Nadine El Guiddawy’s story starts with something many of us hold dear, family. Her parents, deeply supportive and full of faith in her potential, inspired her early on to never stop learning and to pursue her dreams with courage. This mindset became the foundation of a career built on resilience, creativity, and purpose.
But Nadine’s story is more than just a personal journey. It’s a blueprint for how passion, when paired with vision, can reshape industries and amplify unheard voices.
Finding Her Voice on Stage
While studying at the American University in Cairo, a life-changing moment occurred. Nadine took to the stage for a theatre production led by the renowned Dr. Mahmoud El Lozy. That single moment sparked something deep within her. For the first time, she realized that art wasn’t just a passion, it was her calling.

“I didn’t aspire to be a celebrity,” she shares. “I wanted to contribute something meaningful to arts and culture.” This moment planted the seed for what would become a lifelong mission to give voice and visibility to Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) artists.
Breaking Into Media With a Purpose
Soon after, Nadine’s journey into media began with a bold idea during a university class. Instead of covering a simple campus event for a digital journalism course, taught by Professor and podcaster Kim Fox, she and her friends pushed to explore something beyond. That decision led to her meeting Nayrouz Abouzeid, a major figure in Egypt’s PR scene. It opened doors in media, communication, and cultural representation which led her then to meeting and working closely with Anas El Fekky, the former Egyptian Minister of communication, who played a key role in her professional development in the fields of media and the arts on an international level.

One of her first major roles was as a lifestyle and cultural TV presenter in Egypt. That job wasn’t just a career move, it was an opportunity for her to discover that she had more to say and represent to celebrate her Egyptian identity with pride. Even then, she knew her mission wasn’t to be alone in the spotlight, it was to shine it on others as well.

Moving to Paris: A Bold Leap of Faith
In 2020, at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the world was filled with fear and uncertainty, Nadine made a decision that shocked many. She moved to France. While people warned her it was risky and illogical, she followed her instincts.
“Everyone thought I was crazy”, she admits. “But I knew in my heart that I had to be there, to learn, to grow, and to help artists find new ground.”
This leap of faith didn’t just shape her career, it amplified it. In Paris, she saw firsthand how misunderstood and underrepresented MENA cultures were in Europe. But rather than be discouraged, she saw opportunity, opportunity to build cultural bridges and shift perceptions about the MENA region through the arts.
Mir’a: A Cultural Mirror to the World
That vision became reality when she co-founded Mir’a, meaning mirror in Arabic. Based in Paris, Mir’a works to reflect the true stories and diversity of the MENA region through music and visual arts.
In just four years, Mir’a has become a powerful platform for artists from the Middle East and North Africa, connecting them with global audiences. Their concerts often sell out, uniting Arabs and Europeans in celebration of shared cultural experiences.
“I’ll never forget the Shkoon concert in Paris”, Nadine says. “Ameen Khayer, A Syrian singer and Thorben, a German producer, performing together, in perfect harmony, for a global audience, it was magical.” She credits one of her partners deeply, Hussein Ghali, who continually challenges boundaries with her to open up more opportunities for artists in Europe and beyond.”
Double Roles, One Mission: Bridging East and West
Today, Nadine splits her time between her work at Mir’a and her role as a Communication Project Manager at Paris Musées, the public institution behind many of Paris’s iconic museums.
Though the two roles seem different, they share a common purpose: building a cultural bridge between East and West. Whether she’s promoting a Parisian exhibition or hosting a concert for MENA artists, Nadine is always pushing to make arts and culture more inclusive and representative.
Staying True to Her Purpose
Nadine credits her success not just to skill, but to staying grounded in her purpose. “One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned from a very close person to me is to trust your purpose”, she says. “If something doesn’t align with your values and principles, it’s not worth doing.”
This shaped her belief that integrity should guide every decision, from how she manages projects to which artists she works with. “That’s why I believe that being real is the rarest quality anyone can ever have,” she says.
She also values the power of instinct, a lesson passed down by her friend and creative partner, Lisa de Boeck, who reminded her that gut feeling is often a powerful guide in both life and work, even if it doesn’t appear logical at first.
Overcoming Challenges and Growing Stronger
Like many young professionals, Nadine’s early career wasn’t without obstacles. One of her biggest challenges was learning to set boundaries and say no. “I wanted to learn everything at once, she recalls. But over time, I realized that real growth comes from being patient, paying attention, and taking things one step at a time.”
Now, with nearly a decade of experience, Nadine balances passion with perspective. She leads with both heart and strategy, always keeping her eyes on the bigger picture, supporting the artists who inspire her.
A Legacy of Impact and Representation
What Nadine wants most isn’t fame or recognition, it’s impact. She wants to be remembered as someone who created real change for others.
My dream is to use art as a force for good, she shares. To give back to my community, to support underrepresented voices, and to help others shine.
Whether it’s helping a young Arab artist book their first show or represent his artworks in Europe or using arts to support charitable causes in the future, Nadine El Guiddawy’s journey is far from over. She’s just getting started.
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