Halla earned her B.A and M.A. in Economics from the American University in Cairo in 1987 and 1992. For 25 years, she worked as an economist and Senior Development Consultant with international development institutions and has several publications. Her childhood passion for art resurfaced, and during 2006-2011, she attended the atelier of artist Magd Sagini.

Her first solo exhibition ‘Passion for Pastels’ was held in Bab-Selim Gallery, Cairo, in September 2012. In 2013, her painting accepted at 114th Annual Pastel Society of England Exhibition in London received First Prize for Non-members. Her work was also accepted in the 41st juried exhibition of the Pastel Society of America and exhibited at the renowned National Arts Club in New York. She was elected as a Signature Member of the society earning her the distinction of PSA signature. In the same year, her work juried and exhibited at the International Pastel Biennial of Spain and exhibited in Oveido. Her work was also published in the prestigious Pastel Journal. She has also participated in numerous group shows and was invited to exhibit in the Art Carnival at the Egyptian Academy of Arts in Rome in March 2014. She was also invited to participate in the Siwa Annual Art retreat of the Ministry of Culture and participated in the group exhibition in Mahmoud Mokhtar Museum in May 2014. She has participated in numerous group exhibitions.