Dr. Heba Makram

Co-Founder

Dubai, United Arab Emirates23 yrs 8 mos experience
Highly StableAI Enabled

Key Highlights

  • Expert in designing human-centered experiences.
  • Proven track record in organizational transformation.
  • Strong focus on leveraging technology for growth.
Stackforce AI infers this person is a strategic leader in Human Resources and Organizational Development.

Contact

Skills

Core Skills

Business TransformationCustomer ExperienceCulture ChangeHr TransformationTalent ManagementLeadership DevelopmentLearning ManagementE-learning DevelopmentChange Management

Other Skills

Design StrategyBuilding Organizational CapabilityOrganizational DesignHospitality IndustryEmployee ExperienceOrganizational DevelopmentStorytellingImmersive EnvironmentsOrganizational EffectivenessUser Experience Design (UED)Artificial Intelligence (AI)Generative AIBusiness StrategyHospitality ManagementFutures Thinking

About

Transformation, innovation, and hospitality are themes that have shaped my career and continue to inspire my work. I have worked across businesses and geographies, building strategic organisational capabilities, redefining hospitality, designing experiences, and leveraging technology to help organisations adapt, grow, and succeed. I am drawn to moments of change where organisations need to rethink how they engage customers, enable their ecosystems, and translate ambition into execution. In my work, I do not focus on isolated initiatives, but on creating connected ecosystems that shift how value is created, how decisions are made, and how experience becomes a strategic advantage rather than an afterthought. For me, experience design today sits at the intersection of strategy, technology, and emotional connection. My work explores how experience design reshapes value creation through four interconnected intelligences customer, organisational, digital, and people. Together, these guide how experiences are imagined, how systems evolve, and how brands build emotional connection at scale. I believe the future of experience design lies in this convergence, where depth of experience and advanced technologies reinforce one another to create experiences that are seamless, relevant, and meaningful.

Experience

23 yrs 8 mos
Total Experience
22 yrs 7 mos
Average Tenure
1 yr 1 mo
Current Experience

Confidential - consultancy and advisory services

Strategic Advisor

Apr 2025Present · 1 yr 1 mo · On-site

  • In this role, I have the freedom to do what I love most, challenge outdated thinking, spark bold conversations, and design meaningful change that puts human experience and purpose at the centre. As a strategic advisor, I partner closely with executive teams and C-suite leaders to rethink what’s possible and reimagine how they create value through the experiences they offer.
  • My work sits at the intersection of experience design, innovation, and service excellence, with a particular focus on luxury brands, hospitality, and other experience-driven industries. I approach experience design holistically, connecting customer intent, organisational systems, digital capability, and people to create competitive advantage, emotional connection, loyalty, and value at scale. I also support leaders in adopting AI, immersive realities, and emerging technologies not as standalone tools, but as enablers of more intuitive and emotionally intelligent experiences.
  • Whether guiding organisations through reinvention or supporting fast-moving businesses ready to scale, my role is to translate bold visions into tangible outcomes, from boardroom strategies and customer experiences to frontline behaviours. I work shoulder to shoulder with leadership teams to build the organisational muscle needed to thrive amid change, fostering alignment, activating culture as a lever of growth, and embedding human-centric thinking across the business.
  • It’s not just about designing experiences. It’s about designing experiences that people trust, value, and remember.
Business TransformationCustomer ExperienceDesign StrategyBuilding Organizational CapabilityOrganizational DesignCulture Change+4

Emirates

7 roles

Head of Hospitality COE

Jul 2021Mar 2025 · 3 yrs 8 mos · On-site

  • In this role, I redefined what it means to bring hospitality to life within an organisation by developing a strategy that embedded hospitality principles into the DNA of people, processes, products, and performance. This wasn’t just a cultural transformation, it was a strategic shift that fostered deeper emotional connections with customers.
  • At the forefront of innovation, I had the opportunity to envision and lead the creation of an immersive reality (iXR) platform, paving the way for the future of work. This technology bridged the gap between virtual engagement and real-world impact, demonstrating how digital advancements can enhance human connections.
  • This role was not just about transformation it was about uniting culture, people, innovation, and new organisational capabilities to reshape how an organisation operates and thrives. At its core were excellence, innovation, and transformation, driving sustainable impact and growth.
Culture ChangeOrganizational DevelopmentStorytellingBusiness TransformationImmersive EnvironmentsOrganizational Design+15

Transformation Lead

Promoted

Jul 2018Jul 2021 · 3 yrs · On-site

  • In this role, I redefined what it means to create a transformative employee experience by developing a strategy that embedded seamless and meaningful interactions into every stage of the journey from hire to retire. By integrating digital transformation and leveraging innovative technologies, I modernised HR capabilities and reimagined how organisations adapt to change.
  • At the heart of this transformation was a focus on change management, ensuring that every shift resonated with employees while fostering alignment across the business. I also worked on employer branding, positioning the organisation as a destination for top talent, and introduced new capabilities that enabled HR to operate at the intersection of culture, technology, and strategy.
  • This role was not just about operational excellence; it was about shaping an agile, future-ready HR function that leads with innovation and strengthens the connection between people and the organisation. At its core were innovation, cultural transformation, and sustainable impact reshaping how HR supports the organisation in evolving and thriving.
Culture ChangeOrganizational DevelopmentWorkforce PlanningBusiness TransformationOrganizational DesignOrganizational Effectiveness+16

Leadership and Talent Management Head

Apr 2017Jun 2018 · 1 yr 2 mos · On-site

  • In this role, I led the design and execution of a Talent Management Strategy, developing frameworks and processes to enhance how the organisation identifies, nurtures, and retains high-potential talent. A key focus of this strategy was supporting UAE Nationals, building leadership pipelines that align with national goals while ensuring integration into the global leadership structure.
  • I introduced a structured approach to succession planning, identifying critical roles and strengthening leadership continuity to help the organisation adapt to future challenges. My work extended internationally, where I guided the implementation of talent management practices for joint ventures and acquired businesses. This included managing change effectively to align diverse organisational cultures and establish a cohesive leadership approach.
  • This role was not only about systems and processes it was about fostering a leadership ecosystem that integrates strategy, adaptability, and cultural awareness, ensuring the organisation remains agile in a changing global environment.
Culture ChangeOrganizational DevelopmentOrganizational EffectivenessTalent ManagementSuccession PlanningDesign Strategy+11

Group Talent Management Head

Promoted

Apr 2014Apr 2017 · 3 yrs · On-site

  • In this role, I led the development and implementation of strategic talent solutions across international markets, including Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Partnering with CEOs of joint ventures and acquired businesses, I navigated differences in organisational cultures, levels of readiness, and distinct talent landscapes. A key aspect of this work was assessing the capabilities and skills within the business to design tailored strategies for talent development and career growth. By aligning development opportunities with organisational needs, I supported a proactive approach to managing talent across regions.
  • This role focused on integrating global best practices with local nuances, ensuring consistency across regions while building a talent pipeline that supported sustainable growth and positioned the organisation for long-term success in a dynamic global business environment.
  • At its core, this role involved strengthening organisational capabilities while fostering collaboration between headquarters and subsidiaries. It was not only about balancing consistency with flexibility but also about ensuring that local practices aligned effectively with global strategies. By combining innovation, strategic planning, and cultural awareness, I introduced a talent management approach that supported regional adaptability while maintaining a unified global vision.
Culture ChangeOrganizational DevelopmentWorkforce PlanningBusiness TransformationProcess DesignTalent Management+7

Leadership Development Specialist

Promoted

Jan 2008Jan 2014 · 6 yrs

  • In this role, I redefined the approach to leadership growth and development for one of the brand's most influential personas, Cabin Crew. My focus was on empowering them to excel by fostering a growth mindset and unlocking their leadership potential. Through experiential learning, I designed solutions and strategies to enhance their capabilities and prepare them to lead diverse, multicultural teams effectively.
  • This role was not only about leadership readiness and development it was about cultivating a culture of continuous growth, enabling Cabin Crew to inspire their teams, elevate onboard experiences, and embody the brand’s values.
  • At its core, it was about driving excellence, engagement, and empowerment, ensuring that every interaction reflected the essence of the brand.
Workforce PlanningBlended LearningLearning Management SystemsExperience DesignLearning Space DesignLeadership Development+6

Online Learning Support Lead (eLearning)

Promoted

Jan 2006Jan 2008 · 2 yrs

  • In this role, I redefined how learning was delivered within the organisation by leading the implementation of a new Learning Management System (LMS) that enhanced capabilities, data utilisation, and learning processes. I developed engagement strategies to drive adoption of online learning, fostering a culture of digital development that transitioned away from traditional face-to-face training to a technology-driven approach.
  • This role was not just about introducing a platform it was about embedding new capabilities that empowered learners to excel in their roles. Supporting both the global business and HQ, it required balancing international alignment with localisation to address diverse business needs, learner expectations, and regional policies.
  • At its core, this role focused on integrating innovation, strategy, and adaptability to create a learner-centric ecosystem that supports growth, capability development, and long-term success.
StorytellingWorkable SolutionsE-Learning DevelopmentMarketingWebsite PromotionWeb Design+7

Senior Partner

Apr 2002May 2006 · 4 yrs 1 mo

  • In this role, I had the opportunity to begin my journey with an iconic global brand Emirates, and was privileged to work with an inspiring leader who empowered me to grow beyond the expectations of the role and contribute with greater impact. While the role sat within Airport Services and was primarily operational, I shaped it into a more strategic position by localising strategies to align head office objectives with regional operational needs, supporting 200+ employees across multiple stations.
  • I also contributed to operational and contingency planning, ensuring business continuity and workforce readiness. Beyond the core responsibilities, I helped introduce a new mindset and culture that embraced technology adoption and digital learning enablement, reinforcing a culture of continuous growth and adaptability.
  • This was not just a role, it was the foundation of my journey in shaping customer experiences, people, culture, and organisational transformation. It gave me the opportunity to explore strategic impact early on, embrace technology as an enabler of change, and set the stage for the path I’ve taken since.
Customer ExperienceLeadership DevelopmentCulture ChangeAnalytical SkillsChange ManagementProject Management+2

Education

Lancaster University

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Aug 2013Oct 2018

Cranfield School of Management

MSc — International Management

Jan 2009Jan 2011

University of Cambridge

Certificate — Human Resources Planning

Jan 2005Jan 2005

The American University in Cairo

Diploma — Human Resources Management

Jan 2004Jan 2004

Ain Shams University

BA — International Business Administration

Jan 1996Jan 2000

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