Meet Heba Hashem.
What types of stories are on your radar now?
At the moment, I’m covering the developments at COP28, the UN climate summit in Dubai. I’ve also just written about how universities in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Qatar are addressing sustainability.
Describe one of the wackiest ideas you’ve been sent.
I was once asked by Aston Martin magazine to interview a Bedouin “horse whisperer” who lived in the UAE desert. So I drove out there and met the man. He was sophisticated, well-travelled, and chose to settle in the peace of the desert. And he had an extraordinary ability to quickly tame and train even the wildest of horses.
What elements do you look for in a story?
A great interview is at the heart of every great story. To do that, I try to have a candid conversation. I’m genuinely interested in where they come from, how they made it, and what keeps them up at night. Plus, lots of facts and figures to add credibility to the piece.
What stories are you most proud of?
I feel lucky to have interviewed many remarkable people over the years, including the UAE’s Minister of Energy Suhail Al Mazrouei; English actor Dev Patel, who shot to fame with Slumdog Millionaire; and Sheikha Alyazia Bint Nahyan, a member of Abu Dhabi’s ruling family and a contemporary artist, at her palace. They were all down to earth and immensely inspiring.
Tell us about your dream assignment.
I’d be overjoyed to write about the Greenlandic Inuit, the indigenous people of Greenland. I’ve been there three times and have a special connection with this place.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up between Cairo, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai. Now I live in Canada.
How did you get your start in the media? What is your story?
Magazines have always fascinated me. The visuals, features, everything. I did my BA in media and communications at Middlesex University, obtained a freelance license from Dubai Media City, and started freelance writing. Of course, it wasn’t that simple. At first, I offered to write for free and before you know it, I was getting paid. What I love most about freelancing is that I’m forever learning about all sorts of topics, from nuclear energy to cosmetics to hospitality. There’s no limit. I also get to meet incredible people.
Favorite places to hang out?
Anywhere with a stunning view and a vegan menu!
Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m a third-culture kid, I lived in many different places that I feel at home almost anywhere on earth.
Connect with Heba at https://www.linkedin.com/in/hebahashem/ and read her articles on https://hebahashem.com/.