PAST EVENTS RECAP

A resounding success marked the launch of the LebNet New York Networking Summer Series on June 24th, as approximately 30 enthusiastic LebNet NY members gathered at Oscar Wilde. The evening ignited connections and community among Lebanese professionals, with a particularly warm welcome extended to Lebanese interns joining the local professional network.

The event buzzed with vibrant networking, uniting students, early-career professionals, mid-level leaders, and seasoned experts. The venue's setup provided comfortable seating and ample opportunity for engaging conversations. LebNet NY leadership praised the "very good vibes" and observed participants actively connecting, noting that the dedicated space further enhanced the networking experience.

A huge thank you to the New York community for showing up in such great numbers and to our dedicated leadership team for a perfectly organized kick-off event! We can't wait to continue this momentum with you. Keep an eye out for the details on our next gathering, coming very soon!

Check the full event album by clicking on the photo below!

Despite heavy rainfall on June 18, LebNet Chicago's inaugural "Connect and Build" community event was a phenomenal success, bringing together 25 enthusiastic Lebanese professionals for an evening of vibrant connection and conversation!

This kickoff event aimed to introduce LebNet to the growing Chicago community and gather inputs for future events and initiatives. The impressive turnout, especially considering the challenging weather, truly underscored the passion and eagerness of the local Lebanese tech talent to build something great together.

Feedback from both the leadership team and attendees was overwhelmingly positive. "It was perfect! People were very happy!" remarked the leaders of the community, while an attendee enthusiastically shared, "It was a great pleasure to see you tonight at the LebNet event. It was so heartwarming to see all this Lebanese talent in one place and in Chicago! Special thanks goes to LebNet's leadership team for getting this to such a good start."

Our heartfelt thanks go out to every member of the community who braved the rain to join and show their support. Your presence made this launch truly special. We also extend our deepest gratitude to the LebNet Chicago leadership team for their incredible commitment and passion in bringing Lebanese professionals in tech together.

We look forward to many great initiatives and programs as we continue to build and strengthen our vibrant LebNet community in Chicago!

Check the full event album by clicking on the photo below!  

 

On Thursday, June 12, LebNet Boston, in collaboration with LIFE, hosted a special networking event that brought together Lebanese professionals from tech, finance, and beyond.

About 20 attendees joined us for an evening of meaningful conversations, new connections, and a strong sense of community. Whether reconnecting with familiar faces or meeting for the first time, everyone enjoyed a relaxed and energizing atmosphere.

A wonderful time was had by all, and the event was a great success thanks to the enthusiasm and engagement of our attendees. Special thanks to our partners at LIFE and to the incredible LebNet Boston community for organizing and making this gathering possible.

We’re excited to keep the momentum going with more events coming soon!

On Thursday, June 12th, LebNet DC, in partnership with ASME and LIFE, hosted a truly dynamic Social & Networking Evening. Kicking off at 7:00 PM ET, the event was a phenomenal success, attracting over 60 enthusiastic individuals from the thriving D.C. Lebanese community.

The atmosphere was vibrant, buzzing with connections and camaraderie. We were particularly thrilled to welcome a significant number of new faces, including many who have recently moved to the DC area, demonstrating the dynamic growth and strong gravitational pull of our Lebanese professional network. Attendees, spanning diverse fields such as tech, engineering, and finance, actively engaged in meaningful networking, fostering invaluable relationships. The energy was so infectious that many guests stayed well past 10:30 PM, a testament to the engaging conversations and the perfect setting provided by the venue. The overwhelming positive feedback and numerous inquiries about the next event clearly highlight the strength and enthusiasm of our community here in DC.

A special thanks to everyone who joined and made this event such a resounding success. We extend our deepest gratitude to the LebNet DC leadership team for their unwavering passion and commitment to bringing Lebanese professionals in Tech together.

We look forward to many more opportunities to connect, explore, and strengthen our vibrant community!

Check the full event album by clicking on the photo below!

On Saturday, June 7, LebNet San Diego, in collaboration with House of Lebanon, hosted a scenic morning hike at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve.

With stunning views and perfect weather, the event welcomed 36 attendees for light networking, meaningful conversations, and a strong sense of community.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us, to the House of Lebanon for partnering with us, and to the incredible LebNet and HOL leadership teams for organizing such a memorable outing.

We look forward to many more opportunities to connect, explore, and strengthen our vibrant community!

Check the full event album by clicking on the photo below!

On June 11, 2025, the LebNet Tech Fellows Program celebrated its third successful cohort with a graduation ceremony held at the American University of Beirut (AUB). The hybrid event brought together in-person and virtual attendees to recognize the achievements of 64 fellows from 13 universities across Lebanon.

Now in its third year, the program continues to provide STEM students in Lebanon with meaningful exposure to the tech industry, personalized career guidance, and a powerful peer network. Fellows consistently described the experience as “transformative,” “empowering,” and “clarifying.”

Aya Mouallem, program founder, underscored the importance of tech education in times of crisis, while Jeanine Akiki, LebNet’s Executive Director, emphasized the program’s role in promoting upward mobility and encouraging graduates to use their skills in service of Lebanon. The ceremony also honored the contributions of the leadership team, lecturers, alumni, and partner universities who made the program a success.

Program Highlights

The five-month fellowship was designed to prepare Lebanon’s next generation of technologists with the knowledge, tools, and connections needed to launch successful tech careers. Special emphasis was placed on supporting women and first-generation, low-income students.

Led by Aya Mouallem and supported by Hussein Mozannar, Aya Fathallah, Lynn Mouallem, Yara Rizk, and Michael Succar, the program featured a rich curriculum of interactive sessions and hands-on mentorship.

A heartfelt thanks goes to Nicole Nakad (AUB) and Nicole Bou Farhat (LAU) for their outstanding coordination of in-person logistics, making the graduation ceremony both memorable and seamless for all involved.

In Their Own Words: Reflections from the Fellows

Thirteen graduating fellows delivered powerful and moving speeches. Their reflections revealed five recurring themes:

• Finding Clarity & Confidence: Many students shared how the program helped them define career goals, make informed decisions, and gain confidence in their future paths.
• Resilience Through Uncertainty: Several fellows spoke about learning to embrace doubt, adapt to change, and persevere through personal and national challenges.
• Community & Belonging: The importance of mentorship and peer connection emerged strongly, with fellows feeling empowered by a shared sense of purpose and mutual support.
• A Call to Serve: Most graduates expressed a deep commitment to giving back—by mentoring others, solving community problems, or helping build Lebanon’s tech ecosystem.
• Tech with Purpose: Topics ranged from AI ethics to social responsibility, with fellows underscoring the need to build technology that advances the public good.

Their words reminded us what’s possible when talent meets opportunity, and how a mission-driven community can inspire the next generation of Lebanese leaders in tech.

You can watch the entire graduation ceremony here.

Check the full event album by clicking on the photo below!

On May 31st, over 50 members of the LA/OC Lebanese tech community gathered for an exciting afternoon of learning and networking at Creator Space LA for LebNet’s “Navigating the Startup Journey” panel discussion.

The event featured an exceptional panel of founders and technical leaders who shared real-world insights into launching and scaling startups, offering attendees valuable lessons from their personal journeys in the startup ecosystem.

Panelists:

• Romeo Elias – Founder and Chairman, Intellect
• Neal El-jor – Co-Founder, Elle Consulting
• Paris Hajali Jr. – Founder, XP3R
• Ryaan Sayegh – CTO, Hollo.ai; Serial Founder
• Moderated by: Henry Khalife – CEO, GW Apps

Agenda Highlights & Key Takeaways

Founding Stories & Early Lessons

Each founder shared the motivation behind their ventures, what pushed them to take the leap, and their approach to finding the right co-founders. The conversation emphasized resilience, clarity of purpose, and the importance of partnerships in the early days.

Product Development & Technical Leadership

Panelists discussed building MVPs, managing product delays, and the strategic thinking required in early hiring decisions. They highlighted how technical leaders shape team culture and product direction from the outset.

Customer Discovery & Early Growth

From landing the first customer to adapting based on early feedback, panelists offered actionable tips for identifying core users and refining product-market fit.

Leadership, Culture & Team Building

Discussions around founder conflict, leadership styles, and managing team dynamics struck a chord—especially for women founders and leaders navigating underrepresented spaces in tech.

Fundraising & Scaling

Panelists addressed the timing and strategy behind fundraising, shedding light on investor expectations, common misconceptions, and navigating the current funding landscape.

Opportunities in Startups

For those exploring startup careers, the panel underscored the value of adaptability, curiosity, and aligning with mission-driven companies.

Audience Engagement & Reflections

The event closed with an engaging Q&A and final reflections from the panelists, who shared what they wish they had known when starting out, and what continues to motivate them on their entrepreneurial paths.

“It’s not just about building a startup—it’s about building something that lasts, inspires, and makes an impact.”

A big thank you to Ryaan Sayegh for graciously hosting us in Santa Monica, and to our incredible panelists — Romeo Elias, Neal El-jor, Paris Hajali Jr., Ryaan Sayegh, and moderator Henry Khalife — for sharing their wisdom, experiences, and time with our community.

The strong turnout and energy in the room reflect a growing and engaged network of Lebanese professionals in Southern California.

We look forward to many more events like this. Stay tuned!

Check the full event album by clicking on the photo below!

On Wednesday, May 21, the LebNet Bay Area community came together for an in-person social and networking evening in Mountain View. While the event was initially capped at 20 attendees, it drew an amazing turnout of 35 Lebanese professionals in tech.

The crowd spanned from seasoned professionals to students, making for a dynamic mix of perspectives and conversations. Whether reconnecting with familiar faces or meeting new members, attendees enjoyed the relaxed setting, engaging dialogue, and the opportunity to build meaningful relationships.

A huge thank you to everyone who came out and contributed to the positive energy, and to the organizers who made this evening possible.

We’re excited to keep the momentum going! Stay tuned for more Bay Area events soon!

Click below to access the photo gallery!

On May 21, LebNet hosted a virtual workshop led by Pierre Khawand on the art of impactful storytelling, and more than 60 participants tuned in to engage and learn.

In today’s fast-moving world, it’s not just what you say — it’s how you tell it.

This dynamic session offered practical strategies to:

• Craft stories that move people and inspire action
• Capture executive attention with clarity and impact
• Turn dry facts into compelling narratives
• Leverage next-gen tools like ChatGPT, Miro, and modern presentation platforms

Participants walked away with a storytelling toolkit to elevate their communication, making it sharper, smarter, and more unforgettable.

Watch the full session recording here.

Pierre has generously offered additional resources for those interested in deepening their practice:

• Pierre’s Office Hours
• Online portal (slides and design brief sample)
• Complimentary Seat in Mindfulness Program:
• • Mindfulness Meditation to Reduce Stress & Anxiety @Work (7-week program)
  • Wednesdays, July 16 to Aug 27, 2025, 8:30 am to 9:15 am Pacific Time
  • Sessions are recorded so if you miss some sessions, you can stay up-to-date

About Pierre Khawand: Pierre is a seasoned leader with over two decades of experience in the software industry, combining innovation, strategic management, and mindfulness practices. He is the founder of People-OnTheGo and the creator of the Hello Mindful app. His educational background includes a Bachelor's from the American University of Beirut, a Master's from the University of Michigan, and Executive Education from Stanford Graduate School of Business. Outside of his professional endeavors, Pierre finds balance through mindful hikes, Tai Chi, and Argentine Tango.

On May 5, LebNet hosted its first dual-city event, drawing around 60 attendees in Montreal and Toronto for a lively, cross-city conversation on one of the most exciting frontiers in emerging technology: Agentic AI: AI systems that can make decisions, set goals, and act independently. This groundbreaking format brought together two inspiring AI leaders, each live from their respective cities, to explore the true potential and pressing challenges of this next-generation technology.

The event kicked off with Fadwa Mohanna, Founder and CEO of ONE37 in Toronto, who tackled the evolution of AI toward Agentic AI—autonomous systems that plan, reason, and act to achieve goals without constant human input. Unlike generative AI, which focuses on content creation, agentic AI integrates logic, memory, and external tools for real-world task execution. A key emerging component is the Model 

Context Protocol (MCP): a framework that enables AI agents to access and interact with external systems and data sources in real time. MCP enhances multi-domain functionality and contextual awareness, making agentic AI more capable and scalable. While emphasizing the transformative potential of this technology across multiple sectors, she listed its perceived risks, while underscoring the importance of Responsible AI to ensure safe, ethical AI deployment.

Rania Afiouni Monla, Assistant Professor at the School of Business at UQAM and Advisory Board Member for AI Ethics, joined live from Montreal to explore the impact of agentic AI on work. Her presentation examined how this technology is reshaping job roles, required skills, and workplace dynamics. Rania stressed the importance of new competencies, including critical thinking, empathy, AI literacy, and the ability to effectively delegate to AI agents. She also highlighted the urgency for strategic AI planning, given the rapid growth of this field and the significant workforce disruptions it may bring.