Dina H. Sherif

Entrepreneur, Angel Investor, Venture Capitalist, Social Innovator, Educator, Friend, Sister, Daughter..

[Simons @Simon_Ingari]

Have you ever noticed that the worst people keep getting promoted?

You’re sitting in a meeting thinking, How is this person in charge?
That’s not bad luck. That’s a system working exactly as intended.

Here’s the truth:
A lot of workplaces don’t promote the most capable people; they promote the least threatening ones.

The people who move up fastest aren’t always driving results.
They are the ones who keep leadership comfortable.

- They don’t challenge decisions.
- They don’t surface problems too clearly.
- They make things feel calm, even when nothing is actually improving.

Real competence creates friction.
When you are genuinely good at your job, you expose gaps, weak processes, bad decisions, and poor leadership.

And that makes people above you uncomfortable.
So instead of developing strong leaders, many organizations quietly sideline them.

What gets rewarded instead is loyalty, predictability, and the ability to manage optics.

Once that pattern starts, every layer protects the one above it.
Promotions stop being about skill and start being about safety.

And over time, the people doing the real work either burn out from carrying everyone else or they leave.

- That’s how mediocrity becomes a culture.
- That’s why leadership can feel hollow.
- And that’s why, when you look around and wonder why so many managers seem unqualified, the answer isn’t random.

It’s structural.
They didn’t fail upward by accident.
They were rewarded for not rocking the boat.

[Dina H. Sherif @Dinasherif]

@hmeguid @mitlegatum @AlyShalakany @bolanleap Love it!

[Dina H. Sherif @Dinasherif]

@RobertAlai @KRACare I have no reason to hate against the government. I am not from Kenya and I am actually here because I believe that Kenya has a lot to offer entrepreneurs.

[MIT Kuo Sharper Center @MITKuoSharper]

Calling on all Africa-based entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders: The application for the Foundry Fellowship is now open! Embark on a transformative experience to define the next stage in your entrepreneurial and leadership journeys.

Apply Now: https://t.co/Q7TInglH3f

[MIT Kuo Sharper Center @MITKuoSharper]

The @MITLegatum Conference and the launch of our 15-year impact report were featured in this recent @MITSloan article.
The article includes insights from global leaders, speakers and Legatum fellows.
Full article: https://t.co/UvWTXotZWr
Impact Report: https://t.co/2ZWR5gf87A

[MIT Kuo Sharper Center @MITKuoSharper]

“As we navigate this rapidly evolving landscape of the 21st century, one truth remains constant: innovation is the lifeblood of progress.”

The @mitlegatum is honored to welcome for the first time His Excellency @OfficialMasisi of Botswana to Cambridge and the @MIT community.

[Dina H. Sherif @Dinasherif]

Could not be more thrilled to share the @mitlegatum 15 year impact report!

[MIT Kuo Sharper Center @MITKuoSharper]

After over 15 years of dedicated work at @mitlegatum, we're thrilled to unveil our 15-year impact report!

The report was launched today at our conference with a powerful panel moderated by our Executive Director, @Dinasherif.

You can download it now at https://t.co/2ZWR5gf87A

[MIT Kuo Sharper Center @MITKuoSharper]

“CONGRATULATIONS!! To our amazing cohort of 2023-2024 Legatum Center Fellows!!

The Legatum Center for Development and Entrepreneurship at MIT, is buzzing with excitement as we celebrate the exceptional accomplishments of our Legatum Foundry and Student Fellows tonight!

[Joe Biden @JoeBiden]

Too many Americans have lost loved ones or survived the trauma of gun violence.

I know consensus is possible. It's about common sense and reasonable, responsible gun safety measures to protect our children, our families, and our communities.

[Pearl Initiative @PearlInitiative]

Join us for a transformative session on the power of philanthropy in driving lasting change and discover how our panelists leverage philanthropic resources to create lasting solutions. Register now! https://t.co/e4kyrkftjl
.
#PIevents #PI #philanthropy

[MIT Kuo Sharper Center @MITKuoSharper]

Our ED @Dinasherif joined a panel discussion around the transformative potential of Tech Innovation in addressing systemic inequities. Panelists were SaLisa Berrien of @COIEnergy & Elisa Miller-Out of @ChloeCapital. Tosh Ernest of @BankSilicon moderated.

#WeAreLegatum

[Dina H. Sherif @Dinasherif]

It was amazing to have the opportunity to meet HE President Nana Akufo Addo of Ghana along with amazing colleagues @jabounadi and @MuntherDahleh from MIT!

[MIT Kuo Sharper Center @MITKuoSharper]

Our ED @Dinasherif, @jabounadi, & @MuntherDahleh had a high-level meeting with President Nana Akufo Addo of Ghana & senior officials to discuss how entrepreneurship, innovation & advanced tech stand as catalysts for igniting sustainable growth & prosperity in Ghana.
#WeAreLegatum

[Dina H. Sherif @Dinasherif]

The system needs to change. The question remains…. How do you slow down growth and not compromise the future of jobs for so many around the world ?

[Erin Remblance @remblance_erin]

This might be my favourite 2 minutes of tv ever.

@GeorgeMonbiot getting straight to the heart of what we need to do: system change.

#degrowth

[MIT Kuo Sharper Center @MITKuoSharper]

Join our team!

The Legatum Center is hiring a Director of Marketing and Stakeholder Engagement! Join and shape delivery and outcomes of our communications/marketing strategies and activities.

Apply here: https://t.co/QM8Zku1Xea

@Dinasherif @RaniaHelmy

#NowHiring

[MIT Kuo Sharper Center @MITKuoSharper]

We are hiring a Director of Fellowships and Global Initiatives to help the Legatum Center fulfill its mission and grow its footprint around the world.

Interested? Apply:
https://t.co/JjiY86ZNNA

@DinahSherif @RaniaHelmy
#NowHiring #JoinOurTeam #Entrepreneurship
#Fellowships

[MIT Kuo Sharper Center @MITKuoSharper]

.@EPignot, Legatum Foundry Fellow and Founder & CEO of @EnkoEducation, on what makes the Legatum Foundry Fellowship unique.

1 month left to apply! https://t.co/bz7e7NXF9V

@Hmeguid @bolanleap @achenyoi @JoyceKamande7 @orajiakapaul @aruniyer
@binitieehi @dinahsherif @raniahelmy

[MIT Kuo Sharper Center @MITKuoSharper]

Calling on all Africa-based entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders: The application for the Foundry Fellowship is now open! Embark on a transformative experience to define the next stage in your entrepreneurial journeys. Apply now!
https://t.co/bz7e7NXF9V
#LegatumFoundryFellowship

[MIT Kuo Sharper Center @MITKuoSharper]

Donovan Beck shares a poem with the Fellows titled “Forests and Gardens” where he says to them, “Beginning is half the battle and right now you have already begun the journey towards progress.”

Watch!

#Fellowbration23
#Celebrating15Years

[MIT Kuo Sharper Center @MITKuoSharper]

Legatum Center ED @Dinasherif shares one piece of advice to the Legatum Student and Legatum Foundry Fellows at the celebration.

Watch!

#Fellowbration23
#Celebrating15Years