Naila Al Hares, a CODA (Child of Deaf Adult) born and raised in Beirut, is an artist, performing storyteller, and sign language interpreter and educator. She studied early childhood education and completed her teaching diploma at LAU in 2015. 

Having had Deaf parents with Lebanese Sign language as her first mode of communication, she developed early on a skill in interpreting and communicating ideas through different non-spoken mediums. These skills along with her passion for the arts made her take on different professional paths which would always lead to one core aim; inspiring self-expression and self-development in others.

She worked as a public speaking coach, theater and film practitioner, community events and advocacy mobilizer, as well as a consultant and trainer for teams in the workplace. 

She is known for using sign language’s rationale and concepts for broader educational purposes such as parenting, public speaking and creative expression. Her nationwide work in sign language interpretation includes projects with UN agencies, local and international NGOs as well as governmental bodies making content accessible for the Deaf.

Her heart led her to focus on sharing her stories as a means to touch people’s hearts and lead them to take meaningful action and inspire social change. In 2026, she directed and performed ‘Handed-Down’ the first theater performance in the Arab world about CODAs showcasing the challenges as well as the beauty of being born to Deaf parents.