Mariam Dabboussi, Product Manager at YouTube, is part of the team that oversees the Homepage for 2.7 billion users worldwide. Currently, her focus is on enhancing the viewing experience for women by personalizing and improving recommendations. She joined Alphabet in 2018 driven by her passion for technology's transformative potential and its capacity to provide equal opportunities for all.

Before her current role, Mariam was a Regional Marketing Manager at Google focused on leveraging technology for Arabic users in the Middle East & North Africa. She spearheaded projects to improve the region’s representation within tech, such as launching the Google Assistant in Arabic across 18 markets and redefining its response to emotional distress, scaled to languages globally.  

In addition to her professional endeavors, Mariam generously volunteers with LebNet's Women in Tech community Tech Fellows program.  Through this initiative, she actively support first generation, low income students in navigating a successful career path in the tech industry post graduation.

Mariam holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering from the American University of Beirut (AUB).

How would you describe your career path and what do you enjoy most about your current job?

I’m currently a Product Manager at YouTube, and am part of the team focused on enhancing the personalization of YouTube recommendations for our vast user base of 2.7 billion globally, with the goal to drive user growth. Right now, I’m focused on improving the viewing experience for women across YouTube by introducing AI and algorithm fairness to the recommendations system to make YouTube more personalized and valuable for women worldwide, catering to their diverse needs.

In 2018, I joined Google driven by my passion for technology and its ability to positively transform lives on a large scale, creating equal opportunities for all. Prior to this role, I served as a Regional Marketing Manager at Google, where my efforts were centered around harnessing technology’s potential to benefit millions of Arabic-speaking users across the Middle East & North Africa. Some notable achievements from this role include launching the Google Assistant in Arabic, creating an interactive platform to showcase Africa’s oldest civilization to a global audience, and revolutionizing Google Assistant’s capability to provide support for users experiencing emotional distress, a solution later implemented across multiple languages worldwide.

Almost 1 year ago, you filed your first patent at Google. Can you tell us more about it?

In late 2021 and early 2022, amidst the growing excitement for the World Cup in Qatar, I identified a significant gap. How can we make it easier to find establishments such as cafes, bars, and restaurants screening the World Cup? This query evolved into a feature that I believed Google Search and Maps could effectively facilitate.

In discussions with a few colleagues, we collectively filed US-20230308829-A1, proposing a system designed to enable Searching For Local Establishments Based On Content Presented (link). We envisioned that the application of this solution could extend beyond the World Cup to any major sports league or competition. From La Liga to The World Cricket League, users would no longer need to contact the establishments to confirm if they’re airing the game, simplifying the viewing experience with friends.

In 2022, you were selected as part of the 2022 IMF (International Monetary Fund) Youth Fellowship program, where you discussed global economic challenges and focused on responses to help with inclusive 

growth, climate change and building a better future for youth.

Share with us one of your innovative ideas on climate change, inflation and food insecurities, and in your opinion, how can it be fixed.

The fellowship provided me with an enriching experience, deepening my understanding of the IMF and its mission to support economic policies that promote financial stability and monetary cooperation, and address future challenges affecting the economy and job creation.

My fellowship focused on Climate Change, during which my team researched the countries responsible for the largest carbon emissions presently. We provided counsel on policy improvements that could be implemented. For instance, we proposed that the United States consider adopting a tax credit or rebate policy to incentivize multinational corporations to invest in carbon capture technology, thereby offsetting and reducing their carbon emissions. This could be achieved through methods such as imposing additional tariffs commensurate with the level of carbon emissions, or granting tax relief to compliant companies.

What inspired you to co-found “Arabs@Google”, and what’s “Arabs@Google” mission?

We created Arabs@Google, an Employee Resource Group at Google, to foster a community to advance shared professional and community objectives among Arabs and allies globally (comprising over 2000 members).

Our initiative was founded by bringing together existing regional Arab focused groups to strengthen our efforts of building community within Google. By amplifying Arab voices and promoting broader awareness of Arab perspectives, we can foster an inclusive environment for cultural exchange. The group is committed to offering mentorship, support, and hold space for Arab Googlers from various regions, offices, and faiths to connect and thrive.

You received many awards and got honoured many times. Tell us more about your “Rising Star Award” from WOMENAiT.

Women Of MENA In Technology (WOMENAiT) is an NGO established in Silicon Valley, with a mission to close the diversity and gender gap in STEM by connecting, mentoring, educating and elevating Middle Eastern and North African women in STEM globally.

The Rising Star award recognizes emerging talent in STEM under the age of 30, who in their short time rising up are already reaching back. I am deeply grateful to the WOMENAiT board and team for selecting me for this prestigious award in 2023. It is an immense honor to be recognized for my work in the Middle East and North Africa, increasing the region’s representation in tech.

Specifically, my work on projects such as the Google Assistant in Arabic and the rollout of emotional wellbeing feature during the COVID19 pandemic, which was later scaled to English and other languages globally has been highlighted. This award serves as both recognition of past achievements and motivation to continue making meaningful contributions to the field.

What is your most proud of accomplishment you did so far?

My current work is a profound source of pride and fulfillment for me. Improving the women experience on YouTube is deeply connected to 

my mission of creating a more equitable and representative experience for women and underrepresented groups in the tech industry. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to focus on this space and to work on algorithm fairness within our recommendations system.

What advice would you give to changemakers, like yourself, to start their journey and achieve their goals?

The best advice I’ve received, and one that I’d like to share with you, is to lean into what uniquely qualifies your background for the role you’re interested in. When aiming for a software engineering position at a big tech company, you’re competing with the brightest minds globally. However, if for instance your goal is to secure a software engineering role focused on internationalization at big tech where your passion, interests, and experience lie in launching products on a global scale, the pool of candidates well-suited for this role is much smaller.

Lean into what makes you unique and tell a story with your background that is so connected with your goals, making it a no brainer that you are made for the role.