LYNN HOBBALLAH
Lynn is 35 and works as Manager for Business Continuity and Crisis Management in Sharjah

I was brought up in Lebanon and spent my childhood in a small town in the Bekaa Valley. I moved to Beirut with my parents to complete my studies at the American University of Beirut. My background was in environmental sciences and I wasn’t sure which sector I wanted to join. I had an interest in NGOs and the United Nations where I have done volunteer work when I was younger. My dad was a real inspiration to me: he taught me discipline and persistence. My mom taught me to be distinct, question the status quo and seek out innovation.

I joined the Petrofac Academy with the 2006 batch and started my career as an Environmental Advisor, then I was provided with the academic and practical training to be a General HSSE Advisor; in 2009, after Petrofac Emirates was established, I moved to the Abu Dhabi office to be the HSSE focal point for all Abu Dhabi Projects prior to expanding the HSSE team in Abu Dhabi. In 2011, I moved to the Aberdeen office for a two-year secondment which gave me a good exposure to the Offshore Projects and operational side of the business.

The Academy taught me dedication, persistence and hard work. It felt like joining a family, you meet new friends and colleagues and spend all day with them. It’s a unique time. After 12 years, I still call a lot of them my friends. I am now based out of the Sharjah office and live in Dubai. I’ve recently been assigned a new role as the Manager for Business Continuity and Crisis Management. I am so excited because I will be developing and implementing policies, standards and plans, as well as interacting with various stakeholders to ensure synergy and a coordinated three tier response in case of a crisis.

When I’m not working, I enjoy yoga, listening to music and hiking. Over my time at the Academy and in my career since, I have learnt and experienced a lot about cooperation and discipline, but also about working as a team and understanding and respecting various cultures.

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