Who is Hana Brellah?
Born in Algeria and trained as a Doctor of Pharmacy, Hana Brellah is a senior business leader with more than 20 years of expertise in the pharmaceutical industry across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Having lived and led across these regions, she spent more than a decade guiding multicultural teams in complex, fast changing environments which led her to create the Multicultural Intelligence (MI) framework. Now based in Germany, she is active as an international keynote speaker, leadership expert and communication coach. As the CEO & Founder of Find Your Voice, she empowers leaders to master public speaking, leadership presence, and career growth, helping them communicate with confidence, influence, and impact.
In 2011, a young PharmD professional stepped into her first leadership role. She was
the quintessential outsider: younger than her team, new to the environment, and
lacking the shield of long-term tenure. In that high-stakes arena, she realized that
hierarchy and titles were hollow tools for earning trust. Instead, she turned to a
different force: intentional communication. By listening deeply and leading with
transparency, she didn’t just manage a team; she elevated them.
That leader was Hana Brellah, and that moment sparked a career-long conviction
that would eventually transform how executives across the globe approach the
podium. Today, as a Senior International Pharma Leader, and CEO & Founder of
Find Your Voice, Hana bridges the gap between pharmaceutical precision and the art
of human connection.
The Bedrock of Multicultural Intelligence
Hana’s journey began with a rigorous academic foundation in healthcare, earning
her Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) from the Université d’Alger. Her early career in
Algeria saw her navigating diverse roles, from sales to marketing to leading both.
This period was more than a professional introduction; it was the bedrock of her
multicultural intelligence.
Fluency in Arabic, French, English and later on German allowed Hana to operate
with an international perspective. Her thirst for excellence led her to Stanford School
of Business then online Harvard programs, where she refined the strategic mindset
required for the world’s most prestigious pharmaceutical firms. She learned early on
a truth that now guides her coaching:
“People do not experience leadership the same way across cultures. Each region sharpened a different part of my leadership journey.”
Navigating Borders and Crisis
Over the last two decades, Hana’s career has been a masterclass in professional
growth moving between three continents. From Novo Nordisk and Merck to AbbVie,
she consistently delivered results that earned her international acclaim, including
multiple Marketing Excellence Awards.
Her leadership was truly tested on the international stage, leading teams across
Europe, Middle East & Africa, At Mundipharma & Merz. Two critical career
milestones solidifying her belief in the power of the voice:
- The International Stage: Leading across borders taught her that alignment depends on clarity, not assumptions.
- The Global Pandemic: Leading remotely during COVID-19 forced her to guide teams through the uncertainty with “even more clarity and humanity,” making the role of communication in crisis unmistakably clear.
Hana recognized that communication wasn’t a “soft skill” but the core of leadership. As colleague John S. M. observed:
“I was instantly blown away by the energy and enthusiasm she brings to the
stage. Every single one of her speeches is a well-crafted masterpiece,
designed to play with emotions.”
Empowering the Executive Voice
Hana’s impact is now felt far beyond the pharmaceutical Industry. Through Find Your
Voice, she empowers executives regardless of their industries to move past the
“stereotyped perfect speaker” and find their authentic style. She tackles the “three
beasts” of fear: failure, judgment, and the weight of the spotlight, helping leaders
transform nervous adrenaline into a powerful “presence.”
Her mentorship has proven transformative for many. Dalton Hoffman, who worked
with Hana at Merz, noted:
“Thanks to Hana’s thoughtful mentorship and constructive feedback, I was
able to strengthen both my verbal and presentation communication skills,
ultimately gaining the confidence to present to executive-level leadership.”
Beyond coaching, Hana is a prolific Keynote Speaker represented by A-Speakers
and Premium Speakers Agency, and she serves as an Executive Contributor for
Brainz Magazine.
She is a firm believer that “public speaking isn’t just performance, it’s the power to move hearts and minds.”
A Legacy of Influence and MI
Looking toward the future, Hana is championing a new framework: Multicultural
Intelligence (MI). In an era shaped by AI and intensifying globalization, she views MI
as a vital capability for navigating differences and building consensus. Her goal is to
make MI a global leadership standard, a framework that leaders can learn, teach,
and apply to drive organizational success.
Hana’s message to leaders who are still holding back is clear:
“There is a difference between speaking and speaking up. Speaking is sharing
information. Speaking up is sharing your truth. And it is your truth, your lived
experience, and your identity that makes you memorable.”
For Hana, a leader’s voice is an asset that directly impacts the business, the people,
and the industry at large. Her legacy is one of amplification, ensuring that every
leader she touches is equipped to lead with a voice that demands to be heard at its
full strength.
EDITORIAL NOTE
Hana Brellah’s journey from a young team lead in Algeria to a global authority on
leadership communication serves as a powerful reminder that our greatest tool is our
voice. Her story challenges us to stop seeking perfection and start seeking presence.
Let this be an inspiration to take the time to invest in your own voice, not because
you have to, but because your leadership deserves to be heard.
