2025 Recap:
Breaking Boundaries and Building Bridges
By: Nadeen Abu Ghazaleh
Published on: 14-12-2025
2025 By The Numbers:
25+ new incredible clients and partners across the globe
7 international conferences across 5 countries
15 team members in Gaza and the West Bank
4 major media features (Fast Company ME, Middle East Eye, Conscious UX book, 100 Unstoppable Women)
Countless stories that moved us forward
But numbers only tell part of the story. Let us take you behind the scenes.
As we close out 2025, we're reflecting on a year that transformed Olives & Heather. This was the year we stopped asking for permission and started claiming our space—proving that exceptional marketing work transcends borders and barriers.
Despite ongoing challenges, we chose to build, to grow, and to demonstrate what's possible when strategy meets authenticity.
Going Global:
Our Conference Journey
At the Palestinian Youth Skills Day in Ramallah, we connected with the next generation. In Munich, we designed the booth and custom artwork for EqualReach and Z Zurich Foundation—transforming their presence into an immersive experience.
We weren't just attending conferences—we were shaping the conversation.
From MENA to Europe, 2025 was the year we went truly global. We shaped conversations at LEAP and Biabn in Saudi Arabia, STEP and Expand North Star in Dubai, Web Summit in Qatar, and the One Young World Summit in Munich.
Participating in the 10th National Forum – Palestine X: Innovation Without Borders, organised by the Higher Council for Innovation & Excellence, was a particular honour. We shared how we build bridges for talent to work globally through marketing solutions, fractional services, and partnerships.
Recognition That Matters
This year brought recognition that went beyond awards—it was about visibility and proving our team belongs in every global conversation.
Our CEO and founder, Kathrine Tinggaard Nicolaisen, was named one of the 100 Unstoppable Women by Startups Without Borders—sending a powerful message about women entrepreneurs everywhere.
Our Senior Product Designer, Aahed Zarouk, was featured in Rikki Teeters' upcoming book, "Conscious UX"—ranking #109 out of 130+ global UX leaders. Our SEO specialist, Raneem Junina, was featured in Middle East Eye's Gaza report. We were featured in Fast Company Middle East.
Our team isn't just talented—they're industry leaders setting new standards.
Expanding Our Capabilities
In 2025, we evolved from a marketing consultancy into a full-fledged marketing agency, your fractional growth partner. We've structured our services into four key modules:
Branding
From brand positioning to visual identity, pitch decks to websites (plus PR!).
Growth
Fractional marketing retainers giving you access to a comprehensive team of senior marketers and designers for a fixed monthly fee.
Fractional & Strategy:
Strategic sparring, roadmap creation, and fractional CMO support..
The result? Clients now get end-to-end solutions, whether they need a complete rebrand, ongoing growth support, or strategic guidance to scale.
Media Strategy:
Dynamic content strategy, evergreen hero content, and blog/vlog/podcast management.
Work with us
Interested in discussing what we can do for you and your company?
The Brands We've Powered
Cultural brands like Lina's Thobe, Baladna, and DrinkRuba celebrating heritage and identity
Changemakers like Susan Abulhawa, Fearless Futures, EqualReach, and the Z Zurich Foundation driving social impact
Innovators like Centyent AI, Sunbird Finance, MENA Analytics, and Oola Sports building the future
On-the-ground work including photoshoots and LinkedIn workshops in Jordan with Kassim Legal, content shoots in Bethlehem for Sunbird Finance, and personal branding workshops through Ibtikar Fund
Strategic partnerships with Hub71, Viaka, Founder Connect, and E4P Entrepreneurs for Palestine that expanded our reach and impact.
From Ramallah to Riyadh, from Jordan to Munich—we've worked with incredible brands who trusted us with their stories.
Each client relationship pushed us to be more creative, more strategic,
and more excellent.
Growing Our Dream Team
In 2025, Olives & Heather grew into a 15-person collective spanning Gaza and the West Bank—the brightest minds in Palestine delivering world-class marketing solutions to global clients.
Our remote-first setup isn't just operational, it's how we remove barriers for talent facing restricted movement and limited opportunities. This model proved essential for our Gaza-based team. Throughout 2025, Aahed, Raneem, and Rozan continued to deliver world-class work—creating exceptional campaigns, designs, and strategies even as they navigated displacement and uncertainty. Their resilience became our inspiration.
We're dedicated to providing fairly compensated, international career-building opportunities. At Olives & Heather, we shape career paths and create stepping stones for major personal growth.
When we grow, our clients win. When we succeed, we create pathways for Palestinian talent, especially women to thrive globally.
Looking Ahead: 2026 and Beyond
If 2025 was about claiming our space, 2026 is about expanding it. We're exploring new services, planning more global presence, and doubling down on thought leadership.
We're committed to doing exceptional work for clients who matter, with a team that cares, in service of impact that lasts.
Ready to Work Together
in 2026?
Great stories deserve to be seen!
If you're a founder, a brand, or an organization looking for a marketing partner who brings strategy, creativity, and authentic storytelling—let's talk.