Hanae Bezad is a social entrepreneur, international project manager, board advisor, curator, and the author of *Being Other*, which delves into culture, gender, and identity. Her expertise spans government, international development, civil society, and business, with a focus on technology, sustainability, inclusion, and creative feminine leadership.
Her story begins by being raised in Morocco as the youngest of three daughters in a socially engaged family, Hanae was significantly influenced by her parents. Her late father, a doctor and philanthropist, led a think tank on pan-Arabism, while her mother, a retired French literature professor, dedicated herself to educating women and youth. Their grassroots initiatives supported young people through various challenges.
Hanae now develops ventures that support BIWOC leadership, entrepreneurs, and cultural innovators in fields such as education, health, and environmental protection. She founded Douar Tech, a tech hub aimed at empowering vulnerable youth, especially women from rural and peri-urban areas, with digital skills. Additionally, she contributed to Smart Africa’s Startups and Innovation Ecosystems and served as executive director of Le Wagon coding school in Morocco. Her previous roles include working as a digital strategy consultant and serving on the board of Led By HER, a social incubator for women survivors of violence.
As a public speaker and curator of international conferences, Hanae uses her experiences as a North African cisgender woman of Arab and African descent to empower women and minority groups in impactful ways.
What are the main factors that guided you to where you are now?
Several key factors have shaped my journey to where I am today. Central to this path has been my deep commitment to service and a vision of creating a more equitable and joyful world, aligned with the abundance of nature and where all beings could fully be themselves and offer their gifts and be seen and dignified and loved. This aspiration has driven me to seek out opportunities and experiences that contribute to this goal.
A strong curiosity about the human experience and the world at large has also played a significant role. As a well-traveled individual who has visited over 46 countries, my global perspective has been enriched by extensive travel and a diverse education. My parents were dedicated to providing us with a well-rounded education, which laid the groundwork for my own pursuit of high-quality knowledge.
Early financial independence, made possible by a scholarship from the French government, allowed me to focus on my education and career. I pursued dual degrees and attended prestigious institutions in France and the US, which further fueled my desire for continuous learning. This commitment has led me to train in coding through a top bootcamp, engage in coaching, action learning facilitation, and complete an executive education program at Harvard. Additionally, I have earned certifications in digital finance and other critical skills. I continue to seek knowledge directly from masters in fields such as energetics and ancestral wisdom from Native Hawaiian traditions for instance as I just came back from an immersion with the Nation of Hawaii, or from artists, reflecting my ongoing dedication to personal and professional growth.
Given your years of experience and accomplishments, what would you say was your biggest achievement?
My biggest achievement has been becoming fully aligned with myself across all dimensions: spiritually, emotionally, intellectually, and in my relationships and work. Achieving this alignment in my various roles—impact entrepreneur, international project manager, board advisor, curator, and author—has required a blend of stamina, creativity, and innovation.
I express my ideas through diverse channels: my book, poetry, singing, and other creative endeavors. For instance, I design my own clothes, collaborate with small fashion designers, and have recently designed a board game called Ecopoly, which promotes modern ecological practices and will be available for purchase soon. Embracing and integrating knowledge through traditional means like books and online content, as well as through immersive travel experiences and community engagements, has been a vital part of this journey.
What is the quote that inspires you the most?
I find inspiration and wisdom from many sources, but if I had to choose one, it would be Muhammad Ali’s quote: “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.” This phrase encapsulates the power of grace and strength, reminding me to navigate challenges with both elegance and impact.
Can you name two books that inspired you? And what did you take out of them?
As an avid reader, choosing just one book is challenging, but recently, I found All About Love by bell hooks to be profoundly inspiring. In this book, hooks explores the concept of love with remarkable depth and insight. She highlights a crucial distinction: while men often theorize about love, women are more frequently its practitioners. Many women experience a constant yearning for love, feeling it is something they lack, whereas men might believe they understand love simply by receiving it.
Hooks delves into the impact of patriarchy, explaining how male domination and societal structures obstruct the full expression and experience of love. She argues that genuine love is not about instant gratification or sentimental emotions but involves a conscious and active engagement. The book underscores that love is defined by its actions and intentions, aligning with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. ‘s perspective of love as the supreme unifying principle of life. Despite societal pressures to conform to loveless norms, Hooks emphasizes that our pursuit of love is a powerful and transformative force, capable of bringing about profound personal and collective change.
I also greatly enjoyed reading These Wilds Beyond Our Fences by my dear colleague Bayo Akomolafe, so much so that I was inspired to write a poem about it in both English and Arabic. In this book, Akomolafe speaks to his son, addressing themes of identity, belonging, and the boundaries we construct around ourselves. Through his lyrical prose, he challenges conventional notions of boundaries and encourages a deeper understanding of our interconnectedness with the world, the very principle of Ubuntu. The book’s evocative narrative and philosophical insights left a lasting impact on me, prompting me to capture its essence through my own creative expression.
What inspired you to write your book “Being Other”?
My book, Being Other, is a celebration of “the beauty and power of being an outsider.” I’ve always had a passion for writing—since childhood, I’ve been creating short stories and poetry, a practice that intensified as I transitioned into full-time work. Becoming a published author was a long-held dream, and with this book, I wanted to consolidate the lessons from my first decade of impactful work.
Being Other reflects my journey as an employee serving large public and private organizations, my collaborations with creatives and entrepreneurs, and my experiences in global entrepreneurship. Writing and editing this book allowed me to revisit and delve deeper into numerous situations and meaningful conversations with other Black, Indigenous, and Women of Color (BIWOC) leaders. This process enriched my understanding of the setbacks, challenges, and opportunities I’ve encountered, framing them within a broader approach to systemic change.
In light of your journey and experiences, what message would you like to convey to aspiring entrepreneurs?
The world needs more heart-centered solutions and community-focused innovators—people who can harness their resources, talents, and networks to create and sustain products or services that truly serve humanity. To those entrepreneurs, I want to say: this is your time!
I also believe that creative feminine leadership has the power to change the world. Embracing one’s otherness as a unique creative superpower is key to achieving meaningful success and making a lasting impact. Women from the Global South and minority groups can transform the world when they recognize their creative potential and see their perceived otherness as a strength, not a limitation. This is our time to rise and lead with purpose!
What is the most valuable lesson learned from your professional journey ?
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is the importance of alignment—specifically, value alignment, goal alignment, and “vibe” alignment. For young, ambitious women who are often trailblazing and breaking through glass ceilings, it’s essential to recognize that we have a right to flow in our work and lives. To achieve this, we need to understand the energetics of what we bring to the table and how it can be best supported. When our values, goals, and energy align with those around us, progress becomes not just possible but natural. This alignment is key to sustaining momentum and ensuring that our efforts are met with the support and synergy necessary for success.
What is the importance of fostering cultural innovators who wish to drive global impact?
Change happens when alternative dynamics are activated, and this inevitably impacts culture. Artists, creatives, and other cultural innovators hold immense power to transform systems. Many are increasingly aware of their responsibility to speak truth to power and convey important messages that elevate collective consciousness on a large scale. I deeply appreciate the depth of their creative processes and their commitment to care.
It’s crucial to bring important issues and considerations to their awareness, helping them transcend limiting beliefs so that their work is supported by the most optimal level of knowledge. This ensures that their contributions align with the collective aspiration for enlightenment rather than detracting from it. This is why I enjoy working with cultural innovators—whether by supporting their individual endeavors or providing platforms for emerging voices through my role as a host and curator of gatherings with influential leaders, both large and small.
In your view, how can organizations create more inclusive cultures that support feminine leadership?
Organizations need to start by listening to their internal aches, wounds, and the feedback from well-intentioned stakeholders who hold valuable institutional knowledge. This reflection helps transform past challenges into opportunities for future growth.
To create an inclusive culture, organizations need to engage all stakeholders in a dynamic process where they co-create from a future vision and address blockages and limiting beliefs through both individual and collective activation. This involves actively working to alleviate constraints and elevate the organization to its highest potential.
From that point, the future will naturally demand a balance of energies; and that means the rise of feminine leadership.
In my consulting practice, I like to incorporate various modalities such as organizational constellations, collective intelligence tools, and action learning facilitation. Collaborating with leadership and active members supports the rise of feminine leadership, fostering safer cultures, a premise of care in relationships, and a broader understanding of success. This includes embracing cyclicity, shifting timelines, and integrating sustainability and regeneration into practices.
Can you discuss any female role models who have inspired your leadership journey and how they have influenced your approach?
Many women have profoundly shaped my life and leadership journey. I come from a lineage of proud women, imbued with a sense of integrity and intuition, who have served as pillars in their communities. My mother was the first in our family to attend university, where she studied French literature and wrote extensively on the experiences of women in Francophone Maghrebian literature. Reading her feminist work at the age of 13 was incredibly inspiring. Watching her navigate life’s challenges with dignity, hope, and resilience, despite the losses, grief, and societal pressures faced by women in Moroccan society, had a lasting impact on me.
Another influential figure was the late Françoise Gontard, one of France’s first female cardiologists. She was a neighbor to my sister in Paris during a difficult period when my other sister was battling cancer. Sadly, my sister passed away at the age of 24. During this time, I would have monthly lunches with Françoise, and sharing my early career experiences with her was invaluable. Her story—growing up under the Vichy regime and striving to bring more heart, quite literally, into the medical profession—resonated deeply with me. Her brand of feminism, which fueled her work and life, remains relevant even today.
Several public figures have also inspired me, both those I know personally, like Jaha Dukureh, whose work against FGM is commendable, and artists like Sona Jobarteh and Lianne La Havas, whose music I often sing. Their message of embracing one’s gifts and using their voice as a force for peace and change is incredibly powerful.
Lastly, Her Holiness Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, known as Amma, has been a major inspiration. I had the honor of meeting her in March 2024 during a book talk at Amritapuri. Receiving her darshan and blessing on my work was profoundly moving. Observing the rituals, visiting the ashram, engaging in readings and meditations, and conversing with her entourage gave me a deep appreciation for her extraordinary social service and humanitarian efforts. Amma embodies compassionate leadership and instinctive management wisdom, and I am in awe of her contributions to society.
Are there any upcoming projects or initiatives you’re particularly excited about?
I am delighted to share Integritas, a program dedicated to female founders from the Global South and minority groups in the Global North in health, climate and education.We aim to unlock the potential of education, health, climate & biodiversity preservation innovators by designing and offering a transformative holistic business incubation and by providing pathways to catalytic impact investments by connecting with purpose-driven investors committed to reducing the capital allocation injustice faced by historically equity deserving populations.The foundation of our venture is reflected in Being Other: “If we care about people, planet, purpose, regenerative and circular business models, decentralization, equity, fluid identities, inclusive workplaces, and conscious leadership, women of color are a fount of wisdom. Their experiences of race and gender provide them with unique perspectives (…) If we seek organizations that value human beings beyond productivity and efficiency, beyond numbers and figures, and prioritize meaning, senses, and holistic well- being over shareholder value and the bottom line, then women of color are the trailblazers. These remarkable women have navigated injustices, finding ways to heal and become caretakers of themselves and others while embodying a balanced approach to service.“
