Aramco Expats

Interview with Nimah Nawwab

1. Lifestyles
2. Special Interest

Author: Press Release
Released 8 October 2008

Nimah Nawwab, the first Saudi Arab female Young Global Leader, and internationally acclaimed poet and writer, was chosen by the World Economic Forum to participate in a highly selective executive program designed in 2008 for Young Global Leaders (YGLs) on "Leadership and Public Policy for the 21st Century" at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

Nimah Nawwab outside the A. Alfred Taubman Building, which houses the John. F. Kennedy School of Government.
Photo courtesy Nimah Nawwab

Below is an interview with Nimah on the selection, the program and highlights.

How were you selected for the program? What is the process for the selection?

The selection was drawn from a group of what are known as 'active' Young Global Leaders (YGLs) with a track record of involvement with global issues and taskforces of relevance to vital issues ranging from the environment to poverty, education and policy issues. I have been involved as an active YGL at WEF forums and other venues as a keynote, panelist and member of taskforces on education, youth, educational reform, women's issues and health. The offered Harvard program leads to furthering knowledge in all key areas in addition to other areas of concern to global citizens and those engaged in the business world.

As for the selection, it is two layered-- the WEF and the YGL Committee offers the program to selected YGLs and then the Harvard Business School has its own high standard criteria of acceptance. This program entitles one to be acknowledged as alumni and affiliated with the Harvard Business School, and is at its core a business and leadership developmental program.

What was your initial reaction to the program and selection?

It was a surprise and an honor, I understood from day one that we will be challenged both because of the type of program and the programs' intensity. Executive management programs at Harvard are often five weeks long, this one was particularly intense because it compressed the content into two weeks due to the time commitment required by the busy schedules of CEOs, royals, politicians, YGLs and others who were selected to attend.

What was the group of YGLS like and how was their involvement?

It was a dynamic group in terms of its diversity-- multi-national, knowledgeable, embodying deep concerns and passions. We were like a mini UN. What was best was that everyone, from crown prince to politician checked their ego at the door. Starting on a first name basis, in a companionable atmosphere, we all listened deeply and with respect, covering issues of concern.

Did networking play a part in the program?

Definitely and we were encouraged to do so at the sessions and in our interaction with professors, speakers and with visiting personalities. We were encouraged and continue to network now by maintaining contact with the group and lecturers through various means.

The networking was actually one of the highlights of the program as we came together to brainstorm, find options for resolutions or engage in future projects where we can contribute with commitment and purpose.

Can you describe the breakdown of the program?

Group meeting for morning discussion of case study.
Photo courtesy Nimah Nawwab

Our days, as we were notified by the organizers, program director Jennifer Gala and WEF Fellows Francesca Martonffy and David Aikman were intense.

Starting off with breakfast morning group meetings with an in-depth discussion of a leadership challenge posed and presented by the group members, followed by lecturers throughout the day with case studies, leading to group breakout sessions, and in-class discussions when listening to presentations after reading homework and handouts or books by authors presenting on the preceding days, lunches with lectures and going through till late at night with dinner often involving lectures and visits to institutes as well.

What were your colleagues' views of the sessions?

Fellow YGL Ed Malcolm Mayo Chief Executive of a UK National Consumer Group and the initiator of our Young Global Reader program sums it eloquently: "I learned more about the world and more about myself through this course. Harvard has its own talent, with a line of professors who take pride in the insight and rigor that they bring to their chosen subjects, but on this program, the rows of student seats were also packed with talent from so many different contexts and constituencies from around the world. There is a lot talk about leadership today, but this course proved that there are many different models but also many common risks and above all, one fundamental truth - that you have to love what you do."

And as another YGL Kevin Casas from Costa Ricca noted:" It's been said that true education is not about filling up a glass in the mind, but about lighting up a fire in the soul. If this is indeed true, then the course succeeded beyond measure."

What was the caliber of the speakers and who did you consider your favorites in terms of subject matter and presentation?

Nimah Nawwab prepares for lectures at the 2008 Young Global Leaders program.
Photo courtesy Nimah Nawwab

It is a very hard choice…some of my top personal favorites:

Dean of the Kennedy School David T. Ellwood's inspirational speech to YGLs.

Professors Joseph S. Nye Jr., former Dean of the Kennedy School and author of numerous books.

Professor David Gregen, former Presidential Advisor and Director of the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard.

Marie Danzinger, Director of the Kennedy School of Communication and lecturer in Public Policy.

Marilyn Carlson Nelson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer responsible for the day-to-day operations of one of the largest privately held companies in the world.

Iris Bohnet, Professor of Public Policy, JFK school of Government and faculty chair

Mahzarin Rustum Banaji, former Director of Undergraduate Studies at Yale and a fellow of the American Association for Advancement of Science.

Rosabeth Moss Kantor, recipient of numerous awards for her management knowledge contributions and professor at Harvard Business School, discussing the challenges facing women leaders and the importance of values in the business world.

Other personal favorites included MIT biology professor Eric Lander, Professor of Systems Biology at Harvard, and leader of the Human Gnome Project that aims at exploring the molecular mechanisms underlying the basis of human disease, Professor Lander of the Broad Institute, who discussed the human gnome theory. I liked his delivery style. His message - one we as Muslims have known for centuries - was on the inter connectedness of humans as brothers, sisters and cousins ... the effect of such links on human dignity ... and cohesiveness were some of the issues one takes away from his talk. He also discussed the use of such research in the discovery of cures for humanity's illnesses and the effects of drugs, links to a range of diseases such as diabetics, cancer and the more common diseases. His words reflected the ever more critical stage at which medicine stands in our historical evolution.

Lecturerers such as Rachel Glennerster and Michael Kremer, who gave the session a boost in terms of Poverty reduction, added a much needed logical analysis of the problems and challenges of eradicating poverty. Rachel Glennersters' work as Director of the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab at MIT made an impact as she linked poverty's effects on societies and the need to look at development programs in depth through a special method of randomized study.

Marilyn Carlson Nelson's luncheon lecture and presentation of her book How We Lead Matters- Reflections on a Life of Leadership, forward by David Gregen (former Presidential Advisor and Harvard Professor), and her conclusion with a moving poem that encapsulated life's experience, was another favorite.

It is a hard task to choose a favorite as each brought so much in terms of knowledge, acumen and inspiration to our group as a whole.

What were the highlights of the program for you?

Group photo at Young Global Leaders program.
Photo courtesy Nimah Nawwab

I was struck by the teamwork and synergy of the diverse group. One highlight were visits to institutes, especially the Broad Institute, the Akamai Internet intelligence company and where a group of us met with the CEO Sager (who discussed the future of the internet and technology), the Boston Ballet School and Boston Ballet Company where we discussed the role of leadership with the Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen and met with the dancers, and culminating on another evening with a special dinner at the JFK Library and Museum.

Other major highlights were special sessions with Professor Klaus Schwab, founder of the WEF, who shared singular personal moments, challenges and his own role models such as Mandela, exemplifying the concept of who is a leader and what constitutes a leader.

Professor Schwab's personal involvement and touch in addition to his deep commitment to the WEF reveals a truly amazing feat of courage, hard work, dedication and above all an encompassing vision for all. His choices and carefully hand - picked selection of organizers,  WEF Fellowship program participants,  YGLs and the C-100 memberships are just a few of his numerous legacies.

Every meeting with him, especially for our YGL group, remains memorable as we expand our knowledge and continue to be challenged and charmed by his experience and giving spirit.

Your YGL groups in the program included several countries ... can you name a few and how many were from the Arab World?

In addition to Europe and the United States we had Africans from Mozambique, Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa, Chinese, Japanese, Malay, Indians and from the Indian sub content, Latin Americans from Costa Rica, Chile, Venezuela, and Mexico. Two Arabs attended, Mayassa Al Thani of Qatar and I. The diversity led to some highly interesting comparisons when we discussed world economics, policy issues, leadership styles and values, education and development plans in global contexts.

What do you take back personally from this program?

The business modules we discussed, the crucial evolving global issues, plus friendships made with special dedicated people of various races, creeds and affiliations.

What one takes back at the end of the day is that we share the same dreams. Leadership is in its essence, as professor Joseph Nye Jr. noted is "deciding how to decide."

This applies to all of us-- as all are leaders in their own sphere as housewives, mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, students, corporate people--CEOs and employees. Everyone in this life leads by example and has a path to follow at work or at home.