H.E. Hala Badri

In April 2019, Her Excellency Hala Badri was appointed as the Director General of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority by a royal decree from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, following 20 years of an impressive path in dynamic business sectors critical to the UAE’s economic development: telecommunications, oil & gas, media and real estate. A passionate marketer, a technology enthusiast, transforming businesses through innovation and her exemplary managerial qualities, she is able to capably spearhead the achievement of the Authority’s strategic objectives. Under her leadership, Badri managed to transform the authority in the first 3 years. She also orchestrated the launch and execution of the Authority’s 2020- 2025 sectoral strategy, the Dubai Creative Economy Strategy as well as the Dubai Public Art Strategy and the Rehabilitation and Revitalisation of Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood Strategy. Under her supervision, the authority won the bid to host the 13th World Cities Culture Summit (WCCS Dubai 2024) for the first time in the MENA region, and the 27th ICOM General Conference (ICOM Dubai 2025) for the first time in the MEASA region. As Director General, Badri oversees the full strategic roadmap of Dubai Culture, leading a team of over 400 employees across four key sectors: Strategy; Arts, Design & Literature; Museums & Heritage; and Corporate Enablement. She directs the Authority’s daily operations, ensuring seamless execution of policies, initiatives, and cultural programmes while maintaining operational efficiency and financial sustainability. Her leadership spans governance, resource allocation, and cross-sector collaboration, fostering an agile and results-driven culture. Through strategic oversight, she ensures that Dubai Culture's projects align with the emirate’s broader vision of positioning Dubai as a global centre for culture, an incubator for creativity and a thriving hub for talent, as well as driving impactful cultural initiatives, forging international partnerships, and enhancing public engagement with arts and heritage.