A Legacy of Purpose: Conversations with Dina H. Sherif

MIT Kuo Sharper Center for Prosperity and Entrepreneurship
  • 5.0 (4)
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  • Updated Monthly

Join Executive Director of the MIT Kuo Sharper Center for Prosperity and Entrepreneurship, Dina H. Sherif as she brings together the stories of those brave enough to engage in leadership, with a focus on those who are working hard to see entrepreneurs thrive across global growth markets. The podcast will feature individuals who stand strong in their purpose and who are working hard to create change, now and for the future. 

  1. Jul 20

    HAL GREGERSEN on Leading with Curiosity in a Complex World

    How do we retain our human agency, creativity, and capacity for deep critical thinking in a world shifting at an exponential pace? In this episode of 𝘼 𝙇𝙚𝙜𝙖𝙘𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝙋𝙪𝙧𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙚: 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝘿𝙞𝙣𝙖 𝙃. 𝙎𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙛, host Dina sits down with Hal Gregersen, PhD, MIT Digital Fellow, leadership expert, and author of 'Questions Are the Answer,' for an intimate, candid conversation that challenges our modern obsession with immediate answers. Moving past conventional soundbites, this dialogue uncovers how true leadership requires the bravery to sit in the uncomfortable silence of not knowing, and how continuous inquiry serves as our ultimate anchor for navigating complexity. Through a powerful combination of personal stories and rigorous frameworks, Gregersen details why leaders must shift from projecting absolute certainty to embracing deep, intentional observation. He shares how his creative practice as a photographer intersects with behavioral psychology, how childhood survival mechanisms can evolve into a proactive search for truth, and how his latest research proves that vulnerability directly builds psychological safety within a team. Finally, the conversation confronts the deep ethical dilemmas of the modern technological landscape, exploring how leaders can strategically audit their own identities to ensure they adopt artificial intelligence by design, rather than by default. 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁: Hal Gregersen, PhD, is a Digital Fellow at the MIT Initiative on the Digital Economy, a Senior Lecturer in Leadership and Innovation at the MIT Sloan School of Management, and the former Executive Director of the MIT Leadership Center. Recognized by Thinkers50 as one of the world's most influential management thinkers, he has dedicated his extensive career to fostering cultures of fearless inquiry across global academic institutions and corporations. He has authored or co-authored ten books translated into 15 languages, including the bestsellers Questions Are the Answer: A Breakthrough Approach to Your Most Vexing Problems at Work and in Life and The Innovator’s DNA: Mastering the Five Skills of Disruptive Innovators (with Clayton Christensen and Jeff Dyer). 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀: Hosted by Dina H. Sherif, Executive Director of the MIT Kuo Sharper Center for Prosperity and Entrepreneurship, 𝘼 𝙇𝙚𝙜𝙖𝙘𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝙋𝙪𝙧𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙚 features intimate dialogues with global innovators, leaders, and policymakers. The series strips away polished scripts to uncover the emotional drivers and core values that guide high-level judgment and systemic transformation. #ALegacyOfPurpose #HalGregersen #MIT #LeadershipExpert #CriticalThinking #AIStrategy #OrganizationalCulture #PsychologicalSafety #ManagementTheory #ContinuousInquiry #NewCalculus #ChallengingAssumptions #FearlessInquiry #QuestionsAreTheAnswer Host: Dina Sherif Produced by Sherif Shafie For Media Inquiries: Sherif Shafie Sloan School of Management Massachusetts Institute of Technology 292 Main St, E38, 5th Floor, Cambridge, MA 02142

  2. Jul 20

    BEYOND EXTRACTION: Redesigning Value with Ayo Sopitan

    Can sustainable commodities trading unlock inclusive prosperity across global growth markets? In this episode of 'A Legacy of Purpose', host Dina H. Sherif interviews Ayo Sopitan, Founder and CEO of Metalex Commodities Inc. and an MIT Kuo Sharper Center Foundry Fellow, to explore how a non-zero-sum ecosystem is redefining African innovation and climate resilience. In this insightful conversation, you will discover how aligning a venture with personal philosophy and the Japanese concept of Ikigai creates the unshakeable foundation required to tackle complex, systemic infrastructure challenges. Ayo openly shares his transition from a fifteen-year elite corporate consulting career into raw commodities mining, breaking down his methodology of iterative problem solving to navigate long-term economic risk.  The discussion moves far beyond standard business strategies to address the critical mandate of narrative sovereignty, localized mineral processing, and carbon-neutral green transition solutions. You will also gain powerful insights into how African diaspora capital can be strategically redirected from short-term consumption into long-term local production and ecosystem building. From building affordable community housing to integrating nature-based forestry conservation, this conversation redefines what ethical leadership and sustainable growth look like on the global stage.  Watch to hear Dina and Ayo map out a new calculus for economic agency, transparent mentorship, and a lasting legacy of purpose. Key topics covered in this episode: • Shifting from raw extraction to local processing and value retention • Navigating the risk muscle from the college dorm room to the global C-suite   • The ecosystem approach: integrating affordable housing, local jobs, and clean energy • Re-channeling the $100 billion annual African diaspora remittances into production • Redefining mentorship through radical honesty and sharing embarrassing failures   Host: Dina Sherif Produced by Sherif Shafie For Media Inquiries: Sherif Shafie Sloan School of Management Massachusetts Institute of Technology 292 Main St, E38, 5th Floor, Cambridge, MA 02142

  3. Mar 17

    Designing Systems for Hope | A Conversation with H.E. Ghada Waly on Power, Policy, and the Courage to Step Back

    𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝗽𝗲 | 𝗔 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗛.𝗘. 𝗚𝗵𝗮𝗱𝗮 𝗪𝗮𝗹𝘆 𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿, 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸 "𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙙𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙥𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩. 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙙𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙥𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙙𝙞𝙜𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮." In this episode of A Legacy of Purpose, host Dina H. Sherif is joined by a true pioneer of global development, Her Excellency Dr. Ghada Waly. From the rural fields of Upper Egypt to the high-stakes treaty rooms of the United Nations in Vienna, Ghada Waly’s career has been defined by a singular mission: to center human dignity in the machinery of government. As Egypt’s Minister of Social Solidarity, she didn’t just manage poverty—she innovated against it. She architected Takaful and Karama (Solidarity and Dignity), a conditional cash transfer program that supported millions of families by linking financial aid to education and health, using technology to bridge the gap between the state and the most vulnerable. She later took this "bottom-up" philosophy to the global stage as the Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)—becoming the first woman, African, and Arab to hold the post. There, she championed an alternative, holistic perspective on security, arguing that crime is often a symptom of hopelessness, not just a matter of policing. In this intimate conversation, we explore: • The "Real Work": How her early days in micro-finance and field work shaped her policy decisions. • Innovation in Government: How she used digital infrastructure and private sector partnerships to modernize Egypt’s social safety nets. • The Engine of Growth: Why she views entrepreneurship—not aid—as the ultimate graduation from poverty, and her take on Egypt’s shifting policy landscape for startups. • Breaking Barriers: Navigating the UN as an African Arab woman and building consensus in a polarized world. • The Courage to Pause: Her candid reflection on resigning from the UN to prioritize family, and what that says about the true definition of legacy. Join us for a conversation that challenges the status quo and reimagines what it means to lead with purpose. Host: Dina Sherif Produced by Sherif Shafie For Media Inquiries: Sherif Shafie Sloan School of Management Massachusetts Institute of Technology 292 Main St, E38, 5th Floor, Cambridge, MA 02142

  4. 07/30/2025

    The Story of MENA & Building What Doesn’t Exist Yet | A Conversation with Noor Sweid

    In this episode of A Legacy of Purpose, Executive Director Dina H. Sherif is joined by Noor Sweid, Founder and Managing Partner of Global Ventures, former Chief Investment Officer of The Dubai Future Foundation, and the first woman to lead an IPO in the MENA region. With a career spanning biotechnology, government innovation, and now one of the most active venture capital firms in emerging markets, Noor shares her candid thoughts on what conviction looks like in the face of uncertainty, why capital is never the full story, and how growth markets must build not just for scale—but for sovereignty. Together, they explore the future of venture through the lens of courage, community, and complexity, delving into topics such as: Why “venture isn’t about capital, it’s about conviction”What founders in growth markets need beyond fundingThe danger of extractive capital and how to build sovereign innovation ecosystemsNoor’s personal journey as a founder, mother, and Arab woman navigating global entrepreneurshipThe role of trust, discipline, and storytelling in driving prosperityWhether you’re a builder, investor, or entrepreneur, this conversation will leave you reflecting on how growth markets can lead the way in reimagining prosperity on their own terms. 🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. Host: Dina Sherif Produced by Sherif Shafie For Media Inquiries: Sherif Shafie Sloan School of Management Massachusetts Institute of Technology 292 Main St, E38, 5th Floor, Cambridge, MA 02142

  5. 06/26/2025

    Stories are the Bridge to Every Opportunity | A Conversation with Maha Abouelenein

    In this episode of A Legacy of Purpose: Conversations with Dina H. Sherif, we sit down with Maha Abouelenein to explore the power of communication, the responsibility of owning your story, and why she believes self-reliance is the most critical tool in your toolkit. Maha Abouelenein is a powerhouse in global strategic communications—a woman who’s shaped narratives for tech giants, political leaders, and entrepreneurs across the world.  From her upbringing as the daughter of Egyptian immigrants in Minnesota to building bridges between global brands and the Arab world, Maha shares her journey, her principles, and her hard-won insights into leadership, legacy, and being a woman in rooms you were never expected to be in. We also unpack her new best-selling book, The 7 Rules of Self-Reliance, and discuss the messages she hopes entrepreneurs, women, and changemakers in growth markets will carry forward. Whether you’re building a startup, a personal brand, or your own confidence—this conversation is for you. Host: Dina Sherif Produced by Sherif Shafie For Media Inquiries: Sherif Shafie Sloan School of Management Massachusetts Institute of Technology 292 Main St, E38, 5th Floor, Cambridge, MA 02142

  6. 04/17/2025

    How Growth Markets are Going from Stuck to Scale: A Conversation with Andrea Kates

    In this episode of A Legacy of Purpose: Conversations with Dina H. Sherif, we sit down with Andrea Kates—a globally respected strategist, bestselling author of From Stuck to Scale, and current Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the MIT Kuo Sharper Center (formerly the MIT Legatum Center). Andrea’s work spans tech, healthcare, climate, and finance, and her frameworks have helped thousands of entrepreneurs unlock their next chapter. Together, we explore how entrepreneurs can shift from uncertainty to momentum, why trust is the true currency of innovation, and why she believes 2025 will be the “year of the leapfrog.” We also dive deep into Andrea’s storytelling approach to business, and how growth markets like Bogota, Nairobi, and Hanoi are leading the future of problem-solving. From insights on corporate transformation to the power of Chōkensei—Japan’s model of society-inspired innovation—this episode offers a deeply practical and human take on scaling what matters. Host: Dina Sherif Produced by Sherif Shafie For Media Inquiries: Sherif Shafie Sloan School of Management Massachusetts Institute of Technology 292 Main St, E38, 5th Floor, Cambridge, MA 02142

  7. 03/28/2025

    “Leadership Is Not About You—It’s About Those You Serve” Conversation with Former Minister Sandiaga Uno

    In this powerful episode of A Legacy of Purpose: Conversations with Dina H. Sherif, we sit down with Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno—Indonesia’s former Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, a seasoned entrepreneur, and global thought leader in inclusive development. From scaling businesses after the Asian Financial Crisis to creating millions of good-quality jobs during COVID-19, Minister Uno’s story is one of resilience, vision, and deep commitment to public service. Together, we explore how his entrepreneurial background shaped his approach to governance, why he believes entrepreneurship is a form of resistance to the status quo, and how countries like Indonesia are rewriting their global narrative through innovation, digital storytelling, and youth empowerment. We also dive into his reflections on faith, family, AI, and the creative economy’s power to shape culture and commerce. Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. Host: Dina Sherif Produced by Sherif Shafie For Media Inquiries: Sherif Shafie Sloan School of Management Massachusetts Institute of Technology 292 Main St, E38, 5th Floor, Cambridge, MA 02142

  8. 03/01/2025

    Entrepreneurship as a Form of Resistance: A Conversation with Ahmed Zahran of KarmSolar

    In this episode of A Legacy of Purpose: Conversations with Dina H. Sherif, we sit down with Ahmed Zahran, CEO of KarmSolar and 2024 Foundry Fellow at the Legatum Center for Development and Entrepreneurship at MIT. What started as a company born out of frustration and necessity has now become one of Egypt’s leading solar energy firms, transforming the way power is generated and distributed in the region. Ahmed shares his journey from working in corporate energy to being forced out of a job—an event that led to the creation of KarmSolar. We explore the power of entrepreneurship as resistance, the role of adaptive leadership, and why building for the long-term often means letting go of ego and immediate success. We also discuss the future of renewable energy in Egypt, why leadership is about championing others, and what it takes to sustain a mission-driven company against all odds. **This Episode was originally filmed in November 2024** Host: Dina Sherif Produced by Sherif Shafie For Media Inquiries: Sherif Shafie Sloan School of Management Massachusetts Institute of Technology 292 Main St, E38, 5th Floor, Cambridge, MA 02142

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Join Executive Director of the MIT Kuo Sharper Center for Prosperity and Entrepreneurship, Dina H. Sherif as she brings together the stories of those brave enough to engage in leadership, with a focus on those who are working hard to see entrepreneurs thrive across global growth markets. The podcast will feature individuals who stand strong in their purpose and who are working hard to create change, now and for the future. 

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