Creating a lasting leadership legacy: Inside the founding chapter of the AUS Alumni CEO Club

Creating a lasting leadership legacy: Inside the founding chapter of the AUS Alumni CEO Club 

As the president of the AUS Alumni CEO Club, H.E. Mohamed Juma Al Musharrkh helped establish a platform for AUS alumni leaders to connect, exchange knowledge and contribute to the university community. As his inaugural chapter comes to a close in summer 2026, he reflects on the relationships, conversations and shared purpose that shaped the club’s foundation.

Years after graduating from American University of Sharjah (AUS), H.E. Mohamed Juma Al Musharrkh found himself returning to the university that helped shape his journey—this time not as a student, but as a leader creating opportunities for others to learn, connect and give back. 

As CEO of Sharjah FDI Office (Invest in Sharjah) and President of the AUS Alumni CEO Club, Al Musharrkh focused on bringing together AUS graduates who have gone on to become CEOs, founders and senior executives, creating a space where they could exchange perspectives, share experiences and continue their connection with the university. 

“Launched in 2024 under the vision and support of Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President of AUS, the club was built on three pillars: Learning and knowledge-sharing , self-development and professional growth and networking and social gatherings,” said Al Musharrkh. “Together, they define how the AUS Alumni CEO Club operates and the value it creates.”

Looking back on the club’s early years, he reflected on how the club evolved from an idea into a platform where senior AUS alumni leaders could engage and build lasting relationships.

“It was important to design a model that engages senior leaders in a way that is both relevant and flexible, while still maintaining consistency and long-term value,” he said. “Creating the right environment was also essential. The club needed to promote a level of trust where members felt comfortable sharing experiences and engaging in meaningful conversations with peers.”

These principles shaped the way the club’s engagements were designed.  Through structured meetings and curated gatherings, members connected across industries. They were also able to learn from leaders and inspiring voices who shared perspectives on leadership and resilience. These included a visit to the majlis of His Highness Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Municipality and Planning Department–Ajman, as well as an engagement with Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, the UAE’s first female minister and a pioneering national leader.

The club further expanded these opportunities through direct engagement with inspirational figures, such as Chris Gardner, author of The Pursuit of Happyness, whose journey offered lessons in perseverance and ambition.

The club also became a platform where relationships could grow and conversations could extend beyond individual engagements. 

One example is the connection established with the CEO of Transworld through the club, which later supported further collaboration in Al Musharrkh’s capacity as CEO of Sharjah FDI Office (Invest in Sharjah) and contributed to the creation of the Sharjah AcquireHub. 

“This reflects how purposeful dialogue and strong networks can create opportunities that contribute to the wider Sharjah business community,” he said.

This belief in the value of relationships and shared perspectives connects the two roles Al Musharrkh holds. As a CEO, Al Musharrkh relies on trusted relationships, cross-industry collaboration and diverse perspectives to make informed decisions. Through the AUS Alumni CEO Club, he extends this approach into a broader leadership setting—bringing together peers who can share insights, challenge perspectives and learn from one another.

“Both roles reinforce each other through the same foundation of connection, collaboration and contribution,” he said.

For Al Musharrkh, the commitment to alumni engagement is personal and is rooted in his own student experience. “I was once an AUS student and I know how valuable it is to have guidance and a sense of direction at that stage,” he said. 

This was reflected in the club’s efforts to strengthen connections between alumni leaders and current students. Through mentorship and dialogue, students engaged with experienced professionals, bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world leadership perspectives. To Al Musharrkh, seeing alumni leaders come together to support students and share their experiences represented the true value of maintaining a lifelong connection with AUS. 

“The legacy I hope for is a self-sustaining ecosystem of AUS alumni leaders built on the three pillars,” he said. “The AUS Alumni CEO Club represents a model for how alumni communities can evolve into long-term leadership ecosystems with meaningful and sustained impact,” he said. 

Al Musharrkh encourages alumni and students to view the AUS community as a lifelong source of connection, learning and contribution. 

“Stay curious, stay connected, and never stop learning,” he said. “The AUS network is one of the strongest assets you will ever have, but its value depends on how actively you engage with it. Don’t just be part of it, contribute to it, stay present in it and grow with it.”