As the Country Manager at Aspire Software Lebanon, Nabil Mardelli is responsible for creating, expanding, developing, and running the company’s operations in Lebanon.

One of Nabil’s notable achievements was establishing the company in Lebanon in July 2022.  WIth the support of an inspiring executive team and dedicated colleagues, Nabil successfully grew the team to 100 employees within a year, with plans to double the workforce by the end of 2024.

Nabil holds an engineering degree from the American University in Beirut (AUB) and has obtained various IT certifications.  

Your background in Telecom/IT and operational management is impressive. Tell us briefly about your journey and how it led you to Aspire Software?

I was born and raised in Lebanon before immigrating to Canada in my mid-20s. Despite facing a few hurdles, I embarked on a career spanning over 20 years in the telecommunications industry. Throughout my journey, I primarily specialized in operations, assuming various roles encompassing support, implementation, and service delivery. This path took me across three continents, providing me with invaluable experiences in diverse cultural and professional landscapes.

In October 2021, I joined Aspire Software in Montreal, Canada, as a senior operational director. Subsequently, in July 2022, I had the privilege of establishing our company’s presence in Lebanon, with operations officially starting in September 2022. Aspire Software embodies the mission and culture that I have always sought in a mature company, making it a fulfilling professional environment for me.

Aspire software is the operating arm of Valsoft, can you elaborate on Valsoft’ s mission and how does Aspire contribute to achieving it?

Valsoft is an entrepreneurial company dedicated to the acquisition, enhancement, and sustainable growth of businesses, all while empowering its companies and offering opportunities for its human resources to build a better future. Aspire serves as the operational arm of Valsoft, embodying a commitment to nurturing, enhancing, and growing acquired companies through investment in time, resources, and knowledge.

The leadership team creates an environment of engagement, making difficult decisions easier to own, drive and implement. They possess the expertise to bring out the best in their teams and are deeply committed to career development and growth.

Having worked on 3 continents, what led you to choose Lebanon with Aspire?

In every setting, challenges are inevitable, but at Aspire, we are unwaveringly dedicated to success. With some owners and executives at Valsoft and Aspire, tracing their roots back to Lebanon, our bond with Lebanon as our mother country runs deep. Moreover, Lebanese talent is renowned for its high level of education and proficiency in multiple languages. Our mission at Aspire has been to cultivate an environment where our workforce can thrive and excel to its fullest potential.

Starting Aspire in Lebanon during challenging times required courage:

• What motivated you and kept you optimistic about success?

It never crossed my mind that these challenges could be showstoppers. As I mentioned earlier, the supportive environment fostered by Valsoft and Aspire makes hard tasks easy to achieve. Having the confidence and belief that we can achieve our objectives is a big factor in our success. Thanks to this mindset, we were able to expand the company to 100 employees in less than a year.

• What were the main challenges you encountered when establishing Aspire in Lebanon? How did you overcome them?

Beyond the challenges of high internet cost, unreliability, and frequent government office closures, it’s evident that the Lebanese workforce has lost its ability to envision a future in their homeland. Understandably, the prevailing sentiment is one of disillusionment, leading to a lack of ambition in building careers.

We noticed a lack of hope and aspiration in their mindset, overshadowed by the persistent daily challenges they face. When I asked about their long-term career goals, job seekers often seemed perplexed, as if such aspirations were foreign concepts. In a sense, they were right; I was an alien to their struggles and losses. It became clear that I needed to bring them alternatives and career plans that would foster growth and optimism.

Consequently, we established an environment conducive to nurturing long-term career plans, with each employee encouraged to actively participate and take ownership of their success. Rather than solely attributing challenges to the country's circumstances, our small and dedicated team was empowered to be part of the solution.

As Lebanon’s Country Manager, what aspect of your daily responsibilities do you find most fulfilling?

Working closely with our employees is the most fulfilling aspect of my role. Anticipating opportunities for mutual growth and helping them realize their achievements and contributions are fundamental to their career growth and to building a successful company.

What is your long-term vision for Aspire software in Lebanon? Do you foresee expansion in new markets?

Valsoft’s acquisitions have nearly doubled from what they were two years ago, and we are on track to reach nearly 100 companies by the end of 2024. With this growth, the demand for Lebanese talent is expected to increase significantly, prompting us to aim to double our resources by the year’s end. We have ongoing plans for further expansion and recruitment, which are currently under evaluation.

After building your team in Lebanon, what advice do you have for young professionals entering the workforce?

Be humble and stay hungry. Believe in teamwork and in the company’s core values. Focus on building your career and think long term.

Is there anything else you’d like to share about your journey with Aspire?

We cannot achieve our objectives without the right structure and colleagues. I am truly blessed to be surrounded by talented individuals who consistently bring their best to the table and understand the importance of teamwork and a shared vision. Aspire Software’s journey in Lebanon started as a risky challenge, but it has become our finest and most remarkable project. Moving forward, we are committed to continued growth and expansion while remaining true to our culture and core values.