First Class Of ABANA Fellows: Building Bridges Between The U.S. & MENA Region

Ahmed Sallam, MBA ’25
Harvard Business School

BACKGROUND

Where did you grow up? How do you believe this shaped your professional aspirations? I was born in Egypt and raised in Ras Al Khaimah, a small city in the UAE, before moving to Dubai. Growing up in a multicultural environment, my classrooms felt like a microcosm of the world with 30 students from 20 different nationalities. I developed a deep appreciation for how diversity drives creativity and innovation. This early experience had deeply influenced my professional aspirations today, fueling my passion for exploring ways to harness innovation, particularly in emerging markets.

Brief summary of your undergraduate studies: I majored in Mechanical Engineering at the American University in Cairo (AUC) and minored in Business. The most memorable part of my studies was immersing myself in the world of agriculture for a year to build a financially viable solution for smallholder farmers in Egypt to harness energy from agricultural waste – a project that is now being rolled out.

Summary of your professional career so far: Before attending business school, I was a consultant at McKinsey’s Middle East office where I specialized in scaling seed stage and series A startups in MENA across a wide range of verticals (e.g., fintech, B2B / B2C marketplaces, and agribusinesses). Prior to McKinsey, I was an Initiatives Leader at Procter & Gamble launching new products in West Africa and the GCC. More recently, I spent last summer exploring the space of impact investing at the IFC through their ‘Startup Catalyst’ fund investing in early-stage funds and startups in emerging markets.

ABANA FELLOWSHIP

Why did you apply for the ABANA Fellowship? I applied for the ABANA Fellowship after speaking with Khaled Azim, ABANA President, during his visit to the HBS campus. It became clear that the initiative was much more than merely a fellowship – it offered mentorship, access to exclusive events, including the final summit, and, most importantly, the chance to be part of a diverse network of finance professionals from various backgrounds.

What was your reaction to being selected? I was filled with pride and joy to be selected as part of the inaugural class of ABANA fellows. Shortly after being selected, I had the chance to meet two ABANA directors during a visit to DC for my summer internship, which gave me an early glimpse into how close-knit and supportive the ABANA community is. I’m eager to connect more deeply with the other fellows and the broader network.

What are you most looking forward to from the fellowship? I am particularly excited to get the chance to meet and engage with the broader ABANA community through networking events.

Describe your position/relationship with Arab/MENA culture and how it has impacted your career: Living and working in the region during the post-‘Arab Spring’ era immersed me in what felt like an environment of region-wide transformation, driven by hope amidst challenges. This experience naturally instilled in me a ‘builder’s’ mindset with a strong drive to create. This has shaped my professional career and sparked my passion for emerging markets and early-stage ventures, where adaptability and perseverance are essential.

Why are organizations like ABANA needed, in your opinion? Organizations like ABANA create a platform for professionals with a shared connection to get together, share insights, and create opportunities for one another. In Arab culture, where community building is considered a core value, ABANA’s role in fostering these connections is especially significant. Programs supporting young professionals (such as the ABANA fellowship) are helping cultivate the next generation of industry leaders.

B-SCHOOL/CAREER ASPIRATIONS

Why did you want to pursue an MBA? Ultimately, I saw an MBA as an opportunity to step back and deeply reflect on how I want to make a meaningful impact in the world, while better equipping myself with the skills, expertise, and network needed to bring that vision into life.

Why did you choose your particular MBA program? I chose HBS because I wanted to be challenged in a way that would push me to grow as a leader. The case method’s hands-on approach was exactly what I was looking for to tackle real-world problems and develop practical solutions alongside my peers. Beyond the academics, the diverse community and the global network at HBS offered a unique opportunity to learn from and collaborate with some of the brightest minds, making it the ideal place to pursue my goals of driving change in emerging markets. One year into the program, I can confidently say that the experience has exceeded my expectations, providing profound learning and growth both personally and professionally.

What are your future career aspirations? How do you think the ABANA Fellowship will help in this regard? My goal is to drive innovation in early-stage ventures across emerging markets, where potential is great, but challenges persist. By leveraging both investing and operational experience, I aim to overcome these obstacles and foster the growth of the ecosystem, likely oscillating between these roles. The ABANA Fellowship will be instrumental in this journey, offering access to a network of seasoned professionals and mentors who can provide the guidance needed to make a lasting impact on the entrepreneurial and tech ecosystems in those regions.

Do you hope to live and work in the Arab/MENA region after completing your MBA? Why or why not? To be honest, this is still an open question for me. While MENA undeniably holds a special place in my heart, and I’m deeply passionate about making a difference there, I’m focused on finding opportunities to create meaningful impact, wherever that path may lead.

How would you describe the current and future economic circumstance of the Arab/MENA region, particularly its place in an increasingly global economy. The Arab/MENA region is at a critical juncture, but it’s important to recognize that grouping MENA as one can be misleading, as the region is diverse with varying levels of development and challenges. While some areas are rapidly diversifying and investing in technology, others face significant hurdles in building underlying infrastructure. Despite these differences, I choose to be optimistic. With a young population and strategic location, the region has the potential to play a significant role in the global economy, provided it addresses structural issues and fosters inclusive growth. This could transform the region into a hub for innovation and economic dynamism on the global stage.

What’s next for you? What’s next? After spending the summer delving into impact investing in emerging markets, I’m eager to keep expanding my network in this space over the coming year. I’m focused on roles that blend investing with the hands-on work of scaling startups. My goal is to help build resilient, dynamic ecosystems that can thrive in emerging markets—and leave a lasting impact while doing so. I’m excited to see where this journey leads – the adventure is just getting started.

NEXT PAGE: ABANA Fellow Nicole Mansour, Chicago Booth

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