Episode 22

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Published on:

21st Oct 2025

Escaping War, Empowering the Future: Emil Sayegh’s Journey

In this deeply inspiring episode of the Nomad Futurist Podcast, Emil Sayegh — visionary CEO, innovator, and data center industry trailblazer — joins co-hosts Nabeel Mahmood and Phillip Koblence for a powerful, personal conversation that bridges war, entrepreneurship, and the human side of technology. 

Emil shares how growing up amid Lebanon’s civil war shaped his perspective, leadership, and passion for innovation. From escaping a war zone by boat to leading transformative cloud and cybersecurity companies, his journey is a testament to courage, adaptability, and relentless optimism. 


Reflecting on his childhood during the conflict, Emil draws a profound connection between surviving chaos and thriving in high-stakes business environments: 


“When things are kind of dark, there’s always a sliver of hope… you’ve got to figure out what that light is and then chase it hard.” 


That spirit of resilience permeates both his life and leadership. Even in moments of crisis, Emil stresses perspective: 


“As long as nobody’s dying, you’re going to live another day — and you’re going to be stronger because of the experience.” 


His outlook on hardship offers timeless guidance for entrepreneurs navigating uncertainty and change. 


As Emil recounts his evolution from engineer to CEO of leading technology firms, he distills what separates truly impactful leaders: “Always behave like an owner, not an employee.” 


This mindset, he explains, transforms how people approach decision-making, accountability, and innovation. 


At the heart of Emil’s philosophy is a belief that leadership is ultimately about service and impact. In his forthcoming book, Make a Difference, he distills decades of experience into actionable insights for the next generation: 


“The way that you bring value to this short life that we live is by adding value to others.” 


From mentoring emerging professionals to championing ethical innovation, Emil’s message is both simple and profound: technology must elevate humanity. His story reminds us that greatness isn’t measured by titles or valuations, but by the people and communities we uplift along the way. 


To stay connected with Emil Sayegh, follow him on LinkedIn.  

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About the Podcast

Nomad Futurist
The #nomadfuturist show is a true tech podcast phenomenon. The two hosts are technologists and futurists, so they really know their stuff, and following their in-depth conversations feels like you have a backstage pass to a gathering of the best of the
The nomads put a new spin on the tech genre by shining a light not only on technology but also on the human side of the digital age. Tune in if you find yourself thinking about how to integrate into the digital landscape and be a part of the evolving industry.

For over two decades, Phil and Nabeel have provided a powerful catalyst for organizations to create a vision of the future and the will to innovate. As futurists, they deliver a dynamic and entertaining vision of change, blending technology, economics, demographics, culture, and human nature.

With real business experience and a deep understanding of technology, the two nomads know the difference between science fiction and useful forecasting. Rather than focusing on the distant future, they devote themselves to scanning the horizon for emerging technologies and disruptive shifts in human behavior, thereby sharing a compelling vision of tomorrow’s opportunities.