Marwa Saleh

• Programme: Executive MBA Dubai
• Nationality: Bahraini
• Job Pre-programme: Head of IT Development, The Family Office Company
• Job Post-programme: Vice President, JPMorgan Chase & Co.

“With increasing global connectivity, the diversity within the class teaches me to manage across cultures and locations. It also gives me a great international network – I can tap into a large set of resources across multiple industries.”

Exploring the possibilities

For Marwa Saleh, London Business School’s EMBA Dubai programme has been truly transformational. “We were told at the beginning of the programme that we would review and reprioritise our career goals, and that’s definitely been my experience. I initially planned to focus on financial operations, but the programme opened my eyes to a number of other possibilities. Specifically, it heightened my long-term ambition to move into a cross-industry strategy role.”

Marwa’s early career progressed quickly. Starting out as an IT developer at an investment bank in London, she was soon managing a growing team of developers focused on FX trading systems. “Although I gained a lot of business knowledge at work, I wanted to solidify my skills. Most of my work experience has been in IT; I felt that an MBA would fill in the gaps and give me the confidence to accept wider professional responsibilities.” 

Developing interpersonal skills

Marwa was determined to attend a top-ranked business school. She chose the EMBA Dubai programme because it bridged her UK experience and her existing role with a wealth management firm in Bahrain. In addition to building core technical skills, Marwa says the personal impact from the programme has been huge. “I hadn’t fathomed the extent to which my interpersonal skills would develop. With increasing global connectivity, the diversity within the class teaches me to manage across cultures and locations. It also gives me a great international network – I can tap into a large set of resources across multiple industries for partnerships, or just to expand my own knowledge.” 

"I’m applying content from every course so far”

Back at work there are many new areas where Marwa now contributes, and colleagues are recognising her extended skillset. “I’m applying content from every course so far, from leadership skills to decision-making. I’m contributing more at a senior level through analysing the firm’s financials,” she says. “I’ve used entrepreneurial methods to brainstorm new ideas, and my knowledge of risk analysis and corporate finance has helped me evaluate projects from a long-term financial perspective.”

Marwa says the LBS EMBA programme is something she’s proud to be part of. “Knowing that I’m able to balance work and study is proof that I can handle very challenging situations,” she says. “And with my horizons expanding across so many different areas, I’ve got the flexibility and confidence to adjust my career path in any direction I desire.”