What I Did Next What I Did Next

Dr. Mounir Neamatalla is the founder of Environment Quality International, EQI, which he founded in 1981. EQI started out as the first environment-focused advisory in Egypt and went on to become a pioneer in the world of micro-finance. Then in 1996, Dr. Mounir’s visit to the remote oasis of Siwa led to the launch of the pathbreaking Siwa Sustainable Development Initiative.
My conversation with Dr. Mounir was special for a number of reasons—he is a family friend, I’ve long-admired his philosophy on life and how he sees the world, and he has all the characteristics of what is fast becoming a bygone era. He is a romantic, a dreamer, a deep thinker, choosing the slower measured approach over today's fast and frenetic pace. He has been on my podcast wish list since the show's inception but he kept resisting my requests to come on and share his story...until now. 
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We’re continuing my conversation from last week with Malak El Baba, Country manager For Visa in Egypt. On this bonus episode, Malak tells me more about the digital payments industry, and Visa’s own evolution since it was established by Dee Hock in 1958.

Thank you for being a subscriber! We’re halfway through our season and have even more amazing guests coming up, so stay tuned, and don’t forget to catch our previous bonus episodes if you haven’t already.

We’ll be back next week with a new guest, see you then!

I’m joined this week by Malak El Baba, Egypt Country Manager for Visa, and a leader and role model for so many in her industry. We had a wonderful conversation that spanned different countries and phases of her life.
Although she has spent nearly two decades in banking and finance, she actually started out wanting to become a diplomat. But destiny had other plans, shaping not just her career but who she married and where she lives today.
Like a true marketer, Malak is very much a people-person, a team builder, and a team player. She’s also an optimist. She truly embodies the traits I find is most successful people. Malak also leads Visa’s Women Leadership Network for MENA, and is the winner of several market leadership awards including four MENA Effies’ awards and 2 Media Efficiency awards.
This episode is brought to you by:
EFG Holding, a trailblazing financial institution with a Universal Bank in Egypt and the leading investment bank in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
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On this bonus episode, Hatem Alakeel tells me how he began supporting the creative community in Saudi Arabia, and his cultural life.

Thank you for being a subscriber of the show. If you haven’t already, you can also listen to our bonus episode with former Foreign Minister of Egypt Amr Moussa, and artist Janan Shihadeh, and we’ll be back with a new guest next week!

Hatem Alakeel is an award-winning Saudi designer, fashion entrepreneur and podcast host. He has designed for global icons including Mattel’s Barbie, Evian, Lexus, Fairmont, Raffles, and the Ritz Carlton among others, and he was among the first regional artists to create and celebrate Saudi traditions.
With his first company, Toby Hatem Alakeel, Hatem brought the traditional thobe into the luxury fashion world, with displays at Harvey Nichols, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Boutique 1. Today, he runs Authenticite, a consulting and creative production agency connecting creators and brands who want to understand Saudi culture. He also continues developing content with his editorial pieces showcasing Saudi artists on his website, and through his podcast, Gems of Arabia.
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We’re continuing my conversation from last week with bespoke artist Janan Shihadeh. On this bonus episode, Janan talks art techniques, how she had to adapt to living and honing her craft in Cairo, and we unpack her cultural life.

Thank you for being a subscriber of What I Did Next. As a member, you’ll continue to get exclusive episodes with each of our guests every couple of weeks.