ISC-SABIS® Alumni | Meet the Candidates

KARAM FAKHRY

Karam Fakhry (Class of 2019) graduated from the Lebanese American University with a BS in Business Entrepreneurship. He started his career early when he was just a student at SIS-Adma in 2017 and took control of Establishment Karam Fakhry founded by his father in 1995. Today, he is the General Manager at EKF. At the beginning of 2022, he founded his new company The Outlet by FTC which is the newest addition to Fakhry Trading Group established by Karam’s grandfather in 1986.

“ISC-SABIS^® Alumni Association takes me back to the best days of my life at SIS-Adma and I am here today as a candidate for the future board in order to stay connected with a place I call home and to make sure the new generations live the same experience because where I am today is just the beginning of the journey and SABIS^® plays the biggest role in it,” says Karam Fakhry.

MARIA FARHAT

Maria Farhat (Class of 2009) holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration (BBA) concentration in Marketing from the American University of Beirut and a Master’s of International Business (MIB) from Grenoble Graduate School of Business. She has more than 7 years of experience in Accounting and Business Management in an Economic Consulting Firm based in the U.S. and is a National Board member of Junior Chamber International Lebanon, an international youth empowerment organization aimed at empowering young citizens to create positive change in their societies through initiatives, projects, trainings, and a focus on leadership development.

She was elected to be the 2023 JCI Lebanon National President. Maria has volunteered in the field of marketing and events with the ISC-SABIS^® Alumni Association since the early stages of its establishment. Maria hopes to maintain the ISC-SABIS^® A. A. as a dynamic organization aimed at providing the alumni and graduating students with the right tools and knowledge to take on the next phase of their lives through trainings, career counseling, networking opportunities, fostering a sense of family and fellowship among students and alumni through social events, and encouraging them to take part in the association and give back to their communities, school, and the association. She aims to become an essential partner to the SABIS^® Network by actively and positively influencing future generations to become leaders and change-makers in their societies.

ROY ZEENNI

Roy Zeenni (Class of 2005), holds a BS in Economics from the University of Concordia, Canada. Growing up in a factory owned by his family, he was fueled by the motivation to expand, uplift, and develop new and existing brands to follow market trends and needs across the GCC and North Africa markets. Roy took existing brands and modernized them to the expectations of new generations. He also established a boat manufacturing company aligned with EU standards that sell in Europe. Roy strives to generate networking between old and new alumni members to make use of each resource, and try to modernize the educational system by keeping track of new generation demands.

EMIL MOAWAD

Emil Moawad (Class of 2006) holds a BS in Architecture from the Lebanese American University. He is the Co-Founder of Show Me Lebanon (Tourism Social Enterprise), Co-Owner of Ehden Country Club (Hotel and Resort), Co-Founder of DSC Lebanon – Donner Sang Compter (Blood Donation Organization), and Green Track (Waste Management Organization), as well as Director of Social Care and Humanitarian Aid Projects at RMF – Rene Moawad Foundation. Emil was also the previous President of Rotary International (of 9 countries including Lebanon).

“The Alumni Association is a successful model joining the current SABIS^® schools in Lebanon, and I would like to work more on developing it with the upcoming board members and achieve the goals set. As an Alumni Association, we should develop our goals further and coordinate our efforts with the purpose to:

• Create a lifelong national and worldwide community of alumni.
• Provide a liaison between the alumni and the board members.
• Develop alumni programs that foster fellowship among alumni and promote the cultural, academic, and literary advancement of its members.
• Keep the alumni conversant with the programs and activities of the Alumni Association and our SABIS^® schools.
• Provide financial support to the alumni programs set.
• Assist our schools in the growth of its academic, administrative, cultural, and extracurricular activities.”

DR. HASSAN ABDEL AZIZ

Dr. Hassan Abdel Aziz (Class of 2003) is a consultant surgeon at CMC Dubai and the director of the Retina Service at the Department of the Ophthalmology. After graduating from medical school, Dr. Hassan completed his Ophthalmology residency training at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami. He went on to complete a fellowship at Coleman Eye institute in the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, and the University of British Columbia. Dr. Hassan has over 40 peer-reviewed medical publications and has written 4 chapters. He is an active member of several international ophthalmic societies and an active member of the ISC-SABIS^® A. A. board.

DR. TOUFIC EID

Dr. Toufic Eid (Class of 1976) is the head of the Women Services and Regional Medical Director for Clemenceau Medicine International. He graduated with honors from ISC-Choueifat and attended Cambridge Tutors College in the U.K. where he graduated with honors and was awarded the McCarthy Leaving Award. Dr. Eid completed his studies at St. George's Hospital Medical School, London, and obtained his MD in 1985. Pursuing his medical career in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, he worked in different teaching hospitals in London. He is a fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and holds 2 sub-specialties. He was also a lecturer at the Imperial College School of Medicine (ICSM). Despite all his responsibilities, Dr. Eid is the current President of the board and always finds time for the ISC-SABIS^® Alumni Association.

AMR SAEB SALAM

Amr Salam (Class of 1973) finished his MBA at Southern Louisiana University. He manages a family business in Saudi Arabia. Amr served 8 years – 2 years each - on the Board of Governors of the British International School in Jeddah. He is an active member of the German Academic Development Center (GADC), which prepares qualified Lebanese engineers to match the requirements of the German engineering job market, and helps them start a new career. Amr is a founding trustee of the Saeb Salam Foundation for higher learning and a founding partner of MGMI incubator, a German/Lebanese initiative to support the setup and growth of Lebanese entrepreneurs’ projects. Amr is a current active member of the ISC-SABIS^® Alumni Association.

MIRNA SIBAI

Mirna Sibai Harb (Class of 1995) graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from the American University of Beirut. After graduating, she went on to work as a Graduate Assistant in the Economics Department with Dr. Bassel Flaihan. Mirna is a socialite and has been an active member of ISC-SABIS^® Alumni Association for many years before being elected as a member of the Alumni Board, she continues to contribute her efforts to the growth and achievements of the Association.

“Through our work with the ISC-SABIS^® A. A. Board, we strive to be the voice of alumni from all four schools across Lebanon. We continuously seek to connect current students and alumni and share their achievements with the country,” affirms Mirna Sibai.

DR. MOHAMAD HAMADE

Dr. Mohamad Hamade (Class of 2002) is the CEO of Amanat Holdings PJSC. He holds a Medical Doctorate and a BSc in Biology from the American University of Beirut and an MBA from Cornell University in the U.S., as well as a Research Fellowship Certificate in ENT Surgery from Harvard Medical School. Dr. Hamade sits on several boards of leading regional companies including Abu Dhabi University Holding Company, Middlesex University Dubai, Cambridge Medical and Rehab Centre, International Extended Care Centre, and the Royal Hospital for Women and Children. He has been recognized as the “Top 50 Healthcare Leaders 2022” by Forbes and one of the “Top 10 Most Innovative CEOs Revamping the Future” by Insights Success. He was selected to the Global Future Council by the World Economic Forum in 2019 and is a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO).

Dr. Hamade is the winner of the McAllister Speech Award and the winner of the Emory Healthcare Competition at Cornell University. He was also elected Cabinet Member in Student Council for two terms during his studies at the American University of Beirut and one term at Cornell University.

His vision for ISC-SABIS^® A. A. is to strengthen ties among the SABIS^® Network’s alumni, ensure adequate preparedness and readiness for graduating students as they make university choices, support the employability of alumni, and create an ongoing mentoring and coaching system for the alumni.

RICCARDO HOSRI

Riccardo Hosri (Class of 1991) integrated the family business through Sacotel S.A.L. in his first year of college. Sacotel S.A.L. is one of the companies of the Fernand Hosri Group of which he is a board member since the year 2000. He graduated with honors from the Lebanese American University and obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Management.

Riccardo is currently the CEO of Sacotel S.A.L. He is also Managing Director at Urmet Middle East since 2013, and the founder and general manager of F.A. Hosri Automotive, as well as managing partner at Bikes & Co., a company he created in 2013, and the Chairman at ANB Motorcycles Club since 2013. Riccardo also offers his skills to the Syndicate of Security and Safety Professionals in Lebanon (SSSPL) which he presided over from April 2012 to December 2016 when he was re-elected as a Board Member and continues to support it as a Consultant. Riccardo hopes to maintain lifelong ties between alumni, and offer career assistance to alumni of all SABIS^® schools in Lebanon.

NADINE ABDEL SATER

Nadine Abdel Sater (Class of 2006) holds a BA in Social Work from the Lebanese American University, and a degree in Emergencies Masters Program from University College Roosevelt, with a focus on Social Inclusion and Human Rights in Practice.

Nadine has more than 10 years of experience in community service and support, specializing in Child Protection and Youth Development. In 2014, Nadine was appointed as a representative of the MENA region within the Global Child Protection Cluster, focusing on the Minimum Standards for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action. Additionally, she worked as a programs manager as well as a training consultant on projects funded by UNICEF & EU; with several local and international NGOs, serving the mission of education, child safety and protection, as well as child and youth development.

In addition to Nadine’s current consultancy role within multiple international NGOs in the MENA region. She also underwent a shift into the business world, by leading the position of Country Director of Globe Williams Levant – an international total facilities management company which was recently initiated in Lebanon.

SHEROUK SALEH

Sherouk Saleh (class of 2004) holds a Bachelor’s degree from the Lebanese American University in Accounting and Finance, with a minor in MIS and Computer Science. She is currently an Accounting and Finance Director at an offshore company in Lebanon, and a CFA and CMA charter holder. Sherouk is an active alumni member in the association since 2004 and engages in several local and international organizations for a better community. “As an association, we should not only put our hands together but also show the world whom SABIS^® educated and how. As well as offer career assistance and internships to graduates,” says Sherouk Saleh.

NIZAR EL KONTAR

Nizar El-Kontar (Class of 2021) is currently majoring in Medical Laboratory Science at the American University of Science and Technology. He was the head of the Social Responsibility department in the SLO for 3 consecutive years. In addition to this, he recently obtained a certificate in first aid from the Lebanese Red Cross and has been attending several important webinars organized by Snibe Diagnostics. Nizar wishes to involve students at Leila C. Saad – SABIS^® School El-Metn.
“Leila C. Saad – SABIS^® School El-Metn plays a great role in what I am today. Being able to represent it is an honor and a huge responsibility. I will use my gained experience from the webinars I attend in order to represent my school with courage and confidence. My aim is to reunite all the alumni of Leila C. Saad – SABIS^® School El-Metn and represent their voices and needs. Together we could strengthen our communication and come up with more ideas in order to accomplish more achievements,” says Nizar El-Kontar.

MICHAELLA EL-BIRI

Michaella El Biri (Class of 2021) is currently majoring in Computer Science at the American University of Science and Technology. She has obtained several CISCO certifications, has been a Caritas volunteer since 2019, and was an active member in SLO management at Leila C. Saad – SABIS^® School El-Metn.

“As El-Metn branch is new to the ISC-SABIS^® Alumni Association, I see it as an opportunity to introduce current and soon-to-be alumni to the widespread reach of the association. I noticed that our first graduates became disconnected from other alumni due to a lack of communication, so I would propose that the alumni in Lebanon and abroad participate in any and all gatherings or functions, such as the alumni reunions, and career fairs to guide future graduates, and maybe even host our own SABIS^® Talks.
There is also an idea I would like to introduce to our alumni: Alumni supporting Alumni. It entails that any accomplishment achieved by a fellow alumnus will always be supported by the others, or should an alumnus need support in achieving this accomplishment, the Alumni Association will be there for them. My vision for ISC-SABIS^® A. A. is a simple one: connection of a chosen family,” declares Michaella El Biri.