Amna Al Haddad

Amna is a former journalist whose reporting on Emirati social issues got her three front-page articles.

A leader in sports - she was an Olympic weightlifter from the UAE playing a major role in the country’s Rio 2016 Olympics qualification. She was the first Arab woman to compete in CrossFit Asia Regionals and the first GCC and Arab woman to compete in the sport wearing the hijab.  Aman successfully campaigns to improve sports education and culture in the country. A champion for change, she is a keynote speaker and panellist for mental health, women empowerment, and resiliency.

As the first Emirati female individual athlete to be signed on by Nike, she was the inspiration behind the creation of the Nike Pro Hijab which made it to TIME’s 25 Best Inventions of 2017. Aman has appeared in three Nike advertising campaigns.

Her story was part of the 100 global inspirational women featured in the bestselling book Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls. Amna now does storytelling sessions for children across the UAE and partners with schools and educational institutions to encourage youth to take action toward their goals.

Aman's advocacy for self-care in mental health resulted in her being the first Emirati woman journalist to receive the Rosalynn Carter Fellowship for Mental Health Journalism award. She also offers keynote speeches on the topic.

KEYNOTES

Lead Yourself, Lead Others
Discover the key to leadership starting with leading oneself. Aimed at students and corporations alike, who will discover the attitude and skills they need to improve themselves to become their own CEO and lead others into success.

Journey to the Olympics as an Arab Muslim Woman Weightlifter
Amna will take the audience on a journey of her triumphs and failures in her pursuit of the Olympic dream

From depression to training for the Olympics: How to go from zero to hero!
Learn how to turn pain into power, with a personal journey into mental health. In today’s fast- paced world, each human has a limit for what they can handle.

Start before you’re ready - Get ahead
There is no perfect moment to start anything. This talk will help guests reflect on what’s stopping them from taking action by giving them the necessary tools necessary to  achieve success in their life or work.

Storytelling for kids - Inspiring the young generation
In a fun and interactive session with kids, Amna will conduct a special reading of her story from Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls, the international bestseller.

Women in male-dominated fields: Dispelling misconceptions
“The barbell does not recognize whether you are a man or a woman – it only recognizes whether you can lift it or not,” says Amna. Sports does not discriminate based on gender: a talk that tackles the misconceptions that surround male-dominated sports and the harmful effects of labels on pursuing unconventional fields. Sports benefits society, reduces risky behaviour, increases confidence, and provide overall well-being benefits.