Izdihar Libnan Team

Samir Raad

Founder of Izdihar Libnan

⸻ FOUNDER

Lebanon Visit

Since the first time I traveled to Lebanon with my father to learn about our family, culture, and heritage, I have been captivated by the country. Every aspect of life in Lebanon had me mesmerized and I was eager to learn more. I found every reason to return: visit more of my family, continue my university studies, and accepted an internship at the United Nations Development Program in Beirut. As time went on, I visited Lebanon more frequently and I started to see the cracks beneath the surface, understanding more that behind the bright lights, aromatic cuisine, and the stunning geography that makes Lebanon addictive, there are substantive issues that need to be recognized and addressed for the country to continue moving forward.

One-Way Ticket

In 2014, I bought a one way ticket to Lebanon to help in any way that I could. I found work for an International NGO supporting the economy, which gave me a unique insight into how we can better support communities through market interventions and targeted financial support. Even though there were times that felt hopeless, I recognized that given the right opportunity, people take action to positively impact their lives.

Supporting Entrepreneurs

Fast forward six years after moving around the Middle East supporting multiple humanitarian crises, marrying the love of my life and having two incredible little ones, and spending my covid lockdown reading and hearing from family and friends about the strife within Lebanon, it was time for me to take what I have learned and use the resources I have acquired to support Lebanon and its people. I believe by supporting entrepreneurs with a holistic business development package to start impactful new businesses that focus on having a positive community impact and promote meaningful employment, we can increase economic growth in local communities and also bring back hope where it is so desperately needed. And with that notion, and the help of many of my peers, Izdihar Libnan was formed to support entrepreneurs for a more prosperous Lebanon.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Meet the Board of Directors that are leading Izdihar Libnan

MOHAMMAD AL OTHMAN

Mohammad is a Certified Internal Auditor in Lebanon with a degree in Accounting and Finance from the American University of Beirut and a Masters in Finance from The Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration. Mohammad has worked as an auditor at Ernst & Young where he gained substantial knowledge in finance and accounting through auditing clients from diverse industries and regions. Mohammad is the Head of Finance at a startup based in Montréal.

CLAIRE TIFFEN

Claire has an extensive amount of experience in the Middle East and globally in the disaster risk management sector, with a wider variety of roles in conflict and disaster-prone countries, including living and working in Lebanon. She has led emergency responses and brings an expertise in programme leadership and coordination, financial operations, and partnership support and direct implementation. Claire currently lives and works in London and is excited to be supporting Lebanon again.

SARAH KOUZI

Sarah has more than twenty years of experience in the development field, including working with the United Nations, the public/private sector, and both local and international NGOs. Her expertise includes Monitoring and Evaluation, developing Community Accountability and Reporting Mechanisms, and Gender Minimum Standards. In her current role at the American University of Beirut, she is responsible for economically empowering vulnerable youth through the digital economy. Sarah holds a Master of Public Health from the AUB.

Charbel Moussa

Charbel has extensive experience in finance, audits, compliance & operations for both the private and nonprofit sector. His professional focus includes grants & sub-grants management, fraud & investigation, as well as capacity strengthening for local NGOs in Lebanon and across the Middle East. Charbel has a degree in Business Administration - Audit, from Holy Spirit University of Kaslik.

NICOLAS MELKI, Esq.

Nicolas is an attorney at law admitted to practice in New York and Beirut. He holds a law degree from Saint Joseph University and an L.LM from Duke University School of Law. Having worked at reputable international law firms in Paris and Dubai, Nicolas specializes in cross-border corporate and transactional law. He currently works at Melki & Associates – Law firm.

The team behind Izdihar Libnan

IZDIHAR LIBNAN TEAM