Sali Alkaabi
I’m Sali Alkaabi from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). I come from a culture that values innovation, global engagement, strong community ties and ethical responsibility. These values have shaped how I approach challenges, collaboration and leadership.
Living and studying abroad has deepened my appreciation for the UAE’s long-term vision and commitment to sustainability. It’s motivated me to focus on solutions that create meaningful, lasting impact for both communities and the environment.
“The program emphasized innovation, collaboration and ethical responsibility, allowing me to develop solutions that are ambitious yet practical, grounded in a strong sense of purpose shaped by my cultural roots.”
Tell us about your background before joining IENYC.
The UAE is a country defined by cultural diversity, rapid development and a strong sense of collective progress. Growing up in this environment shaped my understanding of responsibility, adaptability and service, particularly the idea that individual success should contribute to broader societal goals. My educational background being in business had strengthened this mindset, leading me to pursue graduate studies centered on social impact and sustainability, where strategic thinking is paired with purpose-driven action.
How did your job experience define your approach to project management and stakeholder coordination in the program?
Working across talent development, media and outreach required a disciplined, results-oriented approach to project management. I regularly aligned priorities, managed timelines, coordinated with diverse stakeholders and translated strategic objectives into clear, actionable deliverables. These roles taught me the importance of planning, communication and execution. As a result, I developed a management style that balances efficiency with collaboration, ensuring projects move smoothly from planning to implementation while maintaining strong stakeholder engagement.
What experiences during your time at IENYC influenced your personal and professional growth the most?
One of the most formative aspects of life at IENYC was navigating the highly international, intellectually diverse environment. Engaging with peers from various cultural and professional backgrounds challenged me to express my ideas clearly while remaining grounded in my own values. It reinforced the importance of integrity, collaboration and long-term thinking when designing responsible solutions.
In class, the most impactful moments came from cooperative projects where outcomes weren’t clearly defined. These experiences honed my confidence, adaptability and problem-solving skills while teaching me to lead thoughtfully in complex, evolving contexts.
Has your exposure to design thinking and innovation frameworks shaped how you approach sustainability and social innovation challenges?
Fundamentally. I learned to start from a place of deep understanding of people and systems before developing solutions, so that every initiative is both context-sensitive and practical. With this approach, I can design solutions that aren’t just innovative but also feasible and effective in real-world settings.
How has studying at IENYC enhanced your ability to translate ideas into scalable, impact-oriented initiatives?
By emphasizing applied learning and real-world problem-solving. Through project-based coursework and case-driven discussions, I learned to evaluate feasibility, identify risks and define impact metrics early in the design process; IENYC has done all this and more.
Their hands-on approach complemented the long-term, execution-focused mindset I developed growing up in the UAE, enabling me to design initiatives that scale effectively while maintaining measurable social and sustainability impact.
How has the New York ecosystem expanded your perspective on creativity, sustainability and social innovation?
New York City exposed me to a fast-paced, experimental environment where creativity, sustainability and social innovation intersect across sectors. Being surrounded by startups, nonprofits, global institutions and social enterprises reinforced the value of rapid iteration and cross-sector collaboration. For someone with my background, which emphasizes long-term vision and community-centered impact, experiencing this sharpened my ability to connect bold ideas with practical solutions that can drive meaningful change.
Which skills have you developed at IENYC that will be most valuable when working with cross-functional teams and fast-moving projects?
At IENYC I built strong skills in cross-cultural communication, stakeholder alignment and structured problem-solving. I learned to understand different perspectives quickly, clarify objectives, coordinate efforts efficiently and remain flexible in dynamic environments. This has enabled me to contribute effectively, supporting teams in delivering high-quality outcomes without compromising collaboration or losing momentum.
How will your experience at IENYC influence the types of roles or projects you want to pursue next?
IENYC refined my ability to approach impact-driven initiatives strategically, from analyzing complex challenges to designing scalable solutions. Now, I’m particularly interested in projects that connect global best practices with local needs, especially if they contribute to sustainable development and innovation in the UAE and the surrounding region. The MS in Global Business and Sustainability prepared me to work across sectors, engage diverse stakeholders and implement initiatives that drive social and environmental impact.
Finally, what single thing would you highlight about your experience at IENYC?
My final project with the Permanent Mission of the UAE to the UN, engaged in work related to global sustainability and diplomacy while representing my country in an international setting. This project brought together my academic learning, professional development and personal values. It’s an experience I’m deeply proud of and grateful for.