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Our Mentors

Gheeda Jaouhari

Sustainability and Environmental Trainer

Gheeda Jaouhari is an experienced sustainability and environmental consultant focusing on ecosystems and biodiversity, water management, materials and waste management, energy efficiency, health and well-being. Through Rama Impact, she helps organizations integrate sustainability into their strategies, aligning with national and global best practices for lasting impact.

Ksenia Kurileva

Climate

Ksenia Kurileva is an innovation consultant working with corporate and government entities. She specializes in developing innovation strategies and initiatives for decarbonization, advancing the circular economy, and implementing climate technologies. Leveraging her startup background, Ksenia serves as a mentor on startup programs across EMEA, supporting founders with sales, pilot projects, and scaling. She’s also a Fellow at the Newton Venture Program, a joint venture by London Business School and LocalGlobe VC, and Climatebase, a program dedicated to mission-driven professionals in the climate sector.

Anam Anjum

Wellbeing Coach

Anam Anjum is an expert in Corporate & Individual Wellness, Coaching, NLP, Yoga and Reiki Healing, dedicated to fostering self-growth and healing through holistic health therapies.
She guides our participants on their wellness journey by offering personalized one-on-one sessions for deeper support and valuable well-being content to enhance your overall health and awareness.

Christophe El Khoury

Technology

Christophe El-Khoury is a builder, advisor, CTO, and execution partner working across startups, SMEs, and venture-backed ecosystems. His work focuses on transforming complexity into clarity – designing the operational, cultural, and leadership systems founders need to move from survival to scale. 

With a deep background in software engineering, a passion for psychology and social impact, and years of hands-on experience building technical teams, Christophe brings a rare combination of vision, strategy, and pragmatism to the table. He has mentored and advised founders in sectors ranging from mental health and leadership development to education and agriculture.

Most recently, he has been building The Entity, a high-impact executive consultancy and execution partner for founders, investors, and entrepreneurs, and has founded and is leading The Collective, a national initiative aiming for high-integrity collaboration to advance Lebanon’s tech and innovation ecosystem.

Christophe is especially passionate about supporting underrepresented and women-led teams navigating high-stakes, under-resourced markets. His approach focuses on removing execution bottlenecks, restoring leadership clarity, and helping founders reignite their original fire, without burning out.

Gheeda Jaouhari

Sustainability and Environmental Trainer

Gheeda Jaouhari is an experienced sustainability and environmental consultant focusing on ecosystems and biodiversity, water management, materials and waste management, energy efficiency, health and well-being. Through Rama Impact, she helps organizations integrate sustainability into their strategies, aligning with national and global best practices for lasting impact.

Ksenia Kurileva

Climate

Ksenia Kurileva is an innovation consultant working with corporate and government entities. She specializes in developing innovation strategies and initiatives for decarbonization, advancing the circular economy, and implementing climate technologies. Leveraging her startup background, Ksenia serves as a mentor on startup programs across EMEA, supporting founders with sales, pilot projects, and scaling. She’s also a Fellow at the Newton Venture Program, a joint venture by London Business School and LocalGlobe VC, and Climatebase, a program dedicated to mission-driven professionals in the climate sector.

Anam Anjum

Wellbeing Coach

Anam Anjum is an expert in Corporate & Individual Wellness, Coaching, NLP, Yoga and Reiki Healing, dedicated to fostering self-growth and healing through holistic health therapies.
She guides our participants on their wellness journey by offering personalized one-on-one sessions for deeper support and valuable well-being content to enhance your overall health and awareness.

Christophe El Khoury

Technology

Christophe El-Khoury is a builder, advisor, CTO, and execution partner working across startups, SMEs, and venture-backed ecosystems. His work focuses on transforming complexity into clarity – designing the operational, cultural, and leadership systems founders need to move from survival to scale. 

With a deep background in software engineering, a passion for psychology and social impact, and years of hands-on experience building technical teams, Christophe brings a rare combination of vision, strategy, and pragmatism to the table. He has mentored and advised founders in sectors ranging from mental health and leadership development to education and agriculture.

Most recently, he has been building The Entity, a high-impact executive consultancy and execution partner for founders, investors, and entrepreneurs, and has founded and is leading The Collective, a national initiative aiming for high-integrity collaboration to advance Lebanon’s tech and innovation ecosystem.

Christophe is especially passionate about supporting underrepresented and women-led teams navigating high-stakes, under-resourced markets. His approach focuses on removing execution bottlenecks, restoring leadership clarity, and helping founders reignite their original fire, without burning out.

Yasmine Namir

Marketing & Comms

Yasmine Namir is a Marketing and Communications professional with six years of experience in the UAE, where she worked across different global brands, leading strategic campaigns and creative projects across the Middle East. With a passion for storytelling, sustainability and purposeful brand building, she enjoys helping organizations craft authentic narratives that resonate with their audiences. Currently pursuing a Master’s in Marketing at King’s College London, Yasmine is excited to mentor women-led emerging environmental startups in Africa, supporting them in developing clear communication strategies, impactful brand identities and meaningful community engagement to drive lasting change.

Gilbert Kofi Adarkwah

Fundraising

Gilbert K. Adarkwah, LLM, PhD is a Professor of Strategy and International Business at HEC Montreal and a Research Fellow at the International Institute of Economic Diplomacy. With a multidisciplinary background in business, economics, and law, Gilbert has been instrumental in shaping financing institutions focused on investments in emerging markets. He has a proven track record of fostering business growth and impact across Africa, Scandinavia, and Canada. As the co-founder and former Chief Financial Legal and Risk Officer at Pangea Accelerator,  he led initiatives that empowered African startups through strategic partnerships and access to capital. Prior to Pangea, he served as Vice President of Strategy at Peacan Energies and as a Trade and Investment Attaché at the United Nations, where he focused on advancing sustainable economic development in emerging markets.  

Currently, Gilbert is the founder of Gilbert and Partners, an Oslo-based venture capital firm investing in high-potential startups across Scandinavia, Africa, and Canada. He is passionate about leveraging research to drive sustainable economic growth and foster inclusive business ecosystems.

Portrait of Noemí Otazu, Argentinian biochemist and strategic marketing consultant based in Madrid, specializing in business strategy, mentoring, and leadership development for female entrepreneurs.

Noemí Otazu

Strategic Marketing 

Noemí Otazu is an Argentinian biochemist turned strategic consultant with 25+ years of experience spanning healthcare and telecommunications. Having transitioned from Formosa to Madrid, she spent 15 years in Strategy divisions at Spain’s leading telecom operator, Orange, as an in-company strategy and marketing consultant supporting cross-functional teams in achieving business priorities. Now running her independent consulting practice, Noemí specializes in strategic marketing & planning, mentoring, and leadership development. She’s passionate about empowering female entrepreneurs and creating social impact through strategic guidance and expertise sharing.

Sarah Abi Abdallah

Management & Marketing 

Sarah Abi Abdallah, MSc, PMP, is a project manager, marketing strategist, and educator with experience supporting nonprofits, social enterprises, and entrepreneurial ventures. She has successfully led multiple projects end-to-end, including initiatives recognized internationally for their impact.
Sarah currently serves as a Program Manager at the American University of Beirut (AUB), where she manages online professional diplomas and supports learner recruitment. She is also a university instructor and freelance trainer, delivering workshops in project management, e-commerce, marketing, communication, and soft skills.
Her background spans education, NGOs, and entrepreneurship, with hands-on experience helping organizations strengthen their operations, visibility, and growth strategies. She successfully closed 3 large-scale projects from initiation to completion, won a startup award in 2018, earned full scholarships for both Bachelor’s and Master’s studies, was recruited as the youngest university instructor at age 25 and is also a published novelist. 

Sarah Abi Abdallah

Management & Marketing 

Sarah Abi Abdallah, MSc, PMP, is a project manager, marketing strategist, and educator with experience supporting nonprofits, social enterprises, and entrepreneurial ventures. She has successfully led multiple projects end-to-end, including initiatives recognized internationally for their impact.
Sarah currently serves as a Program Manager at the American University of Beirut (AUB), where she manages online professional diplomas and supports learner recruitment. She is also a university instructor and freelance trainer, delivering workshops in project management, e-commerce, marketing, communication, and soft skills.
Her background spans education, NGOs, and entrepreneurship, with hands-on experience helping organizations strengthen their operations, visibility, and growth strategies. She successfully closed 3 large-scale projects from initiation to completion, won a startup award in 2018, earned full scholarships for both Bachelor’s and Master’s studies, was recruited as the youngest university instructor at age 25 and is also a published novelist. 

Gilbert Kofi Adarkwah

Fundraising

Gilbert K. Adarkwah, LLM, PhD is a Professor of Strategy and International Business at HEC Montreal and a Research Fellow at the International Institute of Economic Diplomacy. With a multidisciplinary background in business, economics, and law, Gilbert has been instrumental in shaping financing institutions focused on investments in emerging markets. He has a proven track record of fostering business growth and impact across Africa, Scandinavia, and Canada. As the co-founder and former Chief Financial Legal and Risk Officer at Pangea Accelerator,  he led initiatives that empowered African startups through strategic partnerships and access to capital. Prior to Pangea, he served as Vice President of Strategy at Peacan Energies and as a Trade and Investment Attaché at the United Nations, where he focused on advancing sustainable economic development in emerging markets.  

Currently, Gilbert is the founder of Gilbert and Partners, an Oslo-based venture capital firm investing in high-potential startups across Scandinavia, Africa, and Canada. He is passionate about leveraging research to drive sustainable economic growth and foster inclusive business ecosystems.

Portrait of Karen Grace Libao, digital marketing professional based in Abu Dhabi, Associate Director of Social at digitalfarm, leading social strategy and storytelling for purpose-driven organizations.

Karen Grace Libao

Marketing

Karen is a digital marketing professional based in Abu Dhabi, with nearly a decade of experience in social, content, and digital marketing. She holds a degree in Communication Research (Cum Laude) and has worked with startups and advertising agencies across Southeast Asia, the United States and Australia. 
 
Currently, Karen works as Associate Director of Social at digitalfarm, where she leads social strategy and content development for multiple accounts across diverse industries, including humanitarian organisations and purpose-driven entities, helping them amplify their impact through strategic digital storytelling.
Portrait of Kali Hailegiorgis, MBA candidate at NYU Stern Abu Dhabi and investment professional specializing in sustainability, finance, and early-stage capital across global markets.

Kali Hailegiorgis

Impact Investing

Kali Hailegiorgis is an MBA candidate at NYU Stern Abu Dhabi specializing in Finance and Business Analytics and an investment professional at the intersection of sustainability, strategy, and early-stage capital. With a multidisciplinary background spanning angel investing, ESG consulting, and business development, she has driven growth and impact across Asia, Europe, North America, Africa, and the Middle East. As Head of Programming and Investor Relations at SWITCH, she oversaw ~$400 k in SPV transactions and managed programming that deepened engagement across the women angels network. Prior to SWITCH, Kali spearheaded market expansion at an intangible-asset start-up, adding more than 200 enterprise clients throughout the EU, US, and Asia, and advised global corporations on emissions reporting, ESG risk, and decarbonization strategies.
 
Currently, Kali supports impact-focused deal flow at a regional VC firm while continuing to guide SWITCH’s syndicate investments, leveraging data-driven insights to channel capital toward sustainable, high-growth opportunities. Beyond work, she finds balance through surfing and enjoys exploring theology and historical fiction.
Portrait of Nina Mehrez, Chief Marketing Officer, digital marketing specialist, and founder of ELSCEDRES, supporting startups and entrepreneurs across Europe and the Middle East.

Nina Mehrez

Marketing

Nina Mehrez is a Chief Marketing Officer, digital marketing specialist, mentor, and trainer with extensive experience supporting startups, solopreneurs, and small businesses across Europe and the Middle East. She works closely with founders to develop brand positioning, go-to-market strategies, and content systems that are both effective and sustainable.
She is the founder of ELSCEDRES, a boutique marketing agency that offers tailored 360° marketing solutions, from strategy to execution, helping early-stage businesses grow with structure, clarity, and impact.
In parallel, Nina launched the Lebanese Entrepreneurs Network (LEN), a global community focused on connecting and supporting Lebanese entrepreneurs, particularly during times of crisis. Through LEN, she champions knowledge-sharing, partnerships, and access to expert resources for business resilience.
Nina also provides mentorship and training for entrepreneurs and early-stage teams, bringing a hands-on approach to brand building and business growth. 
Portrait of Salma Sidki, Egyptian marketing, trade marketing, and e-commerce expert with 15+ years in FMCG and OTC, dedicated to empowering female entrepreneurs and mentoring with authenticity and empathy.

Salma Sidki

Trade Marketing & E-Commerce

Salma Sidki is an Egyptian marketing, trade marketing, and e-commerce expert with over 15 years of experience at top FMCG and OTC companies across the Middle East. She also holds a Master of Science in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling, blending strategic business insight with a deep passion for human connection.
Salma is especially committed to empowering female entrepreneurs and enjoys mentoring others as part of her pay-it-forward philosophy, inspired by the impactful leaders in her own journey. She loves being able to share how she found her way in a traditionally “ruthless” corporate world to show up with authenticity and empathy. 
In her spare time, she runs her own small family business, a screen-free, back to basics card games brand designed to help people in all kinds of relationships connect through play. She also loves podcasts and has been finding a lot of great ones covering business stories. Through these, she’s fascinated by how businesses grow, what their struggles are, and what can be learned from their journeys.
Portrait of Noemí Otazu, Argentinian biochemist and strategic marketing consultant based in Madrid, specializing in business strategy, mentoring, and leadership development for female entrepreneurs.

Noemí Otazu

Strategic Marketing 

Noemí Otazu is an Argentinian biochemist turned strategic consultant with 25+ years of experience spanning healthcare and telecommunications. Having transitioned from Formosa to Madrid, she spent 15 years in Strategy divisions at Spain’s leading telecom operator, Orange, as an in-company strategy and marketing consultant supporting cross-functional teams in achieving business priorities. Now running her independent consulting practice, Noemí specializes in strategic marketing & planning, mentoring, and leadership development. She’s passionate about empowering female entrepreneurs and creating social impact through strategic guidance and expertise sharing.

Iman El Wasifi

Digital Growth Strategist

Iman El-Wasifi is a visionary Egyptian entrepreneur and the CEO of Muqbis.com. With over 19 years of experience in strategic marketing and business development across the MEA region, she has built a distinguished career driving growth, innovation, and digital transformation across diverse industries. Iman has held senior leadership roles in several renowned organizations, including Egypt Yellow Pages, QNB, and Property Finder, where she led impactful marketing and growth initiatives to digitalize business operations and enhance brand performance.
 
Beyond Iman’s professional experience, Iman holds certification awards in International Marketing, Marketing Research, and Strategic Marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM). She also earned an Advanced Digital Marketing Nano Degree and a Certification in Innovation for Entrepreneurs from the University of Maryland, reflecting her commitment to continuous learning and innovation leadership.
 
Guided by her passion for empowering local artisans and preserving cultural heritage, Iman co-founded Muqbis – an innovative online marketplace and umbrella platform for independent crafters designed to connect their unique creations with audiences across the region.
Portrait of Karen Grace Libao, digital marketing professional based in Abu Dhabi, Associate Director of Social at digitalfarm, leading social strategy and storytelling for purpose-driven organizations.

Karen Grace Libao

Marketing

Karen is a digital marketing professional based in Abu Dhabi, with nearly a decade of experience in social, content, and digital marketing. She holds a degree in Communication Research (Cum Laude) and has worked with startups and advertising agencies across Southeast Asia, the United States and Australia. 
 
Currently, Karen works as Associate Director of Social at digitalfarm, where she leads social strategy and content development for multiple accounts across diverse industries, including humanitarian organisations and purpose-driven entities, helping them amplify their impact through strategic digital storytelling.
Portrait of Kali Hailegiorgis, MBA candidate at NYU Stern Abu Dhabi and investment professional specializing in sustainability, finance, and early-stage capital across global markets.

Kali Hailegiorgis

Impact Investing

Kali Hailegiorgis is an MBA candidate at NYU Stern Abu Dhabi specializing in Finance and Business Analytics and an investment professional at the intersection of sustainability, strategy, and early-stage capital. With a multidisciplinary background spanning angel investing, ESG consulting, and business development, she has driven growth and impact across Asia, Europe, North America, Africa, and the Middle East. As Head of Programming and Investor Relations at SWITCH, she oversaw ~$400 k in SPV transactions and managed programming that deepened engagement across the women angels network. Prior to SWITCH, Kali spearheaded market expansion at an intangible-asset start-up, adding more than 200 enterprise clients throughout the EU, US, and Asia, and advised global corporations on emissions reporting, ESG risk, and decarbonization strategies.
 
Currently, Kali supports impact-focused deal flow at a regional VC firm while continuing to guide SWITCH’s syndicate investments, leveraging data-driven insights to channel capital toward sustainable, high-growth opportunities. Beyond work, she finds balance through surfing and enjoys exploring theology and historical fiction.

Iman El Wasifi

Digital Growth Strategist

Iman El-Wasifi is a visionary Egyptian entrepreneur and the CEO of Muqbis.com. With over 19 years of experience in strategic marketing and business development across the MEA region, she has built a distinguished career driving growth, innovation, and digital transformation across diverse industries. Iman has held senior leadership roles in several renowned organizations, including Egypt Yellow Pages, QNB, and Property Finder, where she led impactful marketing and growth initiatives to digitalize business operations and enhance brand performance.
 
Beyond Iman’s professional experience, Iman holds certification awards in International Marketing, Marketing Research, and Strategic Marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM). She also earned an Advanced Digital Marketing Nano Degree and a Certification in Innovation for Entrepreneurs from the University of Maryland, reflecting her commitment to continuous learning and innovation leadership.
 
Guided by her passion for empowering local artisans and preserving cultural heritage, Iman co-founded Muqbis – an innovative online marketplace and umbrella platform for independent crafters designed to connect their unique creations with audiences across the region.
Portrait of Lara Wehbe, AI Architect, educator and entrepreneur. Founder of The AI Engineers, she empowers startups, institutions and individuals in the MENA region to harness artificial intelligence for innovation and real-world impact.

Lara Wehbe

AI & Tech 

Lara Wehbe is an AI Architect, educator and entrepreneur building the next generation of AI talent and solutions in the MENA region. Through her work, she empowers individuals, startups and institutions to unlock the power of artificial intelligence – saving time, reducing costs and accelerating innovation.

After a career in software engineering and AI system design, Lara founded The AI Engineers, a fast-growing training program with over 300+ members across the region. She also advises startups and businesses on building AI-powered products, streamlining operations and deploying GenAI tools effectively – from chatbots and recommendation systems to RAG pipelines and fine-tuned LLMs.

Lara is especially passionate about making AI accessible in under-resourced contexts. Her mission is to bridge the gap between ambitious ideas and technical execution – especially for women, students and emerging founders looking to harness AI for real-world impact.

Rhea Gerbaka

People & Culture

Rhea is an experienced People and Culture professional with a strong track record in designing inclusive, human-centered HR policies that foster diversity, equity, employee wellbeing, and work–life balance. Holding a dual Master’s in Marketing from Saint Joseph University (Lebanon) and Université François-Rabelais de Tours (France), she began her career in banking before transitioning into project management with a Lebanese NGO, gaining expertise in social development and impact.

She is the founder and current head of the Human Capital Department at Accounting and Management Consultants, where she contributed to the award-winning SAWI project (Support Accelerate Women Inclusion), resulting in the firm being recognized as a Top 3 employer in the MENA region for advancing women’s recruitment, retention, and promotion. She currently serves as the focal point for the Women Empowerment-Hub which focuses on women’s inclusion and economic participation. Passionate about creating thriving, purpose-driven workplace cultures, she specializes in DEI, employee engagement, and mental health initiatives.

Portrait of Tanvi Malik, Strategy Director at Rama Impact. She is a strategist and creative practitioner working across systems transformation, venture development, and cultural practice, with experience spanning design, entrepreneurship, and organizational strategy.

Tanvi Malik

Strategy & Growth

Tanvi Malik is a strategist and creative practitioner working across systems transformation, venture development, and cultural practice. As a Strategy Director focused on growth and strategic value creation, she works with leaders and institutions to shape public-sector initiatives, build new markets, and accelerate ambitious portfolios across culture, climate, education and social impact.

Her background spans design, entrepreneurship, and organizational strategy – scaling startups, launching ventures, and advising on institutional change across the Middle East and globally. Alongside her advisory work, she leads a multidisciplinary creative practice exploring identity, memory and belonging through immersive and cross-cultural forms.
Portrait of Nina Mehrez, Chief Marketing Officer, digital marketing specialist, and founder of ELSCEDRES, supporting startups and entrepreneurs across Europe and the Middle East.

Nina Mehrez

Marketing

Nina Mehrez is a Chief Marketing Officer, digital marketing specialist, mentor, and trainer with extensive experience supporting startups, solopreneurs, and small businesses across Europe and the Middle East. She works closely with founders to develop brand positioning, go-to-market strategies, and content systems that are both effective and sustainable.
She is the founder of ELSCEDRES, a boutique marketing agency that offers tailored 360° marketing solutions, from strategy to execution, helping early-stage businesses grow with structure, clarity, and impact.
In parallel, Nina launched the Lebanese Entrepreneurs Network (LEN), a global community focused on connecting and supporting Lebanese entrepreneurs, particularly during times of crisis. Through LEN, she champions knowledge-sharing, partnerships, and access to expert resources for business resilience.
Nina also provides mentorship and training for entrepreneurs and early-stage teams, bringing a hands-on approach to brand building and business growth. 
Portrait of Salma Sidki, Egyptian marketing, trade marketing, and e-commerce expert with 15+ years in FMCG and OTC, dedicated to empowering female entrepreneurs and mentoring with authenticity and empathy.

Salma Sidki

Trade Marketing & E-Commerce

Salma Sidki is an Egyptian marketing, trade marketing, and e-commerce expert with over 15 years of experience at top FMCG and OTC companies across the Middle East. She also holds a Master of Science in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling, blending strategic business insight with a deep passion for human connection.
Salma is especially committed to empowering female entrepreneurs and enjoys mentoring others as part of her pay-it-forward philosophy, inspired by the impactful leaders in her own journey. She loves being able to share how she found her way in a traditionally “ruthless” corporate world to show up with authenticity and empathy. 
In her spare time, she runs her own small family business, a screen-free, back to basics card games brand designed to help people in all kinds of relationships connect through play. She also loves podcasts and has been finding a lot of great ones covering business stories. Through these, she’s fascinated by how businesses grow, what their struggles are, and what can be learned from their journeys.

Rhea Gerbaka

People & Culture

Rhea is an experienced People and Culture professional with a strong track record in designing inclusive, human-centered HR policies that foster diversity, equity, employee wellbeing, and work–life balance. Holding a dual Master’s in Marketing from Saint Joseph University (Lebanon) and Université François-Rabelais de Tours (France), she began her career in banking before transitioning into project management with a Lebanese NGO, gaining expertise in social development and impact.

She is the founder and current head of the Human Capital Department at Accounting and Management Consultants, where she contributed to the award-winning SAWI project (Support Accelerate Women Inclusion), resulting in the firm being recognized as a Top 3 employer in the MENA region for advancing women’s recruitment, retention, and promotion. She currently serves as the focal point for the Women Empowerment-Hub which focuses on women’s inclusion and economic participation. Passionate about creating thriving, purpose-driven workplace cultures, she specializes in DEI, employee engagement, and mental health initiatives.

Portrait of Lara Wehbe, AI Architect, educator and entrepreneur. Founder of The AI Engineers, she empowers startups, institutions and individuals in the MENA region to harness artificial intelligence for innovation and real-world impact.

Lara Wehbe

AI & Tech 

Lara Wehbe is an AI Architect, educator and entrepreneur building the next generation of AI talent and solutions in the MENA region. Through her work, she empowers individuals, startups and institutions to unlock the power of artificial intelligence – saving time, reducing costs and accelerating innovation.

After a career in software engineering and AI system design, Lara founded The AI Engineers, a fast-growing training program with over 300+ members across the region. She also advises startups and businesses on building AI-powered products, streamlining operations and deploying GenAI tools effectively – from chatbots and recommendation systems to RAG pipelines and fine-tuned LLMs.

Lara is especially passionate about making AI accessible in under-resourced contexts. Her mission is to bridge the gap between ambitious ideas and technical execution – especially for women, students and emerging founders looking to harness AI for real-world impact.

Portrait of Perla Kanaan, marketing strategist and mentor empowering women-led businesses through authentic storytelling, digital strategy, and impactful brand growth with Rama Impact.

Perla Kanaan

Marketing

Perla is a marketing strategist passionate about helping purpose-driven organizations grow and thrive. She partners with women-led businesses to shape their digital marketing strategies, craft compelling messaging, and create content that aligns with their goals. For her, marketing is more than promotion. It’s about authentic storytelling, connection and meaningful impact.
 
Through Rama Impact, Perla mentors women entrepreneurs, helping them gain visibility and strengthen their businesses. She finds fulfillment in supporting women as they pursue their vision and create ventures that reflect their values.
Portrait of Richard Abi Chahla, tech founder and fractional CPO, helping startups and enterprises build impactful SaaS, health tech, and enterprise products through Purple Brains.

Richard Abi Chahla

Tech & Product Strategy

Richard Abi Chahla is a tech founder and fractional CPO who helps startups and enterprises build products people genuinely love. With over a decade of experience across SaaS, health tech, and enterprise tools, he bridges vision and execution to turn ideas into simple, valuable, and scalable solutions. As founder of Purple Brains, he has led product strategy, UX and go-to-market for ventures across Europe and the Middle East, combining a collaborative, data-driven and no-nonsense approach to product leadership.

Portrait of Tshego ‘TK’ Nesvåg, a catalytic leader advancing economic development, food security, and innovative finance through cross-sector partnerships and impact investment.

Tshego (“TK”) Nesvåg

Economic Development & Food Security

Tshego (“TK”) Nesvåg is a catalytic leader driving transformative impact where economic development, food security, and innovative finance meet. As a board member of a partial guarantee fund and senior advisor in economic development and food security, she mobilizes capital to unlock opportunity for underserved communities. Tshego thrives on building bold, cross-sector partnerships that turn ideas into scalable impact. With a global lens and local grounding, she brings sharp strategy and decisive action to advance Rama Impact’s mission. She believes that when women, youth, and communities gain equitable access to resources, they not only shape their own futures but also foster resilience and prosperity throughout entire regions.

Manar Yazbek

Sustainability & Innovation

Manar Yazbek is a digital transformation and program management leader with over 15 years of experience driving innovation, sustainability, and social impact across the MENA region. Her career bridges the public, private, and development sectors, from leading sustainability and green economy initiatives with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to scaling SE Factory, a tech-social enterprise empowering youth through digital skills and employment.

Holding an Executive Master’s in Managing International Organizations from SDA Bocconi and a Master’s in Digital Transformation Leadership from Barcelona Technology School, Manar combines strategic leadership with a passion for purposeful innovation.

As a mentor at RAMA Impact, she supports women founders across the region in scaling their climate and social impact ventures into sustainable ones, helping them build with clarity, confidence and purpose. 

Elie Abi Zeid

Finance & Audit

Elie is a Certified Public Accountant and Senior Manager at A.M.C, an audit and consultancy firm, where he plays a major role in overseeing financial operations and providing expert guidance to over 250 clients operating locally and regionally. He also serves as a trusted corporate and tax advisor to major local companies, providing strategic guidance and identifying tax planning strategies while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.

Serving also as the Manager of the NGO client portfolio division at A.M.C., Elie has engaged in auditing and leading on the financials of numerous projects funded by renowned organizations such as UN agencies, ministries, embassies and other international organizations.

His multiple degrees and certifications with emphasis on IFRS, Audit & Control, Private Equity & Venture Capital, and Startups Valuation from prestigious institutions worldwide, underscores his commitment to staying at the forefront of the industry and brings a wealth of expertise to the table.

Aya Hoteit

Sustainability & Systems Strategist

Aya Hoteit is a strategist and facilitator focused on driving sustainable change across companies, ecosystems communities, and cities. With over a decade of experience across the EMEA entrepreneurial and circular economy ecosystems, she designs and delivers human-centered, data-driven programs that tackle complex, systemic challenges.

She specializes in change management and organizational transformation, helping teams navigate persistent internal and cross-functional issues through practical, evidence-based solutions. Aya also develops innovative business and program interventions using methodologies such as Design Thinking, Change Theory and Agile Project Management with a strong focus on measurable outcomes.

In parallel, Aya is the founder of a sustainable fashion brand and production atelier, where she champions ethical sourcing, circular economy principles and responsible design. A strong believer in collaboration and synergies, she is always open to exploring partnerships that build lasting impact and a more sustainable future.

Elie Abi Zeid

Finance & Audit

Elie is a Certified Public Accountant and Senior Manager at A.M.C, an audit and consultancy firm, where he plays a major role in overseeing financial operations and providing expert guidance to over 250 clients operating locally and regionally. He also serves as a trusted corporate and tax advisor to major local companies, providing strategic guidance and identifying tax planning strategies while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.

Serving also as the Manager of the NGO client portfolio division at A.M.C., Elie has engaged in auditing and leading on the financials of numerous projects funded by renowned organizations such as UN agencies, ministries, embassies and other international organizations.

His multiple degrees and certifications with emphasis on IFRS, Audit & Control, Private Equity & Venture Capital, and Startups Valuation from prestigious institutions worldwide, underscores his commitment to staying at the forefront of the industry and brings a wealth of expertise to the table.

Portrait of Tanvi Malik, Strategy Director at Rama Impact. She is a strategist and creative practitioner working across systems transformation, venture development, and cultural practice, with experience spanning design, entrepreneurship, and organizational strategy.

Tanvi Malik Kanaan

Strategy & Growth

Tanvi Malik is a strategist and creative practitioner working across systems transformation, venture development, and cultural practice. As a Strategy Director focused on growth and strategic value creation, she works with leaders and institutions to shape public-sector initiatives, build new markets, and accelerate ambitious portfolios across culture, climate, education and social impact.

Her background spans design, entrepreneurship, and organizational strategy – scaling startups, launching ventures, and advising on institutional change across the Middle East and globally. Alongside her advisory work, she leads a multidisciplinary creative practice exploring identity, memory and belonging through immersive and cross-cultural forms.
Portrait of Perla Kanaan, marketing strategist and mentor empowering women-led businesses through authentic storytelling, digital strategy, and impactful brand growth with Rama Impact.

Perla Kanaan

Marketing

Perla is a marketing strategist passionate about helping purpose-driven organizations grow and thrive. She partners with women-led businesses to shape their digital marketing strategies, craft compelling messaging, and create content that aligns with their goals. For her, marketing is more than promotion. It’s about authentic storytelling, connection and meaningful impact.
 
Through Rama Impact, Perla mentors women entrepreneurs, helping them gain visibility and strengthen their businesses. She finds fulfillment in supporting women as they pursue their vision and create ventures that reflect their values.
Portrait of Richard Abi Chahla, tech founder and fractional CPO, helping startups and enterprises build impactful SaaS, health tech, and enterprise products through Purple Brains.

Richard Abi Chahla

Tech & Product Strategy

Richard Abi Chahla is a tech founder and fractional CPO who helps startups and enterprises build products people genuinely love. With over a decade of experience across SaaS, health tech, and enterprise tools, he bridges vision and execution to turn ideas into simple, valuable, and scalable solutions. As founder of Purple Brains, he has led product strategy, UX and go-to-market for ventures across Europe and the Middle East, combining a collaborative, data-driven and no-nonsense approach to product leadership.

Portrait of Tshego ‘TK’ Nesvåg, a catalytic leader advancing economic development, food security, and innovative finance through cross-sector partnerships and impact investment.

Tshego (“TK”) Nesvåg

Economic Development & Food Security

Tshego (“TK”) Nesvåg is a catalytic leader driving transformative impact where economic development, food security, and innovative finance meet. As a board member of a partial guarantee fund and senior advisor in economic development and food security, she mobilizes capital to unlock opportunity for underserved communities. Tshego thrives on building bold, cross-sector partnerships that turn ideas into scalable impact. With a global lens and local grounding, she brings sharp strategy and decisive action to advance Rama Impact’s mission. She believes that when women, youth, and communities gain equitable access to resources, they not only shape their own futures but also foster resilience and prosperity throughout entire regions.

Manar Yazbek

Sustainability & Innovation

Manar Yazbek is a digital transformation and program management leader with over 15 years of experience driving innovation, sustainability, and social impact across the MENA region. Her career bridges the public, private, and development sectors, from leading sustainability and green economy initiatives with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to scaling SE Factory, a tech-social enterprise empowering youth through digital skills and employment.

Holding an Executive Master’s in Managing International Organizations from SDA Bocconi and a Master’s in Digital Transformation Leadership from Barcelona Technology School, Manar combines strategic leadership with a passion for purposeful innovation.

As a mentor at RAMA Impact, she supports women founders across the region in scaling their climate and social impact ventures into sustainable ones, helping them build with clarity, confidence and purpose. 

Yasmine Namir

Marketing & Comms

Yasmine Namir is a Marketing and Communications professional with six years of experience in the UAE, where she worked across different global brands, leading strategic campaigns and creative projects across the Middle East. With a passion for storytelling, sustainability and purposeful brand building, she enjoys helping organizations craft authentic narratives that resonate with their audiences. Currently pursuing a Master’s in Marketing at King’s College London, Yasmine is excited to mentor women-led emerging environmental startups in Africa, supporting them in developing clear communication strategies, impactful brand identities and meaningful community engagement to drive lasting change.

Aya Hoteit

Sustainability & Systems Strategist

Aya Hoteit is a strategist and facilitator focused on driving sustainable change across companies, ecosystems communities, and cities. With over a decade of experience across the EMEA entrepreneurial and circular economy ecosystems, she designs and delivers human-centered, data-driven programs that tackle complex, systemic challenges.

She specializes in change management and organizational transformation, helping teams navigate persistent internal and cross-functional issues through practical, evidence-based solutions. Aya also develops innovative business and program interventions using methodologies such as Design Thinking, Change Theory and Agile Project Management with a strong focus on measurable outcomes.

In parallel, Aya is the founder of a sustainable fashion brand and production atelier, where she champions ethical sourcing, circular economy principles and responsible design. A strong believer in collaboration and synergies, she is always open to exploring partnerships that build lasting impact and a more sustainable future.

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