NYUAD Alumni Leadership Award

The Award is given to an NYUAD graduate who continues to embody and expand the university’s values of collaboration, innovation, and service in order to make an impact beyond themselves. This recipient is a risk-taker who uses their professional and personal excellence to address humanity’s shared challenges in ways that inspire their colleagues, peers, and importantly, the evolving NYUAD community.

2025 Award Recipient: Sandro Andric, Class of 2019

Job: Middle East AI Lead for Tax & Legal, PwC
Location: Dubai, UAE.

Sandro is a leading advocate for integrating AI into public policy and governance in the Middle East. As PwC Middle East’s AI lead for tax consulting, he partners with tech leaders like OpenAI and Harvey to bring advanced technology into policy implementation. He led the creation of an AI-powered tax compliance tool that won the 2024 UAE Innovates Hackathon, demonstrating his drive for practical innovation.

A dynamic speaker at events such as LEAP Saudi Arabia and World Summit AI in Doha, Sandro champions strategic and ethical AI adoption. With a political science, psychology, and technology background from NYU Abu Dhabi, he bridges disciplines to create real-world impact. Originally from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sandro has experience across social impact, professional services, and public service, always focused on helping organizations make thoughtful, strategic decisions.

As an NYUAD alumnus, he now partners with the university as both an employer and mentor. From advising GCC ministries to advocating for ethical AI and wildlife conservation, Sandro exemplifies responsible leadership, innovation, and a commitment to meaningful change.

  • NYU Abu Dhabi will present the award to an NYUAD graduate who has demonstrated extraordinary contributions in either their local community or the greater world. The award recipients’ achievements should demonstrate criteria such as:

    • a commitment to fostering creativity, curiosity, and critical reflection in their personal or professional endeavors
    • work, either personal or professional, that tackles the challenges and opportunities of an interconnected world
    • leveraging intercultural awareness and personal leadership to help break down barriers that exist among diverse communities
    • a demonstrated impact on an underserved population, community, or group