Equity Magazine July 2017 Issue

WOMAN LEADER
PHILANTHROPY IS JUST
WHERE MY HEART IS AND
WHAT I DO BEST
Jumana Abu-Hannoud talks SOS Children’s Villages,
entrepreneurship and working for H.R.H. Princess Haya
There are certain people that exist for a purpose,
whether to advise individuals through their path
or merely exude goodness in every way possible
to benefit others. Jumana Abu-Hannoud is one
such woman. Her journey within the non-profit sector
commenced at the age of 18 and has continued ever since.
“It was something I always wanted to do. I loved going
around the projects in Jordan and the villages, learning
about microfinance and income generating possibilities
for women,” says Jumana. The Jordanian-national was
born in the UAE, raised and educated back home and
returned to this country 15 years ago.
Graduating in Communications from university, due to a
passion for writing, Jumana initially found herself working
in organisations that weren’t humanitarian. However, she
made it a point to focus on social impact, be it in technology
or the development sector. Upon relocating to Dubai,
Jumana worked in healthcare, education, poverty and the
development sector through the office of H.R.H. Princess
Haya for five years. “This is where I sunk into my dream
job, it was a very important turning point. I got a lot of
fantastic experience and when I look back, some of the jobs
I was exposed to are lessons that still refresh themselves in
my mind when I have challenges in the workplace. When
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EQUITY