WHAT IS YOUR DAY JOB AT HBS?

I work for the Department of Operations as the Manager of Executive Education Building Services. In that role I oversee the Operation of the Executive Education precinct which consists of three dormitories and a dining facility. In addition to my responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the precinct, I manage 2 shifts with a total of 46 employees. I perform the logistics of preparing the buildings and servicing the 11,000 participants who arrive yearly in our buildings. My team and I also support the teams that run the Executive Education Programs. 

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN A PROGRAM MANAGER BEFORE?

I was a Program Manager in January, 2016 with the FIELD course in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. 

WHAT EXCITES YOU MOST ABOUT TRAVELING WITH STUDENTS AND FACULTY?

Although I work with Executive Education participants, it was a unique experience for me to get firsthand experience working with MBA students.  In the age of globalization, it was fascinating to watch the students interact and work in a country with different culture, ethics and traditions. Seeing them in action, using all of the skills they have learned at HBS to help others in another country was very rewarding for me. It helped me understand the importance of working closely together and assisting each other to achieve joint goals.  

WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO LEARN IN ETHIOPIA & TANZANIA?

This will be my second time in Africa, having been to South Africa a few years ago. In Ethiopia and Tanzania, I am looking forward to learning firsthand of their struggles and aspirations to develop and bring their countries into the 21st century. 

WHAT IS ONE THING YOU CAN’T TRAVEL WITHOUT?

I always carry my lucky charm, a copy of a prehistoric amulet.

IF YOU HAD TO CHOOSE THREE WORDS TO DESCRIBE YOURSELF AS A TRAVELER, WHAT WOULD THEY BE?

Multicultural, open minded and a voracious traveler to the extent that my hobby, as a culinary historian, is to organize culinary journeys where we eat our away to…everywhere! 

IF YOU COULD SPEAK ANOTHER LANGUAGE, WHICH WOULD IT BE AND WHY?

Although I speak several languages, I wish I had learned Arabic. Communicating with Arabs and reading their literature in their own language would help me better understand their culture.