The Bay Area LebNet community gathered for a special evening to honor four distinguished award recipients: Abdo George Kadifa (Lifetime Achievement Award), Sassine Ghazi (Executive of the Year), Aya Mouallem (Mentor/Youth Champion), and Hadi Salman (Young Scientist). The event included a networking session, a panel discussion, and the Bireme Award ceremony, all set against a backdrop of Lebanese heritage, complemented by wine, refreshments, and traditional Lebanese Mezza.

Panel Discussion
Moderated by Sam Azar, VP of SW Engineering at Nvidia, the panel explored each honoree's professional journey and the influence of their Lebanese roots on their careers:

• Abdo George Kadifa reflected on pivotal moments that shaped his leadership across major global companies, emphasizing how his Lebanese heritage fostered global connections and advocacy for Lebanese professionals in tech.

• Sassine Ghazi, CEO of Synopsys, shared key experiences that prepared him for his role, highlighting how his background has shaped his leadership style, particularly in managing tough decisions and effectively handling stress.

• Aya Mouallem, who joined via Zoom due to illness, shared her journey from co-founding All Girls Code to empowering underserved students through the LebNet Tech Fellows Program, driven by her desire to offer others opportunities she was fortunate to have.

• Hadi Salman shared insights from his groundbreaking AI research, emphasizing the importance of community building through his Lebanese in AI Slack channel, which fosters connections and knowledge sharing among Lebanese AI professionals worldwide.

A special thank you to Sam Azar for expertly moderating the panel.

Awards and Testimonials
Each honoree received heartfelt tributes from family and friends, recognizing their significant achievements, contributions, and the inspiration they provide. Video messages from loved ones added a personal and emotional touch, showcasing their impactful work and the pride they instilled in their families, along with their deep connection to their Lebanese roots. To honor their lasting impact, a cedar tree was planted in Lebanon in each honoree's name, symbolizing their enduring legacy.

This event powerfully showcased the fusion of excellence in technology and Lebanese cultural pride, uniting the community in celebrating shared accomplishments. A heartfelt thank you goes to our honorees for strengthening our Lebanese tech community, fostering a spirit of giving, and creating a lasting impact that benefits us all.

Acknowledgments and Gratitude

Additionally, a huge thank you to the Bay Area community for showing up in force to support the event! It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces and dedicated LebNet supporters. Special appreciation goes to the LebNet Bay Area Leadership team—our fearless leader and sponsor, Jibran Jahshan, along with Karim Ahmad and Nathalie Saade—for organizing this memorable event.

Special thanks to Château Bellevue from Bhamdoun, Lebanon, for generously donating the wines for the evening. If you enjoyed the wine, please consider joining their Wine Club!

Thank you to White & Case for supporting this event and providing the amazing venue.

This evening was truly a celebration of connection and inspiration!