October 27, 2025
WoEgypt

Haya El Sherif, an accomplished marketer and entrepreneur, has officially applied to set a new Guinness World Record for “The Largest Number of Marketing Accounts Managed at the Same Time by a Single Woman.”

Currently working with companies across Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Scotland, Haya is also pursuing her postgraduate studies in International Marketing in Germany. She serves as Marketing Director at Sterling Learning & Innovation Center in the United Kingdom.

With over a decade of experience spanning the public and private sectors and the tech industry, Haya founded her own advertising agency in 2018. In 2020, she joined the Egyptian Space Agency as Marketing and Media Officer, contributing to the launch of two national initiatives: EgyAsteroid and Space. She was also the first Egyptian and Arab woman at her university to earn an International Master’s in International Marketing Management from IU – University of Applied Sciences in Germany.

She is currently based in Riyadh. 

WoEN: What first inspired you to pursue a career in marketing?
Haya El Sherif: I’ve always loved understanding people, what makes them curious, what makes them trust, and what makes them remember. Even when I was young, I used to pay more attention to commercials than to the actual shows. I realised later that marketing isn’t just about selling, it’s about stories and emotions, connecting ideas with real people. That’s what inspired me to choose this path.

WoEN: How would you describe your experience working at the Egyptian Space Agency?
HS: Working at the Egyptian Space Agency was honestly one of the most inspiring and exciting experiences of my career. It felt like stepping into a world where science met creativity, and every project had a sense of national pride behind it.

As the Marketing and Media Coordinator, my job was to turn complicated scientific ideas into stories people could actually connect with. I wanted the public to feel what space exploration means, not just read about it.

One of the highlights was leading the first International Moon Day event in Egypt: “EgSA’s Moon Exploration.” It was a huge moment for the agency and the country. We worked with universities, local partners, and the international space community to celebrate Egypt’s growing role in space research. Seeing people from different backgrounds come together; students, scientists, media, and families, all curious and proud, was unforgettable.

Another memorable project was managing events Talk with Taikonauts’ Event . Meeting Chinese astronauts and being part of that cultural and scientific exchange was incredible. It reminded me how space has the power to unite people beyond borders and politics. I helped handle the communication, media coverage, and coordination with embassies and universities, making sure the event had the visibility it deserved.

I also managed and initiate the first space awareness initiative ( Egy-Asteroid Initiative), aimed at inspiring young Egyptians to dream bigger and get involved in space science.

More than anything, those years taught me how marketing can make something as technical as astrophysics feel close and human. It showed me that when communication is done with passion and clarity, it can make people believe that anything is possible — even reaching the stars.

WoEN: What motivated you to join the Stirling Centre, and what excites you most about this new role?
HS: The Stirling Centre stands for everything I believe in. Learning, innovation, and making a real difference. I joined because it’s a place where ideas actually turn into action, and where education is seen as something powerful, not just academic.

What excites me most is working with a team that’s truly global and forward-thinking. It’s inspiring to be part of something that’s shaping how learning can drive real change.

Another reason I was drawn to the Centre is its leadership is being guided by Dr. Alaa Garad, an international award-winning professor whose work has influenced how organisations think about learning and quality. For me, it’s a big opportunity to learn directly from someone who has both academic excellence and real-world experience.

Sometimes, the real value of a role isn’t just in the job title or the place itself, but in the people you get to work with. The ones who challenge and inspire you to grow. And that’s exactly how I feel about being part of the Stirling Centre.

WoEN: How do you define “modern marketing” in today’s age of AI and digital transformation?
HS: Modern marketing, for me, is about balance. AI gives us data and insights, but humans bring empathy and emotion. The best marketing today combines both, using technology to understand people better, not replace them. It’s about being smarter, more personal, and more authentic at the same time.

WoEN: What has been your proudest achievement, and which challenge has shaped you most?
HS: My proudest achievement is managing many brands and teams across different countries while keeping creativity and quality in every project. It showed me that with the right system and passion, you can do great things, even under pressure.

One of my proud moments was applying for a Guinness World Record as the first woman to manage this many marketing departments at the same time. I haven’t officially won it yet, but the process itself reminded me how far I’ve come and how powerful dedication can be.

The biggest challenge has been finding balance between time, pressure, and people. It taught me to trust others, stay organised, and take care of myself along the way.

WoEN: If you could lead a global campaign, what would its core message be?
HS: It would be called “Beyond Possible.” The campaign would remind people that every great discovery in history began with someone who refused to believe limits were real. The inventor of the internet, the one who discovered gravity, they all started with an idea that once seemed impossible. If they had given up, the world would never have moved forward.

In today’s world of fast change and new technology, we all have the power to create something that helps others and adds light to the world. I believe each of us is here for a mission, to build, to discover, or to inspire.

“Beyond Possible” would celebrate human potential. The belief that no matter who you are or where you come from, you can make a difference. Because when we believe in our ideas and never stop learning, we don’t just dream of the future, we create it.

WoEN: What advice would you share with young Egyptian women who want to build global careers?HS: Believe in what you have: your voice, your mind, your story. Don’t let anyone break your dreams or convince you that you can’t. The moment you start listening to doubt, you stop moving forward. Trust yourself, make your own decisions, and remember that you have a purpose in this world that only you can fulfill.

Your time is the most precious thing you own. Don’t waste it on things that don’t help you grow. Invest it in learning, in building, and in becoming the woman you dream to be.

And please, don’t choose comfort over growth. Staying too safe, too warm, too hidden, that’s the real danger. It’s like a quiet black hole that slowly pulls you away from who you truly are and what you could give to the world.

Be brave, be curious, and always move forward, even if it’s one small step at a time.

WoEN: Can you tell us about your community work in Thailand and the impact it created?
HS: Thailand was such a beautiful chapter in my journey. I worked with a local non-profit called the Dana Giving Foundation through a work-exchange programme. The organisation supports children’s education, and I helped them with their marketing,  creating digital content to raise awareness and let the children’s voices be heard.

I also spent time teaching English to some of the kids, which was honestly one of the most rewarding parts. Seeing how eager they were to learn, and how a small effort could make them smile, meant so much to me.

At the end of my trip, the foundation gave me a certificate of appreciation for my volunteering, but the real reward was the experience itself. It reminded me that real impact doesn’t always come from big campaigns or headlines. It often comes quietly, through kindness, connection, and understanding.