Meet Economic Driver: Donna Haddad, Scholarship Foundation President, Board Member and Past President, Arab American Bar Association of Illinois

I am the daughter of Jordanian immigrants who came to America in search of greater opportunity for their children. As the first in my family to attend college, I grew up without seeing people who looked like me in the legal profession. Even so, I always knew I wanted to become a lawyer. I was inspired not only by the profession itself, but by the chance to help represent Arab Americans as I know them to be: strong, intelligent, and exceptionally resilient.

As an Arab American leader, I have faced both bias and misunderstanding. Growing up, I was called slurs in school, and even as an adult I have encountered misconceptions about Arab identity and faith. The most painful experience was when my son was called a terrorist in middle school and I had to go to his school to address it. As a mother, that was especially difficult. I have overcome those challenges by representing my community with pride in my work every day. I try to lead with excellence, integrity, and compassion, and to challenge stereotypes through how I show up as a leader. I hope that by being visible and trusted in my field, I can help expand understanding of the Arab American community and its contributions.

A key moment in my career was moving to Dubai for three years with my husband and our three children for an international assignment. It was both a professional opportunity and a personal leap of faith. Speaking Arabic helped me navigate the region and connect more deeply across cultures, and the experience broadened my perspective in lasting ways. That time shaped how I lead today. It made me more resilient, more globally minded, and more confident in stepping into new environments and complex challenges. It also deepened my connection to my heritage in a very meaningful way.

My late father has always been one of my greatest role models. He came to America from Jordan with very little and worked tirelessly to build a life of opportunity for our family. Watching him overcome obstacles with dignity, determination, and faith left a lasting impression on me. His example continues to guide me. He showed me what courage, sacrifice, and resilience look like, and he inspired me to pursue my own path with purpose while honoring the opportunities he worked so hard to create for us.

Success, to me, is about impact and legacy. Professionally, it means representing my community with pride, leading with integrity, and using my platform to make a positive difference. Personally, it means raising children who are thoughtful, compassionate, and who will contribute to the world in meaningful ways. That is the kind of success that matters most to me: making a difference in my work, staying true to my values, and seeing that carried forward in the next generation.

Illinois has contributed to my success as an Arab American leader. Its diversity and strong professional and community networks have allowed me to grow while staying connected to my identity. The Arab American Bar Association of Illinois has been meaningful to me professionally, and my Antiochian Orthodox Christian church community has been deeply important personally. Together, those communities have provided support, connection, and a strong sense of belonging. Illinois has been a place where I have been able to build my career, raise my family, and represent my heritage in meaningful ways.

What I love most about living and working in Illinois is the people and the richness of life here. There is such a strong sense of community, and there is always something happening, from cultural events to professional opportunities to family activities. Illinois has given me the opportunity to build a meaningful career, raise my family, and stay connected to the communities that matter most to me. Being a Cubs fan is just an added bonus.

Illinois is a strong place for Arab American business leaders because it offers both opportunity and community. Its diversity makes it a place where Arab American leaders can grow professionally, contribute meaningfully, and feel a real sense of belonging.

Professional networks and institutions in Illinois have played an important role in my growth. Organizations such as the Arab American Bar Association of Illinois, Northwestern, and other civic and professional communities have created opportunities for connection, leadership, and service. Those networks have helped me build relationships, grow professionally, and stay connected to the communities and values that matter most to me.

I support my local community through the Arab American Bar Association Scholarship Foundation, where I serve as president. The Foundation helps students pursue educational opportunities and invests in the next generation of leaders. That work is especially meaningful to me because it is about opening doors for others and giving back in a tangible way.

I am proud to support St. Jude’s fundraising efforts in Illinois. It is especially meaningful to me knowing that St. Jude was founded by Danny Thomas, an Arab American whose legacy has touched so many lives and remains a source of pride for our community.

My children are my greatest inspiration. They motivate me to keep working toward positive change, to lead with integrity, and to contribute in ways that make the world better for the next generation. So much of what drives me comes back to wanting to create a future they can be proud of.

National Arab American Heritage Month is deeply personal to me because it is both a celebration and a reminder. Recently, I found my law school application essay, and in it I wrote about my Arab heritage, about Danny Thomas, and about an inscription in the dome of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital: “He who denies his heritage, has no heritage.” That quote stayed with me then, and it stays with me now. At 22, I wrote about having to overcome negative stereotypes about Arabs and about wanting to become a lawyer so I could represent Arabs as I knew them to be: strong, smart, and incredibly resilient. That desire has stayed with me throughout my life. As a lawyer, wife, and mother, I have tried to represent our rich Arab heritage with pride and integrity. In my work with the Arab American Bar, I have had the privilege of serving alongside talented attorneys who represent our community well every day, and I have also been honored to work with other diverse bar organizations that do the same for their communities. When I reflect on my 22-year-old self, I think she would be saddened that we are still confronting unfair stereotypes and bias. But I also think she would be proud to know she is not alone. National Arab American Heritage Month is a chance to honor our history, celebrate our contributions, and affirm that our stories, voices, and communities matter.

I would absolutely encourage them to do it. Illinois offers strong professional opportunities and a supportive Arab American community. There is real value in building a career in a place where you can grow professionally while also feeling connected to your identity and community.

Abraham Lincoln

The Harry Potter series. I have always loved its themes of courage, loyalty, and resilience.

You can have it all, but not all at once. Balance is not about perfection every day. It is about perspective over time. Some days, work will demand more of you. Other days, family must come first. The best we can do is give our best in each season and extend ourselves grace, because perfect balance does not exist.