In this modern, dynamic business world, a firm that knows, ‘investing in people’ yields best returns, succeeds better than any other. It is about building environments that allow talent to flourish, leaders to be built, and that give everyone a sense of worth.
Maysoon Dababneh is a bright embodiment of this people first approach. She has over 17 years of experience in transforming human resources. As Chief People Officer of the MENA region in Memac Ogilvy, she is shedding light on matters related to the development of the human aspect of management. Whether it has been talent management or performance development, her strategic side of deploying people and performance to achieve a business perspective is critical in bringing change.
However, what makes her stand out is her interest in empowering women. Maysoon is committed to promoting female leadership and opportunities to succeed in the business environment by creating a more diverse and equitable workplace through her work with WPP Stella MENA.
The combination of functional competency and a profound dedication to the personal and professional development of Maysoon results in exceptional teams and cultures that change organizations. She is not only influencing businesses but also influencing the future of leadership itself.
Building Exceptional Workplaces
Maysoon joined Ogilvy in 2022 as People Director for MENA, bringing nearly two decades of experience in Human Resources and Talent Management. She is deeply committed to the belief that people are an organization’s greatest asset. Since her arrival, Maysoon has led key People initiatives, enhanced HR operations, and spearheaded strategic talent acquisition efforts, all while nurturing a culture where creativity and talent thrive.
Before joining Ogilvy, Maysoon held senior HR roles at WPP agencies such as VMLY&R MENA and J. Walter Thompson (now VML), shaping people-first cultures in dynamic creative environments. Her career spans industries like advertising, telecommunications, aviation, and FMCG. Driven by a passion for creativity and people, Maysoon is dedicated to building inclusive, empowering workplaces where exceptional talent can succeed.
A Culture of Trust and Inclusion
Maysoon mentions, “The core values that drive my every decision are empathy, empowerment, integrity, and inclusion. I lead with empathy to create a culture where people feel heard and valued.” She champions empowerment, believing that great leadership is about unlocking potential, not controlling it. With integrity and transparency, she understands that trust is earned through every decision. A strong advocate for collaboration and inclusion, she recognizes that diverse perspectives drive both creativity and culture.
These principles are not just theoretical for Maysoon; they shape her leadership style, guide her through change, and influence how she promotes a people-first culture at Memac Ogilvy.
Mission to Elevate People and Culture
Maysoon regards her most significant achievement as the successful shaping and leadership of a unified, people-centric strategy across the MENA region. She seamlessly aligned the regional People team under a shared vision focused on consistency, operational excellence, and a culture that embraces and celebrates local strengths. In parallel, she transformed the People function into a key driver of organizational growth and transformation.
By integrating culture as a fundamental business driver through strategic partnerships with market MDs, as well as initiatives such as the Eddie Moutran Awards, Mabrook Ogilvy, and wellbeing programs, Maysoon significantly enhanced employee experience and fostered measurable engagement. We have achieved outstanding engagement scores in our 2024 Employee Engagement Survey”. Underscore the effectiveness and impact of these efforts. For Maysoon, leadership is ultimately about enabling creativity, performance, and meaningful human connections through purposeful people leadership.
Heartbeat of MENA’s Transformation
The Chief People Officer (CPO) in MENA today is much more than head of HR; she is the architect of organizational culture and the strategist behind talent management and transformation. In a region marked by diversity and rapid change, the CPO aligns people strategy with business goals, drives national initiatives like Saudization and Emiratization, and embraces digital innovation to enhance the employee experience.
As a Champion of inclusion and empowerment, she fosters a culture of listening across borders, driving cohesion, innovation, and long-term resilience within the organization. The CPO is the catalyst for people, purpose, and performance.
People-First Culture Revolution at Memac Ogilvy
For Maysoon and her team, culture is not just a buzzword; it’s the heartbeat of how they operate. Creating a high performance, inclusive, and values-driven environment is a continuous journey, one that begins with collaboration. “We empower our local People teams to design initiatives that reflect our global values while staying deeply connected to local realities,” shares Maysoon.
Leading with authenticity, Maysoon and her team are unwavering in their commitment to inclusion and belonging, ensuring that every individual feels seen, heard, and valued.
Culture isn’t just something they discuss; it’s a tangible they actively measure, nurture, and directly link to performance. Through deliberate recognition, impactful development, and engaging experiences, they bring their core values to life.
At Memac Ogilvy, culture is not just about how people feel. It’s about how they collaborate, grow, and succeed as one unified team.
Where Well-Being Meets Performance
Maysoon points out, “putting people first at Memac Ogilvy is not just a principle. It is a practice woven into the everyday experience. We go beyond policies to create an environment where employees feel safe, valued, and inspired to thrive.” Well-being is a top priority, with initiatives spanning expert-led mental health workshops, employee assistance programs, flexible work arrangements, and a dedicated day off for World Mental Health Day. Each initiative is thoughtfully designed to support and care for the whole person, ensuring a balanced and healthy work-life experience.
Their engagement framework, Listen to Improve, transforms feedback into meaningful action. It empowers teams to shape their own experiences with local and regional plans that reflect what truly matters to them.
Connection and culture are also celebrated through employee-led initiatives like Mabrook Ogilvy, Ramadan What’s Cookin’, the EDGE Training Programme, and DEI efforts. These programs bring the organization’s values to life through recognition, inclusion, and shared purpose.
The result? Stronger engagement, higher morale, and a culture where care and performance go hand in hand.
Commitment to a Thriving, Safe, and Inspired Workforce
“At Memac Ogilvy, aligning people strategy with business ambition starts with strategic partnership; a shared vision that adapts locally, and a strong foundation of data and insight,” highlights Maysoon.
HR is embedded at the leadership level to ensure that people decisions are seen as business decisions. Tools like Culture Amp and HUMAND are used to listen, measure, and act with purpose, providing the data needed to make informed choices. Through consistent governance and collaboration across markets, they stay connected while leaving room for local nuances to thrive.
For Memac Ogilvy, people strategy isn’t just a separate function; it’s integral to business strategy. When both align and move in sync, they unlock creativity, performance, and sustainable growth across the region.
Fusion of Global Values and Local Impact
A profound commitment to cultivating an inclusive workplace, where every voice is heard and every individual can thrive, defines DEI—this is the core of Memac Ogilvy’s values. Their approach blends global standards with local insights, ensuring inclusion is both meaningful and actionable. Through the WPP Stella MENA chapter, they advocate for gender equity and support women’s advancement in leadership roles. They also invest in local talent, aligning with national initiatives like Saudization and Emiratization to build culturally grounded teams.
Innovation is a key driver of progress, with WPP OPEN exploring inclusive technologies like AI-driven solutions to reduce bias in hiring and performance management. The results: increased female representation in leadership, greater diversity, and a culture defined by openness, accountability, and belonging.
Strategy for Nurturing High-Potential Talent
Shaping future-ready leaders through impactful development initiatives is a top priority at Memac Ogilvy. They offer global coaching and mentoring programs to foster personal and professional growth. Their First-Time Manager program focuses on key leadership skills like communication, feedback, and team management. For performance challenges, tailored coaching and support through Performance Improvement Plans promote accountability. High-potential talent gains exposure through cross-market and regional projects to expand leadership impact. Looking forward, Memac Ogilvy is integrating AI and innovative technologies into leadership development, ensuring leaders are culturally astute and digitally prepared for the future.
Efficiency Meets Humanity
With a proactive, people-first mindset that seamlessly blends flexibility, innovation, and care, Memac Ogilvy is preparing for the future of work.
Hybrid working is embedded across their markets, striking a balance between productivity and well-being. AI plays a key role in this journey, but it’s never a disruption. Tools like WPP Open and Creative Studio enhance creativity, collaboration, and efficiency, allowing teams to focus on what truly matters.
Alongside this, they’re investing in upskilling and digital fluency to ensure their people are prepared for what’s next. While embracing change, Memac Ogilvy remains grounded in the human elements that define their culture of connection and care. From engagement initiatives to pastoral support, they’re building a future that works for everyone.
The Power of People-First Leadership
Maysoon envisions a future where human capital leadership in MENA goes beyond simply managing people. To her, it’s about unlocking potential, shaping culture, and driving meaningful change.
The leaders of tomorrow will be proactive visionaries, driving transformation, championing local talent, aligning with national goals, and crafting workplaces that are both high performing and deeply human.
As AI reshapes the way we work and hybrid models redefine where we work, the real opportunity lies in how we lead. The future belongs to those who can seamlessly blend innovation with empathy, and strategy with soul to create organizations that thrive in both the digital and human realms.
The CPO’s Future Role as Business Leader
Maysoon envisions the coming years as a transformative period for the role of the Chief People Officer (CPO), evolving from a traditional HR leader to a true architect of organizational transformation.
On the global stage, CPOs will spearhead digital evolution, integrating AI with intention, reimagining employee experiences, and designing workplaces that are flexible, inclusive, and deeply human. They will lead not just with data, but with empathy, shaping cultures that are as innovative as they are meaningful.
In the MENA region, the CPO’s role will become even more critical. CPOs will be instrumental in aligning talent strategies with national visions, cultivating local talent, and fostering values-driven cultures that reflect the region’s diversity and ambition.
Ultimately, the CPO will emerge as a true business leader, one who balances technology with humanity, and purpose with performance to build organizations that are poised to thrive in an ever-evolving landscape.
