Taghreed Al Shunnar

How did the INSEAD EMBA change your career path?
From a conventional point of view, my INSEAD GEMBA developed my business education and enhanced my leadership skills which positively affected my performance and helped me create greater value at my workplace resulting in me being promoted to VP. However, on a different personal dimension my time at INSEAD gave me so much more beyond the conventional.

In that case, how did the programme change your life?
It allowed me to discover things about myself that I didn’t know I had in me and gave me courage and confidence to go out of my comfort zone and act out on my passions. Without it, I wouldn’t have had the confidence to establish my own firm.

What is the biggest benefit that the GEMBA has brought you?

Close friends and a strong network – for life. It’s not just that our families go on holiday together; it’s also the continuous education. Wherever I go in the world, I can call on someone to learn something from.I’ve also been back to the electives and I go to many of the events on INSEAD’s Abu Dhabi campus. All this reinforces your self-belief and makes you ready for your next move, whatever that might be.

What is your favourite GEMBA memory?
Definitely the national costume ball. Seeing all my classmates in their traditional folk dress was like taking a colourful journey into each of their countries and at the same time, although we come from different backgrounds, we opened ourselves to each other sharing our ideas and knowledge and built bridges between cultures. It is truly a small world. 

Would you do the programme all over again?
In fact, I did go back to INSEAD in 2010 to do the Executive Master in Consulting and Coaching for Change. So now I have two degrees from INSEAD – which is a rare advantage . It was great to experience INSEAD’s energy and vibrancy for a second time.

Why do you think the INSEAD EMBA has been such a success?
It brings all the pieces of the workplace mosaic together: experience, knowledge and leadership in a global environment. If you have any gaps in your profile say, in finance or marketing, it will close them, as well as giving you exposure to new cultures and industries.

What are your predictions for the next ten years of the EMBA?
There are always developments in business. So there will be something new for the programme to cover. INSEAD could also expand geographical coverage even further.

And where do you see yourself in ten years’ time?
My plan is to keep growing my company and to keep making a difference to the pharmaceutical industry in the Middle East and North Africa region. And, thanks to the GEMBA, I’m continuing to open my eyes to new opportunities – so maybe there are more big plans to come!