PAST EVENTS RECAP

On February 27, LebNet hosted a compelling panel on why Lebanon’s next global export is not a product, but its people and technological talent. Lebanese founders and operators shared how they are building global companies powered by engineering, product, and AI teams rooted in Lebanon, delivering at world-class standards despite economic and political challenges. The event was a call to action for the diaspora to invest, hire, mentor, and build with Lebanon in mind, highlighting the resilience, leadership, and global competitiveness of Lebanese talent while encouraging professionals to focus on building, learning, and creating in an AI-driven future.

Read the inspirational full Bay Area Recap and watch the session here.

On February 28, LebNet LA OC hosted a highly engaging panel discussion on AI, Data, and the Future of Work at USC, bringing together industry leaders from Bank of America, Google, and XP3R for a timely and nuanced conversation on how artificial intelligence is reshaping careers and the nature of work.

Moderated by Romeo Elias, Founder and Chairman of Intellect, the discussion cut through alarming headlines to separate hype from reality. The panel featured Ghada Richani, Managing Director of Data and Technology at Bank of America; Sarah Ouwayda, Group Product Manager at Google; and Lara Kallab, AI Architect at XP3R. Each brought a distinct perspective from finance, product, and applied AI.

Over a generous two hour discussion, panelists emphasized that AI is not changing whether work happens, but how it happens and what we value in people. Rather than replacing individuals, AI is reshaping roles and redefining the skill sets required to succeed. While AI is highly effective at generating, summarizing, analyzing, and pattern matching, speakers highlighted that it cannot yet replicate original judgment, deep relationship building, moral reasoning, cultural intuition, physical world problem solving, or leading people through ambiguity.

The conversation also addressed responsible AI adoption, ethical considerations, and how organizations are evolving their hiring and learning models to prioritize adaptability and lifelong learning. With AI advancing faster than any technology before it, panelists stressed that continuous learning and flexibility will be central to long term career growth.

The strong turnout and high level of audience engagement reflected the community’s deep interest in the topic, with thoughtful questions and active participation throughout the session. A heartfelt thank you to our panelists and moderator for the time, insight, and generosity they shared, to the LebNet LA OC leadership team for organizing the event, and to our community members who came out to connect, learn, and engage. We are also grateful to USC, the IEEE chapters, and Michella Rustom, PhD candidate at USC, for their invaluable support in making this event a success.

Check the full event album by clicking on the photo below! 

On February 24, the LebNet New York chapter gathered at Balade Restaurant for a beautiful evening of Iftar filled with connection, culture, and community. Attendees enjoyed a carefully curated menu of flavorful Lebanese dishes while sharing meaningful conversations in a warm and welcoming setting.

The evening brought together both familiar faces and many newcomers to the community, creating a lively and inclusive atmosphere. The energy in the room was wonderful, with guests enjoying great food, engaging conversations, and meaningful connections across backgrounds and experiences.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make the night so special. It was a memorable evening that truly reflected the spirit of the LebNet New York community, and we look forward to many more gatherings ahead.

On Saturday, February 21, LebNet Chicago brought together professionals for an evening of authentic connection, thoughtful conversation, and community. Designed to move beyond surface level small talk, the gathering created space for meaningful, career shaping dialogue. The event went very well and was a lot of fun, with great energy and engagement throughout the evening.

Attendees received name tags highlighting their name and industry, along with curated conversation prompts that sparked genuine and insightful discussions. The format was casual and inclusive, allowing participants to move freely, choose their conversations, and connect organically across roles, industries, and career stages.

Thank you to the LebNet Chicago community who braved the weather to join us, and to the leadership team for carving out this intentional networking space for its members. The evening reflected the strength of the Chicago community and the power of bringing people together with purpose.

On February 19, LebNet San Diego hosted an energizing evening of Lightning Talks and interactive roundtable discussions, bringing together Lebanese professionals across technology, science, healthcare, design, and leadership for an engaging and impactful gathering.

This dynamic format encouraged meaningful conversations, peer learning, and authentic connection. Attendees rotated through small group roundtables, engaging directly with speakers, asking thoughtful questions, and gaining practical insights from diverse career journeys.

The energy in the room was incredible, and it was especially inspiring to see so many young people actively participating, connecting, and getting inspired. Students, early career professionals, and seasoned leaders alike enjoyed a welcoming environment filled with learning, dialogue, and new connections. Lebanese bites added to the warm and vibrant atmosphere, making the evening even more special.

A big thank you to our outstanding speakers Sabine Balka, Rita Feghali, Nathalie Gholmieh, George Harb, Layal Rouhanna, and Hassan Zamat for generously sharing their time, experiences, and insights. The feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, and the sense of community was felt throughout the evening.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the LebNet San Diego Leadership Team Aziz Gholmieh, Cynthia Jereige, Jean Abou Rahal, Shadi Dayeh, Diana Maamari, Fram Akiki, Cedric Fadel, and Sarah Ramlaoui for organizing another exceptional event. We are also deeply grateful to UC San Diego and to Shadi Dayeh for hosting us at the Jacob School of Engineering.

“Great event. Thank you, LebNet.”

Sabine Balka: “Thank you for the amazing event and for inviting me to speak. I’m glad to have been part of it.”

Nathalie Gholmieh: “Connecting with our community and meeting new faces was a pleasure. Kudos to LebNet for a fantastic event.”

Layal Rouhana: “A real highlight to connect with this vibrant community. Thank you, LebNet, and here’s to a great 2026.”

Welcome to everyone who joined us for the first time. We look forward to many more inspiring events ahead as we continue to nurture, connect, and grow our vibrant Lebanese tech community in San Diego. Please stay tuned for what’s next.

Check the full event album by clicking on the photo below!

Despite heavy snowfall and extreme cold, about 45 members of our community gathered for the LebNet Toronto Network and Ping Pong Social, a true testament to the strength and energy of our network.

The evening was especially inspiring, with a strong turnout from students and young professionals, highlighting the vibrancy and future of the Lebanese tech community in Toronto. The night was filled with great conversations, new connections, friendly ping pong matches, and great community spirit.

We are grateful to everyone who made the effort to join us and continue building meaningful connections together. Sincere thanks to the LebNet Toronto leadership team and to Rana Kassem, the event lead, for finding the venue, organizing the event, and treating the community to such a wonderful evening.

Stay tuned for more LebNet Toronto gatherings designed to serve professionals across all career stages. We can’t wait to see you at the next one.

Check the full event album by clicking on the photo below!

On January 22, LebNet New York rang in 2026 with connection, inspiration, and community at our first event of the year, held at Manousheh Grand in the heart of NYC.

The evening brought together Lebanese tech professionals for an intimate, sold-out gathering filled with meaningful conversations and new connections. Despite the cold weather, nearly all registered attendees showed up, a true testament to the strength and energy of the LebNet NY community.

From familiar faces to many first-time attendees, the room buzzed with thoughtful dialogue, laughter, and collaboration. Guests enjoyed delicious manousheh while networking across industries and career stages, creating the kind of authentic connections that define LebNet.

What attendees said:

• “It went very well. Lots of people showed up!”
• “It was a great event. Good conversations.”
• “The event was great, saw a lot of new faces!”

Thank you to everyone who joined us to kick off the new year together. We look forward to building on this momentum and continuing to grow our vibrant New York community throughout 2026.

Cheers to 2025! LebNet Bay Area closed out the year with a sold out and festive Holiday Cocktail Celebration on Thursday, December 11, welcoming nearly 90 attendees for an unforgettable evening of connection, culture, and community.

The night featured delicious Mediterranean bites, wine, and beautiful live oud music, creating an atmosphere that was both warm and electric. The room buzzed with energy as new and familiar faces connected, reconnected, and celebrated together in true LebNet spirit. We were especially delighted to see such a diverse and engaged audience, including many LebNet members, board members, and founders.

Attendee feedback captured the magic of the evening and summed it up perfectly as having a great vibe, a beautiful community, and a fantastic event:

“I so enjoyed connecting with so many in our community! The live oud music made the evening extra special.”

“A beautiful and spirited evening. I loved meeting and reconnecting with new and old friends. Congratulations to the LebNet Bay Area team, you nailed it.”

Thanks to the generous support of Ballout Law Group, Tabet and Klarich Group Compass, Multilane, and Sheppard Mullin, LebNet was able to offer reduced ticket prices for Early Career professionals and students, helping welcome and engage our youth.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone in our community who joined us to celebrate connections and community. We truly missed those who could not make it. Special thanks to the LebNet Bay Area leadership for creating such a joyful, welcoming, and well executed event.

Ten3ad 3laykon jami3an! Here’s to kicking off 2026 with gusto and an exciting year of events ahead. Stay tuned.

Check the full event album by clicking on the photo below!

On December 10, LebNet DC wrapped up 2025 with a vibrant and festive Year-End Celebration, bringing together professionals from across industries to celebrate our community and the many milestones achieved throughout the year.

The evening was filled with energy, meaningful conversations, and new connections. Attendees described the event as “great,” “super special,” and “very well organized,” with many highlighting the buzzing atmosphere and the genuine connections formed throughout the night.

Bassel Haidar, from the LebNet DC Leadership Team, warmly welcomed guests and shared reflections on LebNet’s mission and the unique space it continues to create for brilliant Lebanese minds in tech. His remarks set the tone for an evening grounded in community, belonging, and building bridges across industries.

The celebration was further enriched by the presence of Dr. Hala Nelson, Professor of Mathematics at James Madison University, who shared insights from her book Essential Math for AI, adding a valuable and engaging learning dimension to the evening.

From start to finish, the event truly embodied what LebNet stands for: connection, collaboration, and lifting one another up. A heartfelt thank you to the LebNet DC leadership team for making the evening such a success, and to everyone who joined and helped make it so memorable.

As we look ahead, we’re excited for an amazing lineup of events in 2026. Stay tuned!

Check the full event album by clicking on the photo below!

LebNet San Diego’s “Mission to the Moon: A Propulsion Engineer’s Journey” was an inspiring year-end gathering, bringing together about 40 members of our growing community, both familiar faces and exciting new ones. Hosted at Cooley LLP on December 4th, the event featured a captivating fireside chat with Sarah Ramlaoui, Propulsion Engineer at Lockheed Martin, moderated by Cynthia Jereige, Cybersecurity PMO Lead at Intuit.

Sarah shared her remarkable journey into aerospace engineering, tracing how her early curiosity and academic path led her to a career designing propulsion systems for advanced space missions. She offered a rare behind-the-scenes look at the engineering challenges of sending rockets beyond Earth, explaining how propulsion technology directly enables lunar exploration and why returning to the Moon remains essential for scientific progress, technological innovation, and humanity’s future in space. She also spoke about the thrill and responsibility of contributing to missions that push the boundaries of what is possible.

Cynthia guided the conversation skillfully, prompting Sarah to reflect on her personal experiences, professional growth, and the evolving landscape of space exploration. Attendees engaged in thoughtful questions about propulsion design, mission readiness, and the future of lunar programs.

Our LebNet San Diego community continues to expand, and this event was a testament to the enthusiasm and curiosity that fuel our gatherings. Participants described the evening as “inspiring, insightful, and energizing”, a perfect close to an impactful year of programming.

A heartfelt thank you to the LebNet San Diego Leadership Team: Aziz Gholmieh, Cynthia Jereige, Diana Maamari, Jean Abou Rahal, Fram Akiki, Reem Masri, and Shadi Dayeh, for organizing another exceptional event. We are also deeply grateful to Cooley LLP and Amanda Jereige for generously hosting us.

We look forward to many more inspiring events in the year ahead as we continue to nurture, connect, and grow our vibrant community.