T H O U G H T F U L L LEADERSHIP

QASID  |  Director of Institute Development · Jordan

Early in this strategic, continuous improvement position, I guided an ethnically diverse, multi cultural team—on site and virtually across multiple countries and time zones—researching, developing, and launching an online, Arabic language learning program. Project planning, standards establishment, managing international partner relations, capacity building, and presentation design were deployed to stimulate over $100 000 in revenues annually.

As an adaptable and resourceful, multi tasking problem solver in the MENA region handling the design, implementation, and evolution of various programs, offerings, organizational productivity tools, and institute enhancements, I would also troubleshoot, streamline operational processes, manage detailed data and finances, train staff, define and refine communications, utilize online apps, support facilities planning, and coordinate logistics.

INTEL  | Project Manager · USA

Invited to perform a project management role within a highly matrixed corporation, attention to staff sensitivities and cooperative relations arose as a vital factor to successfully navigate an intercontinental, medical product development partnership amid complex, occasionally ambiguous, and frequently shifting, corporate and departmental dynamics, program structural transitions, scope fluctuations, and operational priorities.

As a flexible facilitator, applying interpersonal skills and influential visual, verbal, and written communications to negotiate and foster a collaborative environment, our geographically dispersed, 35 member team was able to deliver quality, multi disciplinary requirements that surpassed original expectations. Leading the project also involved project scheduling, managing dependencies, defining roles and responsibilities, preparing proposals, anticipating and mitigating risks, realigning resources, consulting stakeholders, performance monitoring and effective accountability measures, and liaising with internal and external partner heads.

WATSON  |  Director Of Product Design & Development · USA

Brought on board to form and lead an internal development team, a $400 000 annual cost savings is gained by leveraging prior professional experience and foresight to recognize and actualize an innovation opportunity for Watson—as an office furniture manufacturer—to create a distinctively proprietary, digital comfort control system for emergency call center responders.

Further directing the group in developing user adjustable furniture systems would also include the initiation and maintenance of key procedures, protocols, and program tracking tools for inter and intra departmental coordination and efficiencies, interfacing with the company CEO, hiring, supervising, and mentoring design staff, managing consulting partners, identifying market trends, and oversight of budget allocations for consistent operations and strengthening both the department’s and the company’s overall quality and capabilities.

T H O U G H T F U L L INTENTIONS

CAREER | Sojourns

From comfortable beginnings as a teen, a fortuitous turn from being complacent to competitive would drive a design degree and employment exposure to what I thought was the real world. However, a deeper awareness of consumer psychology and the realities of my affluent culture then impelled a deliberate intent and international excursions to learn about the rest of the world and the alternate perspectives it held.

Since then living those experiential lessons, personal and professional opportunities and destinies have led along a more purposeful career path, seeking to become ever more effective supporting the well being of others through the most meaningful and enduring means.

EDUCATING | Inspiring Minds

Always appreciating those who came before, I believe seeking and sharing favorable knowledge is a human responsibility—like planting climbing pitons in a cliff face to benefit those who grapple with life’s ascent after us. Beyond academic domain roles developing a language learning institute and serving a local community administering a primary and secondary private school, I am grateful to have ‘given forward’ as a design instructor too.

In addition to a term at the Art Institute of Seattle, in Washington State, I would later teach in Turkey at Istanbul Technical University, Middle East Technical University, and most recently at Özyeğin University. I find the utmost fulfillment watching students realize their own potential as they explore design challenges as holistic, experiential possibilities.

HUMANITARIAN | Volunteering

Travel and residency overseas, witnessing the trials and adversities of others, along with innate respect for the humanity of those in need, impress the import of taking action to prevent and resolve human suffering whenever possible.

Thankful to have begun addressing this responsibility, ideally more of us too, can turn our attention, time, and talents to this monumental and imperative task.