Hala is an event industry thought leader and an international award-winning event producer with over 20 years of experience. In 2020, she was named one of Biz Bash Canada’s Top 250 Event Professionals, and in 2017, she was named one of Canada’s Most Fascinating Women in Canadian Events by Canadian Special Events Magazine. She has received several prestigious awards including, Canadian Event Professional of the Year and Alumni Award of Distinction from Ryerson University. Hala and her team also recently won Best Virtual Event for a Non-Profit at the Canadian Event Industry Awards.

Hala began her career at SickKids Foundation where she developed her passion for events. Later, as Chief Development Officer for Children’s Aid Foundation, she honed her fundraising skills and became a Certified Fundraising Executive. Though she loved her 13 years in the not-for-profit sector, she was always drawn back to event planning and started hala inc. in 2004.

Quickly earning a reputation for delivering events that are equally strategic, fabulously creative and flawlessly executed, she always raises the bar. She is a sought-after speaker at industry conferences and has established educational programs at both Ryerson University and Humber College where she has also taught the curriculum. Valued for her teaching techniques and experience, she has also been brought in to train internal event teams at various organizations.

Her secret to success? Surrounding herself with talented, energetic event producers and collaborating with some of the most creative people in the business, in Canada and around the world.

In her spare time, she likes to swim, bike and run, completing an Ironman in 2014 and loves to ride her motorcycle. She also volunteers her time as a contributing editor to Canadian Special Events Magazine.