From hotel school to global fintech, Andreas Durkoop (Class of 1993) followed an unexpected path to closing multimillion-dollar deals across the Middle East and Africa. Driven by curiosity and courage, he says yes to opportunities, and shares why that mindset still matters today.

What have you been up to since graduating from CIS?

After leaving CIS in 1993, I went to hotel school, spending three years learning the ins and outs of hospitality. After graduating, I moved to Germany. I knew no one, spoke little German, and was completely out of my comfort zone. In 2001, I took another leap and moved to Dubai after seeing a hotel brochure. 25 years later, I’m still here. I spent 16 years in hospitality operations, from Ritz-Carlton and Burj Al Arab (yes, that one) to hotel pre-openings, handling everything from VIP crises to managing multilingual teams.

In 2012, I pivoted into hospitality technology sales after realising I understood hotels better than most people. Turns out translating between hotel operators and tech vendors is a superpower. For the past 14 years, I’ve built commercial operations for SaaS and fintech companies across the Middle East and Africa, closed multimillion-dollar deals, and learned that my hospitality background turned out to be my competitive advantage.

So since CIS, I moved to two countries, worked in two industries, lived 24 extra years in Dubai, and followed a career path I didn’t plan. Life’s funny that way!

Looking back at your career, what would you say are your top 3 achievements?

1. Becoming a global citizen. I grew up moving between Poland, Sweden, Singapore, and Germany. At the time it just felt like a lot, but it gave me the ability to walk into almost any room and genuinely connect with people from very different backgrounds. In today’s world, that ability to adapt, listen, and make people feel understood has become my quiet superpower.

2. Taking a leap into the unknown. Moving to Dubai in 2001 was scary but I learned that when you focus on what’s in front of you, the people, the opportunities, the experience, instead of what you’re missing, things tend to work out.

3. Being open to change, even when comfortable feels safer. I switched industries at 35, leaving a secure, successful hospitality career for tech sales. It felt uncertain at first, but once I committed, the overthinking stopped. That pivot reminded me that growth lives on the other side of comfort.

So no trophies here! Just a few choices I’m glad I didn’t chicken out of, which feels more honest anyway.

You attended CIS in its early years, in the nineties. What are some of your fondest memories on campus?

I remember my teachers most. They genuinely cared not just about grades, but about us as people. I remember one-on-one conversations about where I was struggling, where I could push myself, and how to improve. I felt looked after. The teachers knew our names and our personalities which was comforting.

Sports days were the most fun. Nothing bonds people like failing the same obstacle course together! And there was a refreshing lack of pretension about it all: just kids from around the world, figuring things out together.

From your perspective, what qualities do you think help young people succeed in today’s rapidly changing world?

Be willing to look a little ridiculous while you figure things out. I switched from hotels to tech sales at 35, and there were moments I felt like I was teaching my grandfather to use TikTok but I grew from discomfort.

I think it’s also important to talk to people and build real relationships. In a world of AI and automation, being genuinely interested in other humans is a serious competitive advantage. I’ve closed more deals over coffee than over polished PowerPoints.

My advice is to not feel pressured to follow the obvious path. My hospitality background makes me an anomaly in tech sales, and that “weirdness” is exactly what makes me valuable in this industry.

Finally, stay curious and humble. The people who succeed are the ones who can say, “I don’t know, tell me more!”

Business is so popular amongst today’s graduate students. What advice would you give to students aspiring to take on leadership roles in your industry?

Leadership isn’t about having all the answers, it’s about asking the right questions and listening. Don’t chase titles; chase work you care about, because passion sustains you longer than status. Choose your early bosses wisely, adapt your leadership style to the culture you’re in, and learn the job yourself before leading others. The best leaders stay humble, curious, and never forget what it’s like to be learning!

Thank you Andreas for sharing your story and inspiring our community. We wish you continued success in everything you do!