Resilience, Storytelling, and Social Impact: The Journey of Zain Habboo
In today’s ever-evolving world, the role of a changemaker transcends professional boundaries, blending purpose with passion, resilience with empathy, and innovation with legacy. Zain Habboo, the Chief Marketing & Mobilization Officer at the International Rescue Committee (IRC), exemplifies this rare blend. Her journey from Iraq to Jordan, through the UK, and eventually to the United States, shaped a career marked by a deep commitment to humanitarian causes and an unrelenting drive to make a difference. She spoke to NYWICI’s WomenHeard: Changemakers podcast about her experiences. Here’s a sneak peek of what you can expect to learn in the conversation.
A Legacy of Courage and Determination
Habboo’s story is rooted in the extraordinary lives of her grandparents, who rose from humble beginnings in Iraq to create lasting impacts in their communities. Her grandfather helped build Iraq’s medical infrastructure after overcoming unimaginable challenges and her grandmother, despite halting her education at a young age, became a philanthropic leader in her community. “My story really begins with them,” Habboo says. “I never ever take credit for my own story without citing them.”
This legacy of courage was further instilled in Habboo by her parents, who fled Iraq for Jordan. Despite the harrowing experiences they faced, Habboo’s father remained positive, resilient, and focused on building a better life. This enduring spirit of perseverance became a guiding force in Habboo’s life and career. “From day one, my experience in life is you fight,” Habboo says. “You’re resilient, no matter what life hands to you, you take it and you make lemonade out of it. No matter how bad it is.”
Shaping a Changemaker
Growing up in Jordan during the 1980s and ‘90s, Habboo was inspired by King Hussein’s leadership and the country’s melting pot of cultures. Later, attending boarding school in England taught her resilience and independence, while moving to the United States introduced her to a culture of openness and a new understanding of democracy.
Each of these experiences contributed to her becoming what she describes as a “multi-sector athlete,” navigating diverse roles in media, social impact, and humanitarian work. Her time at National Geographic, the United Nations Foundation, and Fenton, before joining the IRC, equipped her with the skills to harness storytelling for social impact.
The Power of Storytelling
For Habboo, storytelling isn’t just a communication tool—it’s also a vehicle for change. As she leads the IRC’s marketing and mobilization efforts, Habboo emphasizes the importance of understanding and connecting people’s stories. “If you take the time to ask questions, and if you take the time to listen to people’s stories, you’re always going to find that connection,” she says.
Habboo’s approach to leadership is also deeply rooted in empathy and understanding. When she took on her role at the IRC, she immediately established a culture of openness by sharing her own story and encouraging her team to do the same. This practice of building connections through storytelling has strengthened her team, now 200-strong, and fueled their collective mission to make a difference in the lives of those they serve.
Leadership With Heart
Leading a team in humanitarian work comes with unique challenges. For Habboo, the key to navigating these challenges lies in balance—specifically, balancing the drive to make a difference with the need to care for oneself and one’s team. “You have to put your oxygen mask on first,” she notes, acknowledging the difficulty of practicing self-care in an industry focused on alleviating global suffering. Yet, she insists, it’s crucial for sustaining long-term impact.
Habboo’s commitment to her team’s well-being is reflected in her leadership style, which prioritizes empathy, support, and continuous learning. “Every job that I’ve been in has been me measuring how much value I can add to that position, what did I learn from the last job that I can now bring to this job, and how am I going to influence my team to be the best at what they can do,” she says. “I don’t think it matters as much where you work as long as you feel it in your heart.”
Thank you to Zain Habboo for joining us! For the full interview, listen to NYWICI’s WomenHeard podcast.
Written by Hande Erkan
