Osama Ezzeldin

“Banking executive driven by the desire to realize his teams’ and organizations’ visions”

Graduation Year: HEC Paris Class of 2023

Current Role: Assistant General Manager of Strategy at Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait (ABK)

Why did you decide to pursue an Executive MBA?

Experiencing the transformation. Learning is an ongoing journey for me, and I wasn’t just interested in the academia. I was interested in witnessing how different professionals from different backgrounds and industries view problems and develop solutions for them. I was also seeking the right environment that can prepare me for a whole new set of challenges at the most senior levels, and that is mastering the arts and skills of leadership. I wanted to transform from being an executor to a leader who unlocks his team’s potential and leaves the same impact on them, as mentors have left on me.

What lead you to the HEC Paris EMBA, and how did you know this school and this program was the right fit for you?

My best friend for more than 20 years had just completed his MBA at HEC Paris, and the transformation in his character and leadership presence was undeniable. After I had decided to pursue my EMBA, his transformation drove me to look more into the school. As I dug deeper into HEC Paris, its global ranking and academic rigor stood out, but what truly sealed the deal was the responsiveness and authenticity of its alumni when I was doing my due diligence on different schools. Their willingness to engage with a prospective candidate they didn’t know and the consistency in what they shared about the experience made it clear. HEC was more than a school; it was a community that stood by its values.

Which intake did you join?

I joined the September 2021 intake — the timing aligned perfectly. The post-COVID landscape had slowed business activity to a certain extent which gave me the opportunity to pause and recalibrate. This intake was conducted entirely in English, offering an international cohort with diverse perspectives. That global lens was important to me.

How did you balance the demands of work, family, and the program while studying?

Two words: alignment and discipline. Before applying, I had a transparent conversation with my former CEO about the commitment required. His support was unwavering — but that alignment came with a responsibility to manage my time with precision. I prioritized honoring every commitment I made to my employer, to my classmates, to my family and to myself. Of course, it is a lot easier said than done, but the clarity of purpose and the visible results of that discipline made it sustainable. When your actions consistently deliver, the pressure becomes fuel.

How did you customize your learning experience?

The digital and data transformation is the specialization I picked, and it was the most relevant to me in my professional experience. Whilst the impact of technology is beyond evident on all industries, a brand new industry has been founded that merges finance and technology and that’s fintech. Being a strategist and an M&A banker, there’s no other specialization that would’ve added more value to me than this one. What banks and financial institutions are doing in the technology space is unprecedented as those institutions who are not ready will very soon be irrelevant. And I have to admit that this specialization far exceeded my expectations in terms of content, interactions with industry leaders and its applicability.

What’s a standout memory from your time at HEC Paris?

It was my very first module and the first class was about principles of leadership by the great Randy White. We were all given a set of tests to take before class, including questionnaires that were required to be filled by our teams, peers and superiors. When I received my results, I was not just shocked at the results. I was shocked at the amount of areas of development in my leadership and management style that I was completely blind to. It was at this moment that I knew that I was at the right place at the right time.

The other memory is when I was voted as my cohort’s social delegate. Being the person who wants to leave an impact, I got to connect with other delegates from other cohorts to find out the date when a lot of us would overlap. Luckily, 3 cohorts overlapped on campus in April 2022 and I am extremely proud to have personally organized a dinner at Restaurant Voyage La Samaritaine that brought all these amazing people together. The joy that everyone experienced meant the world to me.

What are some of the biggest takeaways you gained from the experience?

The biggest takeaway is that my brain is wired differently than before. The way I process a situation, the way I listen to others to understand and not just respond, and my decryption of body language and what makes people tick are completely different now.

How has the program helped you grow personally or professionally since graduating?

Weeks after completing my specialization, and before submitting my capstone project, I stepped into a senior role at a new bank (other than my current employer), in a different market and an entirely new corporate dynamic. I was part of the executive team that was tasked to convert the bank to a fully Shariah-compliant institution and seek the necessary banking license for such activities. This was a complex regulatory and operational shift, with immense reputational risk and minimal margin for error. What made it even more challenging was that I had very limited prior experience in Islamic banking. But what I did have was confidence, adaptability, and structured thinking that HEC Paris had instilled. I was able to navigate the organizational landscape, align key stakeholders, and create clarity in an unfamiliar space. The transition wasn’t only delivered successfully and in record time, it reinforced that leadership isn’t about knowing everything. It’s about learning fast, leading with humility and owning outcomes.

Is this the industry and role you envisioned yourself when you entered the program?

I still envision myself being on top of a pan-continental financial institution where I can make a much wider and tangible impact on the economies and societies it operates in. I can claim that every step I have taken in my journey thus far has been bringing me closer and preparing me to be ready to assume that role. I am not there yet, but I am persistent that I will get there!

What advice would you share with someone thinking about pursuing an Executive MBA?

Never pursue an EMBA as an accolade for your CV. Be clear about what you want to do. Because when you do, an EMBA at the right school will equip you with all the necessary tools and skills to get there. And if you’re at a crossroads and you’re unsure about what you want to do next, an EMBA will widen your horizons and add clarity to all the options you have before you. In my opinion, the most valuable thing one gets out of an EMBA at the right school is that it will tell you so much about yourself that you never knew! Time is your most valuable asset. Use it wisely!

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