What I Did Next

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151

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Aug 2026

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About the show

Connecting the dots across the Middle East through storytelling. Join host Malak Fouad, as she brings you the most inspiring people and unpacks their life journeys — successes, failures and everything in between!

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August 11, 2026Episode 12932 min

Karim Mekhtigian & Mohamed Fares

This week, I’m sitting down with Karim Mekhtigian and Mohamed Fares, two of the visionary architects behind Cairo’s premier design firm, Alchemy alongside Emy Hussein. Together, they have spent years shaping the architectural landscape in Egypt, setting new standards of quality, style and craftsmanship.In the first of two episodes, we talk about how they each came to architecture and design, and then joined forces to create a partnership that spans two decades. On part two next week, Karim & Fares tell me about their design philosophy, and how they built a brand that became a movement.Our conversation took place at Tamara Haus, a new destination by Alchemy Experience, in the heart of Downtown Cairo.This episode is brought to you by EFG Hermes One, your one app for investing in more than 35 stock markets. Start investing today!(00:00) - On this episode (01:41) - Karim’s cosmopolitan childhood (03:46) - Fares’ sporting upbringing (12:01) - Meeting of minds (17:14) - Drawing by hand vs AI (22:34) - Building Alchemy (27:38) - Lightning Round Music ID: 5ROQ12DERYHSUUVQ

July 28, 2026Episode 12845 min

Encore: Ramy Adeeb

Ramy Adeeb, founder & managing partner of 1984 Ventures, is back for an Encore episode to talk about what he’s been upto since 2023. He talks about why he’s excited about AI in legacy sectors but worried about unemployment. He also takes on our signature lightning round.This episode is part of Encore, where I check-in with some of your favourite WIDN alumni. We’ll continue this segment with more of the show’s alumni, so stay tuned.(00:00) - Coming up... (08:10) - Who captures value? (15:47) - AI, wars and regulation (27:15) - Guiding the Next Generation (30:26) - Small companies taking on Big Tech (34:38) - Ramy's mentor (40:49) - Lightning Round

July 21, 2026Episode 12729 min

Dina H. Sherif on entrepreneurship as a national competitiveness strategy

We’re continuing my conversation with Dina H. Sherif, talking about the shift from aid to agency, AI and regulation, and entrepreneurship as a national competitiveness strategy.Dina has served as the Executive Director of the MIT Kuo Sharper Center for Prosperity and Entrepreneurship since 2019. You can catch the first part of our conversation in your podcast app or on our website. I’ll be back next week with an Encore episode with founder of 1984 Ventures, Ramy Adeeb on everything he’s been up to since 2023.This episode is brought to you by:EFG Hermes One: your one app for investing in more than 35 stock markets. Start investing today!Azza Fahmy JewelleryOn the episode, Malak is wearing Azza Fahmy’s Lotus Choker, Lotus Bouquet Cuff, Love Tribal Ring and the Lotus Bouquet Earrings. Dina is wearing Nizar Qabbani Necklace, Bouquet of Blessings Earrings and the Filigree Kaf Ring.(00:00) - Coming up (01:16) - From aid to agency (11:17) - The importance of entrepreneurship (14:35) - The sovereignty question of AI (23:08) - The Case for Regional Unity Music ID: 5ROQ12DERYHSUUVQ

July 14, 2026Episode 12636 min

Dina H. Sherif

I’m joined by Dina H. Sherif about entrepreneurship and ecosystem building in growth markets. Dina has served as the Executive Director of the MIT Kuo Sharper Center for Prosperity and Entrepreneurship since 2019. She also talks about her own entrepreneurship journey with Ahead of the Curve, and her personal experiences with loss.We’ll continue the conversation in Part 2 about the shift from aid to agency, AI and entrepreneurship as a national competitiveness strategy.This episode is brought to you by:EFG Hermes One: your one app for investing in more than 35 stock markets. Start investing today!Azza Fahmy JewelleryOn the episode, Malak is wearing Azza Fahmy’s Lotus Choker, Lotus Bouquet Cuff, Love Tribal Ring and the Lotus Bouquet Earrings. Dina is wearing Nizar Qabbani Necklace, Bouquet of Blessings Earringsand the Filigree Kaf Ring.(00:00) - Coming up (10:03) - Focus on growth markets (12:32) - Egypt’s entrepreneurial future (16:07) - Dina’s entrepreneurial journey (23:25) - Adult Bullying at Harvard (26:48) - Dealing with loss & illness (34:22) - The Lightning Round Music ID: 5ROQ12DERYHSUUVQ

June 30, 2026Episode 12537 min

‘What’s Next?’: my panel from The Shift 2026 (from e& and The Narrative Summit)

I recently moderated a panel about how AI is being applied across different sectors like media and finance, how investors are looking at AI companies and the role of telecom in enabling AI adoption. My panelists was made up of a number of the show's alumni including Ahmed Alfi (Chairman, Sawari Ventures), Amy Mowafi (Co-founder & CEO, MO4 Network), Mounir Neamatalla (Founder & CEO, MNT Halan) and Karima El-Hakim (Partner for Africa, Plug and Play Tech Center), and Head of Cloud Software and Services for Ericsson North Middle East, Amer Sakkijha.This panel was part of our partnership with The Shift by e&, powered by The Narrative Summit. The event was a prelude to the annual Narrative Summit's gathering in Soma Bay in October. Chapters:0:06 Summit AI Introduction3:30 Ahmed Alfi on investment criteria 7:40 Mounir Neamatalla Fintech meets AI12:58 Amy Mowafi on creativity in the age of AI22:55 Amer Sakkijha on the role of telecom in AI adoption27:00 Karim El-Hakim on private sector successMusic ID: 5ROQ12DERYHSUUVQ

June 24, 2026Episode 12440 min

Karim Moussa

Today I’m bringing you a special episode with our sponsor EFG Holding. I recently interviewed Karim Moussa, Co-CEO of EFG Hermes Buy-Side, Head of Private Equity & Asset Management & CEO of Vortex Energy. Karim tells me how he got started in private equity, and how the thesis of investing with purpose led EFG to expand renewables, education and healthcare.This episode is brought to you by EFG Hermes One, your one app for investing in more than 35 stock markets. Start investing today!I’ll be back with a new guest in a couple of weeks. But before that, we’ll be airing the panel discussion on how AI will continue to impact Egypt and the region that I moderated in May. The panel was part of The Shift by e&, organised by the fantastic team at The Narrative Summit.Chapters:0:00 On this episode...2:12 Hustling in Berlin6:48 First Steps in Deutsche Bank9:23 A detour to Dubai11:29 Moving into Private Equity17:46 Building Vortex Energy24:01 Egypt’s renewables potential26:56 Investing in education35:00 Lightning RoundMusic ID: 5ROQ12DERYHSUUVQ

June 16, 2026Episode 12320 min

Youssef Salem on AI and the future of the region

On the second part of my conversation with Youssef Salem, we’re talking about AI, energy security and the future of the region. Youssef also tells me why the younger generation needs to prepare for greater competition in the AI age and how he's working to inspire them.Youssef Salem is the CFO of ADNOC Drilling. ADNOC is the UAE’s primary oil company and 12th largest in the world in terms of production. You can also watch the first part of our conversation where we talk about his personal and professional pivots in your podcast app or our website.This episode is brought to you by EFG Hermes One, your one app for investing in more than 35 stock markets. Start investing today!(00:00) - Coming up... (05:06) - War and energy security (09:30) - Crisis management (12:27) - Building impact (14:16) - Can we integrate the Middle East (15:43) - Podcasting on faith and finance Music ID: 5ROQ12DERYHSUUVQ

June 9, 2026Episode 12238 min

Youssef Salem

I‘m delighted to be joined by Youssef Salem, CFO for ADNOC Drilling. ADNOC is the UAE’s primary oil company and 12th largest in the world in terms of production.I’ve followed Youssef for quite some time now and in addition to his many professional accomplishments, he’s a wonderful role model for the younger generation entering the corporate world.On this first of two episodes, we talk about his personal and professional pivots that brought him to where he is today, and the impact of the recent war on the UAE in particular. We’ll continue the conversation next week on Part 2, where we talk about the oil & gas sector specifically, and how companies like ADNOC handle crisis management in times like these.This episode is brought to you by EFG Hermes One, your one app for investing in more than 35 stock markets. Start investing today!(00:00) - Coming up (09:00) - Unity and resilience (14:51) - Getting married at twenty (19:15) - From finance to the startup world (21:30) - The importance of saying ‘yes’ (24:58) - No more FOMO (30:25) - The Lightning Round Music ID: 5ROQ12DERYHSUUVQ

May 26, 2026Episode 12127 min

Nabila Abdel Nabi on the future of museums

We’re continuing my conversation with Nabila Abdel Nabi, Senior Curator of International Art at Tate Modern and Lead of the Hyundai Tate Research Centre: Transnational. On this episode, we talk about what those specialisations really mean, the paradigm shifts happening in the art world, and how a curator like Nabila collects feedback from the Museum’s audience.This episode is brought to you by:EFG Hermes One: your one app for investing in more than 35 stock markets. Start investing today!Azza Fahmy JewelleryOn this episode, Nabila is wearing Azza Fahmy’s:Lotus Bouquet EarringsBlossom Lotus RingWinged Scarab CuffMalak is wearing Azza Fahmy’s:T-Lock Love NecklaceGold Floral Tribal EarringsGold Roman Chain BangleMusic ID: 5ROQ12DERYHSUUVQ

May 20, 2026Episode 12032 min

Nabila Abdel Nabi

I’m joined today by Nabila Abdel Nabi, Senior Curator for International Art at Tate Modern and Lead of the Hyundai Tate Research Center: Transnational. When Nabila and I first met a few years ago I was immediately impressed by her sincerity and depth. She is thoughtful and intentional in how she interacts with the world and those qualities make for deep and interesting conversations. We talk about her curatorial work, in particular her focus on transnational and transcultural approaches to art history and the importance of better institutional support for parents. On Part 2 of our conversation coming out next week, Nabila and I talk about the evolution of the museum-artist dynamic and drill down into something that is especially interesting to me—the idea of repatriating art to its country of origin.This episode is brought to you by:EFG Hermes One: your one app for investing in more than 35 stock markets. Start investing today!Azza Fahmy JewelleryOn this episode, Nabila is wearing Azza Fahmy’s:Lotus Bouquet EarringsBlossom Lotus RingWinged Scarab CuffMalak is wearing Azza Fahmy’s:T-Lock Love NecklaceGold Floral Tribal EarringsGold Roman Chain BangleChapters:0:00 Coming up11:17 Her pivot into the art world14:28 Being an only child17:39 Institutional support for motherhood21:09 What’s next for Nabila at the Tate27:30 The Lightning Round