AKSOB’s Advisory Board Charts a Collective Path for Impact
Distinguished professionals and AKSOB alumni join forces to advance business education, innovation and impact across Lebanon and the region.
The Adnan Kassar School of Business (AKSOB) at LAU inaugurated its Advisory Board, marking a milestone in its mission to bridge academia with real-world impact.
The newly formed board brings together a distinguished and diverse group of influential leaders, all committed to strengthening the school’s role as a hub for innovation, research and strategic partnerships in Lebanon and across the region.
LAU President Chaouki T. Abdallah opened the meeting with welcoming remarks, commending the initiative as a significant step forward in advancing the university’s mission of connecting academic excellence with leadership impact.
He noted that the formation of the Advisory Board reflects LAU’s dedication to cultivating purposeful leaders who champion innovation with integrity and strategic vision. “This Advisory Board embodies LAU’s commitment to shaping leaders who not only excel academically but also drive meaningful change,” he said.
Kicking off the discussion, Dean Dima R. Jamali underscored the significance of the moment: “This is a defining milestone for AKSOB. Each of our members brings exceptional insight, experience and commitment to advancing education that empowers future leaders to create positive, sustainable change, including AKSOB alumnae Emilie Wahab (BE ’05) and Carina Hosri Boustani (BS ’00; MBA ’07), whose continued engagement reflects the lasting ties our graduates maintain with the school.”
The session centered around key themes of governance, collaboration and impact, offering a thoughtful exchange on how AKSOB can further elevate its role in shaping the future of business education. These discussions closely align with AKSOB’s Strategic Vision 2025–2030, which places strong emphasis on advancing innovation, strengthening research capabilities, and expanding meaningful global partnerships.
At the forefront of the board are CEOs and senior executives who embody excellence, resilience and strategic foresight. Among them, Nadim Kassar, general manager of Fransabank, redefines finance as a catalyst for empowerment; Jocelyne Chahwan, deputy CEO of BLOM Bank, renowned for optimizing customer experience; Raphael Debbane, chairman of Debbane Saikali Group and a visionary leader in the agricultural sector; Khater Abi Habib, chairperson of Kafalat, champions entrepreneurship and the growth of small enterprises; and Rima Freiji, chairwoman of Tanmia Lebanon, skillfully bridges business acumen with social responsibility. They are joined by Rana Salhab, managing partner for People and Purpose at Deloitte Middle East, whose leadership centers on human potential and ethical impact, and Tony Issa, CEO of IPT, who embodies sustainable corporate growth rooted in community engagement.
Other distinguished members include Nassib Ghobril, chief economist at Byblos Bank, renowned for transforming complex economic data into actionable insights that inform policy and drive progress; Michel Bayoud, CEO of SYMZ Capital, and Fadi El Rahi, CEO of MasterGroup, recognized for steering strategic innovation and organizational excellence; Nour Bitar, managing partner at EBCO Bitar, whose leadership reflects AKSOB’s values of integrity, entrepreneurship and empowerment; and Executive Chairman of the Global Alliance For Artificial Intelligence Mohamed Al Marri. Together, these leaders constitute the backbone of the Advisory Board’s collective expertise.
Extending the board’s reach are international and ascending members whose perspectives broaden AKSOB’s global outlook. From Omar Channawi, CEO of Procter & Gamble MENA; Mohamed Hilal, CEO of Mohamed Hilal Group; and Kamel Abdallah, CEO of Canal Sugar, to emerging changemakers such as Haitham Saab, Dr. Nader Chehayeb and Raida Daouk Jisr, this diverse membership represents a powerful convergence of global insight, industry vision, and forward-looking leadership.
Throughout the meeting, members engaged in a dynamic dialogue on governance, purpose and collaboration, exploring how AKSOB can continue to connect academia, industry and policy to expand its influence and deepen its societal impact. The discussion underscored a shared commitment to educating and empowering others, while also highlighting the growing need to strengthen AKSOB’s role as a business hub for emerging enterprises, entrepreneurial initiatives and family businesses. Together, board members affirmed the school’s capacity to inspire a new generation of leaders who drive innovation with empathy, integrity, and purpose.
The inaugural meeting concluded with a collective pledge to position AKSOB as a catalyst of transformative impact—one that nurtures talent, fosters research and builds partnerships that contribute to a sustainable future for Lebanon and the wider region. Members emphasized that the board’s role extends beyond guidance; it represents a collective responsibility to support AKSOB in shaping an ecosystem where innovation thrives, young leaders are empowered, and businesses are equipped to navigate an ever-evolving global landscape.
As Dean Jamali affirmed, “This board embodies AKSOB’s core values—leadership rooted in purpose, collaboration anchored in trust, and a forward-looking vision focused on achieving meaningful and measurable impact.”