Rooted at AST: How Yakout Berrada Built Her Voice, Redefined Expectations, and Created Space for Women to Rise

Where is she now?

Yakout Berrada works in business process outsourcing, helping organizations build smarter systems and operate across different markets. Alongside her professional work, she is the co-founder of The Dirty Thirties Club—a movement dedicated to empowering women to pursue ambition, self-worth, and lives designed on their own terms. Through this initiative, she challenges limiting expectations and encourages women to step fully into their potential without compromise.

Her journey since AST

After graduating from AST, Yakout pursued her studies internationally at Eastern Michigan University and Saint Louis University, before returning to Morocco to complete her journey at Al Akhawayn University. Living and learning across different countries and systems expanded her worldview and strengthened her ability to adapt, connect, and grow. Her path was not linear, but each step added depth to her perspective and shaped the way she navigates the world today.

An unforgettable AST moment

For Yakout, the soccer tournaments remain some of her most vivid memories. The energy, the competition, and the coming together of students from across Morocco created an atmosphere that was intense, dynamic, and full of life. Beyond the games themselves, it was the sense of community and shared experience that made those moments unforgettable.

How AST shaped her

AST played a defining role in shaping Yakout’s confidence and identity. Being immersed in a diverse, international environment taught her how to evolve without losing her sense of self. She learned to step into new spaces without feeling the need to conform, and to define her place on her own terms—lessons that continue to guide her today.

Advice to current AST students

You don’t need to have everything figured out—but you do need to start trusting yourself. Don’t make yourself smaller to be accepted, and don’t wait for validation to begin. The world responds to those who own their voice, and the earlier you claim yours, the further it will take you.

A quote that reminds her of AST

“You’re allowed to evolve without explaining every version of yourself.”

One word that describes AST

Expansion

Rooted at AST, Yakout’s journey reflects what it means to grow with confidence, challenge expectations, and create meaningful impact. Her story is a reminder that success is not about following a fixed path, but about building one that aligns with who you are. As she continues to push boundaries and create space for others, she carries forward the spirit of AST—bold, evolving, and unapologetically driven.