The Dollar Diaries

In this episode, Antony Lovell, Sales Director for the Middle East, Africa, Central Asia, and South Asia (MEASA) at Shure, shares insights into the company's rich 100-year history and its impact on audio technology worldwide. He highlights Shure's evolution from a parts catalog company to a global leader in microphones and audio solutions, noting iconic products like the SM58 and the SM7 that have...

In this episode, Richard Fitzgerald, CEO and Founder of Augustus Media, shared insightful perspectives on the company's approach to media in the Middle East through its prominent brands like Lovin', Smashi, and Odeum. He emphasized the importance of localized content and presence, explaining Augustus Media’s strategy of operating city-specific brands under a unified 'house of brands' model. Richar...

In this episode, Lama Osman, host of the Unicorn Bil Arabi Podcast, CEO/Co-Founder of PodHeros and a passionate tech educator, shares her inspiring journey from studying political science and economics to becoming a full-stack web developer and educator. Lama founded the Young Coders Academy in Lebanon, aiming to teach coding from kindergarten through grade 12 with a simplified and accessible curr...

In this episode of The Dollar Diaries, Shaheen, CFO and regional controller for Marsh McLennan in the Middle East, delves into the multifaceted nature of her role, balancing financial reporting, strategic growth, and board governance across diverse entities in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. She emphasizes the evolution of the CFO role from a traditional focus on financial closing and reporting to a str...

In this insightful episode of The Dollar Diaries, Salma El Sadaany, Account Manager at Brazen MENA, shares her diverse career journey and experiences in the PR and beauty industries. Starting from real estate in Egypt and moving through beauty and media roles in Dubai, Salma reveals how her path led her into PR by chance. She discusses her passion for communication and her role in uplifting underp...

In this episode of The Dollar Diaries, the hosts welcome Akshay Iyer, a Private Wealth Advisor at Sarwa, a Mubadala-backed wealth management firm. The conversation delves into the importance of starting one's investment journey, particularly for young investors, and highlights Sarwa's commitment to providing Sharia-compliant investment options. Akshay emphasizes the significance of having a solid...

In this episode, we sit down with Youssef Salem — CFO of ADNOC Drilling, co-founder of Qora71, and a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree — to unpack how one of MENA’s youngest corporate finance leaders is shaping the future of venture capital, energy tech, and Islamic finance. From advising on multibillion-dollar IPOs at Moelis to leading a SPAC listing on NASDAQ with Swvl, Youssef shares his journey throu...

In this episode, Allan and Ali, Co-Founders of EmFlex, discussed the inception and business model of their embedded lending solution focused on the auto financing sector in Saudi Arabia and the GCC. They emphasized the growing trend of embedded finance, where financial services are integrated into non-financial platforms, catering to a shift in consumer behavior that favors convenience. The duo hi...

In this episode of The Dollar Diaries, the host welcomes Joshua and Janine, the hosts of the Half A Nice Day Podcast. The conversation kicks off with light-hearted banter about parking karma and queuing woes, setting a relaxed tone for the discussion. They delve into their experiences with podcasting, highlighting the effort and dedication required to produce engaging content. The guests share ins...

In this episode, Amel Chouikh, the Head of Finance for France, the Middle East, and Africa at Uber, shared her unique journey into the finance sector, which began with aspirations in media and entrepreneurship. Despite her initial interest in film, she pivoted to finance after realizing her strengths lay elsewhere. Amel's career path took her from Deloitte, where she worked on financial system...

In this episode, Maryam Al Ansari, the Founder & CEO of Itifaq, shares her journey in blending finance with entrepreneurship, particularly in the AI finance sector in the UAE. She discusses her early education in entrepreneurship and finance, highlighting how an intensive diploma program provided her with foundational skills that proved more applicable than her bachelor's degree. Maryam emphas...

In this episode, Jan, the CEO of SAE UAE, shared insights about his extensive career in education, which spans over 30 years. He began as a teacher and progressed to school principal and education consultant roles before transitioning to higher education management in South Africa. Jan emphasized his passion for supporting creative careers, highlighting the importance of informing students about t...

In this episode, Shivangi shares her journey from being a passionate lawyer specializing in matrimonial and media law to transitioning into the dynamic field of marketing and PR. She recounts how her early career in litigation, particularly in high-stakes divorce cases, taught her valuable life lessons and honed her communication skills. However, the COVID-19 pandemic became a turning point, leadi...

In this episode, Osama, co-founder of the startup +twe, discussed the challenges Gen Z faces using LinkedIn, particularly their intimidation when creating profiles without job experience. He highlighted the need for a more engaging platform that caters to young users, aiming to create a gamified learning experience that simplifies building a professional profile and applying for jobs. Osama emphas...

In this episode, Desma and Elrona from S&K HR Consulting shared their journey into Human Resources (HR) and entrepreneurship. Desma, who initially had a background in psychology, discovered her passion for HR through a university course on organizational behavior. In contrast, Elrona was interested in HR from a young age and was influenced by family role models and a career counselor. They dis...

In this Episode, Aemen shared her journey into entrepreneurship, highlighting the challenges and uncertainties that come with leaving a stable job to pursue her own business. Initially apprehensive about financial stability, she managed to start her venture with a modest investment for licensing. Aemen discussed the importance of financial awareness, emphasizing the need for positive affirmations...

In this episode, Dr. Ramesh, the Chief Risk Officer (CRO) at Deutsche Bank for the UAE and Saudi Arabia and Head of Credit for the CEEMEA region, shared insights into the multifaceted role of risk management in financial institutions. He explained that a Chief Risk Officer manages various risks, including credit, market, liquidity, operational, compliance, and reputational risks. Dr. Ramesh emphas...

In this episode of Dollar Diaries, Tala, a senior reporter and producer at Arabian Business, shared her journey into journalism, emphasizing the pivotal moments that shaped her career. She recounted her early love for writing and history, which evolved into a desire to document real-time events as a journalist. Her diverse academic background, from media theory to politics and multimedia journalis...

In this episode, Solange, a prominent media personality, shared her insights on public relations (PR) and its significance in today's fast-paced digital world. She emphasized that PR is about others recognizing a brand's or individual's value, contrasting it with advertising, which is more self-promotional. Solange highlighted the importance of personal branding and building connections, urging li...

In this episode, Thrift for Good's founder and managing director, Jennifer Sault, Discusses her mission to promote sustainability and support children's charities by reselling pre-loved clothing in Dubai. With two existing branches and a third opening soon, Thrift for Good is a zero-waste initiative that accepts clothing donations in various conditions. The organization aims to reduce wast...

In this episode, Ahmad Haffar, a prominent voice actor and audio branding expert, discusses his unique voice acting and music production journey. He shares that his breakthrough came not from traditional voice acting but from running a voice agency that provided voiceover services. Ahmad emphasizes the importance of self-discovery and finding one's unique voice, which he attributes to his childhoo...

In this episode, Reshmi and Parth, co-founders of The Bhukkad Cafe, shared their journey from corporate life to entrepreneurship. They discussed their early experiences in college, where their passion for food and community began to take shape. Reshmi and Parth emphasized their desire to create a legacy brand that encapsulated the nostalgia of Indian street food, leading to the establishment of Th...

In this episode, Nayab Majid, a seasoned product director with over 15 years of experience, discusses her transition from working in established companies to launching her own product consultancy. She emphasizes the importance of customer experience across various industries, highlighting the challenges of shifting traditional retail to e-commerce platforms. Nayab shares her insights on educating...

In this episode, Mario Barilli, CFO of Accenture Middle East, shared insights into his career trajectory from engineering to finance. He began his professional journey at Exxon, where he worked on building gas stations, before transitioning into finance at a cable company. Mario emphasized the importance of resilience and adaptability in business, highlighting how his engineering background equipp...

In this episode, Arjun, a seasoned professional with a diverse career background, shares his insights on wanting more personally and professionally. Arjun's career path has taken him through various industries, including law, advertising, facility management, aviation, and healthcare. He emphasizes the need for continuous growth and adaptation, highlighting the significance of striving for more. A...