Six Shining Lights: Hala Batainah
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Canberra is a city brimming with high achievers—women who do incredible things on the local, national and international stage.
For our summer Magazine: Shine, we bring you stories of six local luminaries across a range of industries and find out what lights them up professionally and personally.
Hala Batainah has held senior executive roles with IBM and Microsoft and recently launched her own consulting business GiG Enterprises. She is Chair of the Canberra Innovation Network, an organisation focused on creating impact for Canberra by accelerating start-ups, innovation and entrepreneurship.
Tell us about you…
I am originally from Jordan. I spent 21 years of my life living in a variety of different countries. I am married with two children. I have a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and a Masters in Business Administration (MBA).
How did you end up in Canberra and what do you think of the city?
I arrived in Canberra in 1990 fresh out of university from the United States to visit my family. My father was the Ambassador for Jordan and stationed in Canberra. I came for a visit, and I fell in love with Australia and Canberra specifically.
What started your interest in IT?
When I got accepted into university, I went in as a business major, but soon realised that wasn’t going to work for me. I like to find and solve problems. I was encouraged into computer science. After graduating, I realised that I wanted to work in the business and not necessarily to write code.
How did you end up at Microsoft?
Between 1990 and 1998, I focused on technical and operational management roles but a chance conversation with a recruiter was instrumental in pointing me towards sales. He pointed out what became obvious: ‘Hala, if you want to be a general manager, you need sales experience.’ It was one of those light bulb moments. One thing led to another, and I landed in IBM. The Microsoft opportunity came out of the blue. I was looking for another challenge, and Microsoft provided that.
What are the greatest challenges?
In late 2018, I left Microsoft to start my own consulting business GiG Enterprises. The greatest challenge has been to re-frame my skills and re-brand as a “free agent”. Starting a new business is not easy…(But) we are lucky to have several sectors in Canberra, and are supported with great networks and a progressive local government.
How do you separate work and family life?
I think I probably got to a point where I was exhausted, trying to keep work and family life separate. Somewhere in the last 16 years, and with the birth of my children, I very much embraced the work-life integration mantra. Now working for myself, I have boundaries.
What do you love outside of work?
Spending time with family and friends is essential and spending time with myself and nature. I love reading—I have very eclectic taste. I am curious about a lot of things, and there are many things to be curious about! I also enjoy meditating and journaling. It’s cheap therapy!
What keeps you up at night?
What weighs on my mind is the social divide that continues to grow, the political instability we are experiencing around the world and the state of our environment. I am conscious that we are not leaving the world better than we found it.
MORE SHINING LIGHT PROFILES
Visit hercanberra.com.au/people for more Shining Light profiles.
PHOTOGRAPHY Tim Bean Photography
This article originally appeared in Magazine: Shine for Summer 2019/20, available for free while stocks last. Find out more about Magazine here.
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