Hala Abdelnour

A lover of languages, people and creativity, Hala has lived, travelled and worked in more than 50 countries. She is an expert at designing and delivering professional training and has extensive experience in public speaking. Specialising in human behaviour and relational dynamics, Hala brings humour and connection while delivering her speeches or mediating events.

A receiver of several awards including the Victorian Award for Multicultural Affairs 2005, an attendee at the Australian 2020 Summit 2008, a Vincent Fairfax Fellow since 2009, she joined the Diaspora Action Australia Board in 2014, was elected Chair in 2016 until December 2021. Hala was elected to sit on the Equal Employment Opportunity Network committee in October 2021.

Hala is a strong advocate for promoting intercultural exchange and has spoken at various local, national and international conferences, focusing on racism, cultural safety, sustainable living and youth issues. She is trained in radio production and presentation, having established a number of Arabic youth radio programs in Melbourne. She has starred in several documentaries in Australia and overseas, with an ability to present fluently in English and Arabic language. Hala has MC’ed events in Australia and Qatar for groups ranging from 50 to crowds of thousands.

Most recently Hala has spoken at and assisted in the organisation of Newkind Conference, focusing on gender and race justice. She is also a strong supporter of and regular speaker and workshop presenter at the Women of Colour Gathering in Melbourne.

IoNV supports corporate sector initiatives around gender equity and ending violence against women (VAW) and was invited to partner with Tosha in 2022 to deliver an Interanational Women’s Day address to all staff at Virbac