Zahia AbuAli

Sr. Director, Head of Talent Acquisition and Talent Management, Emirates Islamic Bank

Zahia, is proud to lead Talent Acquisition and Talent Management at Emirates Islamic Bank. Her role revolves around identifying and nurturing the best talent to drive business success while creating meaningful career journeys for employees. Zahia is deeply passionate about developing innovative strategies that align with organisational goals, with a focus on enhancing Emiratisation, leadership development, and people analytics. Zahia’s journey in HR has been driven by a commitment to creating inclusive workplaces, empowering individuals, and building sustainable talent ecosystems that make a lasting impact.

What’s a professional achievement of yours from 2024 that you are proud of?

Increase diversity of Females in leadership positions to 27%, Emiratization to 39%, and hire from 42 different countries. In addition to create roles recipe cards to transfer knowledge to young UAE nationals.

How has the RL Community helped you this year?

Being part of RL 100 this year has been an enriching experience that has positively impacted my professional journey as Head of Talent Acquisition and Talent Management at Emirates Islamic Bank. The RL Community has connected me with a community of like-minded HR leaders who share a passion for innovation and excellence in people practices. Through engaging discussions, knowledge-sharing sessions, and thought-provoking insights, I’ve been able to gain fresh perspectives on tackling the complexities of talent acquisition and management in today’s dynamic landscape.

One of the key takeaways for me has been the emphasis on collaboration and creativity in building sustainable talent strategies. The shared experiences and best practices of this elite group have inspired me to introduce more progressive initiatives in our talent programs, particularly in areas like Emiratization, people analytics, and leadership development.

The RL Community has also helped me focus on staying ahead of trends in talent management, especially by leveraging technology and predictive modelling to make informed decisions. It has further reinforced my belief in fostering inclusive workplaces that empower employees to thrive.

Being part of this inspiring network has not only helped me grow as a leader but has also had a tangible impact on the way I contribute to the success of my organisation. I look forward to continuing this journey of growth and collaboration with RL 100 in the coming years.

What is your prediction for the TA industry for 2025?

Predictions for Talent Acquisition in 2025:

1. AI and Automation: Advanced tools will streamline resume screening, candidate matching, and communication.

2. Skills-Based Hiring: Focus on competencies over degrees, supported by online assessments and micro-credentials.

3. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): Blind hiring and culture-add strategies will drive inclusive recruitment.

4. Employer Branding: Authentic storytelling and a strong digital presence will attract top talent.

5. Global and Remote Talent: Geographic boundaries will blur, emphasizing compliance and onboarding for distributed teams.

6. Data-Driven Decisions: Real-time analytics will optimize recruitment metrics and predict performance.

7. Personalized Experiences: Tailored candidate journeys and continuous engagement will be key.

8. Sustainability: Eco-friendly hiring practices and green values will shape recruitment strategies.

TA will focus on building agile, inclusive, and future-ready workforces.