IMPACT SPOTLIGHTS

Vice President, Tripoli Port Authority; Lebanon Director, Ruwwad Al Tanmeya NGO

At a Glance

Company: Tripoli Port Authority; Ruwwad Al Tanmyea NGO

Role: Vice President; Lebanon Director

Industry: Public Sector; Non-Profit/Social Services

LebNet Connection: Partnership for Lebanon Program

About the Partnership for Lebanon Initiative

Following the 2006 war, the Partnership for Lebanon, led by Cisco, Intel, Microsoft, GHAFARI, and Occidental Petroleum, was launched to support Lebanon’s recovery through targeted investments in youth education and workforce development. Through this initiative, high-potential Lebanese students and young professionals were selected to participate in training and U.S. exposure programs, with LebNet playing a key role in identifying and supporting participants. 

From a formative early-career internship at Cisco in Silicon Valley to a professional journey shaped by growth, connection, and community, Sarah Al Charif’s story reflects the long-term impact of opportunity and support at the right moment. As part of the first cohort of Lebanese graduates selected for the Partnership for Lebanon program, Sarah began her career with an experience that expanded her horizons, deepened her sense of purpose, and introduced her to a network that would stay with her for years to come. In this community spotlight, we catch up with Sarah to reflect on that defining chapter, the role of LebNet and the Lebanese network in the Bay Area, and the lessons that have stayed with her throughout her journey.

A Defining Leap into the Unknown

For Sarah, the decision to leave her Master’s midway and move to Silicon Valley for a six-month internship at Cisco was more than a career move, it was a turning point that reshaped her sense of identity and ambition.

At just 21, stepping into a global, high-performing environment challenged everything she thought she knew about herself and her place in the world. It was not simply exposure to a different professional landscape, but a deeper internal shift, one that quietly raised her standards for the life she wanted to build.

As she reflects, growth often begins the moment you step beyond what is familiar and allow yourself to become who you are meant to be.

“It was not just a career opportunity, but an awakening that reshaped how I saw myself and what I believed I was capable of becoming.”

Shaping a Path as Part of the First Cohort

Being among the first 16 graduates selected for the program carried a unique weight. There was no precedent, no roadmap, only a shared experience unfolding in real time.

For Sarah, that pioneering environment became a space of discovery rather than uncertainty. Surrounded by peers from diverse backgrounds, the cohort navigated a new world together, expanding not only their professional exposure but also their understanding of leadership, identity, and possibility.

It was an experience that went beyond structured learning. It was about shaping meaning collectively, and in doing so, redefining what they believed they could aspire to.

The Power of Community and Belonging

One of the most lasting impressions from Sarah’s time in Silicon Valley was the Lebanese community she encountered through LebNet.

From the very first gathering, what stood out was not only the professional caliber of the individuals, but their openness, generosity, and genuine investment in the next generation. They did more than offer advice, they created a sense of belonging.

Through shared meals, conversations, and introductions, Sarah and her peers were welcomed into both personal and professional spaces. They were seen, supported, and encouraged to think bigger.

What began as a network quickly became something more meaningful: a community that believed in their potential and expanded their vision of what was possible.

“We were no longer just interns; we became part of a community that believed in us, invested in us, and expanded our vision.”

Growth Beyond the Internship

While the six-month experience was intense and transformative, its true impact revealed itself over time.

For Sarah, that period became a foundation for long-term growth, both personal and professional. It was a space where learning extended far beyond formal settings, unfolding through observation, interaction, and immersion.

Visits to leading companies, such as Intel, Google, and Facebook, informal gatherings, and shared living experiences all contributed to a deeper understanding of how people think, lead, and collaborate. At the same time, building a sense of home with her peers created a balance between exploration and belonging.

Years later, she recognizes that the most valuable outcome was not only what she learned, but the awareness she gained of herself, of others, and of the possibilities ahead.

Looking Back: Lessons that Stay 

Reflecting on her journey, Sarah’s advice to young Lebanese professionals is grounded in both honesty and perspective.

Not having everything figured out is not a weakness, it is often where the most defining opportunities begin. Growth, she believes, comes from saying yes to experiences that stretch you, even when the outcome is uncertain. 

Relationships, too, play a central role. The people you meet and the connections you build can shape your path in ways you cannot anticipate. Staying curious, observing deeply, and allowing yourself to grow beyond your initial expectations are all part of that process.

Above all, she emphasizes the importance of recognizing your worth early and setting higher standards for the life you want to create. But just as important is what comes after.

For Sarah, growth is not only about what you achieve, but about what you give back.

“In the end, what truly stays is not only what you achieved, but the impact you had on others.”

It’s a perspective shaped by experience, one that sees success not as an individual milestone, but as something that gains meaning when it creates opportunities for others.

“The most defining opportunities are not the ones that shape your career, but the ones that transform how you see yourself and what you believe is possible.”

Closing Reflection

Sarah Al Charif’s journey reflects the essence of what the Partnership for Lebanon program set out to create: not just professional exposure, but transformation.

From a single decision to step into the unknown, to a career built on leadership, purpose, and impact, her story is a reminder that growth is rarely linear, and often begins with a leap of faith.

It is also a testament to the power of community, mentorship, and the Lebanese network in creating opportunities that extend far beyond a single moment in time.

Call to Action

Explore more stories from the LebNet community and discover the journeys shaping the next generation of Lebanese leaders.

Co-Founder & CEO of Oreyeon

From reimagining airport safety to building AI-driven solutions for complex, high-stakes environments, Ziad Jreijiri’s journey since graduating from the LebNet Ignite program reflects the power of purpose-driven innovation. As Co-Founder and CEO of Oreyeon, Ziad is leading the development of a modern, low-impact, and cost-effective approach to airfield safety and security, leveraging artificial intelligence to reduce human error and improve operational awareness. In this alumni spotlight, we catch up with Ziad to reflect on his Ignite experience, the role of the Lebanese tech diaspora in his journey, and what lies ahead for Oreyeon.

At a Glance

Founder: Ziad Jreijiri

Company: Oreyeon

Role: Co-Founder & CEO

Industry: Aviation / AI / Safety Tech

LebNet Connection: LebNet Ignite Alum

Building Technology for One of Aviation’s Most Overlooked Risks

As an aerospace engineer, Ziad Jreijiri was repeatedly struck by how far behind the aviation industry remained in adopting new technologies. While the reasons were understandable in such a high-stakes and heavily regulated field, he saw an opportunity to build something meaningful in a space where innovation could have a direct operational and safety impact.

That vision eventually led to Oreyeon, a company focused on airside airport operations, where foreign object debris, or FOD, remains a silent but serious threat on runways. Despite the fact that airports conduct regulated inspections, the problem continues to cost the industry an estimated $23 billion each year. For Ziad, that gap between risk and response became the starting point for building a smarter, more modern solution.

A few months after launching Oreyeon, the world was hit by COVID-19. While the pandemic disrupted industries globally, it also accelerated structural change in aviation and created a moment of openness to technology that had previously been difficult to access.

Innovating in a Highly Regulated Environment

Building in aviation comes with a unique set of challenges. Airports are not traditionally startup-friendly environments, nor are they always attractive to venture capital, particularly when regulations, compliance requirements, and long adoption cycles shape the market.

For Oreyeon, that meant finding ways to build technology from the ground up that could either meet existing standards or work around barriers without compromising safety or value. As Ziad puts it, regulations can either act as a handbook for how to build or a barrier, depending on where you stand.

Beyond regulation itself, one of the biggest hurdles was helping decision-makers inside airports fully understand the value of data-driven and automated technology. Yet the pandemic also changed the conversation. In its aftermath, there has been a broader awareness across the industry that technology is not simply an operational enhancement, but an essential part of how airports can remain resilient in the face of future crises.

“Regulations are either a handbook on how to build, or a barrier, depending on where you sit.”

The LebNet Ignite Experience and the Power of Early Exposure

For Ziad, LebNet Ignite played a key role at a formative stage of Oreyeon’s journey. That opportunity was made possible through the early support of Speed, a Beirut-based tech accelerator and Oreyeon’s first investor, which backed the company early and sponsored its participation in the program. Speed has also helped prepare several startups for global exposure through LebNet Ignite.

Because the company was building in a niche that was far from common in the Middle East, the exposure that came through the program was especially valuable in the early days. Spending time in Silicon Valley and engaging with successful members of the Lebanese community gave him access not only to networks, but also to the kind of practical perspective and founder insight that can shape a company’s trajectory. He describes the experience as an injection of diverse knowledge at exactly the right time.

That impact extended well beyond the program itself. Through LebNet, Oreyeon was connected to Draper University, which Ziad describes as part of a broader “butterfly effect” that eventually helped the company land its first contract with the Defense Innovation Unit and the U.S. Navy. Some of the people he met during that period continue to mentor him today, and he sees those relationships as part of the reason Oreyeon was able to keep growing. Beyond the opportunities themselves, he also speaks warmly about the people behind the network, describing the LebNet community as genuinely kind and generous.

“LebNet helped us a lot. Through them, we got to Draper University and then, through the butterfly effect, landed our first contract with the Defense Innovation Unit and the Navy. Genuinely kind and generous people.”

Building with a Lebanese Mindset

As a Lebanese founder in the diaspora, Ziad sees his background as a defining part of how he approaches entrepreneurship. He describes the Lebanese experience as one that makes people comfortable with chaos, a quality that often becomes essential when building a company in uncertain conditions.

That mindset, he believes, was central to Oreyeon’s ability to survive first the economic crisis and then the global shock of COVID-19. But the influence of the Lebanese identity goes beyond resilience alone. It also shows up in the role of community, shared purpose, and the ability to keep moving forward even in difficult circumstances.

For Ziad, the Lebanese tech diaspora has been a backbone throughout the journey, offering mentorship, connection, and a sense of belonging. Just as importantly, he believes there is something deeply Lebanese about finding meaning in the process itself, not just in the outcome.

“I build with a mindset shaped by the Lebanese experience: comfortable with chaos, a prerequisite to being a founder.”

Looking Ahead: A Massive Shift in Aviation

When asked about the future, Ziad speaks about Oreyeon’s work as sitting at the intersection of two powerful forces: an industry that has looked and felt the same for decades, and a technology, computer vision, that is unlocking capabilities the sector has never fully had before.

That combination makes the future feel unusually open. For him, there is no clear ceiling to what can be built in this space, and that is exactly what makes it exciting.

His advice to founders building in complex, high-impact sectors is equally direct. Not all advice should be treated the same. Before taking guidance at face value, he believes founders should ask whether the person giving it has context, incentive, and skin in the game. If any of those are missing, the advice should be discounted, no matter who it comes from.

“Always check if the provider of the advice has context, incentive, and skin in the game. If any is missing, take it with a knockdown factor.”

Closing Reflection

Ziad Jreijiri’s journey reflects the kind of founder LebNet Ignite aims to support: ambitious, resilient, and committed to building solutions with real-world impact. From tackling one of aviation’s most overlooked safety challenges to navigating a highly regulated sector with an AI-driven approach, his story shows what it means to build boldly in a complex industry. It is also a reminder of the powerful role that mentorship, community, and the Lebanese tech diaspora can play in helping founders turn difficult environments into spaces for innovation.

Call to Action

Explore more founder stories from the LebNet community.