Q
Tell me about growing up in Lebanon.
A
I had an interesting childhood. I lived in the city in Beirut. When I was 5 years old, the Lebanese Civil War started, so I was very, very young then.
Favorite Vacation Spot: “Anywhere there is mountaineering. Switzerland is nice.”
Favorite Places to Travel for Work: Portugal, Switzerland, Thailand, Uganda, India (“Wherever I travel, I stay one or two days extra to see the local places. I’ll be at the ILF meeting in Colorado and will stay a few days to do some hiking.”)
Favorite Actors: Nicole Kidman and Margot Robbie
Favorite Writers: “I like the classics. I like Victor Hugo. I like Mark Twain. I like Milan Kundera.”
Favorite Restaurant in Abu Dhabi: Em Sherif Sea Café in the Rosewood Hotel
Favorite Dish at Em Sherif: Fish kibbeh
Q
But you and your family stayed in Lebanon.
A
I stayed through all my school and university studies.
Q
How did your family get through that war?
A
Beirut was divided into two parts, and I lived in the Christian part. In 1978, when I was 8 years old, it was shelled strongly. My parents would do everything to take us away from the city to the mountains, where it was calmer, and I had the opportunity there to spend days playing in nature.
Q
How did that experience shape you as an adult?
A
You understand the meaning of security—of people you love, their security. And I want here to create a link with the insurance and the risk industry. It teaches you how to be resilient and how to plan for business continuity. You have to think how to procure electricity, how to procure water, how to procure food, and how to think. All this is about business continuity. So I could see my parents, when I was a little child, how they were thinking how to bring us food when the bakeries were closed, the supermarkets were closed. How to think if there is no more food tomorrow or no more water.
Q
It’s a lot to think about.
A
Yes. But I can see how that could prepare you for an insurance career.
Q
You’re now based out of Abu Dhabi. What would an American who’s never been there be most surprised to learn about Abu Dhabi?
A
Abu Dhabi is a miracle city, as I like to say. Because 40 years back, it was the desert, and now you can see very beautiful streets, very nice beaches, very large public gardens. Most importantly, it’s a very safe city. You can walk around the city at 2 a.m. and you wouldn’t need any escorting. You would feel safe.
Q
What does a perfect weekend look like for you?
A
There are a lot of museums in Abu Dhabi. There are lot of activities, outdoor activities that you can do—not in the summer, of course. If you want to go to an entertainment park or a theme park, like Warner Bros., they are indoors. The water parks are nice. I go many times to the museums. I go to the zoos. Even at my age, I like to go to entertainment parks.
Q
What business leader in any industry do you most admire?
A
I like Warren Buffett for his humility and dedication.
Q
If you could change one thing about the insurance industry, what would it be?
A
I would make it more emotional. Now, when people have a claim, they are treated very, very strictly—“This is covered. This is not covered.” So a little bit of caring would make it easier for people.
Q
What gives you your leader’s edge?
A
Discipline is very important for me, and by discipline, I mean commitment. For example, I have a meeting every morning at 6 a.m. with the IT team. Because during the day we cannot brainstorm. This needs a lot of focus, and this shows the commitment and the discipline I’m talking about. So we start exactly at 6 a.m. sharp. We finish at 7 a.m. exactly. Some people go back to bed after that.
