The other is in Arabic, titled “مهنية افكار.” Through these shows, she provides useful career tips and advice. She helps individuals look at their careers differently and make the most of it.
To know more about Mona’s inspiring journey, visit this link or click here.
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