Waleed J. Iskandar
(1967 - 2001)

Waleed Joseph Iskandar was one of those rare and remarkable individuals who managed to touch the lives of everyone he knew. He had many interests, and he believed in living his life to the fullest. He loved traveling, cycling, skiing, water-skiing, diving, roller-blading, eating good food and drinking fine wine, and spending time with his family and his many friends. Known for his compassion and kindness, many of his friends remember his irrepressible optimism and his ever-present smile. Waleed’s brother-in-law said of him, “Wherever he was, that became the best place in the world to be." He was also extremely bright and could give over to his quieter, contemplative side. He believed that every individual has a right to happiness, dignity, and opportunity and that accepting life’s difficulties is a crucial part of achieving happiness. He was a regular practitioner of yoga and of meditation. Born in Beirut, Lebanon, Waleed came to the United States in 1984 to attend Stanford University, and he felt extremely fortunate to have the opportunity. Like everything he did, he approached his studies with zeal and passion. Waleed earned his B.S. in 1988 in industrial engineering with a minor in computer science and his M.S. in 1989, also in industrial engineering. He moved to Boston in 1990 to begin his career as a consultant with Monitor Group, a leading global strategy-consulting firm. In 1993, he earned an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School, where he was a Baker Scholar. Waleed worked extensively in the United States, in Korea, and throughout Europe. He established Monitor Group’s Istanbul office and co-led development of Monitor’s Central/Eastern European and Middle East operations. Most recently, he was living in London and was head of Europe for Monitor’s digital strategy unit. Waleed was engaged to Nicolette Cavaleros, and the two had recently returned from Greece where they planned to wed in July 2002. On September 11, 2001, Waleed boarded American Airlines flight 11 in Boston on his way to visit his parents in Los Angeles. The flight was hijacked and crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Center. He was 34 years old. Waleed is survived by his parents, Joseph and Samia of Los Angeles; his fiancée, Nicolette Cavaleros of London; his sister, May Marconet of Los Angeles; his brother, Sany, of Sudbury, Massachusetts; and six nephews and nieces.

Home