“Point person for Global Intelligence on the ground during the FIFA World Cup in Doha, Qatar! Surreal!”
This enthusiasm sums up the zest for life and career of Eehab Khaled, EDM-MPA’15, Lead Global Response and Intelligence Officer, NBCUniversal. Eehab’s motivation comes from the great sense of accomplishment he gets at the end of the workday knowing that an entire broadcast company with thousands of employees trust him and what he calls the “best TEAM in the industry” to keep them safe and secure.
If there is one thing emergency managers know, teamwork is fundamental for effective crisis planning and management. When the 2022 FIFA World Cup kicked off on November 20 in Qatar, the first World Cup held in the Arab and Muslim world, Eehab knew that teamwork and a well-functioning unit would be key, and he takes advantage of every opportunity to highlight that team.
“It was an honor and my absolute pleasure to have been a crucial part of the Global Security and Intelligence effort on behalf of NBCU and Telemundo at the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Doha, Qatar. We took care of business as usual through hard work and dedication, no matter the situation. I am proud to have done it alongside the best team in the industry. An incredible and unforgettable experience that I am grateful for,” says Eehab Khaled.
Born in Brooklyn, a first-generation Lebanese American, Eehab attributes his success to his hometeam—his wife, family and community. “Throughout my academic and professional career, I’ve been blessed to have a great support system which includes my family and my wife, who motivate me each day to work harder, be better, and aim to reach greater heights.
“Brooklyn has its own culture; it is the epicenter of diversity, art, great food, and wonderful people. Folks here work hard and hustle daily while trying to enjoy every bit of life. Getting to know people with unique stories and backgrounds from all walks of life has taught me to be kind and accepting, no matter the situation. My neighborhood helped define who I am.”
Before joining NBC, at the height of the pandemic, Eehab was a public servant doing crucial work for New York City Emergency management. This gave him a true sense of purpose and a rewarding experience. “I believe that each person goes through challenging times at some point in their life; the difference now is that the world is going through a challenging time together, and I truly believe that if we come together, learn from each other and love one another, we can get through anything.” Being the eyes and ears of New York City, Eehab was at the forefront of every incident within the five boroughs, coordinating with other city agencies and monitoring citywide radios to help New Yorkers before, during, and after emergencies. He was also part of the team responsible for sending real-time updates and relevant Covid-19 information to New Yorkers via the now widely known text message shortcode 692692. New Yorkers relied on the information relayed as it was a pivotal part of fighting the pandemic.
Looking back at his academic journey through the Master of Public Administration in Emergency and Disaster Management program, “Because the emergency management field is so broad, it can be applied to many jobs and careers. For me, learning how to operate in a command center, putting security and safety at the highest priority, and mitigating risk for my company is something I learned while studying at MCNY and it’s what I do on a day-to-day basis.”
Emergency and Disaster Management International Field Study Trip – Barcelona, Spain
(Eehab Khaled second from left, Ali Gheith fifth from left)
“I am impressed with Mr. Khaled’s commitment, energy and enthusiasm to his academic studies and the field of Emergency Management. I have personally witnessed his level of knowledge and commitment to the field. He has always been passionate about sports, especially NY Teams. His MCNY experience has modified his dreams and magnified his skills by combining real-life examples with theory in a way that makes emergency management understandable to all,” shared Ali Gheith, MCNY Emergency and Disaster Management MPA Program Director.
