On September 18th, LebNet hosted an exclusive roundtable discussion with Charbel Atala, Managing Partner and Founder of Talent Gurus. Charbel led an engaging conversation focused on self-branding and professional development, encouraging participants to prioritize authenticity over traditional thought leadership. He emphasized the importance of being original and purposeful when shaping personal brands, while also stressing the need for continuous learning and adaptability throughout one's career.

The session sparked insightful discussions on how personal branding can help navigate the North American job market. Charbel offered practical advice on optimizing LinkedIn profiles, writing personalized cover letters, and using narrative-driven approaches in job applications.

The conversation also touched on talent acquisition, with Charbel highlighting the value of cultural fit and growth potential, particularly for small and mid-sized companies. He advocated for transparency in salary discussions and pledged to share self-discovery questionnaires to help participants further their personal growth. Charbel concluded the session by offering one-on-one guidance and introducing Talent Gurus' career development programs—Step, Climb, and Rise—designed to help professionals advance their careers.

Additionally, Charbel recommended books aligned with the event's themes:

1. “So Good They Can’t Ignore You” by Cal Newport: Emphasizes mastering valuable skills over simply following passion, perfect for those looking to refine their craft and stand out.
2. “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck” by Mark Manson: Focuses on prioritizing what truly matters and letting go of societal expectations, resonating with our conversation on being authentic in personal branding.
3. “Steal Like an Artist” by Austin Kleon: Encourages borrowing inspiration and remixing ideas in a unique way, which ties into our discussion on creative self-expression and narrative-building in applications.

These books offer additional insights and inspiration for participants as they continue developing their personal brands and careers.

You can catch the full recording of the session here. A special thank you to Charbel for generously sharing his time and expertise with the community!

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!

On a sunny and windy afternoon, over 60 members of the LebNet San Diego community gathered on September 28th for their annual picnic, enjoying great food, fun activities, and meaningful connections. Despite the difficult news coming out of Lebanon, the community came together with even greater determination to support one another and strengthen their bonds.

The picnic welcomed members, families, and friends, fostering a sense of togetherness in the beautiful outdoors. The kids had a great time playing soccer and exploring the playground. It also provided a unique opportunity for the youth to connect with tech professionals, gain insights into their careers, and seek mentorship within the community.

With delicious food, refreshing drinks, and engaging conversations, the event perfectly blended networking and family-friendly fun, allowing everyone to relax and connect in a casual, vibrant setting.

A special thank you to the LebNet San Diego Leadership team,Aziz Gholmieh, Cynthia Jereige, Diana Maamari, Jean Abou Rahal, Fram Akiki, Shadi Dayeh, andReem Masri, for organizing this wonderful event, and to all the community members who showed up in support, making it a resounding success. Even in challenging times, the strength of our community was clear, reminding us of the importance of connection and solidarity.

We look forward to seeing everyone again next year for another celebration of our shared heritage, professional achievements, and meaningful connections!

On September 15th, the Pacific Northwest LebNet community came together at Green Lake Park Playground for a relaxed picnic and afternoon of fun. About nine families attended, including some new faces, making it a fantastic opportunity for networking and connection in a laid-back outdoor setting.

Attendees enjoyed engaging conversations, meeting fellow community members, and sharing experiences. The youth also had the chance to connect with one another and with tech professionals, gaining insights into different career journeys.

With plenty of pizza and refreshments to keep the energy up, it was a fun-filled afternoon of community building. We’re excited for more events like this in the future!

On August 29th, the LebNet NY community gathered for a fantastic summer networking event in New York City. The event brought together a friendly and professional crowd eager to connect and collaborate, making it a great success.

The atmosphere was incredibly open and welcoming, with attendees actively engaging in conversations and making new connections. The casual vibe was a hit, creating a comfortable environment that encouraged mingling.

With over 30 attendees, the mix of people was perfect, representing a wide range of ages and professional experiences, including professionals in tech and innovation. Some guests even brought friends who weren't on the invite list, adding to the lively and inclusive atmosphere.

Feedback from the event was overwhelmingly positive. Attendees valued the relaxed setting, which made it easy to engage." There was clear enthusiasm for more of these laid-back gatherings in the future.

We’re thrilled with the success of this event and look forward to hosting more opportunities for Lebanese professionals in New York to connect, collaborate, and grow together. Stay tuned for upcoming events—we can’t wait to see you at the next one!

LebNet was a proud ecosystem partner of STEP SF on August 15th, offering its founders a valuable opportunity to connect with leading tech executives, investors, and entrepreneurs. This partnership enabled Lebanese startups, such as Revilico Inc., co-founded by Christopher Korban, to fully capitalize on the networking and engagement opportunities at the event.

Korban (Pictured below with Jibran Jahshan, LebNet's Bay Area community leader) shared, "STEP SF generated a lot of great connections for us, helping secure meetings with leading VCs in the AI-integrated pharmaceutical and biotechnology space. We also gained valuable design partners and pharmaceutical customers in the Bay Area and Saudi Arabia, as well as significant exposure for our technology platform and team. We are very grateful to LebNet for the experience and thoroughly enjoyed the conference."  

The event was well-attended by early-stage startups focusing on AI, biotech, healthcare, agriculture, and B2B services. Gulf and Saudi companies made a strong impression, showcasing their homegrown capabilities. The lineup of speakers and panelists was tailored to the needs of the vibrant, young, and early-stage audience. Notably, many startups were founded or co-founded by women from the Middle East, highlighting the region's evolving landscape of innovation and social change. 

Looking ahead, LebNet plans to expand its partnership and participation with STEP next year, offering more opportunities for its members and founders to engage with the event and ensuring earlier advocacy to boost Lebanese startup representation.

On August 22, LebNet San Diego hosted a successful event focused on biomedical startups, drawing in over 40 engaged attendees. 

Walid Soussou, CEO of QUASAR, Inc. and founder of Wearable Sensing, leads both companies in their mission to facilitate non-invasive brain monitoring across the lifespan, from delicate neonates to the elderly, in virtual, real-world, and extreme environments. His technology is currently used to treat thousands of mental health patients. Walid’s session was both interactive and enlightening, as he discussed challenges such as licensing issues, partnerships with China, and fundraising strategies.

George Harb followed with a deep dive into the work he has been leading to disrupt type 1 diabetes treatment. He covered beta cells, insulin therapy, and emerging cell therapies, while also addressing challenges related to patient access, financing, and market opportunities. George highlighted key successes such as the first beta cell company exit and advancements in next-generation therapies, fostering an engaging exchange of ideas with the audience.

We are deeply grateful to our speakers for sharing their valuable experiences and expertise with the community. A heartfelt thanks to the San Diego community for always showing up with enthusiasm and to Intuit for generously hosting the event. The feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, a testament to the vibrant and supportive atmosphere.

LebNet's San Diego's community leadership team, Aziz Gholmieh,Cynthia Jereige,Diana Maamari, Jean Abou Rahal,Fram Akiki,Shadi Dayeh and Reem Masri, look forward to welcoming everyone again at our Yearly Family Picnic on September 28th!

On June 10th, the LebNet Toronto community hosted a Networking and Informal Discussion on Digital Identity, exploring its future and applications. Attendees had the exclusive opportunity to connect with and gain insights from Fadwa Mohanna, an expert in the field, who shared how digital identity is transforming various industries. The event featured great discussions, an amazing crowd, and many new faces. The vibrant interactions and growing number of participants underscored the exciting expansion of our Toronto community.

Special thanks to LebNet Toronto leadership member Fadwa Mohanna for sharing her insights and expertise. We also extend our gratitude to Rana Kassem for leading the event, and to the community for their attendance and participation.

On June 6th, LebNet Mid-Atlantic was thrilled to host a networking event for its community in Washington D.C. This gathering provided a unique platform for Lebanese tech professionals to connect, share knowledge, and foster collaborations within our dynamic industry. The event attracted professionals from various tech industries, and the turnout was impressive. The conversation flowed smoothly, and attendees enjoyed the venue's atmosphere, adding to the vibrant energy of the evening. As is customary with every LebNet event, many first-timers joined, and it was heartening to see attendees leave eagerly inquiring about the next get-together.

Special thanks to the LebNet DC leadership member Moukhtar Nsouli for leading this event and for the community for attending.

On June 6th, LebNet Boston hosted an insightful event at MIT, focusing on AI/ML advancements in healthcare, challenges and opportunities in the healthcare value chain, and ongoing disruptions in biotech and health-tech.

The event featured a panel of experts including Ramy Arnaout, Jean-Claude Saghbini, Diana Ezzeddine, and Maya Said, moderated by Anthony Tayoun, and was attended by industry professionals and students.

The discussion covered several key topics: each panelist introduced themselves and shared recent developments in their fields, delved into the impact of AI/ML advancements on immunology and pathology post-COVID, and explored the use of AI/ML tools in oncology and drug discovery. The role of tech-enabled care delivery in complementing discovery-side advancements was highlighted, along with an explanation of value-based care and the role of AI in promoting it. Panelists shared predictions on significant changes and areas of stagnation in the healthcare industry over the next few years and provided valuable advice for biotech and health-tech startup founders. Additionally, they discussed the probabilistic nature of AI, its potential limitations in healthcare applications, and its intersection with pathology and various diagnostic areas.

Our gratitude goes to the panelists, the moderator, and the LebNet Boston leadership team for organizing this event, as well as to the community for joining us. Special thanks also to the Lebanese Club at MIT for hosting and E14 for sponsoring the event.

Another resounding success for the LebNet Boston community, leaving attendees eager for future events on cutting-edge topics!