Our Team
Board Members
Prof. Amin Salah Al-Halabi
Legal Advisor — Founding Member
Attorney registered with the Beirut Bar Association and proprietor of his own law firm. Vice President of Ras Al-Matn Municipal Council, and Vice President of the Association for Forest Wealth and Development (AFDC) and Rapporteur of its Environmental Committee. Founder and Legal Advisor of Higher Metn Artisan.
Inas Nuwayhed
President, Administrative Board — Founding Member
Visual artist, poet, and political analyst from Ras Al-Matn; returned to Lebanon in 2010 after a career in the United Arab Emirates. Studied Fine Arts in the UAE and Law at the Lebanese University, and has participated in art exhibitions inside and outside Lebanon. Her professional career spans over 22 years in management roles at international corporations and insurance companies. Founder of Higher Metn Artisan.
Prince Fadi Arslan
Secretary — Board Member
Holds a Master's degree in Business Administration; studied psychology at Madras University, India. Member of the Italian Design and Décor Association and DOA (hospitality management). Owner of Consortium Foundation (printing, packaging, and general trade) in Lebanon since 2016, and President of the Lions Club for Antiquities, Beirut.
Antoinette Youssef Chahine
Vice President, Administrative Board — Founding Member
From the village of Hammana, Upper Metn. Graduate of the Institute for Women's Physical Education and Sports, and a retired teacher. Social assistant in the Upper Metn region for Caritas Lebanon. Active in cultural, artistic, social, and spiritual fields.
Souad Al-Masri Abu Chahine
Treasurer — Founding Member
Businesswoman and founder of two companies in finance and tourism. Co-founded the Rotary Club of Aley (1997) and Rotary Club of Hammana (2004), and has presided over the Upper Metn Women's Forum since 2016. Active in humanitarian healthcare through the Kamal Jumblatt Foundation and the Mountain Hospital. Has worked to promote women's participation in economic and tourism sectors.
Maysaa Suleiman Al-Banna
Accountant and Financial Advisor
Holds a degree in Accounting and Finance; from the village of Khreyba, Upper Metn. Professional experience in financial consulting and auditing since 2004. Submitted research on the archaeological sites of Aanjar and Byblos that led to collaboration with UNESCO on a World Heritage conservation visit to Japan. Former member of the Khreyba Municipal Council.
Joseph Tannous Hashim
Board Member
Interior design engineer and owner of a carpentry workshop in Upper Metn. Civic activist working in agriculture and natural resource protection. Advocates for Lebanon's youth to live with dignity through mastery of skilled trades.
Board of Trustees
Jihad Al-Atrash
President, Board of Trustees — Founding Member
Actor and media artist from Ras Al-Metn (b. 1943), with a BA in Philosophy and Psychology from the Arab University of Beirut. Began acting at Radio Lebanon in 1959 and Television Lebanon in 1962, performing in over 2,000 episodes in major historical and Islamic roles. Headed the Directing Department at Radio Lebanon (2000–2007) and founded media training centers in Beirut and Dubai. President of the Professional Artists' Union in Lebanon (2018–2021) and jury member at Voice Arts Awards.
Wafaa Nuwayhed
Board of Trustees Member
Writer and poet from Ras Al-Metn, residing in the United Arab Emirates. Holds a PhD in Journalism and Media from Stanford Academy, Cairo (2023). Published the novel "The Black Snow" (2014) and "Eve Speaks: Letters to Man" (2006); won the Ghanem Ghabbash Short Story Award in Dubai (1993). Honored by Who's Who of Professionals (USA, 2007) and by the Lebanese Consulate for her poetry contributions.
Souad Al-Masri Abu Chahine
Board of Trustees Member
Businesswoman and founder of two companies in finance and tourism. Co-founded the Rotary Club of Aley (1997) and Rotary Club of Hammana (2004), and has presided over the Upper Metn Women's Forum since 2016. Active in humanitarian healthcare through the Kamal Jumblatt Foundation and the Mountain Hospital. Has worked to promote women's participation in economic and tourism sectors.
Inas Nuwayhed
Board of Trustees Member — Founder of the Association
Visual artist, poet, and political analyst from Ras Al-Matn; returned to Lebanon in 2010 after a career in the United Arab Emirates. Studied Fine Arts in the UAE and Law at the Lebanese University, and has participated in art exhibitions inside and outside Lebanon. Her professional career spans over 22 years in management roles at international corporations and insurance companies. Founder of Higher Metn Artisan.
Ahlam Zeidan
Board of Trustees Member
Born in Falouga, Upper Metn, Baabda; raised in Saudi Arabia. Nutritionist — holds a BS in Food Science and Therapeutic Nutrition from the American University of Beirut. Holds a Training Diploma in Clinical Therapeutic Nutrition from the American University of Beirut Hospital. Over 17 years of clinical experience in nutrition, specializing in elderly care and chronic diseases. Co-founder and managing partner of Light & Appetite Diet and Health Center in Qatar (since 2017). Former social nutrition specialist at the Qatar Ministry of Public Health. Former Rotaract member and current member of the Bchamoun Emigration Committee. Recipient of a Category A appreciation award from the United Nations General Secretariat (July 2022).
Specialists
Joseph Tannous Hashim
Specialist Instructor
Lebanese civic activist from Hasbaiya Al-Matn, Upper Metn, working in agriculture and natural resource protection. Interior design engineer by training and owner of a carpentry workshop in Upper Metn. His goal is to empower Lebanon's youth to live with dignity and master a skilled trade.
Dr. Laure Abd Al-Khaleq Al-Aawar
Specialist Instructor
Specialist in educational technology and e-learning, holding a Master's in Arabic Language and Literature (Digital Literature). Director of the Lebanon Branch of the Arab Council for E-Learning and Training, and Microsoft Certified Expert Global Teacher (2022, 2023, 2024). Recipient of the Global Teacher Award (GTA) 2022 and founding member of the Global League for the Defense of the Arabic Language.
Tony Youssef Al-Maalouf
Specialist Instructor
Painter, sculptor, and poet from Douma, Batroun district, born 1963. Published a colloquial poetry collection "A Handful of Talk" (2012) and has participated in numerous local and international art exhibitions. Manages a permanent museum for painting and sculpture in Douma and previously directed ART CODE, a décor design and execution firm (2010–2013).
Nidal Al-Ayash
Specialist Instructor
Founder of Harfiyoun.com (2023), holding an MBA and two bachelor's degrees in Technology Management and Business Computing. Has over 15 years of experience in construction project management, ERP solutions, and IT security. Member of the Project Management Institute (PMI) since 2020 and certified in Google Digital Marketing and E-Commerce.
Samer Hussein Bou Hamra
Specialist Instructor
Interior design engineer with over 32 years of experience in interior design and architecture. Vocational instructor for over 21 years in engineering, advertising arts, and carpentry at the Kafaat and CIS institutes. Fine arts painter and social activist for over 30 years across scouting, Red Cross, and environmental initiatives.
Rami Naba
Specialist Instructor
Origami artist and arts instructor from Ras Al-Metn, Upper Metn. Holds a BT3 certification in Interior Design with a broad interest in all forms of art. Former Red Cross and Civil Defense volunteer and member of the Progressive Scouts movement in Lebanon.
Linda Al-Aour
Specialist Instructor
Business administration and professional training expert from Qornayel, Upper Metn. Holds a Bachelor's in Computer Science from Pennsylvania State University and a Bachelor's in Mathematics from the University of Beirut. Has over 30 years of experience, with multiple AIPMM certifications in product management, product marketing, and innovation leadership, and HCI certifications in strategic workforce planning and human capital strategy.
Nariman Azzam
Specialist Instructor
Content writer and English copyeditor from Al-Shabanieh, Upper Metn. Holds a Bachelor's in English Literature from the American University of Science and Technology (AUST), a Cambridge certificate in Creative Writing and Shakespearean Literature, and certifications in NLP and Emotional Intelligence. Has worked with global, Arab, and Lebanese companies including Vanrise Telecommunications and Middle East Jewelry.
Adal Nuwayhed
Specialist Instructor
Self-made professional from Ras Al-Metn, Upper Metn, with career experience in Lebanon and the UAE. Worked in sewing from 1965 and taught handwork to women in her community. In the UAE, managed a 300-staff service department at a government hospital in Dubai for 21 years, and founded a sewing workshop in Sharjah (1977–1989) employing designers of various nationalities.
Nabil Saad
Specialist Instructor
Born in Bourj, Lebanon. Visual artist and founder of Nabil Saad Arts Workshop. Founder of the loom-weaving initiative. Instructor in fine arts and handloom weaving.
Ward Zidane
Specialist Instructor
From Rwayseh Al-Baloot, Upper Metn. Self-made professional with certifications in graphic design, fashion design, and interior design. Website designer and media coordinator for Higher Metn Artisan.
Abeer Al-Aour
Specialist Instructor
Clinical psychotherapist specializing in children and adults from Qubay', Upper Metn. Specialist in psychological disorders among school students and violence against women and children, with collaborative work alongside Al-Manar School and Yale University on refugee mental health. Has delivered workshops on mental health and behavioral issues for numerous associations, educational institutions, and government bodies.
Samar Bou Zein Al-Din
Specialist Instructor
University lecturer and specialist in education and educational administration. Holds a Master's in Educational Administration, a Teaching Diploma, and a BS in Business Computing. Lecturer in the Education Department at the Modern University for Business and Science (MUBS) and English Language Coordinator at Arafan Secondary Schools, Sofar.