As the world sets sights on post-revolution Egypt as an emerging power in the Arab world, economic resurgence becomes a key target for Egyptians across the globe. Building on this premise, AUC hosted its second annual Benefit Dinner under the theme of Innovation, Entrepreneurship and the New Egypt. During the event, Perihan Abou-Zeid ’09, co-founder and communications director of Qabila Media Productions, and Mustafa Abdel-Wadood ’91, chief executive officer of Abraaj Capital Limited, were presented with AUC’s Distinguished Alumni Award. The third award was given to the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women program and was accepted on behalf of John F.W. Rogers, executive vice president of Goldman Sachs, who gave up his award to Sayeda el Kot, a graduate of the program and manager of Black Horse for Services.
AUC raised more than $350,000 at the second benefit dinner under the theme Innovation, Entrepreneurship and the New Egypt with net proceeds supporting scholarships.
AWARDEES
Rogers, whose career at Goldman Sachs spans over 18 years, oversees executive administration and is responsible for the firm’s corporate affairs functions, including public, investor and government relations, as well as corporate engagement. He is also chair of the Goldman Sachs Foundation and Goldman Sachs Gives, and was named managing director in 1997 and partner in 2000.
Abdel-Wadood is chief executive officer, member of the board of directors and vice chair of the executive committee at Abraaj Group. He is responsible for overseeing firm investments and teams spanning across several industries and regions, including the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Latin America. In 2002, he was selected by the World Economic Forum as one of the 100 Global Leaders for Tomorrow, and as a Young Global Leader in 2007.
I always do whatever I love and makes me comfortable. It is something I learned during my early University years at AUC, where they allowed me to change my major three times, and again I was looking for what I would love to do, [and this is] how my friends and I started Qabila Media Productions.
past honorees
Abdallah Jum’ah ’65
Shafik Gabr ’73
Azza Kamel ’83
Monica Hanna ’04, ’07
Haifaa Al-Mansour ’97
Rana El-Kaliouby ’98 ’00
Heba Morayef ’02
John F. W. Rogers
Mustafa Abdel-Wadood ’91
Perihan Abou-Zeid ’09
Shahira Amin ’78
Ben Wedeman ’81
Amr Waked ’96
