So, Ilam, thank you so much for taking the time today. We are absolutely thrilled to have you on.

Thank you very much, Nikolai, for having me. And you know what? You are the first person I speak to who grew up in Casablanca.

And I would just love to hear from you. How was it?

Well, listen, it's interesting. First of all, it's my home city and my heart speaks when you hear that name.

It means the White's House, Casablanca in Spanish. And, you know, it's not obviously everybody knows the movie, the Casablanca.

And but nothing was, you know, it's a myth, by the way, because the movie at the Casablanca and but nothing was you know it's a

myth by the way because the movie was filmed in a Hollywood studio not in a real

Casablanca but all the street in my city was full of the movies and you know we were

all dreaming about the American dream and Hollywood listen I was raised by my grandmother in a humble yet loving home in the beautiful, that's beautiful city. And in fact, when I think about it, the most precious resources in my home was, were, you know, running water, puttable water and electricity because we didn't have luxury to waste and we received electricity before even running water.

And this lesson stayed with me throughout my entire career, as you can imagine, Nikolai.

My grandmother was my first role model, couldn't read. You know, she was illiterate,

and she inspired me about following my education.

She used to tell me about these Moroccan sayings, you know, saying that girls have two

exit in their lives, one that leads from their father's home to their husband's home. So we

were all asked to aim for good marriage, right, and be a good wife and mother.

And the second one that leads to their grave.

And she used to tell me this is not sexy, isn't it?

She encouraged me to find my turd and own exits, which I found in education.

And education for me, Nikolai, you know, just unlocked that many doors and still today and opens up so many

possibilities. And this is, by the way, very true for everyone, but especially for the millions

around the world who live in poverty or in less favorable circumstances. For me, education

brings freedom of choice, independence, finding a job.

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