Hi DBA friends! This is the first DBAAA newsletter published by your new Alumni Association Board. We look forward to serving you and advancing the interests of DBA. We’re hard at work planning alumni events and ways to strengthen our global network.

Programme Updates

Year 9 Recruitment

Applications for Year 9 are open, so please spread the word and share any referrals you have with the DBA Recruitment team

• Applications open until: 23 April 2023 (11:59 PM GST)

• Decision Announcement: 26 May 2023

Your support and recommendations are always highly valued.

If you haven’t seen the new website, check it out!

DBA Alumni Association

Save the Date

One of the DBAAA Board’s first activities is planning a gathering to be held in Dubai during the second weekend of May. We’re establishing the particulars and will send a formal invitation and exact details in the coming weeks.

DIFC Talent Network

The DIFC Talent Network provides a central destination for open opportunities from DIFC companies. Candidates can create profiles, follow companies, and be matched dynamically with open roles.

How to Join

1. Go to talent.difc.ae and click "Find Jobs".

2. Review and accept our company terms of use, privacy policy, and user agreement.

3. Browse job listings or proceed to the Talent Network sign up.

4. Sign up using either your email, Google account, or LinkedIn.

5. Start applying for jobs and connecting with DIFC companies.

Board Spotlight: Ana Paula Poppi

A Passionate Entrepreneur and Adventurer

Introducing Ana Paula Poppi, a dynamic and adventurous member of the Y6 Cohort. Originally hailing from Brazil, Ana's incredible journey has led her to make her mark on the world stage. Her passion for exploration began when she obtained her first passport at 20, taking her to Disney World for an internship in the US. Since then, Ana's wanderlust has only grown, earning her an MBA at Chung-Ang University in Seoul, South Korea, and a Master's in Economics at Fudan University in Shanghai, China. Her time in Asia ultimately led her to view it as her second home.

Ana initially envisioned a career with the United Nations, but her experience with DBA ignited an entrepreneurial spirit within her. Embracing this newfound mindset, Ana has become a successful entrepreneur, owning two small companies spanning two continents.

The DBA program has profoundly impacted Ana's life and career. Starting with a goal of utilizing her consulting skills at the UN, she ended the program determined to establish her own business and achieve independence. This transformative experience has inspired Ana to join the DBAAA Board and contribute to the program that has given her so much. As the DBAAA VP of Networking, Ana aims to develop projects to benefit the alumni community.

Ana loves spending her Saturday afternoons outdoors in her downtime, soaking in Dubai's beauty.

We Need Your Help

We’d like to connect with alumni like you to interview and create content that we can share with the alumni community. If you’re interested, please fill out the form here:

Year 8 News

Preparing the Pitch

Associates completed the Entrepreneurship and Business Planning workshop with the final element of presenting their business plans and seeking funding from a panel of mock investors. The module provided instruction about the process of creating a brand that speaks to its market, the different options for funding a start-up, and how to build a pitch for potential investment.

The investor panel included PwC's Academy Middle East Partners Amanda Line and Gavin Aspden, Independent Consultant Jennifer Adams, Falcon and Associates CEO Gemma Nemer, Falcon and Associates Director James Maughan, and PwC Senior Manager Semih Kumluk, Ph.D. (abd)

Solar Innovation Centre

Year 8 Associates visited Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park's Solar Innovation Centre and the Sustainable City. The Associates were treated to a tour, a talk by an MBR Solar Park expert, and a hologram show, before they took part in the Climate Fresk UAE Workshop led by Alex Misseri, CEO of A Step Back.

Experiencing Local Business

The Camel Soap Factory hosted DBA on a recent excursion where Associates were given a tour and an inspirational talk by co-founder, Brian Stobo.

The Associates then participated in a series of Business Roundtables and networked with leaders in the fields of education, hospitality, food and beverage, consulting, finance, banking and fintech.

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