النهار

Welcome to my interview with Ahmed Samir Elbermbali, a LinkedIn Top Voice in the Sustainability industry. In this series, we'll uncover how top LinkedIn voices in MENA leverage the platform to share educational content and share their success stories. Whether you're an expert LinkedIn user or just starting, you'll gain inspiration and insights from our conversation.

Hello, I'm Ahmed Samir Elbermbali, an Egyptian who moved to the UAE five and a half years ago. I initially pursued aerospace engineering in Egypt but later relocated to Dubai in 2018 to co-found a company focused on sustainable mobility solutions, primarily Electric Vehicles (EVs). Due to financial constraints, approximately nine months later, we shifted our focus to consulting, aiming to help businesses promote EV adoption and educate the public about EV benefits. I joined the Clean Energy Business Council (CEBC), MENA's largest industry association, to drive e-mobility and clean energy advocacy. Over my 3.5-year tenure, I advanced to become the managing director, actively collaborating with governments to amplify the private sector's voice in clean energy industries.

I then joined the UN High-Level Climate Champions as their Lead of Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs), where I helped establish the Accelerating to Zero (A2Z) Coalition, which calls for all cars and vans to be zero emission by 2040 globally and no later than 2035 in leading markets. I earned a Master's degree in Business Administration focusing on sustainable mobility from Germany. I gained advocacy and research experience while consulting for the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) in Washington, DC.

I currently work at Bureau Veritas in their Middle East office, where my primary role is overseeing sustainability services across the region. I'm also involved with the Charging Interface Initiative (CharIN), which sets global electric vehicle charging benchmarks. In this capacity, I actively advocate for these standards across the Middle East, ensuring policymakers and private sector stakeholders are informed about the importance of adhering to EV charging standards and making informed decisions and policies about charging infrastructure regulations.

During my academic journey, I encountered a pivotal moment that prompted me to reassess my path. While pursuing my bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, I realized that excelling in the aerospace industry often requires a graduate degree, such as a prestigious Ph.D. However, my career aspirations needed to align with an academic trajectory, so I decided to chart a new course.

After exploring various industries, I found my passion in the electric vehicle sector and joined an electric mobility company after graduation. While there, I gained insights into energy efficiency, climate finance, and energy storage from a policy perspective despite not working directly on projects in these sectors. My primary focus remained on policymaking throughout my tenure.

My work gradually expanded from e-mobility to clean energy to the wider ESG landscape. Initially, companies showcased leadership through these activities. Still, it became obligatory, especially in the European Union, due to increasing allegations, prompting businesses to genuinely assess their carbon footprint and embrace environmental responsibility and sustainability.

A global shift towards ESG policies and carbon emission reduction has driven increased demand for measuring corporate environmental impacts. In this evolving landscape, my involvement grew as companies sought information about the UAE's plans for mandatory sustainability reporting. Initially, I hesitated about including our emissions in sustainability initiatives and researched for clarity. Although I obtained basic information during this journey, connecting with experts in emerging fields posed challenges. Consequently, I developed expertise by engaging with policymakers and industry insiders, establishing a knowledge foundation for deeper industry exploration.

My journey initially focused on mobility but later shifted toward clean energy. As regulations continued to evolve, I expanded my education and ventured into the broader realm of sustainability, which encompasses all aspects of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance).

That's quite intriguing. Why specifically LinkedIn? What led you to choose LinkedIn over other platforms? The reason I'm emphasizing LinkedIn in this educational context is to inspire individuals who've had similar experiences to come forward and share their stories.

During my student years, I needed to become more familiar with LinkedIn and primarily relied on Facebook for my social interactions. Facebook's "friends nearby" feature played a significant role during that time, helping me connect with people nearby and creating opportunities like an internship in the United States during my frequent travels. Even though this feature is no longer available, it highlighted the potential of social media platforms.

As I entered the job search phase of my life, I started using LinkedIn to research professionals in companies and roles that interested me. LinkedIn's capacity to provide a comprehensive overview of individuals' career paths proved invaluable. I became an active user, diligently optimizing my profile and implementing tips I found in videos and articles.

Over time, I honed my LinkedIn profile maintenance skills, viewing it as an ongoing CV update. It evolved into a platform for knowledge-sharing and networking, particularly valuable for introverts. Sharing helpful resources on LinkedIn enabled me to contribute to a broader community, even though most of the content wasn't mine, with the belief that it could benefit those with limited access or time.

Sharing content on social media has become a regular practice for me, regardless of the number of likes or comments my posts receive. Initially, it was a task to complete after consuming something interesting. However, over time, I received feedback that my posts provided value to others. I realized that, even if the material wasn't entirely original, it remained fresh for many, making sharing worthwhile.

Continuing to share content boosted my confidence in incorporating my insights, leading to stimulating discussions and debates that enriched my connections and broadened my network. What initially started as simple sharing on LinkedIn has transformed into a means to connect with others, exchange ideas, and engage in meaningful conversations.

I don't adhere to a specific content model in my engagement with information. I primarily enjoy interacting with various databases, including reading, watching videos, perusing articles, and reviewing reports. The subject matter doesn't determine my interest; instead, the act of consumption captivates me. Whenever I encounter something intriguing while reading, I naturally pause to explore it. Regardless of the medium, I frequently discover new information. To ensure I retain this newfound knowledge, I make it a point to share it. I focus more on organizations than individuals, such as MIT Energy and Energy Initiative and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), which I consistently follow for valuable insights on clean energy and industry news.

Another noteworthy organization for clean energy information is the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT). They excel in conducting research and presenting findings visually, which resonates with LinkedIn users who prefer informative visuals. Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) is also reliable for financial insights into clean energy investments, distinguishing itself with a focus on investment-related research. I trust you'll find this information helpful, and I'm prepared to explore additional sources if desired.

I view content creation as a means to achieve my goals, including building connections and expanding my LinkedIn network. Quality content sharing is crucial because it enables me to connect with individuals who may require assistance. LinkedIn's capacity to facilitate one-on-one interactions streamlines my efforts, significantly impacting my professional and personal growth. My involvement goes beyond posting articles; I actively participate through comments, which positively reflect my character beyond the platform.

LinkedIn's consistent content sharing can enhance one's professional image, leveraging its vast network to create unexpected opportunities. For example, a research post led to a valuable academic job offer, highlighting the platform's impact on one's career journey. To educate students about LinkedIn's value, it's essential to highlight its resource-efficient networking and career growth opportunities. LinkedIn streamlines job searches, improves networking, and enhances results. Students should also grasp how to effectively present themselves on the platform, recognizing its uniqueness compared to other social media platforms.

Promoting LinkedIn use among students requires a multifaceted approach involving awareness-raising events like seminars and workshops. Engagement with school leaders and educators is crucial to highlight LinkedIn's resource efficiency and its role in shaping students' professional paths. Prioritizing resource efficiency and effective LinkedIn use can significantly enhance students' educational and career success.