Hala Hanna

Hala Hanna is the Executive Director of Solve, an initiative of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Not only does she lead this initiative, but she also serves as the co-executive producer for "The Big Idea," an award-winning docu-series about Solve. MIT Solve is a marketplace for social impact innovation with a mission to drive innovation to solve global challenges.

With over 15 years of experience working across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, Hanna is dedicated to creating a more equitable and sustainable world. Apart from her current role at Solve, she has held significant roles at various international organizations such as the World Economic Forum, the World Bank, and multiple UN agencies. Prior to being named Executive Director, she spent six years at MIT Solve, where she helped build the initiative into a global community.

In her past roles, Hanna notably led a public-private initiative for employment in the Middle East at the World Economic Forum, advised governments on public sector reform and donor engagement through her roles at the World Bank and the United Nations, and developed strategies and business models for nonprofits. She served as Director of Strategy and Impact at the World Economic Forum, and her work experience spans the Middle East, North America, Europe, and Africa.

Hanna holds degrees from Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government and the American University of Beirut. Her insights about utilizing technology and innovation to bridge equity gaps have been featured in esteemed publications like TechCrunch, Boston Globe, and Project Syndicate. She frequently shares her expertise and thoughts at industry events, including SXSW, World Economic Forum, and Aspen.