More Than a Fellowship: ELI Fellow Ahmed Fadl Reflects on a Year with CPL

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After a long flight from Egypt, I arrived in Cambridge on July 2, 2025. While the first official day of school was July 8, CPL was already ahead, hosting a welcome lunch on July 7. From the very beginning, it felt less like entering a new institution and more like joining a community of friends and family, with people consistently willing to support, advise, guide, and collaborate.

A few months later, we gathered for the CPL retreat, a three-day opportunity to disconnect, recharge, and deepen our connections. What stood out most were the honest and thoughtful conversations with the ELI fellows, where we shared our motivations, personal stories, and the “why” behind our journeys. Professor Ronald Heifetz’s session on adaptive leadership was equally impactful; he reframed leadership not as authority, but as the courage to push people beyond their comfort zones to confront and address complex challenges.

One of the most memorable moments was a genuine conversation with Secretary Anthony Foxx, Director of CPL, who described the “secret sauce” behind the Obama administration’s effectiveness (of which he was part) as a no-drama environment grounded in a simple principle: prioritize doing what is right for people over what is politically expedient. 

International Exposure

CPL not only brings together a diverse cohort of international students but also connects fellows with a remarkable network of global public leaders through practitioner dinners. Through the dinners, fellows had the rare privilege of sitting across the table from some of the world's most accomplished public figures, not in lecture halls, but in genuine, intimate conversation. Two conversations, in particular, left a lasting impression:

I asked Leo Varadkar, former Prime Minister (Taoiseach) of Ireland, what kept him going through a long and demanding political career. His answer centered on the foundation of a strong network of trusted advisors and a support system that grounds you, paired with a quiet but unshakeable confidence in your own abilities. It was a personal and surprisingly vulnerable answer from someone who had held some of the highest offices in Europe.

Anita Dunn, former senior advisor to President Biden, offered a perspective that felt particularly relevant to where I come from. When the conversation turned to how those of us from the Middle East can shape the narrative about our region in the American public sphere, her answer was clear and actionable: lead with authentic stories from Americans who have actually been there, especially in places touched by conflict, and invest in emotionally intelligent representation from within the region itself. Less argument, more human connection. 

Platform for Our Voices

In mid-November, the ELI fellows hosted a Lunch and Learn session for the broader CPL community under the theme "Journey to the Arab World." We presented the countries we come from, with a focus on history, scientific contributions, and artistic traditions, and shared stories that pushed back against the flattened, often conflict-centric image of our region that tends to dominate Western discourse. It was more than a presentation. It was an act of reclamation, and it felt meaningful to have a room full of engaged peers genuinely curious to listen.

Professional development

CPL’s commitment to our growth extended beyond campus. I used my professional development support to attend the World Bank Group/International Monetary Fund Spring Meetings in Washington, D.C., which were a first for me and a deeply enriching experience. I had the opportunity to engage with leading figures from the Arab world, including H.E. Mahmoud Mohieldin (former Minister of Investment of Egypt and current United Nations Special Envoy on Financing the 2030 Agenda), H.E. Hisham Seifeldin (World Bank Group Alternate Executive Director), and H.E. Rania A. Al-Mashat (former Minister of International Cooperation, former Minister of Planning and Economic Development of Egypt), among others.

It was refreshing to learn from and engage with these experts. Despite ongoing geopolitical challenges, the Middle East still offers real opportunities, alongside the need for adaptability and multidisciplinary skills. Most importantly, their journeys showed that success is driven by persistence, resilience, and a commitment to keep moving forward.

Expanded Options

Being a Harvard student opens doors. Being affiliated with CPL opens even more.

One of those doors led me to the Harvard Business School New Venture Competition, where I developed my business idea far enough to reach the semifinalist stage, a process that came with serious coaching, feedback, and growth. Another door opened through conversations with CPL alumni, particularly ELI alumni, including mentorship from Mohamed Aburawi, founder of Atarona Ventures, and Dina Sherif, Director of the MIT Kuo Sharper Center. These conversations were generous, grounding, and full of the kind of perspective that only comes from people who have walked a similar path further down the road. 

Looking back, this year has been far more than an academic experience. It has been a period of growth, reflection, and meaningful connection, with people, ideas, and opportunities that will continue to shape my path well beyond the Harvard Kennedy School. To everyone at CPL, to my dear ELI fellows, and to the remarkable people I met along the way: thank you. This year didn't just expand my thinking. It expanded what I think is possible.