Mark Atiyeh and Andrew Malek, co-founders of Pawp in New York City, have revolutionized pet care as creators of the largest digital pet health clinic, offering round-the-clock access to licensed vets. In a landmark collaboration, Pawp joined forces with Walmart to significantly enhance access to affordable, convenient, and high quality pet care. Their impactful contributions and innovation earned both Mark and Andrew well deserved recognition in Forbes’ 30 under 30 list for the class of 2022.

Mentor/Youth Champion

Aya Mouallem - Engineering Education PhD Candidate at Stanford

Aya is at the forefront of revolutionizing electrical engineering education through her research in developing innovative ed-tech tools. She initiated the LebNet Tech Fellows program, empowering young adults in Lebanese universities, particularly targeting first generation, low income students for success in a tech career. As a co-founder of All Girls Code, Aya has inspired hundreds of girls in the Arab world to pursue STEM fields. Recognized globally for her leadership, Aya was named one of the ten women transforming the landscape of leadership worldwide by The New York Times.  Her relentless advocacy for equitable education has been featured by Forbes, Cosmopolitan Middle East, and UN Women in the Arab States. Aya also holds a bachelor’s degree in computer and communications engineering from AUB.

Young Scientist

Hadi Salman - Research Scientist at OpenAI

Hadi Salman is a researcher at OpenAI with a recently earned PhD in Computer Science from MIT. His research focuses on establishing the foundations for robust and reliable machine learning systems and is committed to ensuring the safe and responsible deployment of AI in the real world, Hadi started a Global Lebanese slack channel on AI connecting 100s of Lebanese globally. He holds a Masters in Robotics from the School of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University, a BS in Mathematics and a BE in Mechanical Engineering from the American University of Beirut.

Philanthropist of the Year

Youmna Chamcham - Co-Founder & CEO, MiniStudio.AI

Youmna, a Brooklyn NY based entrepreneur, designer, and artist, co-founded Live Love in 2012, a non-profit offering global environmental and humanitarian solutions that locals can implement. Stemming from her hashtag #livelovebeirut, Live Love transitions citizens from social media to social action. The organization has developed programs in collaboration with the UN, the EU, the World Food Programme, and more and has over 280 chapters worldwide, including in Beirut, Armenia, Jordan, Egypt, Italy, Spain, and France.  Youmna also co-founded the digital agency TeTaTeT and her latest startup is MiniStudio.AI, infusing storytelling with artificial intelligence, and a touch of magic.

Congratulations to the award recipients for their great accomplishments and for being an inspiration and a role model to all young Lebanese who are starting their journey in tech. They are a great source of pride for LebNet and provide hope for a better future for Lebanon.