Strengthen Your Professional Network. Sharpen Your Strategic Vision.

What were you looking for when you discovered SELPME?

I was specifically looking for an educational opportunity that was tailored to executives. I've completed my MBA, studied at three different schools, and participated in other academic programs that support my work. But I had been searching for an educational opportunity that would support my executive role, and I found exactly what I was looking for in the Senior Executive Leadership Program—Middle East.

Why did SELPME specifically appeal to you?

It was a combination of factors—the modules, the professors, the learning experience. But I also liked being able to participate at HBS in Boston as well as in Dubai.

The SELPME program was also particularly relevant for me. As someone who runs an organization in the Middle East and Africa, it makes sense to further develop my network where I'm hoping to generate more business. And while I've developed a lot of industry knowledge over the years, I also felt that I needed a refresher and a different perspective.

What have you learned from the program?

For me, the takeaway has been that leaders need both in-depth and big-picture approaches to run their organizations. It's easy to get stuck in the micro details of your day-to-day responsibilities. This program is a good opportunity to step back and take a look at the big picture.

This chance to refocus is a lesson in itself. It's important to take the time to think through how we can refocus our strategy, because that, in turn, will help us to better understand our businesses.

What surprised you most about the program?

I was pleasantly surprised at the level of engagement and diversity of participants. I work in a male-dominated space and, as such, have attended conferences in which I'm the only woman out of 200 men, but not here. It's nice to engage with other women. Ten of the 60 participants here are women. That's almost 20 percent, which is a great start, especially when you look at the context of coming from the Middle East.

How have the program's two locations influenced your experience?

SELPME not only provides the experience of being at HBS in Boston, but also the opportunity to be in Dubai. When I looked at other programs, it never seemed possible to block out six months away from work and family commitments. But this program format lets me be home when I need to be.

What sets the SELPME program apart?

To be successful, a program must offer variety and quality—and Harvard offers both. And it's not just the academics and what you learn in the program—the Harvard network is one that you carry for a lifetime. There are very few schools and organizations that provide this kind of close and lasting culture.

What's it like living with other program participants?

It's really nice. We came in at 10:30 one night, gathered in the living room, and just talked—not about the program's case studies, but just to get to know each other on a personal level. It was just fantastic!

Do you think there's a need for educational opportunities tailored specifically to executives in the Middle East?

It's very important. The biggest growth that we will see in the next 10–15 years could potentially be in the Middle East. It's definitely encouraging, when I look at who's attending this program, to see that companies in the Middle East understand the importance of bringing their decision-makers to the highest level of international education.

What advice would you give to other program participants when they arrive on the Harvard campus?

My view is that what you get out of SELPME depends on how much you put into it. Yes, it's great to be at Harvard, but it's up to you to make most of it. If you've taken the time to come out to Boston, make sure your time is well invested and that you leverage the available opportunities.