Hania Baramki, Founder & CEO, GoLEAD
Success is often measured in profits, accolades, and milestones. But look closer at the world’s most influential leaders, and you’ll notice something deeper—an unshakable sense of purpose. It’s not just about reaching the top; it’s about knowing why you’re climbing in the first place. The difference between those who simply lead and those who inspire lies in the conviction behind their journey—a vision that extends beyond personal gain and into something far more impactful. In a world where short-term gains often take precedence, true leaders remain guided by a long-term vision. They don’t just ask, “What can I achieve?” but rather, “What impact can I make?” And that’s what sets them apart. This story is going to unfurl the inspiring journey of one such purpose-driven leader, Hania Baramki—a visionary who is reshaping the future of education by bridging innovation and learning.
Growing up in Palestine under occupation, Hania was raised in a family of university professors and educators, where excellence was the norm and anything less than an A simply wasn’t good enough. With both parents as high achievers, she inherited a relentless “can-do” attitude—one that instilled in her the belief that nothing was impossible. Her late father, the acting president of Birzeit University, was a guiding force in her life. His dedication to education and his people left a lasting imprint on her, fostering a deep sense of responsibility from an early age. Like him, she wanted to give back—to make a difference. Yet, while academia was in her blood, her heart was drawn to engineering. She wanted to build, to create systems with tangible impact rather than solely pursue a career in education. But life has a way of revealing deeper truths. Over time, she began to see education not just as a profession, but as a tool for innovation and transformation. She realized that her true calling lies not in choosing between innovation and education, but in bringing them together—bridging the gap between creating systems and shaping minds. What once seemed like two separate worlds merged into a singular mission—one that would allow her to create, inspire, and make an even bigger difference.
The Birth of GoLEAD
Deep down, Hania always had a passion for education and aspired to follow in her father’s footsteps. However, her career initially took a different route, steering her toward the world of engineering and construction. She wasn’t sure if she would ever find her way back to education. But when your intention is clear, the universe has a way of aligning the right opportunities on your path. That’s exactly what happened when she joined Cisco, where she became part of the team spearheading the Smart Cities initiative on a global scale. This role deepened her understanding of how technology could fuel transformation, but it was when she was offered the opportunity to lead Education for EMEA that everything fell into place. The moment she stepped into that role, it felt like coming home. Working with university presidents, ministries of education, schools, and educators reignited her passion for education, and she quickly found herself at the intersection of technology and learning—where she truly belonged. This realization ignited something deeper: the desire to give back.
A few years later, she took on a leadership role at McGraw Hill for the Middle East and Africa, where she was introduced to the world of EdTech. The experience opened her eyes to the evolving landscape of education, but it also made her realize she was ready to build something of her own. Entrepreneurship had always been in her DNA, and while her corporate roles provided valuable experience, they also felt constraining. She longed for the freedom to innovate and develop solutions that would expand access to quality education, particularly for underserved communities. This vision ultimately led to the creation of GoLEAD—an initiative dedicated to bridging the gap between technology and education.
Defying the Odds with Grit and Strategic Foresight
Building GoLEAD from the ground up was no small feat, but Hania and her team approached the challenge with determination and strategic foresight. Instead of relying on external funding, they bootstrapped their way forward—taking on consultancy projects and selling digital services to carve out a place in the e-learning space. This hands-on approach not only kept the company afloat but also allowed them to build a skilled team, leading to the development of an English Diploma program for a major university in Saudi Arabia. By collaborating with prestigious institutions in healthcare and education across the region, GoLEAD quickly gained credibility. Their initial financial backing didn’t come from investors but from clients who believed in their vision.
“As a startup, breaking into the market was challenging—without an established brand, we were just another name. I remember how much easier it was to gain market access when I carried a Cisco or McGraw-Hill business card. With GoLEAD, we had to build credibility from scratch, leveraging the personal reputations of our co-founders to establish trust,” Hania recalls. One of the key strategic moves that helped the company overcome its early challenges was forging partnerships with globally respected publishing brands, which gave it a much-needed foothold in the market. Yet while these partnerships provided a way in, it was GoLEAD‘s unwavering commitment to quality, strong work ethic, and consistent delivery of value that ultimately fueled its growth and long-term success.
Listening, Guiding, and Leading with Purpose
Hania’s leadership style has evolved significantly over the years, shaped by experience, self-awareness, and a deep understanding of what it takes to build a high-performing team. “In my early leadership years, I believe I had a more dominant/commanding style, direct, fast-paced, which sometimes meant I was impatient, requiring quick results,” reflects Hania.
However, as she grew into her role, she learned the power of stepping back, assessing situations from multiple angles, and adapting her leadership style to fit the needs of her team. Becoming a systems coach played a pivotal role in this transformation, helping her realize that leadership is more about listening than talking, about guiding rather than commanding. “I realized that to build a high-performing organization, you need to be like a shepherd, giving your team the freedom to create, believing in their potential, providing the direction, and the boundaries. I also realized it’s not about me performing, but helping others perform,” she asserts. Today, she takes immense pride in watching her team grow, ensuring they have the exposure, confidence, and support needed to take risks, learn from mistakes, and reach their full potential.
A Structured Approach to Work-Life Balance
For Hania, balancing the relentless demands of entrepreneurship with personal life is an ongoing challenge—one that requires discipline, self-awareness, and constant adjustment. “As an entrepreneur, you get consumed by the massive amount of things that you need to do. Time just passes, and you don’t know where the hours disappeared,” she admits. While passion for building and growing a business is all-consuming, she understands that it should not overshadow the other important aspects of life.
To stay present in each moment, Hania has adopted a structured approach. “I allocate specific hours of the day to be with my family. I wake up very early to reflect, meditate, and exercise and then I take my daughter to school, which is my 1:1 time with her,” she shares. Meanwhile, she makes it a priority to have brunch with her family on weekends and dedicates at least one evening each week to catching up with friends. Through conscious effort, she strives to be present in every moment—whether leading her company, spending time with loved ones, or taking time for herself.
Shaping the Future of Learning with AI
GoLEAD was born at a pivotal moment—right after the COVID-19 pandemic when the digital transformation was accelerating, generating vast amounts of educational data. However, this data was often underutilized, with institutions struggling to make sense of it and leverage its potential to enhance learning outcomes. GoLEAD recognized this gap and set out to transform education by harnessing AI and advanced analytics. “We saw a real opportunity to leverage data to personalize learning, empower educators with better tools, and help institutions implement targeted interventions for student success,” explains Hania.
Today, GoLEAD stands out through its strategic partnerships with major global publishers, enabling the delivery of digital courseware in local languages. Additionally, its collaborations with leading regional institutions have positioned it as the go-to platform for accounting-related exam preparation in the region. Looking ahead, Hania envisions GoLEAD becoming the leading adaptive and personalized exam prep platform for standardized tests, setting new benchmarks in AI-powered learning. “Through our partnerships with major international publishers, we aim to be their preferred digital platform for localized educational content, ensuring accessibility and relevance in every market we serve,” she adds.
Insights for Emerging Entrepreneurs
For those entering the EdTech space, Hania stresses the importance of a clear purpose. “True success comes from finding your Ikigai—the intersection of what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can be rewarded for. A deep connection with your purpose helps you weather storms, overcome obstacles, and wake up excited every day,” she affirms.
She urges entrepreneurs to dream big while ensuring every step aligns with their vision. “Stay true to your vision and find joy in the process, because each step—no matter how small—brings you closer to success. Your purpose also needs to be compelling enough to inspire others, helping you build a team and get people on board,” she adds. In EdTech, Hania advises choosing a niche that not only builds on existing innovations but also adds unique value to the industry. While technology has lowered barriers to entry, she emphasizes that true success lies in delivering high-quality, impactful solutions. “A platform is merely a tool,” she says. “What truly matters is how it transforms learning and empowers students. When impact is the driving force, success follows naturally.”