Raising capital, the human kind

Managing a top flight business school program in Beirut is like enjoying Forrest Gump’s box of chocolates. It’s a life full of surprises where many — but not all — are happy ones. The latest proof in the pudding was the American University of Beirut’s intake of Executive MBA (EMBA) students exactly a year ago. Recalling an experience that still burns in his memory, Riad Dimechkie, the executive director of the EMBA program at AUB’s Olayan School of Business (OSB), was expecting a class of 22 managers and professionals from around the region to embark on their EMBAs. They had applied, been vetted and accepted, he explains, “And said they were coming. Then, one week before the start date, [United States President Barack] Obama was planning to bomb Damascus. So we lost half our students in one week.” In statistical terms over the duration of the AUB EMBA program since