We asked two executives from the 2019 cohort to describe their experience with Chicago Booth’s Executive Program in El Gouna. Coming from different professional environments, we wanted to hear their key takeaways from the program. What did they like? What lessons have lasted over the years? What would they tell potential applicants for the program’s long-awaited second run (planned for March 2023, application deadline on November 27, 2022). Visit Chicago Booth Executive Program in El Gouna for a complete list of short testimonials from participants who attended the program’s first year in 2019.
 | Kareem Aboulnaga is Chief Investment Officer for Al Ahly Capital Holding. |
 | Golestan “Sally” Radwan, now starting a Ph.D., served until recently as the Minister’s Adviser for Artificial Intelligence, Egyptian Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. |
At the Start
“While I already had a long background in the sector, I was new in my role as Chief Investment Officer at the time,” recalls Aboulnaga. “Being exposed to new concepts, trends, and updates expanded my horizons.”
“I went to London Business School for my MBA, and exec ed programs were running all the time,” says Radwan. “So I vaguely knew what they were talking about, but I wasn’t sure what to expect of this one. I must say, I found it hugely inspiring and beneficial.”
Top Faculty, Top Execs
Most praised program strength? The people. “The faculty was really impressive,” says Aboulnaga.
“The caliber of the participants and professors – I never thought they could bring these people together in the same place, in El Gouna of all places,” laughs Radwan. “And to have them here for two weeks, to draw them away from their day jobs and routines … that was a huge accomplishment. I couldn’t believe the seniority and experience of some of the professors and participants who attended.”
“Another thing was the diversity of perspectives,” Radwan continues. “There was a bit of focus maybe for the private sector on financial services, but we also had people from manufacturing and other industries. That blend was incredible, along with how eager everyone was to learn.”
“Feedback from the other participants brought in the Egyptian angle,” comments Aboulnaga. “That more local experience from the participants assisted a lot.”
Team Building
“The energy with which everyone, both students and instructors, brought to the program was a huge positive surprise for me,” says Radwan. “And it was so much fun. We really enjoyed those two weeks. It’s a very immersive experience. It’s not that you’re going to a classroom a few hours a day listening to lectures. You’re spending the whole day together. There were fun social activities and team building activities.” She mentions an activity in which small groups competed to build rafts from recyclable materials. “We made huge fools out of ourselves, but it was a great team-building experience.”
Aboulgouna found the raft-building experience surprisingly relevant. “We had to perform a specific task with a limited amount of materials and work in a team with limited information, and within a time limit – just as you do in life. It was fun and practical.”
The more traditional program elements were also helpful. “There were a lot of case studies,” remembers Aboulnaga. “We were divided into teams and would come back with a response; It was beneficial, hands-on, but not too theoretical.”
“The networking was great! The experience sharing was fantastic. I think some of the experiential learning aspects really contributed to us seeing things in a different way,” Aboulnaga comments.
Space for Inspiration
“The thing is, especially when you work in government, you’re in such a grind all the time to deliver, deliver, deliver, that you never really have the time to stand back and look at the big picture,” Radwan comments. “It was great to have that kind of fresh injection of inspiration, and it opened up your eyes to what’s happening in the rest of the country and the world.”
“The location of El Gouna was fantastic in many ways,” says Aboulnaga, “because it’s an offsite that’s truly offsite. You’re not reachable from work. You can just take time and focus on the program for twelve days continuously.”
Takeaway Skills
“Some of the skills become immediately absorbed,” says Aboulnaga. “For example, some of the tips in negotiation courses and some templates you start using immediately. And then, every now and then, you go back to the notes you took, to remember something interesting you learned, which also continues to be useful.”
“There were some concepts that I could apply right away,” says Radwan. “Skills like negotiation and bargaining and teamwork are things you use daily in government. My relationships with my peers and my subordinates were actually improved and revamped, just because I had more tools to work with. I started thinking about how to potentially start looking at partnerships with some of the entities that were mentioned in the program, and the connections with the other participants and how we might be able to work together.”
Continuing Connections
“I was in charge of the national strategy for AI in Egypt and – specifically among the private sector participants in the program – there were a number of people who worked in areas that could benefit from AI,” continues Radwan, “So I asked them how to tailor, for example, some of the programs that we’re planning. They are taking my advice on some of the technical issues and how to adopt AI in their factories and businesses. These are conversations that are ongoing to this day.”
“Of course, you also form a network for the future,” she adds. “I’m not looking to start my own business today, but if I ever thought of it, I know a couple of people from the program might be interested in investing, so I can reach out to them.”
Aboulnaga has also benefitted from networking. “I have consulted with some of the people I met in the program on matters of collecting market data or acquiring insights into what’s happening in the business. Even some of the transactions we’re working on have emanated from those relationships,” he says. “Fifty people to call on; that’s very useful.”
Both mentioned a past participant WhatsApp group that has continued daily communication. “They’re actually having a meeting today that I’m going to have to miss,” comments Aboulnaga.
“I call upon some of them now and then either socially or for a request,” he adds. “And the same is reciprocated.”
Advice for Applicants
Prescreening is typically required before organizations select an executive to nominate for the Chicago Booth Executive Program in El Gouna program. Perhaps for that reason, none of the past participants interviewed remembers the application process being complicated.
“Simple and straightforward,” says Aboulnaga. “You have to understand that this was three years ago, but I don’t remember that it was painful in any way.”
“Quite straightforward,” agrees Radwan. “Of course, I would advise people to start early, not leave it until the last minute like I did. Because you will need a reference letter and a bunch of other things that will need time to complete properly.”
“I think it’s also important to study up on the program,” she adds, “the curriculum, what you’re going to be doing, and how it might benefit you in your job and career prospects in the future. Try to map that and bring it out in the application so there’s a clear link between current experience, future aspirations, and what the program can deliver.”
In terms of advice for success once in the program, Aboulnaga sums it up as having “good attitude.”
“Be open to new forms of delivery and case studies and methodologies,” he says. “Prepare; we had a lot of preparation in the days before the program. I think it helped a lot, and just enjoy and bring a good attitude.”
“This program would be prohibitively expensive without the Sawiris Foundation,” comments Aboulnaga. “The opportunity offered by the foundation, the intensive, high-quality program from Booth, the combination makes for an amazing opportunity.”
For more information about the upcoming Chicago Booth Executive Program cohort in El Gouna, please visit the program website, and/or contact us at +201061455551 or at info@newton-prep.com.