Meet HEC Paris 2017 Alumni: Layla Al-Dorani, Founder of Raw Middle East

The award-winning founder of vegan companies – Raw Middle East, Fruity Friends, and Nosh Cravings – Layla Al-Dorani, HEC Paris Executive MBA 2017 alumni, certified in plant-based nutrition, and a vegan with a passion for providing her community with alternative healthier diet options. Named one of Forbes Middle East Top 200 Most Powerful Arab Women, Layla began her journey of entrepreneurship more than a decade ago upon returning to Qatar after finishing her undergraduate degree in the United States of America.

The concept of her pioneering and ISO-certified company, Raw Middle East, started when Layla joined a volunteering program for children after school hours. She realized that children are not educated about the idea of eating healthy and their diet is mainly derived from animal products, sugar, and fats. This drove Layla to start her own company with a mission of making plant-based products accessible to all. Simultaneously, Layla began educating community members about the process of creating these products, addressing common misconceptions about veganism, and allowing people to explore the benefits of vegan products.?

Shortly after starting her company, Layla enrolled at HEC Paris in Qatar to complete her Executive MBA. She considers that the program gave her insights into business fundamentals as well as a fresh perspective on emerging business opportunities in the market. During her studies, Layla took on the Entrepreneurship Accelerator Program, empowering her to assess the situation of Raw Middle East during that time, and how she could further expand the range of products and services her businesses were offering.

The skills and knowledge she acquired from the renowned HEC Paris program pushed her to kick-start a new line of business: Fruity Friends, a healthy snack choice for children and adults that contains fresh fruits, mixed with natural ingredients that halt the process of them turning brown and helps retain their freshness and crisp taste.

Today, in addition to Raw Middle East and Fruity Friends, Layla is the founder of Nosh Cravings, the first vegan fast-food restaurant. Combining innovative wellness with business, the success of Layla’s vegan empire has both prompted the beginning of a positive and healthier change in her community as well as inspired budding entrepreneurs to chase their dreams.

While her achievements are unique, Layla’s experience through the Executive MBA ?gave her the opportunity to start new businesses and fine-tune her entrepreneurial skills. With 140 years of experience in delivering management programs, HEC Paris continues to stay dynamic and adapt to today’s evolving landscape. HEC Paris programs equip participants with the necessary tools to enhance their leadership skills and manage their own businesses in the future. ?

Starting in the Middle East over 10 years ago, HEC Paris in Qatar has trained top-ranking executives, like Layla, helped various organizations, and mentored entrepreneurs. Today, HEC Paris in Qatar continues to expand its footprint across the region to attract promising talent into programs and mentor them to reach their organizational goals.?