By: Yomna Walid
Behind every great DJ is a story that begins with passion, and for Mazen Sherif, that passion has always been about emotion, connection, and the power of sound. What started as a fascination with how music can shift moods and unite people soon evolved into a journey behind the decks, shaping his signature blend of Afro House and Melodic Techno. Inspired by artists like Solomun, Adriatique, and Black Coffee, Mazen transforms every set into an emotional experience, a story told through rhythm, warmth, and flow. His mixes are not just about sound but about feeling, unity, and energy that lingers long after the last beat drops. Tune in tonight at 10 PM as Mazen Sherif takes over NileFM&rsquo;s DJ of the Week, sharing his story, musical evolution, and an exclusive one-hour mix featuring his upcoming release with Loxivice. Get ready for a journey that&rsquo;s soulful, uplifting, and unforgettable.
<a href="https://ibb.co/FbdgG224"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/BVYq8bb2/1.png" alt="1" border="0" /></a> 1. How did your DJ journey begin? What first drew you into the world of music and mixing? My journey started from a deep passion for music and the emotions it creates. I was always fascinated by how sound can connect people and change their mood. That connection inspired me to start mixing and developing my own style behind the decks. 2. How did your style evolve into the Afro and melodic techno vibes we hear in your sets today? It was a natural evolution. I&rsquo;ve always been attracted to warm, organic rhythms and emotional melodies. Blending Afro House and melodic techno felt like the perfect reflection of who I am and what I want my audience to feel. 3. Who were some of your biggest musical influences growing up, and how do they shape your sound now? I grew up listening to a wide range of sounds&mdash;from world and deep house to artists like Adriatique, Solomun, and Black Coffee. Their storytelling through music inspired me to craft my sets as emotional journeys rather than just playlists.
4. How would you describe &ldquo;The Yellow Space of Mazen&rdquo;? What does it represent to you as an artist? &nbsp;Yellow Space and the international DJ on the track Fragments of Time, that project means a lot to me. It was my first collaboration and my first full production, and it turned out to be a great success&mdash;the track was played all around the world.&rdquo; 5. Your latest mixes, like Top Afro Summer Vibes 2025 and Melodic Techno Tunes 2025, have such uplifting energy. How do you approach creating these vibes? I always start with emotion. I imagine a journey and build the mix step by step to create flow and energy. For me, a good set should make people feel something&mdash;joy, freedom, unity&mdash;that&rsquo;s the goal every time. 6. When preparing a new set, do you focus more on the crowd&rsquo;s mood or your personal artistic flow? It&rsquo;s always a balance between both. I read the crowd carefully, but I stay true to my sound. The magic happens when my personal flow aligns with the audience&rsquo;s energy.
<a href="https://ibb.co/TxBvKpNb"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/VcWjHrkQ/2.png" alt="2" border="0" /></a> 7. Your videos show your passion behind the decks. How important are performance energy and visual storytelling for you? Extremely important. Music is not only about what we hear but also what we feel and see. When people can see the passion and energy, it deepens the connection and turns a set into an experience. 8. Do you have a favorite venue or memory from one of your gigs? Each gig is unique, but the most unforgettable moments are when the entire crowd is completely in sync&mdash;when the music takes over and everyone feels united through the sound. 9. How does it feel to be featured as NileFM&rsquo;s DJ of the Week? It&rsquo;s truly an honor. NileFM is one of Egypt&rsquo;s most respected platforms, and being featured there means a lot to me. It&rsquo;s a great opportunity to share my sound with a wider audience across the country. 10. We often see you balancing music and family. How do your kids react to seeing you perform? They absolutely love it! They dance, smile, and sometimes even play with my DJ equipment. Seeing their excitement reminds me why I do what I do&mdash;it&rsquo;s all about joy and inspiration. 11. What&rsquo;s next for you in 2025? Any upcoming projects or events? 2025 will be a year of growth and collaboration. I&rsquo;m working on new sets, exciting projects, and planning more live performances. My goal is to keep evolving and connecting with people through music, both in Egypt and beyond.
<a href="https://ibb.co/h19NF4Pp"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/tPK6pv7y/3.png" alt="3" border="0" /></a> 12. What message do you hope listeners take away from your music journey? That music is a language of emotion and connection. I hope my sets inspire people to feel more, live freely, and remember that we are all connected through rhythm and sound. 13. Which DJ, Egyptian or international, would you love to share the stage with? There are many incredible artists, but sharing the stage with Adriateque or Solomun for international artists in Egypt, I&rsquo;d love to share the deck with Baset, Arrab, Mohasseb, and Ashmawy; it would be a dream. Their musical depth and presence are truly inspiring. 14. What advice would you give to aspiring DJs? Stay authentic, be patient, and focus on your craft. Don&rsquo;t chase trends; build your identity and let your passion guide you. The audience will always feel what&rsquo;s real. 15. What do you want NileFM listeners to experience when they hear your set on air? I want them to feel free, connected, and uplifted, as if we&rsquo;re all sharing one moment together, united by music.
Got what it takes to be the next DJ of the Week? Send your mix to djoftheweek@nrp.net.eg&mdash;and you could be the next name spinning for millions.
&nbsp;

Exclusive | Mazen Sherif Ignites NileFM’s DJ of The Week with a Special Mix — Tune In Tonight!

In an exclusive interview with Yara El Gendy, as part of NileFM&rsquo;s coverage of the 4th edition of the CEO Women Conference, Dr. Sandrine El Khodry, Executive Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing at Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise, opened up about leadership, gender balance in the tech industry, and how passion drives her decades-long journey in business and innovation. The 2025 edition placed a special spotlight on Women in Technology and Cybersecurity and Female Entrepreneurship, emphasizing the critical role women play in shaping the digital future and driving innovation in emerging industries. Held under the esteemed auspices of H.E. Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister of Egypt, the conference continues to serve as a key platform for empowering women to lead with impact and resilience.
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/zxpKfiBDV-0" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> This is your first time attending the CEO Women Conference. How do you see its importance and impact? Actually, this is my first time attending the annual event as a main speaker and as a sponsor through Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise. However, I&rsquo;ve been involved with the organization for some time as a board member. The CEO Women initiative holds a very special place in my heart because it was founded in Egypt, a country that continues to produce exceptional women leaders. Although I&rsquo;ve been living abroad for the last 33 years, my heart has always remained attached to Egypt. When I see opportunities to support Egyptian women or to contribute to something meaningful, I don&rsquo;t hesitate to make time, no matter how busy my schedule is. I was truly impressed by the level of presence here, from government ministers to business leaders and men from across the region. It shows that Egypt and the Middle East are undergoing a real transformation toward empowering women and driving progress. You mentioned that conferences like this fuel your energy. What makes such gatherings so valuable for you personally and professionally? It&rsquo;s because these events give me the chance to transfer my knowledge and experience. After more than 30 years in my field, facing challenges, failures, and successes, I now feel it&rsquo;s time to share what I&rsquo;ve learned. There&rsquo;s a quote I love: &ldquo;In your 20s, you learn; in your 30s, you perform; in your 40s, you lead; and in your 50s, you pass on your knowledge.&rdquo; That&rsquo;s exactly where I am today. Giving back, inspiring others, and helping them grow are my ways of staying motivated. Seeing people&rsquo;s eyes light up when something I say resonates or helps them take a step forward, that&rsquo;s my fuel. It recharges my batteries and gives me purpose. You work in one of the most competitive industries, technology, which is often viewed as male-dominated. Do you think this perception is still valid today? Let me start by saying, what sector isn&rsquo;t male-dominated? Historically, engineering and tech were seen as &ldquo;men&rsquo;s fields,&rdquo; but that mindset is changing. I see more women engineers and more women taking leadership roles in technology. It&rsquo;s not enough yet, but the transformation has begun. However, balance is still not where it should be. We&rsquo;ve moved from one extreme to another. In the past, women&rsquo;s CVs were often dismissed in favor of men&rsquo;s. Now, some companies are prioritizing female hires even when they lack the same experience, just to meet diversity quotas. This shift, while well-intentioned, is not real equality. True equality means anonymity, two CVs judged by skill, not gender. May the best person win, regardless of whether they&rsquo;re a man or a woman. I&rsquo;m not where I am today because I&rsquo;m a woman. I&rsquo;m here because I worked hard, failed, learned, and persevered, probably twice or three times as much as others. That&rsquo;s what success is about. Technology is advancing faster than ever. How do global companies like Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise keep up? Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise has been around for more than a century, 106 years to be exact. Longevity like that comes from innovation and constant reinvention. Our research and development teams are always thinking ahead, anticipating what&rsquo;s next. When the pandemic hit, for example, we didn&rsquo;t face business interruption because our remote work platforms were already in place. We were prepared before the world changed. That&rsquo;s the power of foresight and adaptability. In business, reaching success is an achievement, but maintaining it is the real challenge. Just like in life, staying at the top takes continuous effort, innovation, and humility. What message would you like to leave for women and men trying to build a meaningful career today? Success doesn&rsquo;t belong to a gender. It belongs to those who dream, work hard, and never stop learning. Passion is what keeps you moving forward, even when the road is long. And once you&rsquo;ve made it, never forget to give back, because sharing knowledge is the greatest form of leadership.

CEO Women | Dr. Sandrine El Khodry: “Success Is Not About Gender, It’s About Perseverance, Passion, and Purpose”

In an exclusive interview with Yara El Gendy as part of NileFM&rsquo;s coverage of the 4th edition of the CEO Women Conference, Randa Bessiso, Founding Director &ndash; Middle East at The University of Manchester, Dubai, shared powerful insights on women shaping the future of work and how education plays a defining role in empowering female leaders across the region.
The 2025 edition placed a special spotlight on Women in Technology and Cybersecurity and Female Entrepreneurship, emphasizing the critical role women play in shaping the digital future and driving innovation in emerging industries. Held under the esteemed auspices of H.E. Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister of Egypt, the conference brought together visionary women leading change across business, education, and technology.
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/CTSf2q0xxVw" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>&nbsp;
You&rsquo;ve participated in several editions of CEO Women. Why do you believe it&rsquo;s important to take part in this platform? Both personally and professionally, we have a duty to support each other as women in business. But particularly as a university, higher education plays a significant role in skilling, upskilling, and reskilling a national workforce&mdash;and in particular, females. It&rsquo;s a catalyst for women to break the glass ceiling and manifest their aspirations.
What do you think makes the CEO Women Conference stand out as a space for female empowerment? Dr. Mona Morad, CEO of On Air Group and Founder of the CEO Women&rsquo;s Conference, has put together an amazing platform to showcase the success of female leaders in the Middle East, particularly in Egypt. I was astonished by the achievements I heard from female ministers and leaders this morning. The world needs to know what Egypt is doing in this space.
This year&rsquo;s theme focuses on Women in Tech. How do you see technology transforming education today? Technology is now at the heart of the design and delivery of education worldwide. At the University of Manchester, we&rsquo;ve been adopting virtual learning environments for more than three decades. Our blended programs and flexible learning models have enabled students&mdash;especially working professionals&mdash;to access high-quality education at their own pace and depth.
AI and digital transformation are shaping every field. How is the university embracing that shift? We currently have around 1,600 researchers working on AI design and development as part of our 2035 strategy, which places innovation and AI adoption at its core. We are living in a time when digital transformation is no longer optional. AI and technology are essential vehicles for learning and professional development. Our new generation is tech-savvy, and as educators, we must speak their language.
You&rsquo;ve witnessed significant growth in women&rsquo;s representation in higher education. What progress are you most proud of? We&rsquo;ve supported over 3,600 students in the Middle East and have more than 5,000 alumni, many of whom are women breaking barriers. Over the past two decades, we&rsquo;ve raised female representation in our programs from 9% to 35%, and that&rsquo;s one of our top achievements.
Finally, what message would you like to share with women aspiring to lead? Leadership and success are gender-blind. If you remove the labels and limitations, the world will see you for your capabilities. Education gives women that freedom to redefine themselves, lead fearlessly, and shape the future.

CEO Women | Randa Bessiso: “Education Is The Catalyst That Helps Women Break The Glass Ceiling”

In an exclusive interview with Yara El Gendy as part of NileFM&rsquo;s coverage of the 4th edition of the CEO Women Conference, Carol Milan, Executive Vice President at INDEVCO Group and CEO Women Board Member, reflected on her global business journey, the value of mentorship, and how women leaders are shaping the future of industry across the region.
The 2025 edition placed a special spotlight on Women in Technology and Cybersecurity and Female Entrepreneurship, emphasizing the critical role women play in shaping the digital future and driving innovation in emerging industries. Held under the esteemed auspices of H.E. Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister of Egypt, the conference continues to serve as a vital platform empowering women to lead with resilience, collaboration, and vision.
&nbsp;<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/9kYaLgO3flU" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
You&rsquo;ve been part of this journey for four years now. How have you seen this conference evolve? Yes, this is the fourth edition, and I had the privilege of attending the very first one when I was in Egypt on assignment. Back then, the forum was not as widely known, and I was invited as a speaker. I was pleasantly surprised to see the prominent role of women in Egypt, especially at the government level, which is not very common in other countries in the region. Coming from Lebanon, where women play an important role, I was still impressed by the scale of women&rsquo;s participation in Egypt, given its large population. Over the years, I have seen this forum grow tremendously, gaining more support from governmental bodies, major corporations, and public figures. I joined the board a year after my first participation, thanks to Dr. Mona Morad, CEO of On Air Group and Founder of the CEO Women&rsquo;s Conference, whom I deeply appreciate for inviting me to be part of this journey. Under the leadership of H.E. Dr. Hala El-Said, Economic Advisor to the President of Egypt and former Minister of Planning and Economic Development, the conference has reached a new level of influence and visibility. It has continued to grow year after year in terms of support, attendance, and the topics discussed. Today, it has evolved into a platform where women come to be inspired, gain confidence, and grow both personally and professionally.
The level of women attending this year is remarkable, with so many inspiring stories and leaders. How does it feel to witness this atmosphere? The level of support among women here is incredible. Contrary to what some might think, there is genuine collaboration. When one woman mentions a project or a new venture, others immediately offer help by sharing contacts or connecting her to the right people. This spirit of mutual support is one of the things I value most about this forum. Over the years, I have built many valuable relationships through this platform, and I truly appreciate the sense of community it creates.
This year&rsquo;s theme focuses on Women in Tech. Why did you choose this particular sector? Given the importance of technology in today&rsquo;s world, we wanted to highlight how it impacts every aspect of our lives. Technology is not here to replace humans; it is here to enhance our lives. Some people see tech as a threat, but in reality, it is a life enhancer. Our goal was to show how women in tech are not only active but also adding immense value. They are embracing innovation intelligently and reshaping how industries operate.
You have worked for major global companies. What advice would you give to women who want to follow a similar path and reach leadership positions? First, understand that the role of women is not symbolic; it is strategic. For years, we have heard clich&eacute;s about women's empowerment, but it is much deeper than that. Women bring a new leadership style, one that values influence over control and psychological safety. These qualities come naturally to us because of the way we are built&mdash;our emotional intelligence, our multitasking abilities, and our nurturing instincts. We are not competing with men; we complement each other. My advice to every woman is not to aim to fit a quota but to be yourself. You bring unique strengths to the workplace. Today, successful companies understand that empowering women is not just about fairness; it is about performance. Doing well and doing good are no longer opposites.
Are big multinationals today truly embracing inclusivity, or are they just ticking boxes? Every company globally is adopting inclusion to some extent. The difference lies in how genuinely they approach it. The smart, successful, and forward-thinking organizations are the ones doing it from the heart, seeing it as a strategic value and not just a checklist. Because when inclusion is treated as a box-ticking exercise, companies risk missing out on the right people and defeating the very purpose of diversity.
&nbsp;

CEO Women | Carol Milan: “Women’s Leadership Is Not Symbolic; It’s Strategic”

Emily in Paris Season 5 has just dropped, but let&rsquo;s be honest, it should really be called Emily in Rome. The teaser reveals Lily Collins&rsquo;s Emily trading croissants for cappuccinos as she takes on her latest professional challenge under the Italian sun.
&nbsp;
For the first time since her Parisian debut, Emily steps into a new world filled with Rome&rsquo;s cobbled chaos, Venetian canals, and all the drama in between. Creator Darren Star is clearly raising the stakes and the scenery, teasing: &ldquo;From Parisian rooftops to Roman ruins, we can&rsquo;t wait to share where Emily&rsquo;s next chapter takes us.&rdquo; Translation: expect glamour, ego clashes, and existential crises in equal measure.
&nbsp;
 Emily&rsquo;s career takes center stage this season as she&rsquo;s appointed to lead the Rome branch of Agence Grateau. It&rsquo;s a promotion wrapped in aesthetic chaos. Between juggling clients, decoding Italian business etiquette, and rebranding herself yet again, she&rsquo;s finally forced to face what the series has only flirted with so far: actual growth. But of course, in true Emily in Paris fashion, things spiral fast.
&nbsp;
 The trailer hints at the return of familiar faces: Sylvie (Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu) being effortlessly intimidating, Gabriel (Lucas Bravo) still making everyone swoon, and Mindy (Ashley Park) belting out musical numbers that belong on a festival stage. But there&rsquo;s a shift in energy. This isn&rsquo;t just another round of baguette jokes and Instagram filters; it&rsquo;s a story of a woman torn between two worlds; Paris, her past, and Rome, her possible future.
 And yes, there&rsquo;s Marcello, the Italian luxury heir we met last season, now officially the love interest. Their chemistry in the teaser says it all: soft lighting, espresso cups, and stolen glances in piazzas. It&rsquo;s romance by design, and we&rsquo;re eating it up.
&nbsp;
 Still, one question lingers. Can Emily in Paris survive without Paris? The show&rsquo;s identity has always been rooted in that French fairytale illusion, that perfectly curated fantasy of reinvention. Moving to Rome could either deepen Emily&rsquo;s evolution or derail the charm that made it binge-worthy in the first place.
&nbsp;
 Emily in Paris: Season 5 premieres on 18 December 2025. Whether it&rsquo;s art or artifice, reinvention or rinse and repeat, Emily&rsquo;s latest chapter is about to test the limits of how far one influencer-turned-executive can go before the algorithm or life catches up.
Photo Credit: Lilly Collins' Official Instagram account&nbsp;

‘Emily in Paris’? More Like Emily in Rome — Here’s Everything You Need to Know About the New Season

Through NileFM&rsquo;s coverage of the 4th edition of the CEO Women Conference, held under the esteemed auspices of H.E. Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister of Egypt, Yara El Gendy conducted an exclusive interview with Dr. Ghada Kandil, Chief Director at the Bank of New York and CEO Women Board Member. Dr. Kandil shared insights on leadership, financial innovation, and the importance of empowering women in executive roles. The 2025 edition placed a special spotlight on Women in Technology and Cybersecurity and Female Entrepreneurship, emphasizing the critical role women play in shaping the digital future and driving innovation in emerging industries.
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/mn2yRY70LaQ" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
 Why do you think it&rsquo;s important to be part of such conferences as CEO Women? It&rsquo;s always good to be part of a success story and to empower other women. Whether you&rsquo;re a man or a woman, we are partners in this world. You can&rsquo;t bring women together to talk about empowerment without involving men; they&rsquo;re part of the community too. You have to be part of evolution, part of a success story. I&rsquo;m proud to be here; this is probably my fourth year attending. Every year, it grows stronger, makes more progress, and attracts more international engagement and awareness. This year&rsquo;s theme focuses on Women in Tech. Why did you choose that for this edition? I&rsquo;m a banker, but banking today isn&rsquo;t just about financial transactions. It&rsquo;s deeply connected to technology. Every transaction relies on a complex technological system that ensures efficiency and security. Even in commercial banking, the first interface you deal with is a digital one, whether it&rsquo;s through a teller using a system or through online banking from your mobile or laptop. At the Bank of New York, our work revolves around technology platforms that enhance speed and security in every transaction. Keeping up with global technological advancements is essential to maintaining trust and efficiency. Is it difficult to keep up with how fast technology is evolving today? There will always be people who resist adapting to new technologies, often the older generation, who prefer personal interactions at the bank. My mother is like that. But once the experience is made easy and enjoyable, people adapt quickly. My father, for example, started using online banking confidently after trying it once. It&rsquo;s all about overcoming the initial hesitation. Once you do, you realize how empowering it can be. Why do you think women&rsquo;s interest in technology remains lower than men&rsquo;s? Why is it still male-dominated? Interestingly, I was just on a panel, and my colleague, IBM general manager and technology leader for South Africa, Marwa Abbas, mentioned that a large percentage of electronic engineering graduates&mdash;around 40&ndash;48%&mdash;are women. So the issue isn&rsquo;t education; it&rsquo;s what happens next. The barriers often lie in the opportunities available, the challenges women face, or the lack of support structures that allow them to advance. This is not unique to Egypt; it&rsquo;s a global issue. However, in banking, I&rsquo;ve seen a different story. The financial sector is one of the most inclusive environments. We don&rsquo;t see ourselves as male or female bankers; we&rsquo;re simply bankers. That said, my early career wasn&rsquo;t free of bias. I graduated young, at 18, and people questioned my capability because of my age and because I was a young woman. At that time, many assumed women would eventually leave work for marriage. But I didn&rsquo;t let that mindset hold me back. You can build a family and a career; it&rsquo;s not a choice between the two. It&rsquo;s about balance and time management. Many people often ask women how they balance work and family. What&rsquo;s your take on that? I don&rsquo;t like that question; it should be asked of men, too. Everyone, regardless of gender, has to find a balance between work and home. Some men are extremely supportive, and at CEO Women, we even have male champions who believe in partnership and shared growth. That&rsquo;s what life is about: collaboration between people, whether in work, relationships, or communities. You have over 30 years of experience. What advice would you give to women entering tech or other male-dominated fields? Nothing can break you. Words are just words&mdash;when someone says, &ldquo;You can&rsquo;t do it because you&rsquo;re a woman,&rdquo; that&rsquo;s only their perception. Don&rsquo;t live by someone else&rsquo;s opinion. Resilience is key. Stay patient, believe in your abilities, and let your work speak for itself. That mindset will take you further than anything else.

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