INSEAD UAE National Alumni Association holds first meeting of its Executive Committee

New President says the UAE and Dubai’s growing global role in bridging markets and business opportunities has helped the Association expand its network

Government of Dubai Media Office: The INSEAD National Alumni Association (NAA) of the UAE today held the first meeting of its Executive Committee after the appointment of Natalie Sleiman as its new President.

The meeting comes as the INSEAD community celebrates Global INSEAD Day this month, which marks the anniversary of the elite business school’s first MBA Opening Ceremony held at the historic Château de Fontainebleau in 1959.

The Executive Committee meeting discussed ways in which the Association can forge new partnerships with leading organisations in the UAE and contribute better to the nation’s effort to realise its development aspirations for the next 50 years. As the world starts to reopen after the pandemic, the National Alumni Association is keen to enlarge the scope of its involvement across the UAE with an array of thought leadership and industry focused events, and play a more active role in supporting the UAE in advancing its national priorities. The Committee also discussed the Association’s expanded partnership with the Government of Dubai Media Office to launch platforms for knowledge sharing and dialogue.

The meeting was chaired by the Association’s new President Sleiman, a Global Executive MBA from INSEAD, who is currently a Partner leading the Technology and Professional Services Practice for Stanton Chase International across the Middle East.

Natalie Sleiman said: “I am thrilled to start my presidency of the INSEAD National Association UAE at the same time as the UAE hosts the world for Expo 2020. I am joined by a senior executive committee and our strategic focus, as a professional network, is to deepen our local ties across the UAE and play a more active role in advancing its national priorities. The association’s industry-focused clubs such as Healthcare, Energy, TMT, Women in Business, and Entrepreneurship will aim to advance thought leadership content and push dialogue at both a local and global level. We are proud to call the UAE our home.

“The UAE and Dubai’s growing global role in bridging markets and business opportunities has helped INSEAD UAE National Alumni Association expand its network in the country and beyond. With the UAE hosting the world at EXPO 2020, the world’s greatest show, 2021 is a landmark year for INSEAD. We look forward to leveraging the platform offered by the mega event to promote new connections and growth opportunities,” she added.

Abdulla Al Mansouri, Director of Corporate Support at the Government of Dubai Media Office and Member of the Executive committee of the INSEAD National Alumni Association (NAA) of the UAE said: “The Government of Dubai Media Office is keen to strengthen its partnerships with organisations like the INSEAD National Alumni Association to advance opportunities for exchanging knowledge and promoting dialogue between various economic, social and cultural stakeholders on the vital issues facing the UAE, the region and the world. Coming just before the start of EXPO 2020, the Executive Committee meeting of the Association gave us an opportunity to look at further ways in which we can jointly engage leaders, experts and influencers visiting Dubai to generate new perspectives on key issues that can contribute to the growth of our economies and societies."

About INSEAD National Alumni Association of the United Arab Emirates

The INSEAD alumni network is organised under the INSEAD Alumni Association (IAA) founded by alumni in 1961 and representing all INSEAD alumni, and the NAA UAE represents INSEAD Alumni living in the UAE. It welcomes other NAA members and Alumni visiting the Emirates. INSEAD alumni association and clubs are the driving force behind INSEAD’s objective of keeping the diverse body of alumni connected and providing them with career growth opportunities through networking, career development and lifelong learning services.

INSEAD NAA UAE is one of the 49 National Alumni Associations representing 52 countries across the world.

About INSEAD, The Business School for the World

As one of the world’s leading and largest graduate business schools, INSEAD brings together people, cultures and ideas to develop responsible leaders who transform business and society. INSEAD’s research, teaching and partnerships reflect this global perspective and cultural diversity.

With locations in Europe (France), Asia (Singapore), the Middle East (Abu Dhabi), and now North America (San Francisco), INSEAD's business education and research spans four regions. 168 renowned Faculty members from 41 countries inspire more than 1,100 degree participants annually in Master in Management, MBA, Global Executive MBA, Specialised Master’s degrees (Executive Master in Finance and Executive Master in Change) and PhD programmes. In addition, more than 12,400 executives participate in INSEAD Executive Education programmes each year.

INSEAD continues to conduct cutting-edge research and innovate across all programmes, providing business leaders with the knowledge and awareness to operate anywhere. INSEAD’s core values drive academic excellence and serve the global community as The Business School for the World.

© Press Release 2021