The following tools, practices and mindsets have been highlighted in this story, however, there are many more which are evident and may become apparent to you as you engage with this story. Which other tools, practices and mindsets can you identify?
Hoda Mostafa is a Professor of Practice and the Director of the Center for Learning and Teaching, at the American University in Cairo, Egypt. She works in educational development, digital education, and strategic pedagogical and institutional initiatives. She collaborates across AUC supporting innovation in teaching and learning, digital education, experiential learning, and integration of high impact teaching practices into the curriculum as well as institutional outreach. Over the years Hoda has partnered with stakeholders from across campus on multiple strategic institutional initiatives including AUC Quality of Education Taskforce, AUC’s Learning Spaces Plan, Online Learning and Experiential Learning Initiatives at AUC. Most recently Hoda is spearheading the teaching and learning with AI activities at the CLT. Hoda is also an experienced design thinking facilitator and coach and has designed, facilitated, and coached multiple design thinking workshops as part of AUC’s Design Thinking Initiative.
Mahmoud Sherif ElBanhawy is an accomplished executive and business transformation consultant with more than 25 years’ experience guiding organisations through strategic change. His career spans Product, Project, Process, and Change Management, Information Technology, Customer Service, Sales & Marketing, and Business Controls, giving him a uniquely integrated perspective on business transformation. Mahmoud has delivered value across four continents and in over a dozen countries, partnering with multinational corporations to embed industry recognized change practices, agile ways of working, and data-driven decision making. A compelling storyteller and workshop facilitator, he equips leaders to navigate complexity, foster innovation, and build resilient, people-centered cultures that thrive globally.
Complete this quick knowledge check, as many times as you like, to review your understanding of the concepts discussed in this podcast.
Authors: Hoda Mostafa (American University of Cairo) and Mahmoud Sherif ElBanhawy (Business Transformation Consultant)
Project management and overall curation: Jenni van Niekerk (d-school Afrika, University of Cape Town)
Facilitator Resource development, Subject Matter Expertise: Anne van Niekerk, Rael Futerman (d-school Afrika, University of Cape Town)
Learning Design: Catherine Fortune and Cheryl Hodgkinson-Williams
Reve AI Inc. (2026). A female African storyteller in traditional dress. Reve (Version 1.0) [AI-generated image].
Mostafa, H. & ElBanhawy, M.S. (2026). Change Management: Human-Centred Design and Change Management in Egypt. In J. van Niekerk (ed.). Afrikan Design Thinking Stories. Afrikan Design Thinking Network.
🏷️ Tools: Storytelling, Interview guides, Structured reports
🏷️Practices: Immersion interviews, Stakeholder mapping, Pattern recognition, Co-creation workshops, Quick wins identification and implementation, Change champion/agent identification and empowerment, Two-way communication channels, Leadership communication and buy-in, Rapid prototyping
🏷️Mindsets: Bias to Action, Make Tangible, Navigate Uncertainty, Lead with Curiosity, Be Human-Centred, Play with Possibilities, Be Driven to Make a Difference, Frame and Re-frame
🏷️General: Africa, Egypt, Change Management, Human-Centered Design, Organisational change, Transformation Management