Beyond the horizon: How Adel Jalabi turned global fluency into inclusive leadership

Welcome to Beyond the horizon, a monthly series celebrating the people who shape Upsun’s culture, innovation, and heart. This month, we meet Adel Jalabi, Upsun’s Manager, Talent Acquisition & Inclusion.

Adel’s story isn't a traditional corporate climb; it’s a journey defined by what he calls "global fluency." Having moved from Syria to Canada at age 12 and later living and working across five different countries, including Qatar and South Korea, Adel has spent his life navigating new cultures and perspectives.

Today, he uses that lived experience to lead our recruitment and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) initiatives. For Adel, inclusion isn’t a corporate buzzword; it’s about creating a space where "bringing your whole self to work" is the standard, not the exception.

In his story, Adel shares how his non-linear path led him to Upsun, the challenge of staying true to his values as an activist and member of the LGBTQIA+ community, and why he believes a diverse, "global" mindset is exactly what the future of tech needs. 

Tell us a bit about yourself. What do you do at Upsun and most importantly, who are you outside of work?

I’m Adel Jalabi, and I manage Upsun’s Talent Acquisition team while also overseeing our DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging) program. I’ve been with Upsun for a little over a year and a half. My team and I focus on attracting and hiring exceptional talent while making sure every candidate who interacts with Upsun has a thoughtful and positive experience throughout the recruitment process. Alongside that, I help lead initiatives that ensure our culture truly reflects our commitment to inclusion and belonging. 

I live in Guelph, a small town near Toronto, Canada, with my partner and our two dogs. I love spending time outdoors (especially hiking and exploring nature) and traveling whenever I can. So far, I’ve visited over 30 countries, and travel has been one of the most meaningful ways I’ve learned about people, cultures, and perspectives different from my own. I’m also an avid reader and usually go through at least three books a month, mostly fiction.

Travel has also shaped another important part of who I am: I’m very politically aware and involved in different activist circles. Seeing different parts of the world and learning about people’s lived experiences has made me deeply conscious of social and political injustices, and that awareness continues to influence how I engage with the world.

How would you describe your journey so far in one word or phrase, or how would you describe the story or perspective you’d like to share here? 

If I had to describe my journey in one phrase, it would be “global fluency". My path hasn't been linear or traditional; it's been shaped by curiosity and a desire to experience the world beyond what's familiar.

 I moved to Canada from Syria at the age of 12, a transition that fundamentally shaped who I am today and fueled my curiosity about the world.  

Growing up, I moved frequently and lived in five different countries, which gave me an early appreciation for different cultures and perspectives. After university, I took my first big step abroad by moving to Qatar, where I began my professional career as an HR Specialist in the hospitality industry. From there, I followed my curiosity again and moved to South Korea, where I lived and worked for two years at an English Learning Center. Living abroad has always brought me a deep sense of excitement. Immersing myself in completely new cultures has been one of the most rewarding sources of both personal growth and perspective in my life.

What’s a challenge you’ve faced and how have you grown from it? 

One of the most persistent challenges I’ve faced has been navigating the tension between my professional identity and my personal values as an activist and a member of the LGBTQIA+ community. Early in my career, particularly while living and working in diverse global regions with varying social climates, I often felt I had to 'mute' certain parts of myself to fit into traditional corporate structures and societal norms.

 It took a while, but I've finally grown to realize that my lived experiences and international exposure are actually one of my greatest professional assets. I’ve learned that true inclusion isn't just about fitting in; it’s about creating spaces where people don't have to compromise their identities to succeed. This challenge turned into a professional goal to always ensure that my team and I don't just hire for skill, but we foster an environment where 'bringing your whole self to work' is a reality, not just a buzzword.

Is there someone at Upsun who played a key role in your journey or made your experience possible?

Jenna Zucchet has been instrumental in my journey and in making this experience possible. Jenna and I worked together at Shopify, and I was in between jobs, taking a short career break after a very stressful two years working in the Healthcare industry. She reached out with an opportunity to provide some consulting work for what was then Platform.sh, now called Upsun, which, at the time, I knew very little about. 

Taking this consulting project was the spark I needed. Jenna's trust in my expertise allowed me to see the potential of what we could build here. What started as a short-term engagement quickly evolved into a full-time role where I could lead Talent Acquisition and DEIB. Jenna has been a constant advocate and a sounding board, helping me navigate the transition into the tech space and empowering me to take ownership of the culture-driven initiatives I'm passionate about.

As we say at Upsun, 'Your greatest work is just on the horizon.' What's the next horizon you're excited to reach in your journey? 

The next horizon for me is to continue to evolve our DEIB program from foundational initiatives into a deeply embedded, sustainable part of Upsun's DNA. As we scale, I'm excited to build frameworks that ensure equity isn't just a goal, but a natural outcome of how we operate.

My story helps shape this for others by proving that there is no 'standard' path to success at Upsun. I want to show my colleagues and future candidates that their unique, non-linear backgrounds are exactly what we need to innovate. 

Thanks for joining us on this month’s journey. Beyond the horizon is all about the stories that shape who we are. We hope you’ll return next month as we continue celebrating the people who inspire our culture and move Upsun forward. 💙