Dr. Jenny Gemayel is a telecommunications and executive management professional with more than 30 years of experience in regulation, strategy, business intelligence and digital transformation.

Before her appointment as Chairwoman of Lebanon’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority in September 2025, she held senior leadership positions at Ogero and contributed to major sector initiatives, including the development of the Liban Telecom business plan.

Her career also includes international experience at British Telecom Europe in Paris and advisory work in market analysis, tariff policy and industry benchmarking.

Dr. Gemayel also lectures at Saint Joseph University of Beirut in data analytics, digital strategy and the digital economy. She holds an Executive Doctorate in Business Administration, an MBA, and master’s degrees in mathematics engineering and computer science.

A seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in Interior and Landscape design development across diverse projects in Lebanon, Jordan, KSA, Qatar, Equatorial Guinea, Benin and Nigeria.

• Interior Architecture: Expertise in managing projects from concept to execution, delivering innovative, elegant, and practical designs for residential spaces, commercial, retail, offices, restaurants, and hospitality projects.
• Landscape Architecture: skilled in designing functional, sustainable, and aesthetic landscapes for residential and public spaces.
• Education: over two decades of academic experience. As a professor at the Lebanese University, Faculty of Fine Arts & Architecture, Branch 2 - where I have also been assigned as Head of the Interior Architecture Department since 2023 – alongside my previous teaching roles at ESAR (École supérieure d’architecture de Beyrouth - USJ) and ESIB (l'École Supérieure d'Ingénieurs de Beyrouth - USJ), mentoring future architects.

A detail-oriented, efficient professional with exceptional communication and coordination skills, committed to delivering high-quality, innovative design solutions.

Bilal J. Hussein is an elected member of the Tripoli Municipal Council and Head of its Development and International Cooperation Committee. He brings over a decade of experience in development, stabilization, peacebuilding, and program management across Lebanon and the region. With a background in Management Engineering, he has managed multimillion-dollar programs with USAID, UNDP, ICRC, PwC, Blumont, and Chemonics International across Lebanon, Syria, Libya, and Saudi Arabia.

In his current municipal role, Bilal works to mobilize international partnerships and development resources for Tripoli and advance strategic initiatives addressing the city’s most pressing challenges. His portfolio includes urban development and regeneration, municipal infrastructure, social and economic development, and, particularly, the growing challenge of unsafe and collapsing buildings. He is actively engaged in strengthening coordination between the Municipality, engineers, public institutions, international organizations, and donors to develop sustainable responses to Tripoli’s urban challenges.

Maya Hmeidan is a heritage management specialist, with over 15 years of experience dedicated to sustainable preservation and promotion of cultural heritage in Lebanon. Since 2016, Maya has served as a Cultural Heritage Consultant for UNESCO’s Regional Office in Beirut. In this capacity, she has played a central role in significant heritage conservation and community engagement initiatives, including the documentation and conservation of Baalbek and Tyre World Heritage sites and post-crisis urban heritage mapping in areas affected by the 2020 Beirut Port Blast. Most notably, Maya technically coordinated and managed the development of a Conservation Management Plan for the Rachid Karami International Fairground, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Danger. As a co- editor and co-author of the Fair’s Conservation Management Plan, she also oversaw the entire production of its final publication.

In addition to her practical work, Maya has presented research in leading international conferences. Her scholarly contributions include publications addressing challenges in conserving modern heritage, enhancing World Heritage management in Lebanon, and advocating for inclusive heritage practices.

Holding postgraduate degrees in both Archaeology and Heritage Management from Leicester University (UK) and Lebanese University, Maya's work consistently integrates inclusive methodologies and reflects a profound commitment to human rights, accessibility, sustainable development, and community empowerment within cultural heritage.

1. Academic Background – Specialization
Civil Engineering / Economics, Faculty of Engineering, Saint Joseph University, 1985.
2. Professional and Academic Career – Initiatives

• Consulting engineer since graduation in 1985, undertaking engineering studies and supervision.
• Consultant to donor institutions, including World Vision, the World Bank, the Kuwait Fund, the Italian Embassy, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

3. Public Service and Professional Practice

• Official volunteer service: Member of the Baalbek Municipal Council, 1998–2004.
• Engineering studies and supervision for local development projects and initiatives.
• Initiator and developer of model designs following the July 2006 War.

4. Order of Engineers and Architects – Professional Activities
Selected assignments and achievements related to the subject of buildings requiring attention and rehabilitation:

• Member of technical committees at LIBNOR and Secretary of the Specifications Follow-up Committee at the Order of Engineers and Architects, 2014–2020.
• Drafted the text concerning the recycling of solid waste generated by construction projects.
• Representative of the Order of Engineers and Architects – Beirut on the National Committee overseeing the implementation of Lebanon’s waste management plan, 2018.
• Head of the Building Survey Operations Room following the Beirut Port explosion.

5. Associations and Non-Governmental Activities

• Founder and President of the Lebanese Association for Earthquake Risk Mitigation, serving during 2011–2014, 2014–2017, and 2022–2025, and continuing to the present.
• Secretary General of the Alumni Association of the Higher Institute of Engineering – Saint Joseph University, 2007–2010.
• Treasurer of the Lebanon Green Building Council, during 2015–2016 and 2017–2018.
• Advisor to the Governors of Beirut and Mount Lebanon on engineering and public-safety matters since 2020, carrying out major assignments, particularly following the 2023 Türkiye earthquake, the Mansourieh building collapse, incidents involving buildings in Choueifat, and other major cases.
• Managed the Beirut Municipality hotline from 16 February 2023 for 11 months, responding to citizens’ requests and addressing their needs.
   

Dr. Hasan Youness is a university professor at the Lebanese American University, where he teaches entrepreneurship, leadership, content creation, and influencer marketing. An entrepreneur and communication specialist, he is the co-founder of Insights for Consultancy and Astarté, a dermocosmetics and skincare company with a growing international presence. Throughout his career, Dr. Youness has collaborated with international organizations and development partners, designing and leading programs in entrepreneurship, strategic communication, sustainability, and leadership. He is also the author of #TrendsOfBusiness, a strategic advisor, and a recognized media commentator on business and socioeconomic affairs. His work bridges academic insight, entrepreneurial practice, and high-level public dialogue.

I’m pleased to be joining Project Lebanon & Interiors Lebanon 2026, taking place from 29 September to 2 October at Seaside Arena, Beirut.

On Day 1, I’ll be joining the panel discussion “Powering Recovery: Decentralized Solar Microgrids, Grid Modernization and Critical Energy Infrastructure.”

Lebanon has spent years learning to live around its grid: generators, private networks, rooftop solar improvised at scale. That resilience is real, but it is not a system. And rebuilding the same grid with newer materials will not change what has been broken all along. The country’s network is largely blind. Faults are found by outage, not by data. Losses are absorbed, not measured. Solar is connected faster than anyone can see what it is doing to the low-voltage network.

This is where the conversation has to shift. Lebanon does not need a grid that is repaired. It needs a grid that can see itself, one that locates a fault before crews go searching, shows where the losses actually sit, and knows what it can absorb before the next hundred rooftops come online. Recovery is the rare moment when that can be built in from the start, rather than retrofitted a decade too late.

That is what I will be bringing to this panel.

Join us at Project Lebanon & Interiors Lebanon 2026. Register for free and be part of the conversation powering Lebanon’s recovery. See you there, virtually!

Bassam Nakfour is the Managing Partner of Mega Prefab, a Lebanese leader in precast concrete and prefabricated construction based in Beirut, with operations extending across all of Lebanon. A second-generation engineer, Bassam holds a Master of Engineering in Civil Engineering from the American University of Beirut and took the helm of the family business after more than a decade at the company, building on the foundation laid by his father, Professor Marwan Nakfour, who founded Mega Prefab in 1995 and introduced hollow core slab technology to Lebanon.

Since 2009, under Bassam's leadership, Mega Prefab has expanded its capabilities to include post-tension systems and a dedicated prefab house division, while modernizing the company's operations through digitization. His work spans the full lifecycle of precast construction, from structural design and factory manufacturing to on-site assembly, covering hollow core slabs, precast structural buildings, post-tension systems, and precision-engineered concrete homes.

Today, Bassam oversees Mega Prefab's strategic direction, operations, and client relationships, driving the company's growth across the region while staying rooted in the factory-first, precast manufacturing model that has defined the brand for three decades.

Michael is the founder of KIUBZ Prefabs, a design and construction company specializing in high-quality, customizable prefabricated spaces.

His journey began over a decade ago as an engineer in New York. His time there sparked his interest in alternative ways of building and living. Seeing the potential of modular construction and the possibility of designing and building spaces more efficiently, he returned to Lebanon with the ambition of introducing a prefabricated building solution that was still largely absent from the local market.

Over the years, Michael has developed his approach around the idea that prefabrication does not have to mean standardization. He believes that every project should respond to its client, its function, and its environment, while bringing together architecture, engineering, and craftsmanship.

This path has led him to work across a wide range of projects, from modular homes, tiny houses, and cabins to hospitality and commercial spaces, always with a focus on customization, and quality.

Sustainability has also remained an important ingredient of his work. Through the use of responsible material and energy-efficient systems, reduced construction waste, and the possibility of repurposing or relocating structures, Michael continues to look for solutions to make construction more adaptable, and mindful for the Lebanese, more recently the MENA, and European markets.

Accomplished and innovative architect, urban planner, and real estate development specialist with over 35 years of experience in architectural design, project management, and real estate investment. Proven expertise in managing large scale residential, commercial and public sector projects from inception through to completion.  Known for creating advanced concept designs and aesthetically compelling spaces that integrate with the surrounding environment and meet client needs. Demonstrated leadership abilities in guiding multidisciplinary teams, mentoring architects and collaborating with Engineers, Contractors and Stakeholders to deliver successful outcomes.

Ranked first candidate for the position of Secretary General of the Council for Development and Reconstruction | CDR, Lebanon, in May 2025.  Founder and CEO of multiple architectural firms operating across Lebanon, the United States, and internationally. Specialized in high-end residential, commercial, and hospitality projects with a strong focus on sustainability, urban development, and strategic real estate investments. Extensive expertise in leading multidisciplinary teams, managing complex projects, and collaborating with international firms across Lebanon, Spain, Germany, the UK, the U.S., Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, Qatar, Iraq and the UAE.

Telecom and technology leader with 30 years’ experience in private and public sectors, Patrick Farajian is currently the Chairman and CEO of Sodetel, a telecom operator in Lebanon, which offers fixed and wireless broadband services. He orchestrated a successful turnaround and positioned the company on high-growth markets.

Previously he led the set-up of a new regulatory authority and the development of sector reform strategy including liberalization/privatization within the Ministry of telecommunications in Lebanon and managed cross-cultural teams to implement large infrastructure projects.

Earlier in his career, he held senior positions in the planning department of Nortel Networks in Canada, focusing on the Marketing and deployment of fiber networks in North American cities.

Patrick Farajian serves on the board of directors of a number of organizations and was the treasurer of the Lebanese Businessmen Association. He enjoys multi-cultural environments having lived/worked in Canada, France and Lebanon.

He has a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering (Honors) and a Master of Engineering in telecommunications from McGill University and an MBA (with distinction) from INSEAD.

Eng. Pierre Toufic Khoury has more than 27 years of experience in energy policy development and sustainable energy projects. He currently serves as Secretary of the Lebanon Member Committee of the World Energy Council, an international organization headquartered in London, and works as a consultant specializing in sustainable energy.

From 2005 to 2025, Eng. Khoury served as President and General Director of the Lebanese Center for Energy Conservation (LCEC), Lebanon’s national energy agency. He played a key role in developing Lebanon’s National Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Action Plans, contributing to renewable energy accounting for approximately 25% of Lebanon’s energy consumption by 2024. He was also instrumental in implementing the National Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Action (NEEREA) financing mechanism, which financed more than 1,100 energy projects in Lebanon, representing investments exceeding USD 700 million.

Throughout his work at LCEC and the Ministry of Energy and Water, Eng. Khoury was actively involved in major negotiations and discussions concerning the restructuring of Lebanon’s electricity sector, particularly in collaboration with the World Bank.

Eng. Khoury serves on the External Advisory Boards of the Electrical and Computer Engineering departments at the American University of Beirut (AUB), Beirut Arab University (BAU), Rafik Hariri University (RHU), and the American University of Science and Technology (AUST).

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering and a Master’s degree in Engineering Management, both from the American University of Beirut.

Educational Background:

• Bachelor in Mechanical Engineering with honors from Lebanese University - Branch 2
• Master in Business Administration from Notre-Dame University – Louaize in Lebanon
• Master in International Business from  Bordeaux Business School in France

Current Professional Function :

Vice President  of Phoenix Group ( Indevco): in Lebanon /Egypt /Cyprus /Greece and France

Current Academic Function :

Since 1997 , A part-time professor in the Faculty of Business Administration and Economics and faculty of engineering in the following universities :

Notre Dame University (NDU), Sagesse University and USEK

Membership in professional groups:

• Advisory board member in the World Energy Council  (WEC )
• Board member in  the Lebanese Solar Energy Society (LSES)
• Founding Member in the Lebanese Foundation for Renewable Energy (LFRE)
• Syndicate of engineers and architectures - Beirut
• Institution of mechanical engineers –UK
• Advisory Board member for ESIB(USJ )/ Sagesse University /NDU/AUST and USEK universities.

Rabih Osta holds over 25 years of experience in operations and project management within the industrial , Construction ,  E-mobility and renewable energy fields.

Salim Abou Rizk is an architect and urban planner with extensive experience in architecture, urban planning, urban design, and territorial development in Lebanon, the Middle East, and Africa. He has collaborated with leading local and international urban planning, urban design and architecture agencies on major projects in Lebanon and abroad, including Iraq, Syria, and KSA, working across strategic and urban planning, detailed development, urban design, and large scale architecture projects. He is Head of the Department of Architecture, Faculty of Fine Arts and Architecture -Branch II-  at the Lebanese University, where he is also an Assistant Professor in charge of the Architecture and Urban Design and Urban Project workshops. He is a founding member of the Association of Urban Planners at the Lebanese Order of Engineers and Architects.

With a wealth of experience spanning over three decades in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, he has held leadership roles across various prominent professional services firms, including EY, KPMG and PwC, where he has advised multinational companies, governments, and large organizations on complex tax strategies and policies. Wadih’s expertise covers a wide range of tax services, including both direct and indirect taxation, restructuring, financial advisory, and regulatory compliance.

Throughout his career, Wadih has worked extensively on tax advisory projects, assisting clients in navigating tax systems both internationally and domestically. He has built strong relationships with tax authorities and key stakeholders across the MENA region, providing invaluable insights on tax compliance and policy issues.

A Canadian CPA, Wadih is also a member of the Quebec Chartered Professional Accountants Association and the Lebanese Association of Certified Public Accountants (LACPA). He has been a trusted advisor, bringing his knowledge and practical experience to help organizations manage their tax affairs efficiently and strategically.

Wissam Takieddine is the CEO and Co-Founder of The Eden Group, with over 20 years of experience in engineering management, construction management, and project development. He has led the successful delivery of more than 2,000 projects across California, spanning commercial, residential, industrial, hospitality, and retail developments. His portfolio includes leadership on NASA’s Deep Space Network antenna infrastructure upgrade project, the West Coast Racers roller coaster at Six Flags, and projects for Chipotle and Disneyland.

Known for combining technical expertise with strong leadership and clear communication, Wissam works closely with developers, architects, public agencies, and project teams to deliver projects with a focus on quality, efficiency, and accountability. Under his leadership, The Eden Group has grown into a trusted multidisciplinary engineering and construction management firm with three offices across California and a newly opened Middle East headquarters in Lebanon.

Born in Beirut (1968). Bernard khoury studied architecture at the Rhode Island school of Design (BFA 1990 / B.Arch 1991) and Harvard University (M.Arch 1993). 

He was awarded by the municipality of Rome, the Borromini Prize honorable mention given to architects under 40 years of age (2001), the Architecture + Award (2004), the CNBC Award (2008) and nominated for several awards including the Aga Khan award (2002 / 2004/ 2021), the Chernikov prize (2010) and the Mies van der Rohe Award (2021).

He co-founded the Arab Center for Architecture (2008), was a visiting professor in several universities including the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne and L’Ecole Spéciale d’Architecture in Paris. He has lectured and exhibited his work in over 150 institutions, including solo shows at the Aedes gallery in Berlin (2003), the Spazio per l’architecttura Milano (2016) and numerous group shows including YOU prison at the Fondazione Sandretto in Torino (2008), the opening show of the MAXXI museum in Roma (2010), the Frac Architecture Biennale in Orleans (2018), the Oris House of Architecture in Zagreb (2020) and the Architecture Biennale of Seoul (2021).

He was the architect and co-curator of the Kingdom of Bahrain’s national pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale (2014). Over the years he has developed an international reputation and a diverse portfolio of projects in over fifteen countries. Khoury was nominated by the French Ministry of Culture Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres (2020) 

Dr. Amine-Jules Iskandar is specialized in the history of Lebanese architecture and Syriac-Maronite heritage.

He is currently director of the Institute of Lebanese Thought at NDU-Louaizé

Since 1995 he has been “teaching architecture design” at the Institute of Fine-Arts and Architecture of the Lebanese University.

From 2004 to 2008, he taught Syriac at the Friends of the Syriac Language in Bauchrié, Beirut.

His office, Trifora, works in Lebanon since 1995 and is mainly specialized in building traditional and modern villas and houses all over Lebanon, from Marjayoun to Bcharré. These projects can be visited on Facebook and on Instagram under the name Trifora Architecture.

Dr. Amine-Jules Iskandar is the president of Tur Levnon (Mount Lebanon), an association dedicated to the reintroduction of Syriac language in Christian Lebanese schools, as well as spreading awareness about history and identity.

Tur Levnon is on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and www.tur-levnon.org

Since 2021 he has been writing for:

Ici Beyrouth  https://icibeyrouth.com/

This is Beirut  https://thisisbeirut.com.lb/

Maronitas  https://www.maronitas.org/

Levant Time https://levanttime.com/

Dr. Karen Boujaoude is an accomplished academic and experienced architect, with a distinguished career spanning multiple roles in higher education and the design and construction industry. Currently serving as the Dean of the Ramez G. Chagoury Faculty of Architecture, Arts and Design at Notre Dame University-Louaize (NDU), she has led various departments, including Architecture, Design, and Music. Dr. Boujaoude has been instrumental in shaping the faculty’s academic vision, particularly in fostering a comprehensive approach to architectural education and research.

Education:
Dr. Boujaoude holds a Doctorate in Project Management from Grenoble Ecole de Management, France, completed in December 2012, with her dissertation titled “The Role of Communication in Architecture Project Management.” She also holds a Master of Science in International Business from Bordeaux Business School (2006), a Master in Business Administration from NDU (2006), and a Bachelor of Architecture from the Lebanese American University (LAU), Byblos (2002). She completed her Baccalaureate in Experimental Sciences at Brummana High School in 1997.

Academic Career:
Since joining NDU in 2006, Dr. Boujaoude has held several significant academic positions, including Associate Professor, Chairperson of the Department of Architecture, and, most recently, Dean in 2022. She was instrumental in securing NAAB eligibility for NDU’s Bachelor of Architecture program and has taught a range of courses in architecture, project planning, and building technology.

Professional Experience in Design & Construction:
Alongside her academic career, Dr. Boujaoude has led numerous freelance architectural projects across Lebanon, including residential buildings, villas, and restoration studies. Her expertise in project management is reflected in her design and execution of complex architectural projects, where she has applied her knowledge of planning, scheduling and execution.

Research and Publications:
Dr. Boujaoude’s research interests lie at the intersection of architecture, project management, and communication. She has published several papers in peer-reviewed journals, including Buildings, A+Arch Design, and The Journal of Architectural and Planning Research. Her work has focused on communication processes in building design and construction, project team organization, sustainability in construction, and the ethics of architecture. She has also contributed to conference proceedings, particularly on project team dynamics and the role of communication in architecture.

Leadership and Committee Work:
Dr. Boujaoude is a dedicated leader, serving on multiple committees at NDU, including the Departmental Personnel Committee, Faculty Curriculum Committee, and the Institutional Research Board. Her leadership extends beyond the classroom, with contributions to institutional committees and organizing significant conferences and workshops, such as the Beirut Urban Declaration in 2021, which focused on the reconstruction of Beirut following the 2020 port explosion.

International Engagement:
Dr. Boujaoude’s commitment to academic and professional development extends internationally, with participation in various Erasmus+ workshops and international collaborations. She has served on the scientific committee for the City Street Conference (CS6) at the University of Skopje, North Macedonia, and has contributed to the Taa'ziz project funded by DAAD, fostering cross-university collaborations between institutions in Lebanon, Germany, and Jordan. Building on this international engagement, she is currently leading the organization and hosting of the City Street Conference 7 (CS7) at Notre Dame University–Louaize in October 2026, under the theme “Flexible City Streets.” The conference brings together international academics, researchers, practitioners, and urban design professionals, further strengthening NDU’s role as a platform for international exchange and collaboration in architecture and urbanism.

Supervision and Mentorship:
Dr. Boujaoude has actively supervised and mentored graduate students, guiding them through their thesis projects on topics such as sustainable design, teleworking, and passive design strategies. Her guidance is highly valued by her students, who benefit from her expertise in both architecture and project management.

Rayan Wehbi is the owner of Ray Design Studio, specializing in interior design and bespoke furniture solutions. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design and a Master’s degree in Project Management, combining creative vision with strong organizational and execution skills. 

Since 2015, Rayan has led numerous residential and commercial projects across Lebanon and the GCC, navigating the complexities of design-to-execution with a focus on materials, client collaboration, and cost control. His work emphasizes bridging the gap between rendered concepts and on-site realities, ensuring that every project achieves its intended aesthetic and functional goals. 

With extensive hands-on experience, Rayan is committed to delivering interiors that balance creativity, practicality, and precision. Transforming design visions into built environments that resonate with clients’ needs and aspirations.

Samar Hodroj is a multidisciplinary artist, designer and Creative Director whose work moves fluidly between interiors, art, product design and storytelling. As Co-owner and Creative Director of Lartquitecte Studio, she leads the creative direction behind concepts, bringing together interior architecture, visual identity, objects and experiences.

Her approach is instinctive, playful and deeply expressive. Rather than simply designing spaces, Samar creates worlds where colour, material, form, objects and art come together to tell a story and evoke emotion.

Through her personal creative platform, Mrs. Lartquitecte, she extends this philosophy into statement pieces, homeware, textiles, furniture and artful objects for everyday life. Inspired by the energy, creativity and unpredictability of Beirut, her work is rooted in the belief that design should go beyond beauty and function, it should make you feel something.

Dr. Samer El Sayary is an assistant professor of architecture, researcher, and award-winning architect with a passion for space architecture.

He graduated with honors in 2001 as valedictorian of his class. By 2026, he had received 55 national and international awards and prizes spanning five continents. Selected awards and honors include:

• First Prize, Mars City Design Foundation, Los Angeles, USA (2017).
• Jacques Rougerie Foundation awards, Paris, France (2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2025).
• Kuala Lumpur International Architectural Festival, Malaysia (2019).
• First Prize, Mediterranean Scientific Forum “MEDIBAT”, Tunisia (2011).
• Hasan Fathi Award for Sustainable Architecture, Egypt, received twice (2011 and 2013).
• Recognition by the Society of Egyptian Architects (S.E.A.) in 2017 as one of Egypt’s 100 best architects of the preceding century.

His work has been exhibited internationally, including at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, USA (2019); MEDCOP21 in France (2015); the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) (2021); and the 75th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) (2024). Other exhibitions have taken place in Paris (2016), Greece (2015), Tunisia (2011), Egypt (2011 and 2013), and Malaysia (2019), among other locations.

His work has also been featured in a Discovery Channel UK documentary, on Dutch television and the California Dreamers channel, and in numerous publications and online platforms. These include Wired (2017), UP Magazine, L’Arca, a special edition of L’Architecture d’Aujourd’hui (2021), FIABCI (2020), universetoday.com, designboom.com, archdaily.com, and spacearchitect.org, among others.

Dr. El Sayary has been invited to speak at numerous events and through prominent organizations and media platforms, including the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Los Angeles–Las Vegas Section (AIAA LA/LV) (2020), Forbes Middle East, TEDx BAU (2016), GoLive TV, ideaXme UK (2021), Digital Futures (2021), and CREW Central Asia (2021). His speaking engagements include invitations to deliver more than 133 keynote addresses and public talks across six continents, alongside television interviews in seven countries.

Building on his award-winning projects, he has developed his design work into scientific research and published several papers in Q1-ranked journals and at reputable international conferences.

Alongside his academic and professional practice, he has held several roles:

• Jury member for international design and architecture competitions, including the Mars Society’s colonies competition (2020), IDS Cairo (2020), and the BIM Africa Awards (2021).
• Mars City Design Ambassador (2017–2020).
• Junior Ambassador for the Jacques Rougerie Foundation since 2019.
• ideaXme Ambassador since 2021.
• Autodesk Certified Instructor in digital design and Building Information Modeling (BIM) since 2012.

Over the past 26 years, he has also taught numerous workshops in 13 countries, sharing his expertise in architecture, digital design, and BIM.

Architect Nahla Neeme is the Sustainable Solutions Specialist for Saint-Gobain in the East Mediterranean and Middle East (EMME) region.

She holds a degree in Sustainable Architecture from ESTP Paris, specializing in sustainable construction and buildings, with a thesis focused on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of buildings. She has experience managing sustainable building projects in France and has been working with Saint-Gobain since 2023.

Nahla leads the LCA/EPD community across Saint-Gobain EMME and supports the development of LCA and EPDs across the Middle East. She acts as a link between the Saint-Gobain Central Team in Paris and local businesses, helping teams integrate sustainability into products and construction projects.

Her expertise covers LCA, EPD, HPD, environmental and health certifications, LEED, Health & Wellbeing, and sustainable building regulations. She is also a Climate Fresk facilitator, a member of the Lebanon Green Building Council, and is pursuing studies at AUB focused on sustainable future cities.

Her work focuses on advancing low-carbon, circular and transparent building solutions and supporting the transition toward more sustainable and resilient construction in Lebanon and the wider region.

Elie Gebrayel is an architect and business leader with more than 46 years of experience shaping the built environment across the MENA region. Born in Metn, Lebanon in 1952, he holds Lebanese, Brazilian, and French nationalities. He earned his degree in Architecture from the Lebanese University and pursued further studies in Paris.

In 1980, he co-founded Erga Group with his wife, Architect Randa Faddoul. Under their leadership, the group has grown into a multidisciplinary regional firm operating across 25 countries, with 17 offices and a portfolio exceeding 2,800 delivered projects. He has been instrumental in driving innovation and advancing digital transformation in architecture and engineering throughout the region.

He is a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and several Gulf engineering syndicates in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.

Since 2010, he has served as Mayor of Ghalboun and is the founder of the Clean Environment for Life (CEFL) NGO. He also serves on several academic and civic boards, including LAU, CIH, EDC, CMDR, the Christian-Muslim Dialogue Association in Jbeil, and the Niemeyer Heritage Foundation in Tripoli (NHFT), where he serves as Vice President. He is also a jury member for graduate architecture students at ALBA and USEK Universities. He is also a member of Dialogue des Alphabets.

His work reflects a commitment to architectural excellence, sustainable development, civic engagement, and cross-cultural dialogue.

BUREAU D’ÉTUDES RODOLPHE MATTAR is an established name in the field of structural design and consultancy since 1979. It has successfully delivered over 2,500 engineering projects in Lebanon, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Europe. BERM’s main focus is on reliable, innovative, economical and sustainable engineering solutions.

BERM’s founder, Mr. Rodolphe Mattar is a driven individual and passionate about everything engineering, these traits were apparent at an early age and carried on through school, university and his professional career. His unrelenting interest in new challenges led to his firm taking on structural engineering projects of high technical complexity and scope. This established BERM as a leader in the local and regional markets and its name earned recognition in the field of structural engineering and consultancy.

Joseph Abou Rjeily is the Chief Strategy Officer at Alfa, and a telecommunications strategy and transformation executive with 30 years of professional experience in the industry.

Throughout his career, he has held senior leadership and advisory roles across the telecommunications sector, management consulting, and public-sector advisory. His expertise spans corporate strategy, digital transformation, and the development and implementation of major telecommunications programs for both operators and governments.

Joseph has worked with telecom operators, governments, and institutions across Lebanon, the Middle East, Europe, Latin America, and Africa. He has also contributed to strategic initiatives supporting the modernization and transformation of Lebanon’s telecommunications sector, including mobile network evolution, digital infrastructure development, and sector reform.

An engineer by education, Joseph graduated from the École Supérieure d’Ingénieurs de Beyrouth (ESIB) at Saint Joseph University and holds an MBA from ESA Business School. He is also an author whose publications explore engineering education, Lebanese history, identity, and collective memory.

Mr. Nassib Nasr is a civil engineer and senior healthcare leader who currently serves as the General Manager of the Hôtel-Dieu de France University Hospital and its affiliated hospital network (USJ-HDF) in Beirut, Lebanon. He was previously for 30 years Regional Manager of Apave Group and newly nominated Board Member at Electricité du Liban

General Manager of HDF-USJ Network: He leads the administrative and strategic management of Hôtel-Dieu de France — one of Lebanon’s most important and historic university hospitals — and its expanding network of affiliated healthcare institutions. In this capacity, he represents the hospital in major partnerships, network expansion initiatives, and collaborative agreements with other medical institutions locally and regionally.

He holds a Civil Engineering degree from ESIB-USJ, a master’s in civil engineering from the Centre des Hautes Études de la Construction (CHEC) in Paris, and à DESS in methods and construction from Paris VI University.

Prior to joining CDR, Kabbani was the Founder and Chairman/CEO of KC Engineering & Industry, which he led for more than 21 years. Under his leadership, the company delivered over 100 private- and public-sector projects in the electricity and construction industries across the Middle East and Africa. His career also includes senior and leadership positions with Caporal Moretti in Qatar, ABB in Lebanon, Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Oil Operations (ADCO) in the UAE, London Bridge Engineering in the UK, and Qatar General Petroleum Corporation.

Kabbani holds a Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering from Cornell University and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from George Washington University, where he graduated first in the School of Engineering with distinction. He is also a member of the Lebanon Order of Engineers and Architects and serves on the boards of several business organizations.

With more than 25 years of experience in financial strategy, consultancy, and executive leadership, Mr. El Haddad is a purpose-driven executive who has dedicated his career to driving transformation and leading corporations into success, while placing people at the heart of business.

After more than 11 years as Alfa’s CFO, he assumed the role of Chairman and CEO in September 2025, leading the company through a period of significant economic and operational challenges while driving its financial, technological, and network and digital transformation.

Under his leadership, Alfa achieved 14% year-on-year revenue growth, 5% subscriber growth, and launched Lebanon’s first live 5G experience. Mr. El Haddad led Alfa’s crisis response during the 2026 war, maintaining 70% network availability in high-risk areas and restoring it to 90% through a 30-day post-war recovery plan.

His vision for Alfa is defined by the “Transform Together” commitment, bringing people, technology, and purpose together to build a more connected and future-ready Lebanon.

Zaher Abdallah is a Lebanese interior and landscape architect and the founder of Z.A. Architects, a Beirut-based design studio established in 2011. His work focuses on residential, commercial, hospitality, and landscape projects, with projects in Lebanon and abroad, including the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Iraq, and France.

Since 2011, Z.A. Architects, an innovative and pioneering architectural design studio founded by interior architect Zaher Abdallah in Beirut, Lebanon, has garnered over 15 years of experience in the hospitality, residential, and commercial sectors.

With a portfolio of projects spanning the UAE (Dubai), Oman, Qatar, Iraq (Erbil), and France, Z.A. Architects leverages the extensive expertise of Zaher Abdallah and his team to deliver comprehensive design solutions tailored to meet your specific needs.

In addition to Z.A. Architects, Zaher Abdallah is also the founder of Z.A. Concept, a sister company based in Qatar specializing in furniture manufacturing. Z.A. Concept focuses on producing high-quality furniture pieces, complementing the design expertise and vision of Z.A. Architects.

Gaby Khoriaty is a senior architect and project manager with over 22 years of experience delivering large-scale and complex developments across the Middle East and Africa. He is the Founder and Managing Director of BANAKO Architects FZE and DHK & Associates in Dubai, as well as Managing Partner of BANAKO – Naim Khoriaty S.A.R.L. in Lebanon. His expertise spans master planning, architecture, cultural heritage, design and project management, multidisciplinary coordination, and value engineering. 

Throughout his career, Khoriaty has led and contributed to major projects across the region, including university campuses, hospitality and mixed-use developments, residential communities, and cultural and heritage projects. His work combines architectural design with strategic project leadership, coordinating multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders from concept through delivery. 

Alongside his professional practice, he has been a Professor at the Faculty of Fine Arts and Architecture at the Lebanese University since 2008. He also serves on the Advisory Board of the Rachid Karameh International Fair in Tripoli and previously served as a Council Member and Vice President of the Order of Engineers and Architects – North Lebanon. He is also a founding member of the Lebanon Green Building Council. 

Khoriaty holds a Master’s Degree in Architecture and a Specialized Master’s Degree in Restoration and Conservation from the Lebanese University, both earned with distinction, as well as an Executive MBA from ESCP Europe in Paris.

Wassim Naghi is a consulting architect, restorer, and academic with over 33 years of professional experience in architecture, project management, building restoration, and cultural heritage preservation across Lebanon and the Gulf region. His career combines extensive architectural practice with a longstanding commitment to academia and heritage conservation.

He is an Assistant Professor and former Chairman of the Department of Architecture at the Faculty of Fine Arts and Architecture at the Lebanese University, where he also teaches at the Center for Specialized Graduate Studies in Restoration. Throughout his professional career, he has contributed to the design, execution, and restoration of major developments and buildings, working with leading regional firms and through his own architectural and real-estate development consultancy. 

Naghi is currently President of the Niemeyer Heritage Foundation Association in Tripoli and serves as MENA Ambassador for SHARE Architects. He previously served as President of the Union of Mediterranean Architects (UMAR) and as President of the Architects Branch at the Order of Engineers and Architects in Tripoli. He has also contributed extensively to the preservation of the Rachid Karami International Fair, including work related to its governing law and its inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List. 

He holds a PhD in Architecture, a Master’s degree in Architecture, and a Master’s degree in Restoration and Conservation of Monuments and Historic Sites from the Lebanese University, in addition to a specialized diploma in integrating Artificial Intelligence into architectural education. 

Samar Karam is an archaeologist and senior heritage professional with nearly 30 years of experience in the protection, conservation, and management of Lebanon’s archaeological and historical heritage. She currently serves as Head of Archaeological and Historical Sites in North Lebanon at the Directorate General of Antiquities (DGA), Ministry of Culture, where she has worked since 1996. 

She is also Lebanon’s focal point for World Heritage at UNESCO, coordinating the monitoring and conservation of the country’s World Heritage properties with national and international partners. Her work covers major heritage sites across North Lebanon, including the Citadel of Tripoli, the Historic City of Batroun, the Qadisha World Heritage Site, and the Rachid Karami International Fair. 

Her expertise spans archaeological site management, heritage conservation, cultural property protection, and emergency heritage safeguarding. She holds a BA and MA in Art History and Archaeology from the Lebanese University.

Marie-Josée Rizkallah is a scholar and practitioner specializing in Sacred Art, iconography, and the cultural heritage of Lebanon and the Eastern Mediterranean. She combines deep expertise in the theology and history of sacred imagery with practical training in heritage conservation methods in Lebanon, France, Russia and China, in addition to academic teaching, and heritage advocacy.

She is currently senior lecturer and Director of the Heritage Conservation and Restoration Section at the Lebanese Academy of Fine Arts (ALBA – University of Balamand), directing a programme in partnership with the Institut National du Patrimoine (INP), Paris. She previously taught for more than twelve years at the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK), where she delivered courses on the Theology and History of the Icon, Hagiography and iconography, and artistic expression.

A painter and iconographer by profession, she is also the founder and president of I.C.H.T.A.R. (Identity, Culture, History, Traditions, Arts, Roots), an association dedicated to the safeguarding of Lebanese heritage. A writer since childhood, she is the author of three poetry collections and has contributed to several collective works and to the national and international press; she is a co-founder of the citizen media platform Libnanews, where she has written on heritage, culture, and society since 2006. Her writing has been recognized by several national and university literary competitions since 1999, and in 2025 she was awarded the Naji Naaman International Prize for Creativity and named an honorary member of Maison Naaman pour la Culture.

Alain Chatry is a senior development executive with more than 20 years of experience across the United Nations, international cooperation and partnerships within the local development, crisis management, governance, and the private sector.

He currently serves as Area Manager for UNDP in North Lebanon, where he leads strategic programming, partnerships, and area-based responses. His work spans crisis prevention and recovery, governance, livelihoods and economic recovery, local development, and the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus, with extensive engagement with government institutions, donors, UN agencies, municipalities, civil society, and the private sector.

Throughout his career with the United Nations, Alain has held leadership roles in inter-agency coordination and crisis-response structures, while also advancing local governance and economic development programs and initiatives.

His earlier private-sector experience in management consulting, operations, business intelligence, due diligence, and corporate strategy provides him with a strong understanding of how public institutions, development actors, and businesses can work together to deliver sustainable local development.

He holds an MBA from OUC – Cyprus and a Management bachelor’s degree from Saint Joseph University – USJ , with a particular professional focus on crisis management, governance, public-private partnerships and collaboration, and locally driven development.

Amir Bou Dargham is a Mechanical and Robotics Engineer specializing in autonomous mobile robotics, artificial intelligence, perception, embedded systems, and robotic system integration. With a background in Mechanical Engineering from the Lebanese University and advanced studies in Robotics and System Intelligence at the University of Technology of Compiègne (UTC), his work spans the mechanical, embedded, perception, and software layers required to develop intelligent autonomous robotic systems.

His robotics experience includes ROS 2, NVIDIA Jetson, STM32, LiDAR, depth cameras, SLAM, Nav2, NVIDIA Isaac Sim, autonomous navigation, sensor fusion, and embedded control. He has worked on developing and integrating autonomous mobile platforms involving perception, localization, mapping, navigation, AI-based object detection, and real-world hardware deployment.

Amir’s work focuses on building complete robotic systems that connect mechanical design, electronics, embedded control, perception, and autonomy into reliable platforms for industrial, security, inspection, mapping, and autonomous mobility applications.

Carla Bou Hadir is a Mechanical and Robotics Engineer with a focus on mobile robotics, mechatronics, robotic simulation, perception, and software integration. With a background in Mechanical Engineering from the Lebanese University and advanced studies in robotics at the University of Technology of Compiègne (UTC), she works across the mechanical, embedded, perception, and software layers required to develop intelligent autonomous robotic systems.

Her work includes ROS 2-based mobile robotics, NVIDIA Jetson, STM32, LiDAR, depth cameras, SLAM, Nav2, YOLO, TensorRT, and NVIDIA Isaac Sim. She has contributed to the development, simulation, integration, and testing of autonomous robotic platforms, combining perception, localization, navigation, control, and real-world system deployment.

Carla’s work focuses on bridging simulation and physical robotics, using modern AI, perception, and autonomy tools to accelerate the development of reliable robotic systems for industrial, service, inspection, and autonomous mobility applications

Mhammad Fahes is a Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineer specializing in robotic systems integration, control, perception, simulation, electronics, and autonomous mobile platforms. With a Mechanical Engineering background from the Lebanese University, his work focuses on connecting the mechanical, electrical, embedded, and software components required to transform robotic concepts into functioning physical systems.

His robotics experience includes ROS 2, NVIDIA Jetson, STM32, LiDAR, depth cameras, SLAM, Nav2, YOLO, TensorRT, NVIDIA Isaac Sim, MATLAB, Simulink, kinematics, PID control, and embedded-system integration. He has contributed to the development and testing of autonomous robotic platforms involving perception, localization, navigation, control, thermal imaging, and real-world hardware integration.