Global alumni spotlight celebrates Illinois alumni who are making an impact at the University of Illinois and around the world.
Rabie Rafia has been a global leader in banking and finance in his 20+ year career. Since 2014, he has served as the SEO and Chief Representative for the Middle East and Africa at Landesbank Baden-Württemberg, a German state bank with 200+ years of heritage. Before that, his career included pivotal roles as Head of Private Banking at National Bank of Abu Dhabi, Acting CEO of Leader Capital, a company mandated with setting up financial institutions and behind the establishment of Al Salam Banks in Algeria and Bahrain, and a private fund manager. While working full-time, Rabie has shared his expertise with the next generation of business leaders through teaching finance and economics courses at local academic institutions. In 2026, he established the Rabie Rafia Haddad Scholarship in the Gies College of Business.
We asked Rabie to reflect on his time at Illinois and how it has shaped his professional and philanthropic endeavors:
Why did you choose to attend Illinois for your graduate degrees?
My first degree back home was in civil engineering, where I ranked first among 700 graduates. At the time, the University of Illinois was recognized among the absolute top-tier institutions globally in civil engineering and several other fields and that was the reason I chose the U of I. After finishing my MS degree in Civil Engineering, I pursued advanced studies in finance where I completed an MS in Finance and advanced PhD coursework before pursuing a career abroad.
What is your favorite memento from Illinois that you still have today?
Many. The awards and degrees I received. I have them framed and they always move with me. My college ring. A pen set made from the wood of a bench that was at the Krannert Center and tailored as a goodbye gift for me from dear friends there. My U of I coffee mug. The few photos I have from my days there. But what I carry always with me, in my mind and heart, are the memories that are very dear to me.
What brings back memories of Illinois in your life today?
I often recall my life on campus, not only the academic side, whether at the College of Business or the College of Engineering, but the friends I made, the students I studied with or helped with their studies, the professors I got to know, the cultural life from the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts to the coffee shops that I visited daily such as the Daily Grind café owned by a Korean couple and I understand it closed many years back, and Espresso Royale, the proximity to Chicago, and the poetic Midwest autumn that I loved a lot.
Tell us a bit about your journey since your time at Illinois (jobs, passion projects, etc.)
Besides the USA, I have lived in four other countries, with the last 20+ years being in the UAE. I have always been passionate about service and humanity, and over the years, I have contributed to different causes through international organizations or through private endeavors in countries in Africa and Asia. I have also been passionate about the world, the different countries, cultures and nature, and I have visited around 90 countries, and I hope to see more. I am also passionate about the arts, whether collecting paintings for their beauty and the talent of the painters, often the unknown ones, or the performing arts where I had the privilege to attend beautiful performances in major cities all over the world. In the future, I plan to dedicate my time to teaching, writing, and humanitarian work.
What inspired you to give back to Illinois?
While a student at Illinois, I had the privilege of learning from exceptional professors in both engineering and business. Their kindness, mentorship, and dedication left a strong impression on me. As a teaching assistant, I was also honored to receive awards established by former students who had gone on to achieve remarkable success in their careers. I believe it is both a privilege and a responsibility to give back.
What advice would you give Illinois alumni to succeed in a global job market?
During their careers they will face many situations where they must make complex decisions and enter important negotiations. Always seek fairness and win-win outcomes. That creates a lasting goodwill that pays back during their work and personal lives.
When considering a job opportunity, consider it beyond the first couple of years as many jobs may look small at the beginning but lead to amazing rewards and career growth after the first few years.
Build a strong network and genuine friendship beyond their geographic and professional comfort zones.