The May 2nd webinar on Lebanon's untapped outsourcing potential, challenges, and solutions brought together an impressive panel of experts deeply involved in the outsourcing ecosystem. The event, moderated by Ronnie Hammad, Chair of the Advocate Committee of Life, was attended by approximately 50 participants. The discussion covered various facets of outsourcing in Lebanon, from policy issues to the evolving nature of the talent pool and operational challenges.

Introduction and Opening Remarks: Ronnie Hammad introduced the session by highlighting Life's mission to connect members, support students, promote job creation, and advocate for economic reform in Lebanon. Life, with its 1,400 members across 17 global chapters, partnered with Lebnet, a Silicon Valley-founded organization with over 2,500 members in tech, to organize this event.

The Panelists:

Mariam Daher - Executive Director at ForwardMena, shared insights on the role of ForwardMena and Beirut Digital District (BDD) in supporting Lebanon’s outsourcing sector. She emphasized the importance of upskilling Lebanese youth for digital careers to bridge the gap between education and labor market needs. Bahir highlighted that BDD hosts over 160 companies across 35+ industries, aiming to transform Lebanon into a premium outsourcing hub.

Carole Al Sharabati, founding partner at CME Offshore, discussed the company's growth and the high level of expertise provided by Lebanese engineers. CME Offshore serves prominent clients like Subway and PayPal without advertising, relying on word-of-mouth and the Lebanese diaspora. Sharabati underscored the importance of critical thinking and innovation over cheap labor, noting that CME has registered multiple patents in the U.S.

Hala Ballouz, CEO of Electric Power Engineers, talked about her firm’s focus on transforming the electric grid and her positive experience with Lebanese engineers. Balouz praised the high quality, business acumen, and multilingual abilities of Lebanese professionals. She expressed hope for Lebanon's energy sector and highlighted the support provided to employees for setting up resilient energy solutions at home.

Nabil Mardelli, Country Manager at Aspire Software, shared insights into Aspire's rapid growth in Lebanon. Aspire, the operational arm of Valsoft, specializes in acquiring and developing vertical market software businesses. Mardali discussed the strategic decision to expand operations in Lebanon and the potential for significant growth in the coming years.

The webinar concluded with a Q&A session, where participants raised questions about various challenges and opportunities in Lebanon's outsourcing sector. Topics included optimizing business processes, leveraging AI for development, and the potential for improving Lebanon's energy infrastructure.

The event highlighted Lebanon's potential as a premium outsourcing destination, emphasizing the talent and expertise of its workforce. The panelists expressed optimism about the future, despite current challenges, and discussed strategic approaches to harness Lebanon's capabilities for global outsourcing needs.

LebNet's San Diego trivia night on May 8th was a blast! With 22 attendees, we divided into two teams, and one of them secured an impressive 3rd place for the evening! Thanks to all the attendees for making it such a memorable event. A special shoutout to the LebNet San Diego leadership team for organizing such a fantastic evening of networking, trivia, and fun! We are excited to see our community continue to grow. Stay  tuned for more events! 

Hosted at Berkeley by LebNet on April 16th, in collaboration with Luca Hadife, student senator at the Associated Students University of California Berkeley, our panel aimed to give students insights into the experiences of Lebanese tech professionals across diverse organizational environments. Covering startup ventures, venture capital, and big tech, our panelists shared career journeys and actionable advice.

General Topics Covered:

Networking: Leveraging Lebanese networks for growth.

Mentorship: Role of mentorship and tips for finding mentors.

Essential Skills: Crucial technical and soft skills for tech success.

Resumes: Crafting compelling resumes.

Advice: Valuable advice for college-aged selves.

Panelists and Focus:

Elie Ghossain - Program Manager @ Tesla:

- Role overview at Tesla.

- Skill requirements and career advice.

Mona Ahmad - Product Manager @ Pomelo:

- Pomelo overview and product management insights.

Omar Fidawi - Investor @ Scale Venture Partners:

- Transition from investment banking to venture capital.

- Key skills and investment evaluation factors.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/adihajjahmad/

- AGI overview and hiring insights.

- Career pathways and industry challenges.

The event, focused on "Breaking into Tech," attracted 30 attendees and provided a platform for meaningful dialogue and learning.

On April 17th, LebNet’s Early in Career Leadership team hosted a Webinar on The Impact of Generative AI on the Future of Work and Innovation. Led by Karim Tabaja, Strategic Projects Leader at City Football Group, our webinar brought together an esteemed panel of experts at the forefront of AI innovation:

• Farah Akoum: Product leader in the retail industry, leveraging Generative AI to enhance customer experiences

• Alexandra Assouad: CEO & Co-Founder at Mind-Easy, pioneering AI-driven solutions for mental health support

• Alaa Khaddaj: MIT Researcher and VC Fellow, specializing in AI and its transformative potential

• Ryaan Sayegh: Co-founder and CTO at Hollo AI, leading the development of personalized AI twins

These visionary panelists shared their unique insights and experiences throughout the session, offering invaluable perspectives on the evolution of Generative AI, its impact across industries, and the opportunities it presents for young professionals. Ethical considerations, entrepreneurship, and the global versus local implications of AI were thoroughly explored, providing attendees with a comprehensive understanding of AI's future trajectory. With a turnout of 50+ individuals, the webinar was a testament to the importance and relevance of AI in today's professional landscape. 

LebNet New York proudly hosted its highly anticipated inaugural event of 2024, marking a joyful reunion of our vibrant community. On April 11, attendees were treated to an illuminating Fireside Chat and a heartfelt celebration honoring the esteemed recipients of LebNet’s Bireme Award for Entrepreneurs of the Year: Marc Atiyeh and Andrew Malek, the visionary co-founders of Pawp.

Zeina Lamah skillfully navigated the conversation, delving deep into Marc and Andrew's entrepreneurial journey, imparting invaluable insights and lessons learned. Focused inquiries on risk-taking, sources of motivation, and dispelling startup stereotypes guided the discourse, ensuring an engaging exploration of their experiences.

Generously hosted by Latham and Watkins, the evening not only served as a platform for knowledge-sharing but also fostered meaningful connections among the 60 attendees. The electric atmosphere and dynamic networking opportunities further enriched the event, leaving participants inspired and invigorated by the collective spirit of the LebNet community.

Our heartfelt thanks go out to the LebNet NY community, friends, and the dedicated LebNet NY leadership team for orchestrating such a flawless event!

The LebNet Boston community recently hosted a captivating panel discussion on the topic of 'Building AI-first Companies' at MIT on March 28th. Attendees were treated to an enriching evening as esteemed industry experts, including Rania Khalaf, Richard Rabbat, and Sami Shalabi, shared their invaluable insights drawn from their experience in leading AI ventures. Moderating the panel was Mitri Abou-Rizk, Director at Nvidia, who adeptly guided the discussion.

The event covered a myriad of thought-provoking topics, such as the evolution of AI, strategies for startups to leverage AI amidst competition from tech giants, and the potential impacts of Generative AI and Large Language Models (LLMs) on computing culture. Ethical considerations and the role of government regulation were also explored.

Attendees were deeply engaged throughout the discussion, with lively exchanges and networking opportunities abound. Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, with praise for the insightful panel and moderator, as well as appreciation for the chance to connect with fellow enthusiasts in the AI ecosystem.

Overall, the event was a resounding success, leaving attendees eager for future gatherings and discussions on cutting-edge topics.  

Special thanks are due to the LebNet Boston leadership team for organizing this successful event, for the Lebanese Club at MIT for hosting, and for E14 for sponsoring the event.

On March 16th, LebNet proudly celebrated Youmna Chamcham as the recipient of the 5th Bireme Award for Philanthropist of the Year in LA/OC, an honor bestowed upon individuals who demonstrate extraordinary dedication to giving back to Lebanon. Youmna's remarkable contributions through her endeavors with Live Love Beirut exemplify the essence of a global citizen, enriching lives and spreading positivity worldwide. Her selfless dedication truly embodies the transformative power of giving from the heart. In recognition of Youmna’s contributions, a cedar tree was adopted and planted in her name in Lebanon, symbolizing her as a beacon of light whose impact on the world and enduring legacy will continue to grow and flourish.

During the discussion, Youmna shared that despite Lebanon's challenging reality, her driving force behind Live Love Beirut was to preserve the beauty of her childhood memories and Lebanon’s essence, while also inspiring positive change. Transitioning to MiniStudio.AI, Youmna discussed her journey from traditional media and her evolution into a tech AI-powered company aimed at nurturing children’s imagination and fostering their enchantment. She highlighted the exciting advancements in AI, particularly its potential in enhancing children’s education.  Peering into the future, Youmna eagerly anticipates motherhood and expresses optimism and continued successful global impact through her work. Her dedication to philanthropy and innovation serves as an inspiration to all, offering hope for a better future for Lebanon and beyond.

Sincere thanks to the LebNet LA/OC community for attending the event, to the LebNet LA/OC leadership team for organizing this successful gathering, and especially to USC for hosting. The LA/OC Lebnet leadership members are Samer Hijazi (leader), Nadine Traboulsi, Joelle Harika, Elie Harika, Nabil Kabbani, Kareem Dibs and Giovanni Zaarour.

On March 8th, LebNet Pacific Northwest hosted an engaging event focused on Leadership, drawing attendees eager to explore the foundational principles and values of outstanding leadership. One standout aspect of the event was the diverse range of panelists, each bringing unique experience levels and backgrounds from various industries. Widad Mashmoushi, Jad Rizk, and Ali Shami shared their expertise, enriching the discussions with their valuable insights and perspectives. Moderator Peter Kairouz skillfully guided the conversation, ensuring a smooth flow of ideas and interaction among the participants.

This diversity resonated well with the audience, composed of individual contributors, managers, and those aspiring to transition into leadership roles. The interactive nature of the audience added depth to the discussions, fostering an environment of shared learning and collaboration. Feedback from attendees highlighted the inclusivity of the event, particularly the ability to attract participants from varied age groups. Attendees expressed enthusiasm for future events of similar caliber, emphasizing the positive impact and potential for continued growth within the community.

Overall, the Leadership event organized by LebNet Pacific Northwest was a resounding success, serving as a platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and inspiration for individuals at all stages of their professional journeys. Special thanks to panelists Widad Mashmoushi, Jad Rizk, and Ali Shami, as well as moderator Peter Kairouz, for their invaluable contributions to the event's success. 

A sincere thank you is extended to the LebNet PNW community for their enthusiastic participation, and to the dedicated leadership team for orchestrating this remarkable gathering. Kudos to Omar Kahil, Hadi Kotaich (whose efforts facilitated the venue at MSFT!), Widad Machmouchi, and Jad Rizk of the PNW Lebnet team for their instrumental roles in making this event a resounding success.  See you all soon at our next event!

LebNet San Diego had the honor of hosting Professor Gabriel Rebeiz from the University of California San Diego for an unforgettable fireside chat and Bireme award recognition ceremony on March 7th.Attended by 50 members of the San Diego community, the event was a celebration of Professor Rebeiz's remarkable contributions to science and technology.

With skillful moderation by Aziz Gholmieh and Diana Maamari, and lively engagement by the attendees, Professor Rebeiz delved into his impressive achievements, including the design of silicon RFICs for microwave and millimeter-wave systems, phased arrays for SATCOM and 5G, collision avoidance systems for automotive applications, active and passive imaging systems, RF MEMS, and tunable filters and antennas. He also shared his excitement for future endeavors, such as advancing automotive radars for Level 5 autonomous driving and contributing to non-terrestrial networks (NTN).

Throughout the conversation, Professor Rebeiz expressed his pride in his family and highlighted his passion for teaching and training the next generation of engineers. When asked about Lebanese people, he commented " Lebanese people are passionate people with drive and ambition, and that translates into successful individuals." He further commented on the high quality of Lebanese education, highlighting its importance in nurturing talented individuals.

George Akiki, president of LebNet, was in attendance and expressed gratitude for Professor Rebeiz's profound impact on the field. In recognition of his contributions, a cedar tree was adopted and planted in Professor Rebeiz's name in Lebanon, symbolizing his enduring legacy.

Sincere thanks to the LebNet SD community for attending the event, to the LebNet SD leadership team for organizing this successful gathering, and especially to Prof. Shadi Dayeh for graciously hosting at UCSD. The San Diego Lebnet team members are Aziz Gholmieh, Fram Akiki, Diana Maamari, Cynthia Jereige Chammas, Jean Abou Rahal, Prof. Shadi Dayeh, Andrew Ghafari and Reem Masri.

The evening was a testament to Professor Rebeiz's exceptional career and his dedication to pushing the boundaries of engineering innovation.  Our heartfelt gratitude to Professor Rebeiz for an inspiring and insightful evening.

On March 4th, 19 members of the LebNet Toronto community gathered for a networking session and discussion on Gen AI. Attendees had the opportunity to mingle with Nada Farah, Jamil Mina, and Fadwa Mohanna, delving into the future of Gen AI and its implications across different industries. The relaxed format proved highly engaging, with attendees expressing enjoyment and eager anticipation for the next gathering. Stay tuned for our next event, where we'll be exploring the topic of digital identity!