Selima Benchenaa
About Selima Benchenaa
Selima Benchenaa serves as the Associate Director of Academic Affairs and Leadership at the World Economic Forum, where she has worked since 2013. She co-leads the Global Leadership Fellows Programme and has extensive experience in leadership development and recruitment processes.
Work at World Economic Forum
Selima Benchenaa has held various positions at the World Economic Forum since 2011. She currently serves as the Associate Director of Academic Affairs and Leadership, a role she has occupied since 2013. Previously, she worked as the Head of the Open Forum from 2011 to 2016 and as a Senior Programme Manager for the Global Leadership Fellows from 2010 to 2013. Additionally, she served as a Council Manager for both the New Models of Leadership and the Global Agenda Council on Space Security. Her tenure at the Forum has involved significant contributions to leadership development and recruitment processes.
Education and Expertise
Selima Benchenaa has a strong educational background in marketing and hospitality management. She earned her Master's degree in Marketing from Esade and Sda Bocconi, completing her studies between 2009 and 2011. Prior to that, she obtained a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management from Ecole Hôtelière De Lausanne, where she studied from 2002 to 2006. Her education has equipped her with the skills necessary for her roles in leadership development and academic affairs.
Background
Before joining the World Economic Forum, Selima Benchenaa gained experience in the hospitality industry. She worked as a Management Trainee at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts in Toronto from 2006 to 2007 and as a Marketing Intern at Design Hotels AG in Berlin in 2004. This diverse background has contributed to her understanding of leadership and management within both public and private sectors.
Leadership Development Initiatives
Selima Benchenaa co-leads the Global Leadership Fellows Programme, collaborating with prestigious institutions such as the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton Business School, Columbia University's School of Arts and The Earth Institute, INSEAD, London Business School, and CEIBS. She emphasizes adult learning and experiential learning in the design and implementation of the programme, focusing on aligning coaching and mentoring with senior management to cultivate agile and adaptable leaders.
Recruitment and Assessment Enhancements
In her role at the World Economic Forum, Selima Benchenaa has played a key role in adapting the recruitment process for the Global Leadership Fellows Programme. She has worked on enhancing internal recruitment and assessments, ensuring that the programme attracts and develops high-caliber leaders capable of addressing complex global challenges.