Professional Development Workshop Series

Hanaa Helmy

CEO, EFG Hermes Foundation
Head of Corporate Social Responsibility
EFG Hermes Holding

Hanaa Helmy, a United Nations Global Compact 2018 SGD Pioneer for Investing in Social Development, is the founding CEO of the EFG Hermes Foundation, a non-profit, non-governmental organisation that assists communities and institutions overcome financial, educational and health-related challenges. The Foundation focuses on integrated development programmes in Egypt to combat widespread diseases and support holistic development initiatives in the areas of infrastructure and human development, and economic empowerment. Since its launch in 2006, the Foundation has supported microfinance programs, poverty alleviation initiatives, children with special needs, and comprehensive community development programmes.

Since its formation, the EFG Hermes Foundation has been at the forefront in the battle to eradicate liver disease in Egypt. The Foundation funded an educational campaign at 13 universities reaching 40 thousand medical, dental, and nursing school students, and supplied a screening program at a children's hospital which helped cure 200 children suffering from Hepatitis C virus (HCV). In January 2017, Hanaa, in her capacity as CEO of the Foundation, was honored by the Economist Intelligence Unit as one of 18 global change makers in the fight to eradicate HCV.

Under Hanaa’s leadership, the Foundation joined forces with other civil society organizations, local and central government agencies, and private sector entities to realize a $ 3.7 Million integrated sustainable development initiative. The project reflects all ten UNGC principles as well as many SDGs, and will improve the lives of approximately 60,000 under-privileged citizens through investments in infrastructure development, educational opportunities, economic empowerment and the provision of basic human rights for underprivileged areas.

Hanaa is also social entrepreneur and Ashoka fellow who has devoted the last 20 years to working with children with special needs. She is the founder of the MOVE Foundation for Children with Cerebral Palsy, a non-profit organization that provides children with severe disabilities new opportunities for fuller participation and inclusion in the community. She is a Certified International Trainer for the American-developed MOVE program which helps disabled children sit, stand and walk.

On the responsible business front, Hanaa has worked with the company’s business lines to develop a comprehensive ESG strategy and policy, as well as engaged with investee companies to initiate dialogue on ESG issues. She has also overseen EFG Hermes’ appointment as the first Egyptian financial services corporation signatory to the UN Principles for Responsible Investment. Hanaa has lead EFG Hermes to become a founding member of the UN Global Compact Network Egypt with a yearly commitment to the UNGC principles.

Heading the CSR department, Hanaa helped the company to be recognized for the drive towards Sustainability, by receiving the Best Sustainable Financial Provider 2017 by The European magazine for EFG Hermes. The Award was highlighted as the best practice in sustainability in the Business and Sustainable Development report, Better Business, Better World – MENA.

EFG Hermes remains one of only six Middle East and North Africa companies included in the FTSE4Good Emerging Index.

Hanaa is a member of the EGX Sustainability Advisory Committee, the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt CIS Committee, and the UNGCNE Board of Trustees.