Connect Who or what is your inspiration in business?

My biggest inspiration is my father, a career diplomat and former U.S. Ambassador to Oman. Growing up in places like Egypt during the Arab Spring, I watched him build trust across cultures and conflicts. He showed diplomacy not just for the U.S., but as an individual, which inspired me. Through that lens, I’ve built connections with mentors and leaders from Dubai to D.C., opening my eyes to a world of business, relationships, and global impact that I now operate within.

How do you stay motivated?

It was instilled in me by my parents from a young age, a hunger to do more, to make a difference, and to be known for something. It’s a drive that hasn’t faded, and one I’ve learned must come from within. While balancing rigorous engineering coursework, I focus on building meaningful impact and forming relationships with leaders and peers who challenge me to grow. It is a fast pace I have intentionally created and one that reflects the life I want to lead.

What would you do with the $25,000?

Currently, we are moving our momentum from 10s of thousands of college students and 100s of millions of views from being on Dr. Phil, and from our John Chungus campaign that we funded (https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQKuimpASfY), into a platform that brings people together in the real world. I would use the $25,000 to develop our MVP into a scalable platform, leveraging current partnerships to turn online rewards into real-world engagement and healthier behaviors.