Regional Leaders Gather at AUS to Explore New Approaches to Crisis Leadership
The Executive Education program “Leading Through Crisis: Before, During and After Disruption” hosted by American University of Sharjah brought together senior leaders from government, semi-government, and private sector organizations across the UAE on May 21. The invitation-only event focused on strengthening crisis leadership in environments shaped by volatility, uncertainty, and rapid change.
The program opened with remarks from AUS Chancellor Dr. Tod Laursen, emphasizing the importance of informed leadership in complex contexts. A keynote address and fireside chat by Brian Lott of Mubadala explored how organizations can build trust, improve communication, and act decisively during disruption.
AUS Vice Chancellor for External Relations Dr. Salah Brahimi highlighted the university’s role in bridging academic expertise with industry leadership needs, emphasizing preparedness and resilience as key leadership capabilities.
A masterclass by Dr. John E. Katsos examined how pre-crisis decisions influence organizational resilience, while an interactive workshop led by Randy Helou focused on self-regulation and maintaining clarity under pressure. A panel of regional executives discussed real-world crisis experiences, including cybersecurity risks, geopolitical challenges, and operational disruption.
Speakers emphasized that effective crisis leadership requires preparation, adaptability, and empowered decision-making. The program reinforced AUS Executive Education’s role in delivering practice-oriented learning aligned with regional leadership demands.
