Hello! My name is Mikey and I am a nerd.

I’m a former high school teacher, actuary, and investment quant. Born and raised between Nicosia and Beirut, I later spent a decade and a half studying and working between Durham, Chicago, New Orleans, and Brooklyn. Currently, I’m based back home in Beirut.

I am the Founder & Executive Director of  afikra | عفكرة – a global grassroots movement that is reframing the narrative about the Arab world. We publish daily podcasts, create educational courses, and host 100s of events all over the world each year. Its an amazing community of 100,000+ friendly nerds that are reshaping the future of the Arab world. You should join us.

More information about me: Over the years, I’ve had the privilege to work with leading cultural and educational institutions such as Barjeel Foundation, TED, Google Arts & Culture, Twitter, University of Chicago, NYU, British Council, Columbia University Global Centers, Alserkal Advisory, Qatar Museums, VCUarts Qatar, Zayed University, General Assembly, and the UAE Ministry of Culture and Youth.  Our work at afikra has been covered in international and local press, such as The National, U.S.News, Foreign Policy, Al Araby, Bespoke Magazine, Gulf News,  Arab News, Raseef22, and Alfanar. I’ve delivered talks as an invited guest speaker at Harvard, Yale, National University of Singapore, American University of Beirut, Google, Apple, The Arts Club, The Woodrow Wilson Center, British Council, NYU Abu Dhabi, Middle East Policy Council and Al Burda Festival. Drawing on my experience in both consulting and education, I’m honored to serve as a Board of Trustee for The Muhanna Group and the 100+ year old American Community School of Beirut.

Even more information about me:I am passionate about salsa dancing, social justice, basketball, data, design, hip hop, film, and stand up comedy. It’s very possible that, in a twist of fate, I am watching a YouTube video related to one of those topics at this very moment.

Big hug,
Mikey

mikeymu.com / contact me