MENA Cultural Spotlight & Opportunities 

A Note for This Week

Dear MENA Community,

With the blizzard sweeping through New York, we hope everyone is staying safe and warm. Between freezing temperatures and the fast start to the semester — recruiting, classes, interviews, and everything in between — this is definitely a moment to keep pushing while also taking care of yourselves.

Keep pounding through these early weeks. The semester is picking up quickly — and so are we. Lock in, because this is a rich newsletter filled with exciting updates and a packed calendar ahead.

The best way to stay connected? Join our WhatsApp group chat! Link is here and QR code attached below, that’s where we share events, opportunities, and updates in real time.

As always, you can stay up to date with everything happening at Stern through these key links:
🔗 Career Account
🔗 Campus Groups
🔗 MBA Events Calendar

🎉 Announcing Our New MENA Club Presidents!

We are thrilled to introduce our newly elected MENA Club Presidents, Alia Hakim and Aya Jamal.

Both Alia and Aya are MBA1 students with deep roots in the MENA region, a strong sense of community, and a clear vision for the future of the club. We are confident they will continue strengthening our presence at Stern — socially, culturally, and professionally.

Please join us in congratulating them and supporting their initiatives in the coming year.

A special thank you as well to Omar and Youcef for their leadership this past year and for ensuring a thoughtful and smooth transition. This community continues to grow because of leaders like you.

📍 Recent Event Spotlight

NYU Stern MENA at the Harvard Business School MENA Conference
Last week, members of our NYU Stern MENA Board attended the MENA Conference at Harvard Business School. The conference featured inspiring leaders including Alain Bejjani, Faraz Khalid, and Carlos Ghosn, who shared real-world insights on leadership, scaling businesses, and navigating growth across the MENA region.

One of the biggest takeaways was how to thoughtfully build and expand businesses in the region while staying connected to identity and community — especially as members of the diaspora building careers in the U.S.

It was an incredible opportunity to learn, connect, and bring fresh perspectives back to Stern.

📅 Upcoming Events

Our semester is packed. Here’s what’s ahead and more to come!

🌙 March 6 — HBS Post-MENA Conference Iftar

Join us and Columbia Business School for an iftar at Sahara’s Turkish Cuisine.
Self-sponsored (~$50/person). Halal menu.

Menu: https://saharasturkishcuisine.com/menu
RSVP: https://cglink.me/2c4/r1928991

🌙 March 7 — MENA Iftar Potluck

Iftar is about sharing and community. Join us to learn more about this special tradition, enjoy great food, and spend time together. Everyone is welcome.

RSVP: https://cglink.me/2c4/r1929018

🌙 March 10 — SABAS x MiB x MENA Iftar

A warm and welcoming evening as we break fast together, celebrate Ramadan, and connect across communities.

RSVP: https://cglink.me/2c4/r1929002

🧠 March 25 — Stern Cultural Clubs Trivia Night

Our first-ever Cultural Clubs Trivia Night at Sláinte!

Each club will field a team of up to five players as we compete for bragging rights across trivia categories. Free to join — attendees cover their own food and drinks.

Coordinate with your club leadership if you want to compete.

RSVP: https://cglink.me/2c4/r1929015

🎉 April 9 — JSA x MENA Mimouna

Our first JSA x MENA collaboration of the year.

Mizrahi/MENA music, backgammon, Moroccan and Mediterranean food, sweets, arak, mint tea — and doors open to everyone. Mimouna is a North African Jewish celebration marking the end of Passover and the return to abundance. It’s about hospitality, community, and new beginnings.

Phones down. Vibes up.

RSVP: https://cglink.me/2c4/r1928919

The semester is just getting started — and we’re excited for everything ahead. Thank you for being part of this growing, vibrant community.

Warm regards,
The MENA Club Board