Farah Nafi          

ESMT Berlin

“A lifelong athlete looking forward to channeling my energy into driving positive change.”

Hometown: Gaza, raised in Amman, Jordan

Fun fact about yourself: I’m basically a music dumpster—I’ll happily take in anything from classical symphonies to chaotic dubstep!

Undergraduate School and Degree: Chemical and Pharmaceutical Engineering from the German Jordanian University

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? Phillip Morris International as a Consumer Program’s Supervisor

Where did you intern during the summer of 2024? think-cell, Berlin

Where will you be working after graduation? Where I’ll be working after graduation is still a work in progress, but this MBA has equipped me to see organizations through multiple perspectives and dimensions. As someone who thrives in dynamic, people-driven environments, company culture is a top priority for me. My affinity for data and passion for sports makes me most excited about opportunities in the sports industry—ideally contributing to a product or service that empowers the sports community and fosters genuine societal development. Let’s see!

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School: I was the VP of partnerships for the Women in Leadership Club and the class representative for my cohort.

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? Despite arriving a month late to the program due to visa delays, I’m proud—and still amazed—that I am successfully completing it on time. Additionally, I had the privilege of hosting a panel on financial independence, a topic I’m deeply passionate about but still learning. Leading this discussion during our Women in Leadership week was a significant personal achievement for me.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? My tenure at PMI is filled with achievements I’m immensely proud of. I was the first female hire in the production factory, breaking barriers in a traditionally male-dominated space. Additionally, I successfully transitioned from the operations function to the commercial function without prior training or guidance, independently transforming the department I joined.

Why did you choose this business school? In my last role, I sometimes felt stuck, as if something was missing. That’s why I’ve decided to pursue a full-time program at ESMT —to gain the theoretical insight, in small-sized cohorts needed, to connect what I’ve learned practically, and to broaden my perspective by working with peers and professors from various professional and cultural backgrounds. Finally, during my research I learnt that Berlin could be a soft landing for an English speaker in Europe.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? Eric Quintane. I really enjoyed his class Organizational Behavior, as it helped me widen my horizon in considering that efficient organizations are built around people and that a successful business model doesn’t take you far without a healthy culture. Moreover, it set the tone for the remaining Organizational Behavior workshops/courses I took which blew up my mind and anchored the importance of relationships, environment, and communication.

What was your favorite course as an MBA? That’s a tough question because I genuinely enjoy learning and believe knowledge is like an arsenal—it prepares you for life’s challenges. If I had to choose, I’d say Leading with Psychological Intelligence was my favorite. It provided valuable insights into understanding diverse personalities in a business context and equipped me with practical tools for the future. It also helped me make sense of many experiences in my past, offering clarity and perspective.

What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at your business school? My favorite MBA event was the summer BBQ. It perfectly captures the essence of summer in Berlin and brings together students, faculty, and the admin team in a relaxed and enjoyable setting. It’s a wonderful tradition that fosters connection and community across the entire ESMT family.

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? I wish I had spent even more time connecting with my cohort. Being surrounded by such a diverse group of individuals with unique perspectives, backgrounds, and ideas is a rare opportunity. While I did invest a lot of time with my peers, I still feel there was so much more to gain from those interactions.

What is the biggest myth about your school? The school is too small to provide global opportunities for because it is a smaller business school. Hence, some think ESMT lacks international reach. However, ESMT has a strong global network, international faculty, and partnerships with leading institutions worldwide, offering students global exposure and opportunities.

What did you love most about your business school’s town? Berlin is a city like no other—a place where you can truly be yourself or explore every facet of who you are. No matter what your interests are, you’ll find a community that shares your passions. It’s a city that celebrates individuality and embraces diversity, allowing you to be anything or even a bit of everything.

What movie or television show best reflects the realities of business and what did you learn from it? It is Yellowstone because it highlights the challenges of leadership, negotiation, and succession planning, which are common in both family businesses and corporate environments. The show taught me the importance of resilience, strategic thinking, and balancing personal values with tough decisions in high-stakes situations.

What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What insights did you gain from using AI? ESMT has integrated AI into the program in various ways, but I found it particularly impactful during data analysis courses. We explored how AI can automate coding tasks and streamline complex data workflows, significantly reducing the time required for analysis. This experience highlighted how AI can enhance efficiency while allowing us to focus on deriving insights and making strategic decisions, rather than being bogged down by repetitive tasks.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? I would say Alan (Dongming) Wang, as I deeply admire his ability to collaborate seamlessly with anyone, anywhere, and at any time. Additionally, Alan has profoundly influenced the way I approach discussions and evaluate their outcomes. Working with him was not only enjoyable, but also highly rewarding on a professional level.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list? The top two items on my professional bucket list are, first, to eventually work in the sports industry. I feel most energized in an environment that celebrates sports and embraces the impact of continuously advancing the field. Second, I aim to transition away from working for someone else as early as possible, establishing a financial stream that allows me to focus on personal growth and giving back to my community.

What made Farah such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2025?

“Farah has been an invaluable addition to the class of 2025. Exceptionally bright and always eager to engage, she consistently asked meaningful and thought-provoking questions—but what truly set her apart was how she did so. Her questions were insightful, constructive, and framed in a way that fostered collaboration and respect while sparking deeper reflection and enriching discussions. She had a unique ability to draw from her professional experience to push conversations forward, all while demonstrating a genuine interest in understanding human dynamics. Beyond her outstanding academic performance, which reflects her intellectual rigor and commitment to excellence, her warmth, positivity, and ability to connect with others made her a standout student who left a lasting impression on both classmates and instructors.”

Eric Quintane
Associate Professor of Organizational Behavior
ESMT Berlin

DON’T MISS: MBAS TO WATCH: CLASS OF 2025

 

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