Dori Davari

2010 - 2011

Alumni

Legatum Fellow

From:

Iran

Sector:

Heathcare/Pharma

Location:

Iran

Degree:

MSMS, Sloan School of Management

I have always sought to broaden my knowledge and have a positive impact on my surroundings. I strive to be an agent of change for my community, country, and profession. A project I have recently defined for myself is to participate in the development of medical tourism industry in Iran. The existing opportunities stem from Iran’s great potential in tourism industry, Iranian hospitality, Iran’s medical advantage, and the large pool of Iranian female medical professionals. The venture that I have in mind comprises a medical tourism facilitator targeting female Middle Eastern patients who prefer to be treated by female doctors. It will facilitate the provision of medical treatment by female doctors in Iran to the target group.

Having studied industrial and systems engineering for my undergraduate and master’s degrees at Iran’s two highest-ranking schools, I started my own management consulting firm in 2000. My company, Dorsa, has provided services to a number of government agencies as well as domestic and international firms. We have a 100% client retention rate. I also have tried to share my difficult yet rewarding experiences with others by giving talks on numerous occasions inside and outside my country. In the US for example I gave talks on “Female Entrepreneurship in Iran” at MIT, Stanford University, and Georgia Tech. After having played a significant role at Dorsa for almost ten years, I decided to change direction and go back to school seeking to eventually become a more efficient leader. More specifically, I thought I should gain further international academic experience.

To this end, I gained a Master of Science in City and Regional Studies from Rutgers University’s Bloustein School of Urban Planning and Public Policy in 2010, focusing on Public and Global Management. I am now studying for a Master of Science in Management Studies at Sloan MIT and will receive my third master’s degree in June 2011. I believe what I have learned and will be learning will help me to eventually act as a key player in establishing the organization I have in mind and in developing medical tourism in Iran. My experience as an entrepreneur gives me the confidence to count on myself and push forward toward this goal. I am very much honored to receive a Legatum fellowship, which will allow me to focus on this endeavor.