A strong believer in the potential of Lebanon and its richness, Samir Abdelmalak puts daily into practice the words of our famous Lebanese author Gibran Khalil Gibran: “Pity the nation that wears a cloth it does not weave, eats a bread it does not harvest, and drinks a wine that flows not from its own wine-press.” A renowned lawyer with a lifelong experience in the Lebanese civil society, Samir Abdelmalak is an activist for many local causes, more specifically in the fields of rural development and intercultural dialogue.

Renowned businessman, Gabriel Debbane guards over Fair Trade Lebanon with a considerate and watchful eye. He infuses experience, wisdom and positivity into Fair Trade Lebanon’s prospects and development strategies. His years of entrepreneurial work have filled him with great enthusiasm towards products and services developed with real Lebanese expertise. He has made it his mission, to always support and be an inspirational ambassador for Lebanese products and culture, both locally and overseas.

An Economics graduate with Masters in telecommunications, Joanne Karkour contributed to the development of Fair Trade Lebanon’s Marketing and Communication strategy. For many years, she has forged a career in operations management and consultancy in major local and regional companies before co-founding her own retail concept shop. Her best quote: « It’s not the violence of the few that scares me; it’s the silence of the many » Martin Luther King.

With an extensive experience in management, financial consultancy and university teaching, Philippe Adaime is a business lawyer and MBA holder who is now managing the activities of Fair Trade and Tourism Lebanon –FTTL SAL. Passionate with a remarkable vision, he was one of the main pillars who nurtured the NGO Fair Trade Lebanon since its early days. With his managerial skills and long-term vision, he contributes to Fair Trade Lebanon’s business expansion over the years, both in size and growth potential. His motto? « It always seems impossible until it’s done » Nelson Mandela.

Doctor in Strategic Management with reputable work and academic experience, Jad Bitar supports Fair Trade Lebanon’s management team in business planning, opportunity identification and assessment as well as in establishing partnerships. He is specialized in consultancy, innovation strategies and startups; he transmits a strong managerial capacity to the board of Fair Trade Lebanon.