{{Short description|American author and speaker}} {{Infobox writer | image = File:2021 Headshot of Dima Ghawi.jpg | caption = | birth_name = Dima Ghawi | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1975|07|18}} | birth_place = Ankara, Turkey | occupation = Motivational Keynote Speaker, Leadership Consultant, and Author | education = MBA from the University of San Diego <br> BA in Economics from San Diego State University | notableworks = ''Breaking Vases: Shattering Limitations & Daring to Thrive - A Middle Eastern Woman's Story'' | website = {{URL|https://www.dimaghawi.com}} }}
'''Dima Ghawi''' (born July 18, 1975) is a Jordanian American award-winning author, leadership keynote speaker, and executive coach. She is the founder of Dima Ghawi, LLC., and the author of ''Breaking Vases: Shattering Limitations & Daring to Thrive - A Middle Eastern Woman’s Story'' (2018).
==Early life and education== Ghawi was born in Ankara, Turkey, raised in Amman, Jordan, and immigrated to San Diego, California in 1996. She grew up surrounded by Middle Eastern culture and values which heavily influenced her early choices.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sz8wIAx4Q0A |title=Dima Ghawi Sizzle Reel |date=2022-09-08 |last=Dima Ghawi |access-date=2024-07-17 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
In Amman, Ghawi attended the University of Jordan for two years. After moving to the United States, she transferred to San Diego State University, where she completed a BA in Economics in 1999.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Braud |first=Gabrielle |date=2016-11-03 |title=Rising above: Dima Ghawi discovers her place and her passion in Baton Rouge |url=https://www.inregister.com/features/rising-dima-ghawi-discovers-place-passion-baton-rouge |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=inRegister |language=en-US}}</ref> Ghawi graduated from the University of San Diego with an MBA in 2004. ==Career==
=== Corporate === Ghawi began her corporate career of two decades at Merrill Lynch as a part of a financial planning team between completing her Economics degree and MBA. Upon receiving her MBA, she was chosen for a selective leadership development program with IBM, including an international assignment in Japan from 2008 to 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2018-09-20 |title=Leadership Expert Dima Ghawi Explains How Leaders Can Fuel Employee Enthusiasm |url=https://nexusla.org/2018-9-19-leadership-expert-dima-ghawi-explains-how-leaders-can-fuel-employee-enthusiasm/ |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=Nexus Louisiana |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2013, Ghawi moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana to work as the talent development manager at IBM’s Technology Development Center.<ref name=":0" />
In 2015, Ghawi left IBM to pursue an independent entrepreneurship career in public speaking and leadership development.<ref name=":0" />
=== Public speaking === A three-time TEDx speaker,<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIdInB3jkYo |title=The Secret to Transforming your Dream into Reality {{!}} Dima Ghawi {{!}} TEDxSpringHillCollege |date=2017-02-27 |last=TEDx Talks |access-date=2024-07-17 |via=YouTube}}</ref> Ghawi is best known for her keynote presentation on Breaking Vases, inspired by her life story.<ref name=":0" /> She shared a version of this speech for the first time on the TEDxLSU stage in 2014.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nr62XUtlu0 |title=Breaking glass- a leadership story: Dima Ghawi at TEDxLSU |date=2014-05-15 |last=TEDx Talks |access-date=2024-07-17 |via=YouTube}}</ref> In this presentation, Ghawi employs her story of escaping confinements, shattering barriers, crossing continents to empower others to dare to discover and create bold identities and transformational life purposes.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-I93SP4Qcg |title=Transform Fear Into Power, Take Control of Your Destiny! {{!}} Dima Ghawi {{!}} Inspiring Women of Goalcast |date=2018-06-25 |last=Goalcast |access-date=2024-07-17 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
Ghawi is also known for presenting on topics related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, such as unconscious bias and creating an inclusive work culture.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-05-17 |title=TSE Spotlight: Diversity & Inclusion |url=https://www.specialevents.com/special-event-show/tse-spotlight-diversity-inclusion |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=Special Events |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCH8Yx99044 |title=Diversity Network's Interview with Dima Ghawi |date=2024-07-10 |last=Dima Ghawi |access-date=2024-07-17 |via=YouTube}}</ref> As of 2023, Ghawi has also been presenting The Misfit Advantage<sup>SM</sup>, a keynote designed to encourage audiences to embrace and employ their differences in personal and professional settings.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Misfit Advantage - Liberate Your Inner Misfit and Thrive {{!}} Sessions {{!}} SHRM24 Annual HR Conference - SHRM24 |url=https://annualconference.shrm.org/sessionplanner/session/32903/misfit-advantage-liberate-your-inner-misfit-and-thrive |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=SHRM 24}}</ref>
As a speaker, Ghawi is commonly applauded for her use of personal narratives as well as her use of props, including the signature glass vase smashed in her Breaking Vases presentations.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dunbar |first=Megan |date=2014-03-30 |title=Opinion: TEDxLSU doesn't live up to its potential |url=https://www.lsureveille.com/opinion/opinion-tedxlsu-doesn-t-live-up-to-its-potential/article_f4ce4246-b86b-11e3-9f71-0017a43b2370.html |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=The Reveille, LSU's student newspaper |language=en}}</ref>
=== Coaching === Following her departure from IBM in 2015, Ghawi founded Dima Ghawi, LLC., a global talent development company that offers workshops and coaching with the primary mission of advancing individuals in leadership.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Yoder |first=Kaci |date=2017-01-29 |title=Dima Ghawi - People to Watch 2017 |url=https://www.225batonrouge.com/article/dima-ghawi-people-watch-2017 |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=[225] |language=en}}</ref>
=== Writing === Ghawi is an international best selling author of her memoir, ''Breaking Vases: Shattering Limitations & Daring to Thrive - A Middle Eastern Woman’s Story''. The memoir follows Ghawi’s life from her childhood in Amman to moving to San Diego to her TEDxLSU speech, exploring how she escaped from an abusive father and a controlling husband. Major themes in the memoir include resilience, perseverance, and self-discovery. ''Breaking Vases'' has been described as an “intriguing page-turner” and received praise for its insight into the ways both women and men can be constrained by certain Middle Eastern cultural norms.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carmichael |first=William |date=2024-08-01 |title=Book Look Breaking Vases: Shattering Limitations & Daring to Thrive |url=https://hrprofessionalsmagazine.com/2024/08/01/book-look-breaking-vases-shattering-limitations-daring-to-thrive/ |access-date=2024-08-15 |website=HRProfessionalsMagazine |language=en-US}}</ref>
Shortly after publication, ''Breaking Vases'' was recognized as the 2018 Writer’s Digest Grand Prize Winner,<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Moss |first=Tyler |date=2019-02-06 |title=Interview with Dima Ghawi: WD's 26th Annual Self-Published Book Awards Winner |url=https://www.writersdigest.com/online-exclusives/interview-with-wds-26th-annual-self-published-book-awards-winner-dima-ghawi |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=Writer's Digest |language=en}}</ref> among other awards.
Ghawi has also published three personal essays related to her experiences growing up in the Middle East and leadership adventures had in Japan and traveling to Bulgaria while working as an operations managers with IBM.
=== Interviews === Ghawi has been interviewed across multiple topics related to her leadership expertise, including creating a sense of inclusion in the workplace;<ref>{{Cite web |last=Special Events Staff |date=2021-04-29 |title=How to Create a Sense of Inclusion with Dima Ghawi |url=https://www.specialevents.com/candid-conversations/how-create-sense-inclusion-dima-ghawi |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=Special Events}}</ref> uncovering and managing unconscious bias;<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mI0zeDOmnS4 |title=WWL-TV Interview with Dima Ghawi - Uncovering Our Unconscious Biases |date=2021-04-01 |last=Dima Ghawi |access-date=2024-07-17 |via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=AORN Staff |title=Self-Discovery: Your First Step to Being Inclusive - AORN Blog - Assoc |url=https://www.aorn.org/article/2022-04-06-First-Step-To-Being-Inclusive |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=AORN |language=en}}</ref> bridging generational divides in the workplace;<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzlbSXdKizg |title=Leading With Empathy & Allyship EP117: Bridging The Generational Divide With Dima Ghawi |date=2023-03-08 |last=Empovia (formerly Change Catalyst) |access-date=2024-07-17 |via=YouTube}}</ref> and creating a personal brand.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ovaska-Few |first=Sarah |date=2018-07-04 |title=4 steps to finding a personal brand |url=https://www.fm-magazine.com/news/2018/jul/build-your-personal-brand-201819166.html |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=FM Magazine}}</ref> Ghawi has also been interviewed numerous times about her personal story,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Garrett |first=Deneen L. |date=2024-05-21 |title=Breaking the Glass Vase: A Story of Transformation and Empowerment with Dima Ghawi |url=https://www.womenofcoloranintimateconversation.com/breaking-the-glass-vase/ |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=Women of Color: An Intimate Conversation}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Treppendahl |first=Ron |date=2022-01-08 |title=Episode 06: Dima Ghawi - 'Facing Fear & Evading a Father Who Wants to Kill You' |url=https://www.robtreppendahl.com/podcast/dimaghawi |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=The Adventure Cure |language=en-US}}</ref> particularly in the wake of the publication of ''Breaking Vases''.<ref name=":1" />
==Books and personal essays== * Ghawi, Dima (2018). ''Breaking Vases: Shattering Limitations & Daring to Thrive - A Middle Eastern Woman’s Story''. Dima Ghawi, LLC. p. 232. {{ISBN|978-0-9978093-5-0}}. * Ghawi, Dima (2022). “Destination Sofia: Lessons in Leadership & Travel.” Dima Ghawi, LLC. p. 23. {{ASIN|B0B5S1Q124}}. * Ghawi, Dima (2017). “How NOT to Lead a Team Climbing a Volcano: An Adventure in Leadership and a Near-Death Experience.” Dima Ghawi, LLC. p. 25. {{ASIN| B07483ZS52}} * Ghawi, Dima (2016). “The Wild Element: It Is Time To Rise.” Dima Ghawi, LLC. p. 22. {{ASIN|B01IEFX8LU}}
== Selected publications == * Ghawi, Dima (2024). “Knowledge Is Light.” ''HR Professionals Magazine''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Julie |date=2024-07-06 |title=Knowledge Is Light |url=https://hrprofessionalsmagazine.com/2024/07/06/knowledge-is-light/ |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=HRProfessionalsMagazine |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Honors and awards == Ghawi has been recognized for her services with the 2014 President’s Volunteer Service Award (Bronze), the 2023 American Advertising Federation Baton Rouge Mosaic Champion Award,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Past Award Recipients |url=https://aafbr.org/history/ |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=AAF-Baton Rouge |language=en-US}}</ref> the 2021 International Women’s Entrepreneurial Challenge Award,<ref>{{Cite web |last=WECNY |title=Awardees |url=https://www.iwecfoundation.org/network/awardees/ |access-date=2024-10-15 |website=IWEC Foundation |language=en-US}}</ref> the 2019 Baton Rouge Business Report “Influential Women in Business” Award,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Duchmann |first=Holly |date=2019-05-08 |title=2019 WIB: Dima Ghawi |url=https://www.businessreport.com/business/2019-wib-dima-ghawi |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508141440/https://www.businessreport.com/business/2019-wib-dima-ghawi |archive-date=2019-05-08 |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=Baton Rouge Business Report |language=en-US}}</ref> the 2014 Baton Rouge Business Report’s “Forty Under 40” Award,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Font |first=Penny |date=2014-11-26 |title=Forty Under 40: Dima Ghawi |url=https://www.businessreport.com/business/awards/forty-40-dima-ghawi |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190509145559/https://www.businessreport.com/business/awards/forty-40-dima-ghawi |archive-date=2019-05-09 |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=Baton Rouge Business Report |language=en-US}}</ref> and the 2016 Louisiana State University “Esprit de Femme Award.”<ref>{{Cite web |title=2016 Esprit de Femme Honorees |url=https://www.lsu.edu/diversity/womens_center/esprit_de_femme/edf_2016/2016honorees.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307052402/https://www.lsu.edu/diversity/womens_center/esprit_de_femme/edf_2016/2016honorees.php |archive-date=2016-03-07 |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=LSU Women’s Center}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{Official website|https://www.dimaghawi.com}} * [https://www.breakingvases.com/ Breaking Vases website]
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ghawi, Dima}} Category:Living people Category:1975 births Category:American people of Jordanian descent Category:American motivational speakers Category:University of San Diego alumni Category:San Diego State University alumni Category:Writers from Ankara Category:American women memoirists Category:21st-century American women