Board of Directors
BIO
Mazen Karnaby
Marwan Karnaby
Karen Khabbaz
Ms. Khabbaz is a Lebanese American and has lived between Beirut, London and New York City for the past 15 years. In New York, she is highly involved in the City’s philanthropic, arts and museum scene(s). Karen holds a BA in Economics and Political Science from The American University in Beirut (AUB), and a Masters from the Cass Business School at the City University of London. She has interned with the British Red Cross in London and at the United Nations in Beirut. She also held jobs in Finance in London and New York.
Mira Massoud
Gilbert Sakr
An accomplished, dynamic Marketeer, business development, and general management professional with a successful career spanning 19 years with reputed multinational companies overlooking different regions in the Middle East and Africa. Previously employed by Red Bull as Regional General Manager Africa. Currently acting CEO for Business Set Up Consultants in Dubai and advisory board member for Cuemby, GigRonin, and Uwavee. Gilbert holds a BA in Business Marketing from the Notre Dame University in Lebanon and an MBA in Emerging Markets and International Business from the University of Liverpool.
Élise Younes Chagoury
Ms. Chagoury was born in 1983, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business studies and Marketing, from the Lebanese American University, Beirut.
After graduating in 2005, she joined her family's business , a leading furniture manufacturing and retailers in the Middle East based in Lebanon.
She led the business development team for the UAE and the gulf region.
She currently resides in Paris with her family.
Elise is involved with many charities in Lebanon, Nigeria and France. She helped fund a school in Lagos, Nigeria among many other initiatives she participated in.
Roberto Aboumrad Chedraui
Mr Aboumrad brings to the Board practical and extensive cross-sector business experience, including within financial and hospitality services. During his career, Mr Aboumrad has held both senior executive management roles and board responsibilities with companies spanning a number of different sectors, particularly within Mexico. Mr Aboumrad holds a Bachelor degree in architecture and a Bachelor degree in engineering from Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN) and attended the Singularity University Executive Program. Key Strengths: Senior executive (CEO-level) responsibilities, Board memberships spanning a broad range of sectors and industries
Farah Fawaz Nesr
Michelle Maalouf Abou Samra
Michelle is currently based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where she is spearheading the establishment of an industrial food business in partnership with a local conglomerate.
Michelle comes from a family of food entrepreneurs with a 10 years experience in setting up and operating one of the leading pastry chains in Lebanon.
Michelle is an interior architect by education, graduate of the Lebanese American University.
She believes that the active Diaspora is Lebanon’s safety net and is involved in various social and cultural initiatives in this respect.
Sam Sweiden