CAIRO: The Forum of Young Global Leaders (YGLs) of the World Economic Forum (WEF) has selected The American University in Cairo (AUC) alumnus and assistant professor Ayman Ismail, as one of two of Egypt's most influential and inspirational figures in 2012. This recognition is granted annually by the WEF to honor the world's most distinguished young leaders under 40. Ismail shares this honor in Egypt with fellow AUC alumnus Wael Ghonim, an activist. Ismail, the Abdul Latif Jameel Endowed Chair for Entrepreneurship at AUC, is actively involved in a number of initiatives at the University. He leads the School of Business's Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program (EIP) that supports the entrepreneurship ecosystem in Egypt through a number of activities and partnerships. These include Flat6Labs and Sawari Ventures which provide incubation services for startup companies. Ismail also supervises “Fekrety,” a national business idea competition organized by EIP that serves as a platform for individuals and teams to pitch their innovative business ideas. The competition provides training and mentoring opportunities on how to develop these ideas into successful business ventures. “With Fekrety, we seek to engage and mobilize youth and have them come up with innovative business ideas that can create jobs, enhance wealth and solve issues in society,” said Ismail. In addition, Ismail served as faculty mentor for the two AUC students who are the first in Egypt to be selected as Dalai Lama fellows this year for their project Kaab Dayer. The initiative empowers underprivileged people by developing their interpersonal skills and preparing them to start their own small business ventures. Ismail's selection as a Young Global Leader coincides with times of critical transformation in Egypt when youth across the nation are playing critical roles in the development and advancement of their country. “I'm extremely optimistic about the future here in Egypt,” said Ismail. “We are now witnessing a change in centers of power and leadership, and with that comes a lot of turbulence. I feel confident that, although this phase might persist for a while, we will ultimately emerge and thrive as a better nation.” As co-founder and board member of Nahdet El Mahrousa, a nongovernmental organization that seeks to have a positive impact on Egypt's development through engaging its youth, Ismail contributes to supporting social entrepreneurs in Egypt who aspire to build successful and innovative social enterprises by providing incubation services and seed funding. Ismail also is co-founder and managing partner in Enovio, a management and strategy consulting firm operating in the United States and the Middle East. Prior to that, he was a consultant in McKinsey & Company's Business Technology Office, based in New York, for several years. He has also consulted and conducted research for international organizations such as the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, as well as multiple U.S. government agencies. In addition, Ismail is a former research fellow at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government. He received his PhD in international economic development and his master's in city planning and geographic information systems from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He also holds a bachelor's in engineering and an MBA from AUC. “Having a wide global reach and being active in the local community, is essential to what is now an Egyptian transitioning phase to democracy. We are now at a critical and historical time, I never imagined to live and be a part of this, and to win such an award”, Ismail said. The Forum of YGLs operates as an independent, not-for-profit foundation under the supervision of the Swiss government and under the umbrella of the WEF. It works as an integral part of the WEF platform to engage young leaders into deep interaction with other stakeholders of global society. Ismail was chosen by the forum's selection committee, chaired by Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan. Thousands of other candidates from countless disciplines and sectors all over the world were screened in the process. YGLs are fully involved in meetings, initiatives and research activities of the WEF, representing the views and interests of their generation. To be selected for the award, a Young Global Leader must be under 40 years of age, possess a track record of extraordinary achievements and a clear indication of continuing to play a substantial leadership role, as well as demonstrate a commitment to serve the community at large.
