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The LebNet LA/OC Hike was a fantastic way to kick off 2025, bringing together about 20 members of our community for a scenic trek to the Hollywood Sign. We enjoyed breathtaking views, engaging conversations, and the opportunity to strengthen connections within our vibrant network. A huge thank you to Chris BouSaab and Kareem Dibs from the LebNet LA/OC leadership team for organizing, and to everyone who joined and made the event such a success!

We can’t wait to see you at our upcoming events. stay tuned for more exciting events throughout the year!

Trivia Night in San Diego was a fantastic evening of friendly competition, lively conversations, and meaningful connections!

Jean Abou Rahal led the charge on trivia, while everyone enjoyed a fun and engaging atmosphere. A huge thank you to Cynthia Jereige from the San Diego Leadership Team for organizing, and to the 30+ attendees who made the night so memorable.

Another successful LebNet San Diego event.  Stay tuned for more exciting events ahead!

On February 22, 2025, LebNet officially launched its Atlanta community at Georgia Tech, drawing 40 attendees, primarily students. The event featured a panel discussion with Dr. Chaouki Abdallah, President of the Lebanese American University (LAU), and Alex Abdelnour, PhD, Partner at McKinsey & Company. Moderated by Hasan Dandashly, President of HMD Advisors, the discussion brought together students, early-career professionals, and seasoned experts to exchange insights and strengthen the Lebanese tech community in Atlanta.

Jeanine Akiki, Executive Director of LebNet, kicked off the event with welcoming remarks and introduced the organization's mission to foster meaningful connections among its members, support the next generation through mentorship, job opportunities, and internships, and give back to Lebanon through career development and support initiatives.

Panel Discussion Highlights

Dr. Chaouki Abdallah’s Journey

Dr. Abdallah shared his remarkable career path:

• Studied in Lebanon before earning his Master’s and PhD at Georgia Tech. Specialized in Control Systems, Robotics, and AI

• Held the role of Executive Vice President for Research at Georgia Tech (2018-2024). Assumed the presidency of LAU in October 2024.

He encouraged students and professionals to leverage their networks, mentor others, and contribute to Lebanon’s progress.

Alex Abdelnour’s Career Path and Insights

• Grew up in Beirut and studied at Georgia Tech for his Master’s and PhD in civil engineering.

• Has been with McKinsey for 13 years, leading the distribution practice in North America.

Alex stressed the importance of authenticity, hard work, and being open to opportunities. He highlighted that networking and mentorship played a key role in his success, citing influential mentors who guided him throughout his career.

Key Takeaways

• Education & Career Growth: Lebanese institutions provide strong academic foundations. Combining technical skills with soft skills is crucial for career advancement.

• Mentorship & Leadership: Seeking mentors, being humble, and asking for guidance can be transformative. Giving back through mentorship strengthens both individuals and the broader community.

• Networking & Opportunity: Building strong networks, maintaining professional relationships, and staying open to new opportunities are essential for career development.

• Giving Back: Professionals are encouraged to stay engaged with Lebanese institutions and communities, supporting students and young professionals in their career journeys.

Next Steps & Community Engagement

• LebNet Membership: Everyone is encouraged to join to access mentorship and networking opportunities amongst many other things.

• Upcoming Event: A workshop in late March will focus on technical and behavioral interview skills, networking, and resume reviews.

• LebNet Atlanta WhatsApp Group: Attendees were invited to join to stay connected and provide feedback.

The event successfully laid the foundation for a strong and engaged Lebanese tech community in Atlanta, fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing among members. This launch marks the beginning of more impactful events and initiatives aimed at strengthening the Lebanese presence in the tech industry.

Our thank to Dr. Chaouki Abdallah, Dr. Alex Abdelnour, and Hasan Dandashly for the insightful panel discussion. Special thanks to Georgia Tech for hosting the event. We also extend our gratitude to the LebNet leadership team: Hasan Dandashly (President), Elio AbouFadel and Maria Layoun (Georgia Tech Student Reps), Moustafa Fahs, Katherine Shabb, and Michael Succar for their great work in growing LebNet’s impact in Atlanta. Thank you to the LebNet Atlanta community for attending and making this launch a success.

On February 20th, the LebNet Bay Area community successfully relaunched its monthly happy hour series n San Francisco. This recurring event, alternating between San Francisco and the South Bay, aims to bring together Lebanese professionals in tech for networking and community-building.

With 25 attendees, the event had a well-balanced mix of seasoned professionals, mid-career experts, and students/Early in Career members, creating a dynamic and inclusive atmosphere. Conversations flowed effortlessly, fostering new connections and strengthening existing ones.

We’re excited to continue this series, stay tuned for the next happy hour, and we hope to see even more of you there!

On January 30th, LebNet NY launched the year with an insightful panel discussion featuring accomplished Lebanese professionals across startups, scale-ups, and big tech. Hosted at LAU NY, the event provided students, early-career, and seasoned professionals with a unique opportunity to learn from industry leaders, gain actionable career advice, and expand their networks.

Key Takeaways

Embracing Exploration: Career paths are rarely linear—panelists encouraged exploring different roles, industries, and locations.
The ‘Aha’ Moment: Finding the right path takes curiosity and experimentation; each speaker shared when things "clicked" for them.
The Power of Mentorship & Networking: Leveraging mentorship and the Lebanese professional network was key to many panelists' success.
Essential Skills for Success: Beyond technical expertise, communication, adaptability, and strategic thinking are crucial, especially with AI reshaping the industry.
Advice to Their Younger Selves: Panelists urged attendees to seize opportunities, embrace challenges, and stay proactive.

Meet the Panelists

Ralph Maarawi (Product Manager, Constrafor) – Scaling in startups, product management, and customer success.
Moe Zein (Senior Software Engineer, Datadog) – Breaking into big tech, global talent sourcing, and career growth.
Laian Hammoud (Senior Account Executive, Google) – Business-tech intersection, digital transformation, and tech sales.
Ahmad Wahidi (Senior DevOps Engineer, Murex) – DevOps career growth, international work experience, and leadership.
Samer Sabri (Software Engineer, Google) – Career transitions across consulting, academia, startups, and big tech.

Wrap-Up & Acknowledgments

The event concluded with a dynamic networking session, where students, early-career, and seasoned professionals engaged with panelists and fellow attendees, leaving inspired to navigate their careers with confidence.

A huge thank you to our panelists for their time and insights, our moderator Rene Sultan for his brilliant facilitation, and all attendees for making this a meaningful conversation. Special thanks to the LebNet NY Leadership team, Rene Sultan, and Osman Ghandour for leading the event, and to Marwan Madi, Malek Daouk, Ibrahim Ibrahim, Amali Nasereddine, and Yasmina Noueihed for their invaluable support.

A special thank you to LAU NY and Barbar Akle, Executive Director of LAU New York, for generously hosting us.

Stay tuned for more LebNet NY events—if you missed this one, we hope to see you at the next!

The LebNet New York community closed out the year with a festive and vibrant gathering at Manousheh Grand on December 12th, bringing together Lebanese professionals in tech for an evening filled with meaningful conversations, delicious man2oushe, and celebration. The event provided an excellent opportunity to network, strengthen connections, and reflect on the year’s achievements while sharing ideas for 2025. Attendees expressed their enthusiasm and appreciation, with feedback such as, “Thank you for the event! I loved it!” and “Great time was had by all!” Thank you to everyone who joined and contributed to the positive energy and collaborative spirit. Here’s to building on this momentum for an even more exciting 2025!

The LebNet San Diego event featuring Professor Shadi Dayeh was a resounding success, with over 50 attendees from the LebNet San Diego community coming together for a dinner and fireside chat with the Lebanese-American innovator in neurotechnology. Prof. Dayeh shared invaluable insights from his distinguished academic and professional journey, discussing his groundbreaking work in brain mapping, neurotechnology, and regenerative medicine. He highlighted innovations such as the Platinum Nanorod Grid (PtNRGrid), a high-resolution brain imaging technology that promises to transform brain surgery, ambulatory monitoring for neurodegenerative disorders, and brain-machine interfaces for neuromodulation therapy targeting the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerve.

In addition to his neurotechnology work, Prof. Dayeh spoke about his research on eye transplant technologies for curing blindness and could revolutionize the field of vision restoration. He also discussed co-founding CortiSci, a startup focused on translating lab innovations to clinical applications.

Shadi also shared with us his poetic side, moving the audience with a heartwarming poem about his mother and shared his early beginnings in Lebanon. He reflected on how those formative experiences and the support of his family have played a pivotal role in shaping who he is today.  Please check this link for more pictures and videos of the event.

Our community continues to thrive, with a wonderful mix of familiar faces and exciting new ones joining us. The fireside chat was skillfully moderated by Reem Masri, and the event was met with positive feedback from attendees, with one remarking, “One of the best talks I have attended with LebNet. It was not only informative but also quite moving and renewed my faith in what humans can do!"

A special thank you to the LebNet San Diego Leadership team: Aziz Gholmieh, Cynthia Jereige, Diana Maamari, Fram Akiki, Jean Abou Rahal, Reem Masri, and Shadi Dayeh, for organizing this amazing event, with the support of Jeanine Akiki, Lebnet's local executive director.

We also extend our gratitude to Femina Careo/Moukarzel Medical Corp and Joun Technologies for sponsoring the event, and to Cooley LLP for generously hosting us. 

LebNet, in collaboration with LIFE and ILMA, is hosting a series of online events dedicated to highlighting the vital work of NGOs in Lebanon during this devastating time. This initiative aims to showcase their on-the-ground efforts, share key insights, address their challenges, and articulate their needs. By spotlighting these organisations, we seek to raise awareness about their impactful work and foster meaningful engagement within our communities.

Act and Engage Episode #4:  Recording can be found here.

This episode featured initiatives led by LIFE members in response to the ongoing war in Lebanon:

Guest Speakers:

• Alexandra Tohme of Azahir (Mental Health)
• Rindala Beydoun and Ziyad Baroud of Istidama (Basic Needs)    
• Fadi Chidiac of Million Bridges (Donation Platform)

Act and Engage Episode #5:  Recording can be found here.

This episode spotlighted efforts to address Lebanon's healthcare crisis and support the medical needs of the vulnerable populations during the ongoing war.

Guest Speakers:

• Georgina Nouaime, Internal Medicine physician at UMASS and Disaster Medicine specialist and President of ILMA USA 
• Khalil Achkar, Chairman of Family Medicine at University of Balamand and oversees the operation of the Balamand free clinic Balamand Donations should be made via below information: Bank Name: IBL Bank sal, Address: Balamand Branch, Lebanon, Beneficiary: University of Balamand, Account #: 022-002-391-0039435-021, Currency: USD, Swift Code: INLELBBE, IBAN : LB72 0052 0022 0023 9100 3943 5021
• Salah Zeineldine, Chief Medical Officer at AUBMC where he heads the Emergency Response and oversees the Emergency Operations

Act and Engage Episode #6:  Recording can be found here.

In this episode, we explored the challenges Lebanon's education sector is facing through the perspectives of school principals, each sharing unique circumstances and ground-level solutions.

Guest Speakers:

• Saadieh Bassyouni, Principal of Martyr Maarouf Saad Public School, Saida
• Sister Gloria Douaihy, Principal of Nazareth School, Kfarzeina, North Lebanon
• Ghoussoune Wahoud, Principal of Esprits Libres School, Hermel

On October 21, our sold-out panel discussion, AI in HR: Transforming Workforce Analytics and Talent Acquisition, brought together a vibrant community in Toronto, including many newcomers eager to establish networks and careers. The panel featured industry experts Tamara ElSahyouni, Malay Upadhyay, and Shadi Zebian, who shared valuable insights on how AI is reshaping HR through advanced analytics, predictive modeling, and innovative employee engagement tools to optimize recruitment and workforce performance.

Key topics included AI's impact on talent acquisition, with Tamara ElSahyouni discussing how AI can streamline sourcing, onboarding, and diversity in hiring. Malay Upadhyay explored predictive modeling’s role in addressing future skills gaps and ensuring fairness in recruitment. Shadi Zebian highlighted AI-driven tools for boosting employee engagement and satisfaction, sharing insights on the positive impacts of these technologies on company culture and productivity.

Panelists also addressed broader questions, such as balancing AI-driven processes with the human touch, ethical implications of AI in HR, and the evolving role of AI in managing remote and hybrid teams.

In these challenging times for Lebanon, this event reinforced the importance of community and connection, offering a space for professionals to gain insights and foster valuable relationships.

We extend our sincere thanks to the panelists for sharing their expertise and to our Toronto leadership team and community for attending and contributing to this important discussion.

On October 24th, LebNet Boston and Montreal brought together the Lebanese tech communities in both cities in solidarity and support for Lebanon during these challenging times. Each gathering aimed to strengthen connections within the Lebanese tech community while providing practical support as we navigate the ongoing crisis back home.

In Boston, the Tech Connections & Pool Night welcomed attendees for an evening of networking, camaraderie, and resource sharing. The event provided newcomers and established professionals alike with an opportunity to connect and foster a sense of belonging, all while enjoying a relaxed atmosphere with pool games.

Meanwhile, the LebNet Montreal leadership team hosted a Networking and Support Event, offering guidance on tech job opportunities and assisting both new arrivals and those already settled in Canada in navigating professional transitions. Attendees exchanged valuable resources and insights, creating a supportive environment focused on empowering the community through mentorship and shared experiences.

These events highlighted the strength of the LebNet tech communities coming together to support each other and Lebanon, providing much-needed encouragement and a platform to connect, share resources, and uplift one another during difficult times.

A heartfelt thank you to the leadership teams and communities in Boston and Montreal for their commitment and participation!