The 2025 UNICON Directors’ Conference has successfully concluded at The American University in Cairo, marking our largest gathering to date with over 90 participants representing our global consortium of 120+ member institutions for three days of inspiring discussions, meaningful connections, and collaborative learning.
Hosted by the AUC Onsi Sawiris School of Business from May 20-22, the conference explored the theme “Transforming Executive Education: Innovative Strategies for a Dynamic Business Landscape” through a series of engaging sessions and cultural experiences.
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Official photos are now available!
Flick through the photos below, or browse the full album directly on Flickr.
We’ll continue updating our conference webpage with additional materials and insights over the coming weeks, including a full write up by IEDP. Meanwhile, follow our updates on social media:
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🎥 Conference Wrap-Up Video
Relive the magic of our three days in Cairo through this highlights reel:
Day 1 - AUC Tahrir Campus, Strategic Foundations & Regional Insights
Opening & Leadership Welcome
Day 1 launched at the historic AUC Tahrir Campus with strategic welcome remarks from UNICON Executive Director Melanie Weaver Barnett and Eric Bergemann, MIT Sloan (Managing Director Americas and Industry Programs), alongside opening insights from Dean Sherif Kamel, The American University in Cairo (Onsi Sawiris School of Business).
Morning Sessions – Impact & Access
“Unleashing Impact“ explored how business schools are redefining their purpose beyond traditional classroom boundaries to serve as catalysts for inclusive development, entrepreneurship, and responsible leadership. Moderated by Samer Atallah, AUC (Associate Professor of Economics and Associate Dean), the panel featured Ali Awni (Director, John D. Gerhart Center) discussing strategic philanthropy and civic engagement, Amira Elshal (Associate Director for Research, J-PAL MENA) presenting evidence-based solutions to poverty, and Hala Barakat (Director, Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation) sharing insights on empowering startups and social enterprises across the region.
“Expanding Horizons“ tackled the critical topic of scalability and strategic partnerships in executive education for emerging markets. Industry leaders Ayman Ismail (UN Global Compact Chairman & AI Capital Founder), Karim Hamdy (Ezz Steel Corporate HR Director), Nader Ibrahim (EPEA/Track Capital Managing Partner), and Dr. Riham Moawad (Maastricht School of Management) explored how open enrollment programs meet organizational needs while enhancing impact, sharing real-world collaboration benefits and addressing unique challenges in developing markets.
Afternoon Strategic Session
“Shaping the Future“ delivered comprehensive regional market intelligence on executive education trends across the Middle East and Africa. Moderated by Marco Serrato (Arizona State University Vice President & Thunderbird Professor), the session featured Bachar Tabbara (INSEAD Regional Director), Mohamed Kesseba (AUC Senior Director), and Prav Pillay (GIBS South Africa Managing Executive) analyzing emerging trends, current market state, and the evolution of executive education. The discussion incorporated research-driven insights from the latest Onsi Sawiris School report on corporate learning and development in Egypt.
Evening Networking
The day concluded with a magical evening cruise on the Nile, where professional connections were strengthened against Cairo’s glittering skyline – the perfect blend of serious strategic discourse and unforgettable networking.
Day 2: Leadership Development, Marketing and Growth Strategies
Morning Leadership Workshop – The GC Index Experience
Day 2 moved to the stunning AUC New Cairo Campus for an intensive leadership development experience. Nathan Ott, Co-Creator & Chief Polisher of The GC Index (UK), led a transformative two-part workshop on “Empowering Leadership in Executive Education: Navigating Change Through Self-Awareness.“
This interactive session utilized The GC Index, the world’s first organimetric tool designed to measure individuals’ energy for impact based on their natural proclivities. Part 1 focused on understanding individual GC Index profiles, while Part 2 saw participants collaborate to address key challenges in executive education, applying insights from their personal profiles to enhance problem-solving skills and strengthen collective impact.
The workshop was expertly supported by a team of GCologists from AUC’s executive education leadership: Ghada Howaidy (Former Associate Dean & Co-founder/Director of Leading the Future Ltd, UK), Mohamed AbdelSalam (Executive Director, Executive Education), Maha Ismail (Director of Management Programs), Marlyne Micheal (Director of Business Solutions), Maha Madany (Manager, Business Solutions), and Sherine Meshad (Director of Communication and Marketing). Participants gained clear understanding of their personal impact styles, strategies for effective networking tailored to different leadership proclivities, and insights into the collective energies of executive education leaders.
Afternoon Growth Strategies Session
Following a campus tour of the impressive New Cairo facilities, the afternoon featured “Driving Growth: Strategies for Effective Marketing, Business Development, and Sales in Executive Education.“ Moderated by Mohamed Kesseba (AUC Senior Director of Programs, Executive Education), this strategic session brought together global experts: David Kang (Associate Dean of Executive Education, Stanford University Graduate School of Business), Daniel Chadwick (Founder at Nexed Insight & Director at IEDP), Sabri Fathallah (Director, Custom Programs Development, IMD Switzerland), Rayner Canning (Director Business Development and Executive Education, University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business), and Danielle Macedo (Director of Marketing and Member Engagement, UNICON).
The panel explored best practices in both open enrollment and custom executive education programs, focusing on market dynamics and crafting compelling value propositions. Key discussions covered trends in marketing executive education including digital channels, data-driven decision-making, and innovative strategies to meet evolving learner needs. The conversation addressed growth strategies, market opportunities, strategic partnerships, and international expansion, with attendees exchanging insights on structuring functions to address market challenges and ensuring programs remain competitive and impactful in an ever-changing landscape.
Cultural Evening
The day concluded with a memorable dinner at the historic Citadel, where participants continued strategic discussions while experiencing Cairo’s rich cultural heritage – another perfect blend of professional development and cultural immersion.
Day 3: AI Innovation
AI Strategy Session
Dean Sherif Kamel (Onsi Sawiris School of Business, AUC) moderated the capstone session “The AI Advantage: Navigating the Impact of Artificial Intelligence in Executive Education.” This strategic panel brought together leading voices in educational technology: Aniya Iskhakava (Director, IESEOnline and Learning Innovation, IESE Business School Spain), Eric Bergemann (Managing Director Americas and Industry Programs, MIT Sloan Executive Education), and Nicholas Hamilton-Archer (Chief Executive Education Officer, Ross School of Business, University of Michigan).
The session explored AI’s transformative power in executive education, highlighting cutting-edge trends and practices for enhancing learning experiences and outcomes. Panelists shared real-world experiences and explored AI’s potential to shape the future of executive education through improved engagement, efficiency, and impact. The collaborative discussion provided attendees with actionable insights on leveraging AI technologies to stay ahead in an evolving educational landscape driven by technological advancements.
Conference Conclusion & Cultural Immersion
Following wrap-up and closing remarks by Dean Sherif Kamel and UNICON Executive Director Melanie Weaver Barnett, participants enjoyed lunch at GEM before embarking on a guided tour of the museum’s extraordinary collection.
The conference concluded with this unique blend of professional development and cultural discovery, as attendees explored ancient Egyptian treasures while reflecting on the future of executive education – a perfect metaphor for bridging timeless wisdom with cutting-edge innovation.
Special Thanks
A heartfelt thank you to the unstoppable marketing and communications team: Sherine Meshad, Aliaa Serry, Natalie Ayman, Leila Abdellatif, Sandra Emtenan, and kudos to Farida Mahgoub, Nehal Noaman, and the entire Executive Education team at AUC Onsi Sawiris School of Business, led by Mohamed AbdelSalam and Dean Sherif Kamel.
Their exceptional hospitality created an environment where meaningful discussions flourished and collaborative connections were strengthened.
🧵 Social Media Feed
Stay connected to the ongoing conversations around #UNICONDirectors with our new social media feed, permanently available on our homepage. This feature brings together all of UNICON’s latest posts, as well as contributions from attendees using the conference hashtag for now:
Join Us in Washington DC!
Looking forward to our next gathering? Registration is now open for the 2025 Team Development Conference
When
November 5-7, 2025
Where
Johns Hopkins University
Washington DC, US
The connections made, insights shared, and commitments from our member institutions will continue to shape executive education’s future. We look forward to seeing many of you and your teams in Washington DC this November!
