MENA Cultural Spotlight & Opportunities 

A Note for This Week

Hi MENA community!
As we step into the final month of this academic year, we’re reflecting on how much we’ve accomplished—and looking forward to how much more we’re about to do! This past week, we welcomed the next class of Sternies during Admitted Students Preview Weekend and hosted a series of MENA events that brought energy, insight, and amazing company. With more still to come, now’s the perfect time to get involved!

🌟 New Board Announcement!

We’re thrilled to officially introduce the incoming MENA Club Board for 2025–2026! Please join us in congratulating the amazing team that will lead the club forward:

• Co-Presidents: Youcef Bennour & Omar Fahmy
• VP Finance: Osamah AlQabandi
• VP Social/Events: Sina Aroum
• VP Marketing: Roberto Belardi
• VP Community: Ramina Bagheri
• VP Allyship: Ryan Roebuck
• VP Admissions: Nermeen Kassem
• VP Langone: Keana Kianian & Izzie Nadah

We’re excited to see what this powerhouse team will bring to our growing MENA community next year. Get ready for more programming, deeper connections, and even stronger representation across Stern.

Professional and Social Events This Week

Please don’t forget to register or attend these exciting professional and social events this week:

Monday, April 7

• IGNITE Offer Negotiation Workshop | 4:30–5:30pm

• Kentucky Derby Fascinator Workshop | 7:00–10:00pm

Tuesday, April 8

• Guest Speaker Event w/ Sonia & Maurice Mosseri | 11:30am–2:30pm

• Start-up Summit | 3:00–8:00pm

• Soft Skills Workshop | 4:30–6:00pm

• Cellar’s Toast to Spring @ bibi wine bar | 6:00–8:00pm

Wednesday, April 9

• Professional Clubs Meeting with OSE | 12:00–1:15pm

• ABS Alumni Fireside Chat | 4:00–6:00pm

• BMW Info Session (MBA1) | 4:30–6:00pm

• Affinity Clubs Meeting with OSE | 4:30–5:30pm

• IGNITE Pitch Practice | 4:30–5:30pm

• Career Advancer Panel (LSG + WP) | 4:30–5:30pm

• MENA x ACC Supper Club ⭐️ | 7:00–9:00pm

• JSA: Tel Aviv to NYC Start-up Panel | 6:00–8:00pm

Thursday, April 10

• Sports/Special Interest Clubs Meeting with OSE | 12:00–1:15pm

• GEMS D&D Night | 4:30–7:00pm

• Heart of Dinner – LSG x ABS | 5:00–6:00pm

Friday, April 11

• IGNITE Career Design Intensive | 12:30–2:30pm

• Tech Conference 2025 | 1:00–5:30pm

• 520 5th Ave Site Tour + Happy Hour | 3:30–5:30pm

• Bartending Night II | 8:00–10:00pm

Saturday, April 12

• Mt. Beacon Hike – Stern Adventures x ABS | 8:30am–4:30pm

• Women in Real Estate Brunch | 12:30–2:00pm

• Spring Happy Hour Series | 4:00–6:00pm

Sunday, April 13

• ABS x CBS Dim Sum Mixer | 12:00–2:00pm

• Cherry Blossom Picnic @ Central Park | 3:00–5:00pm

• Sushi Making Class | 6:00–8:00pm

This Week's Spotlights

📣 John Mack ABANA Fellowship Info Session
Last week, we had the incredible opportunity to host an exclusive info session on the John Mack ABANA Fellowship, bringing together Sternies passionate about business and finance in the MENA region. 🌍💼
Hayfa Achour, Strategic Fellowship Manager at the ABANA Foundation, walked us through the fellowship’s $15,000 grant, personalized mentorship, and powerful networking opportunities—offering a game-changing boost for MBA students looking to make an impact.
Missed the session? You can still apply and learn more here:
👉 https://www.abana.co/fellowship-application/

🎉 Admitted Students Preview Weekend Recap
This past weekend, we had the pleasure of meeting incoming students at our MENA Happy Hour and Club Expo! It was energizing to see so many future Sternies excited about our mission, culture, and community. We shared food, laughs, and our vision for next year—bigger, bolder, and more inclusive than ever.
To our incoming students: we can’t wait to welcome you into the MENA family. Let’s make next year unforgettable.

🔥 This Week’s Highlight: MENA x ACC Supper Club

🍽️ Wednesday, April 9 | 7:00 – 9:00 PM | Balade, NYC
Join MENA and ACC for an intimate Lebanese dinner at Balade, one of NYC’s most beloved spots for authentic Lebanese cuisine. Ticket includes dinner—and feel free to BYOW (with corkage)! 🍷

🎟️ Tickets are currently sold out, but we’re exploring additional seating—sign up for the waitlist now if you’d still like to attend:
👉 https://g.co/kgs/cPVoQwM

🗓️ Wednesday, April 30 | 6:00 – 9:00 PM | KMC 1-100

Join us for our final big professional event of the year—MENA Meets, a panel + networking event in collaboration with CBS MENA and LIFE. This inaugural session will explore the impact of a potential Trump administration on MENA markets, economic relationships, and regional politics. Expect powerful speakers, nuanced takes, and valuable connections during the post-panel mixer.

🎤 Panel. 🧠 Insight. 🍷 Refreshments.
More details to follow soon—mark your calendars!