Meet Menna El Desouky, a Senior Manager from the Deals Line of Service, in Egypt. From navigating the aftermath of the Egyptian Revolution to leading diverse projects at our firm, Menna’s journey showcases resilience and adaptability. In this interview, she shares insights into her career path, strategies for staying updated with industry trends, maintaining work-life balance, and offers valuable advice for aspiring talents.
Can you share with us your personal journey within the firm and how you progressed from your initial role to becoming a Senior Manager?
My journey has been quite unique, navigating through various paths and experiences. Throughout it all, I see myself as blessed to have had the opportunity to learn and grow despite the challenges.
I started my career in August 2010, after the Egyptian Revolution and the Arab Spring. It was a tough time, but I managed to get an internship at Ernst & Young (EY). In 2012, I moved to PwC as part of the Corporate Finance team in Egypt. Working there exposed me to diverse Lines of Services (LoS), where I worked on projects including commercial due diligence, valuations and feasibility studies, which broadened my professional perspective. I was also part of an amazing team, who were supportive professionally and personally. Five years later and with my new role as a wife and mother, I took the leap to explore the investment side at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Despite the initial challenges, this move enriched my experience, particularly in food, agribusiness and retail projects, where I had the chance to lead interesting transactions. I also improved my skills by learning how to manage multicultural teams.
Returning to PwC in 2022 felt like coming home. In some ways it feels like I never left, with the same supportive environment, team spirit and learning opportunities, but in other ways I'm being exposed to so many new challenges and opportunities. It's so good to feel like I can really fulfill my career aspirations without compromising my motherhood duties.
How do you stay up to date with industry trends and developments, in order to provide the best advisory services to your clients?
My time spent working in investment roles for several years, taught me the importance of keeping up with macroeconomic, industry and M&A updates. Every morning, I make sure to turn to Bloomberg El Sharq to catch up on major developments in the Middle East markets, and read Enterprise publications to stay informed. I also take every opportunity I get to attend relevant panel discussions or events.
What strategies do you use to maintain a healthy work-life balance?
Balancing my work and personal life can be challenging, especially given the time pressures and demands within our line of work. However, I try to focus on small habits to keep the balance. For example, I make at least two hours a day for family time. Whether it’s doing activities with my kids, spending time with them to find out about their days, being present, and blocking the calendar for family commitments - even after working hours, is important for me to do. For my own health and wellbeing, I dedicate at least two days a week to joining evening classes from yoga to zumba to body combat. While it may seem modest to some, for me it's hugely important.
What is one piece of advice you can give to young talents who are looking to join our firm?
I encourage them to embrace new experiences and to not be afraid to try new things. The work we do is so diverse. With every engagement comes the chance to solve a different challenge and meet new people from various backgrounds. The regional focus of the job has become more important, and leveraging the firm’s network across different markets is key to professional growth and advancing to managerial positions. Another piece of advice is, never shy away from seeking guidance when you don't know the answer. Also embrace differences, as this is how you learn and grow. One last thing to remember is that success is a marathon, not a sprint!
