PAST EVENTS RECAP

As momentum continues to build toward the official launch of LebNet London, the community recently gathered on June 11th, for an exclusive roundtable discussion with Jibran Jahshan, Vice President of Engineering at NVIDIA, LebNet Board Member, and leader of LebNet's largest chapter in the Bay Area.

The intimate gathering brought together Lebanese professionals from across London's technology, startup, and innovation ecosystems for an evening of thoughtful discussion, networking, and knowledge sharing.

Drawing on his extensive experience in technology leadership, Jibran shared insights on the evolving AI landscape, career growth, innovation, leadership, and the importance of building strong professional communities. Participants engaged in an open and dynamic discussion, exchanging perspectives on emerging technologies, entrepreneurship, talent development, and opportunities for Lebanese professionals across global markets.

Beyond the conversation itself, the event served as an important opportunity for members to connect with one another and strengthen the foundations of the growing LebNet London community.

As attendees shared:

"Great event! Thanks team for organizing. It was really nice meeting everyone today."

"Well done, this was flawless. It did hit the very sweet spot of creating the right value, hype, and momentum ahead of the launch event! Looking forward to many more."

"Nice one guys!"

A special thank you to Jibran Jahshan for generously sharing his time, experiences, and insights with the community. We also extend our gratitude to Wassim Rahbani and the LebNet London leadership team for organizing such a successful gathering and helping build excitement ahead of the chapter's official launch.

We would also like to thank all the members of the London community who attended and contributed to the discussion. The energy, engagement, and willingness to share ideas and experiences are what make this community special and will help shape the future of LebNet in the UK.

This event represents just the beginning of an exciting new chapter for LebNet in the UK. We look forward to welcoming more members at the official launch event on June 23, featuring Georges Akiki, President of LebNet, and Petros Farah, Investment Director at Samsung Ventures.

The future is bright for LebNet London, and we are excited to see the community continue to grow, connect, and thrive.

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

The LebNet Boston community came together on June 3 for a vibrant Networking Night, bringing together professionals, students, entrepreneurs, and community members for an evening of meaningful conversations and new connections.

Held at Flat Top Johnny’s in Cambridge, the gathering provided a relaxed setting for attendees to expand their networks, exchange ideas, reconnect with familiar faces, and welcome new members into the community.

One of the highlights of the evening was the strong engagement among attendees, with conversations spanning careers, entrepreneurship, technology, and opportunities for collaboration across the broader Lebanese professional network.

As one attendee shared:

"It went really well; great conversation with interesting new people."

Events like these continue to reinforce the value of community and the importance of creating spaces where Lebanese professionals can connect, support one another, and build lasting relationships.

A big thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to making the evening such a success. We look forward to seeing the Boston community continue to grow and thrive in the months ahead.

On May 27, LebNet Women in Tech, in partnership with ZAKA, successfully hosted another engaging session under the Wit Mentorship Program with the webinar “AI Deeper Dive: Automations & Agents,” led by Christophe Zoghbi, Founder & CEO of ZAKA.

The session brought together members of the LebNet community for an insightful exploration into workflow automation, AI-powered systems, and the growing role of AI agents in modern organizations. Christophe walked participants through the foundations of automation, helping attendees understand how repetitive and time-consuming tasks can be streamlined through accessible no-code and AI-enabled tools.

Participants also explored key concepts, including automation triggers, actions, conditions, workflows, and the distinction between chatbots, automations, and autonomous AI agents. Through practical examples and live demonstrations using Make.com, the session highlighted how AI can support smarter operations, enhance productivity, and enable more adaptive systems across industries.

A special thank you to Christophe Zoghbi and the ZAKA team for sharing their expertise and providing our community with practical insights into one of today’s most transformative technology spaces.

We also thank everyone who joined the session and contributed to the engaging discussions. Stay tuned for more upcoming LebNet Wit Mentorship Program events designed to empower and connect Lebanese professionals worldwide.

We highly recommend that you also enroll in the “Agentic AI Bootcamp”. LebNet members get a special 10% discount using the LEBNET10 coupon, available via this link.

Watch the full episode here.

Attached is a PDF on AI Agents & Automations: AI Deeper Dive_ AI Agents and Automations.pdf

The LebNet Montreal community gathered on May 25, for an engaging and timely evening exploring how AI is reshaping today’s job market and what young professionals can do to better prepare for the future of work.

Moderated by Andrew Kobersy, the panel featured Léa El Hage (IBM), Fadi Joseph (EnStream LP), Ralph Kobersy (Accenture), Maher Tabbara (Intact), and Nada Zogheib (Strategic Advisor & Coach), who shared valuable insights on career growth, leadership, adaptability, and navigating rapid technological disruption in the AI era.

A major theme throughout the discussion was the growing concern among young graduates and software engineers around AI-driven automation and the changing nature of technical roles, especially as coding and repetitive tasks become increasingly automated. The panelists emphasized the importance of developing strong communication skills, adaptability, creativity, leadership, and other human-centered capabilities that will remain critical in an evolving job market.

The conversation also highlighted the challenges many graduates are currently facing in securing opportunities, with panelists encouraging attendees to actively network through LinkedIn, industry events, and community platforms while continuously building both technical and soft skills.

The evening sparked strong engagement from attendees, particularly from students and first-time participants, with discussions and networking continuing long after the panel concluded.

As attendees shared:

“Great gathering as usual. Thanks to the organizers and the panelists.”

“It was an amazing event as a first timer.”

“Awesome energy… the audience engaged a lot with the panelists and clearly enjoyed the networking pre and post event.”

Many thanks to our speakers, moderator, attendees, and the LebNet Montreal team for organizing such a thoughtful and impactful evening for the community.

Stay tuned for more exciting events to come!

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

The LebNet Chicago community gathered for an engaging evening exploring how AI, cloud, and cybersecurity are transforming the future of healthcare through real-world applications and innovation.

Moderated by Nadine Ghaith, Senior Manager at Endeavor, the panel featured Najib El Tecle, Neurosurgeon at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Pascal Issa, Managing Consultant in Cyber Defense at Google, and Sammy Nicolas, Principal at Kinetic Point Capital. Together, they shared valuable insights on the intersection of healthcare, technology, cybersecurity, and investment, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of modern healthcare systems.

The discussion explored how AI and cloud technologies are helping improve operational efficiency, patient care, and decision-making, while emphasizing the growing importance of cybersecurity and resilient infrastructure in protecting healthcare systems and sensitive data.

One of the key themes throughout the evening was the importance of building trusted, scalable, and secure systems that can support innovation while remaining practical and impactful in real-world healthcare environments. The event also sparked strong engagement and networking among attendees, bringing together professionals, students, and community members for meaningful conversations around innovation, leadership, and the future of healthcare technology.

As one attendee shared:

“What an amazing evening. What an amazing dialogue. What an amazing group of people. Can’t wait to get together again!”

Another attendee reflected:

“Thank you Nadine for organizing and moderating this informative and wonderful event with outstanding and inspiring panelists. The venue was great and well-suited for the panel discussion and social networking. Thank you LebNet Chicago committee for continuing to impress us with your events. We are looking forward for what's to come.”

Many thanks to our panelists, moderator, attendees, and the LebNet Chicago team for organizing another thoughtful and impactful gathering for the community.

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

The LebNet Mid-Atlantic community gathered on May 20 for an engaging evening exploring how AI is moving beyond theory into real-world, high-impact applications. The event brought together professionals, innovators, and community members for thoughtful discussions around building AI systems that truly deliver at scale.

Moderated by Bassel Haidar, VP AI Civil at Booz Allen Hamilton, the panel featured Dr. Nadine Alameh, Founder & CEO of LunateAI, and Dr. Hala Nelson, Professor at James Madison University and Co-Founder of MI2MR. Together, they explored the intersection of AI, geospatial intelligence, digital twins, interoperability, and real-world deployment across government, defense, infrastructure, and enterprise systems.

A particularly meaningful dimension of the discussion was the shared perspective many in the room carried, shaped by experiences of growing up during the Civil War in Lebanon and transformed into resilience, innovation, entrepreneurship, curiosity, and a strong sense of community. The conversation highlighted not only the convergence of geospatial intelligence, digital twins, and AI, but also the human stories and experiences that continue to shape leadership and innovation across industries.

A major theme throughout the evening was the importance of grounding AI in reliable data, practical implementation, and human-centered approaches rather than purely theoretical innovation. The discussion also highlighted the growing need for trusted standards, ethical frameworks, and cross-sector collaboration as AI adoption accelerates.

As Bassel Haidar shared:

“Nadine and Hala, it was an absolute honor and distinct privilege to learn and share ideas with you about the convergence of AI, geospatial, and digital twins with our LebNet DC chapter community.”

And as one attendee reflected:

“What an evening… seeing people from many different age groups leaning into the same conversation on AI, all carrying that same thread of resilience, was unforgettable.”

Many thanks to Dr. Hala Nelson and Dr. Nadine Alameh for sharing their expertise, to Bassel Haidar for moderating such an insightful discussion, and to the LebNet Mid-Atlantic team for organizing another impactful event for the community.

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

The LebNet Bay Area community gathered on May 7 for a timely and engaging evening focused on leadership and the rapidly evolving world of supply chain management. The event brought together a dynamic mix of professionals and community members, with discussions continuing long after the panel concluded.

Moderated by Dr. Raja Petrakian, the panel featured Hala Jalwan, CEO & Co-founder of Rivio, Juneyt Kayali, Sr. Director Ops & Strategy at NetApp, and Marwan Manneh, Mac Refurb Ops PM at Apple. Together, they explored how organizations build resilience, make high-stakes decisions, drive operational excellence, and leverage technology to adapt and grow amid constant disruption.

The discussion also highlighted leadership, adaptability, and career growth across both corporate and startup environments, creating a dynamic and insightful exchange for professionals across industries.

The speakers explored the shift from just-in-time to just-in-case supply strategies, the growing role of AI in procurement and inventory management, and the increasing importance of resilience in today’s geopolitical climate. From Rivio’s AI procurement agent “Sheldon” to Apple’s reverse supply chain operations, the conversation offered a compelling look at how organizations are rethinking and transforming complex global operations.

One of the key themes that emerged throughout the discussion was that success in supply chain leadership today extends far beyond operational expertise. The ability to navigate uncertainty, foster trust, and balance technology with human judgment has become more important than ever.

The evening also sparked strong engagement from attendees, many of whom highlighted both the quality of the discussion and the sense of community the event created. As one panel attendee shared:

“Last night’s LebNet event was exceptional. The panel was outstanding, full of insight and expertise from leaders at the forefront of supply chain management. But the best part for me was coming together with our community. Especially during such a difficult time for Lebanon, the heartwarming fellowship before and after the event truly felt good for the soul.”

Many thanks to Juneyt, Hala, and Marwan for sharing their expertise and perspectives, to Raja for leading such an engaging and thoughtful conversation, and to the LebNet Bay Area team for organizing another memorable gathering for the community.

If you were not able to join this insightful conversation, we invite you to watch the recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sRl9TR_BFE

On May 4th, the LebNet Toronto community came together for an inspiring and high energy evening centered on career journeys, growth, and resilience in today’s evolving landscape.

The event was very well attended, bringing together a vibrant mix of familiar faces and many new members of the community, several connecting for the very first time through LebNet. The energy in the room was a powerful reminder of the strength and potential of this growing network.

The panel, expertly moderated by Jamil Mina, featured thoughtful and candid insights from Jeanine Akiki, Maysam Kamar, Ray Lahoud, and Richard Saliba. We were also fortunate to have an impromptu addition to the panel, Fadwa Mohanna, who joined the discussion and brought valuable perspectives from an entrepreneurship lens.

Together, the panelists shared personal stories, practical advice, and honest reflections on navigating careers across different stages, industries, and geographies.

What stood out most was the feedback from attendees. Many shared that this experience set a new bar, with several saying they will never miss another Toronto event. That kind of response speaks volumes about the quality of the discussion and the connections made.

A heartfelt thank you to our incredible panelists for their openness and leadership, to our community for showing up with such enthusiasm, and to the LebNet Toronto team for making it all happen.

More to come.

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

Another packed room. Another reminder that this community shows up.

We’re incredibly grateful for the energy, the curiosity, and the turnout at our latest April 30 LebNet NYC event, and a special thank you to Lebanese American University for hosting us at their Manhattan campus. You gave us the perfect home for a conversation that, frankly, refuses to sit still.

Because neither does AI.

The pace of change isn’t just fast, it’s structurally different. AI has moved from answering questions to doing the work: booking, comparing, transacting, even writing code. That’s the shift behind agentic AI, and yes, “vibe coding” didn’t become 2025’s word of the year by accident.

We dug into how this actually shows up today:

• Real workflows, not hypotheticals
• Personal AI stacks across building, research, and policy
• Tools that didn’t exist two years ago now shaping how work gets done

And then the harder truth, the speed gap. Capabilities evolve in months. Policy reacts in years. That mismatch is already reshaping companies, regulation, and anyone trying to plan beyond the next quarter.

We also didn’t shy away from the big questions:

• Who wins, who loses, and which industries should be paying attention now
• Which startups suddenly make sense and which incumbents should be slightly uncomfortable
• How countries, especially smaller ones like Lebanon, can compete through talent, diaspora, and focus rather than scale

And we grounded it where it matters most, Monday morning.
Not theory, action.
What grads, engineers, operators, and career switchers can actually do to earn a seat at the AI table, with or without writing code.

A big thank you to our outstanding panelists, Maya Mourad, Hadi Hibri, and Joe Zein, for bringing depth, clarity, and real world perspective to the conversation.

And to the LebNet leadership team, especially Ibrahim Ibrahim for expertly moderating and Marwan Madi for serving as MC and presenting LebNet, along with Osman Ghandour, Amali Nasreddine, and Malek Daouk, thank you for bringing this event to life.

LebNet has always been about connection, but nights like this show it’s also about direction.

More to come.

On April 22, the LebNet San Diego community gathered at the Hall of Nations in Balboa Park for an insightful and engaging discussion on The Future of Bio & MedTech: From Innovation to Impact.

The conversation spanned a wide range of topics shaping the industry today, from the realities of drug development and R&D investment to the promise of neurotech, digital twins, and the transformative role of AI. Panelists explored the complexities of building in highly regulated environments, the importance of data quality, the evolving role of product management, and the future of human-centered innovation in healthcare.

Key takeaways included:

• Up to 90% of projects fail, with development timelines reaching 15 years
• R&D investment can reach ~25% of revenue, among the highest across industries
• AI is poised to reshape product and project management and unlock new frontiers in brain and human health research
• Data quality, regulatory rigor, and real-world validation remain foundational

A heartfelt thank you to our outstanding panelists Najah Abi-Gerges, Walid Soussou, and Andrew Tebsherani, our moderator Fram Akiki, and our impromptu panelist Tasha Aboufadel for enriching the discussion with valuable insights.

We also extend our appreciation to MC Jean Abou Rahal, and a special thank you to our host and caterer Marwan Balka for his generous support in making this event possible.

Most importantly, thank you to everyone who joined us on a busy weeknight. Your presence and engagement made the evening truly special.

If you were inspired by the discussion and would like to make an impact, please visit lebnet.us to support Lebanon through the initiatives shared during the event, and join our community at lebnet.us/subscribe.

Stay tuned for more exciting events ahead.

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