The Beirut Foundation is guided by a board of individuals committed to its purpose and long-term direction.
Lebanese American entrepreneur and philanthropist Thomas A. Abraham was born in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1952 and adopted from the Crèche of St. Vincent at the age of four by Genevieve and Anthony R. Abraham, who were esteemed for their entrepreneurial and philanthropic legacy. After completing his studies at the University of Miami and the University of Denver, Thomas embarked on a career spanning business and philanthropy, driven by his desire to make a meaningful difference in the world. He currently leads the Anthony R. Abraham Foundation as Chairman—a foundation established by his parents in 1976—and serves as president and partner in several family enterprises. Thomas’s commitment to combining the arts, sports, and charitable initiatives led him to establish the StarArt Foundation in Miami in 1992. This non-profit merges the creativity of international artists, athletes, and entertainers with corporate sponsorship to support projects benefiting various charities, blending the worlds of sports, music, and art for a greater cause. In 2020, Thomas launched the Help Us Rise initiative in response to the Beirut port explosion, working with trusted local partners to support affected families and neighborhoods. What began as an emergency relief effort has since evolved into a broader initiative focused on community support across Lebanon. In 2021, he founded The Beirut Foundation as an independent organization committed to the well-being of individuals and communities in Beirut and throughout Lebanon. Help Us Rise now continues under the foundation as one of its key initiatives, extending its work through collaboration, partnership, and long-term support. In September 2023, in a historic move, the U.S. Association of Blind Athletes, the National Governing Body for Paralympic blind soccer, and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Foundation appointed Thomas as the first-ever Sport Ambassador for Blind Soccer. This role highlights his dedication to advocating for adaptive athletes on both national and international stages. In 2024, he founded two transformative organizations: The International Blinders Network, a pioneering organization dedicated to enhancing opportunities for individuals with disabilities across all aspects of life, and A Club, a global community promoting athletic excellence and impactful philanthropy through sports. In addition to these initiatives, Thomas actively contributes to various charitable organizations, serving on the boards of Camillus Health and House Concern, City Year, the Rene Moawad Foundation, and the American Task Force for Lebanon. He is also a trustee for the Beirut Marathon Association and the Lebanese American University and an Emeritus Board Member of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Thomas A. Abraham’s lifelong commitment to positive change embodies his personal mission and establishes a legacy of lasting impact. Read More
Carlos Moubarak is a Lebanese architect and founder of Carlos Moubarak Architect, an architectural design studio based in Beirut with local and global experience. He is currently design director of the practice which develops a transversal approach through a multidisciplinary team and provides holistic design solutions. El Khalil has been recognized with major honors, including the AIPS Power of Sport Award, the Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award, and Lebanon’s National Order of the Cedar. Her widely viewed 2013 TED Global talk highlights sport’s role in peacebuilding. She is a mother of four and grandmother of four. Read More
www.beirutmarathon.org/president.php
May El Khalil is the Founder and President of the Beirut Marathon Association and creator of the Beirut International Marathon, an IAAF-accredited race that draws tens of thousands of runners from over 100 countries. After surviving a near-fatal accident in 2001, she dedicated herself to uniting Lebanon through running, notably leading the 60,000-participant “United We Run” event after the 2005 assassination of Prime Minister Rafic Hariri. El Khalil has been recognized with major honors, including the AIPS Power of Sport Award, the Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award, and Lebanon’s National Order of the Cedar. Her widely viewed 2013 TED Global talk highlights sport’s role in peacebuilding. She is a mother of four and grandmother of four. Read More
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nada-abdelsater-abusamra- 7704a78b/?originalSubdomain=lb
Nada Abdelsater, Esq., is an international lawyer admitted to practice in New York, Lebanon, and the Hague at the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. She is the founding and managing partner of ASAS Law, a law firm based in Beirut with activities throughout the Middle East, Europe, and the USA, as well as Africa. Nada holds a master in law (LL.M) from Harvard University. She holds a dual degree of French and Lebanese law from the St Joseph University (USJ), and a Bachelor of Science degree from the American University of Beirut (AUB), and she has completed the coursework of master in international affairs from the Lebanese American University (LAU). She is the recipient of the International Corporate Governance Award from Yale University’s School of Business for her international contribution to corporate governance. Ms. Abdelsater is a pioneer in the fight against corruption. She chaired the Transparency International Lebanon Chapter and was later the first woman from the Middle East to be elected to the International Board of Transparency International sitting in Berlin and present in more than 100 countries. She was also decorated by the Antonine University for her work in governance and transparency. Nada is the exclusive representative of ICC-Fraudnet in Lebanon, the leading asset tracing and asset recovery worldwide legal network operating under the auspices of the International Chamber of Commerce based in London. She is consistently named Leading Lawyer by the most recognized international legal directories including Chambers Global, Who’s Who Legal, and the International Financial Law Review. Read More
Carla Hamade is a dynamic marketer and community advocate dedicated to strengthening wellness, resilience, and social impact across the Lebanese and international diaspora and whose journey bridges Beirut and Miami. A graduate of IC and LAU, she founded the LAU Fashion Club to support emerging Lebanese creative talent and provide students with a platform for early visibility. She began her career on the marketing team at ACC, contributing to the company’s first corporate participation in the Beirut Marathon, and later joined BBAC, where she supported digital transformation initiatives that modernized customer experience. After relocating to Miami, she joined LVMH in sales and marketing, and following her experience there, she transitioned into leading a luxury fashion concept in Sunset Harbour; an epicenter of Miami’s wellness culture, deepening her belief in movement and wellbeing as catalysts for unity, resilience, and social connection. As a U.S. board member of the Beirut Marathon Association, she promotes running as a platform for wellbeing, empowerment, and meaningful community impact. Read More
Micheline Nader is a distinguished healthcare entrepreneur, author, and philanthropist who has made a significant impact in her fields of expertise. Holding a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), a Master of Public Health (MPH) from the American University of Beirut, and a Doctoral degree in healthcare management from Paris Dauphine University, Micheline's educational background reflects her commitment to healthcare. Driven by her passion for healthcare and entrepreneurship, Micheline founded and led the Blue Dolphin Healthcare Group, focusing on compassionate care and improving the lives of seniors. Her dedication and hard work resulted in the successful acquisition of the group by a prominent public healthcare organization. Furthermore, Micheline is a bestselling author in the fields of leadership and self-development. Her work continues to inspire individuals worldwide, with her latest international bestseller, Leap Beyond AI- Reinventing Leadership and Human Intelligence, offering practical insights on navigating disruption through human leadership and artificial intelligence. Currently, Micheline serves as the President of the Jesra Foundation, where she spearheads innovative health and education initiatives. Her dedication to philanthropy extends beyond her family foundation, as she serves on national and international boards, including Fairleigh Dickinson University and Takreem America, actively working to empower women through leadership and entrepreneurial pursuits. Micheline's outstanding contributions have earned her numerous prestigious awards, such as the esteemed Ellis Island Medal of Honor. Her unwavering commitment to fostering positive change in healthcare and education solidifies her status as a visionary leader and an inspiration for future generations. Read More
Rashal Baz Zureikat is a seasoned corporate attorney and nonprofit leader with a strong commitment to advancing mission-driven work through strategic legal counsel, operational insight, and community engagement. She currently serves as corporate counsel at ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, where she supports business and strategy objectives that amplify the hospital's lifesaving mission. Her work includes national regulatory compliance, risk mitigation, and legal support for global partnerships and market research initiatives. Ms. Zureikat brings a diverse legal background to her nonprofit work. She began her career clerking in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan and later worked in SAP's legal department, focusing on data privacy and corporate compliance. She then joined Seyfarth Shaw LLP in Chicago, representing management across multiple industries in complex labor and employment matters, including class action litigation and workplace discrimination cases. In addition to her legal career, Ms. Zureikat is the founder of the Lebanon Relief Project, an emergency relief initiative that successfully delivered over $50 million in medical supplies to hospitals in Lebanon in the aftermath of the 2020 Beirut port explosion. Her leadership in crisis response, global logistics, and stakeholder collaboration exemplifies her dedication to humanitarian impact. A passionate advocate for equity, health access, and cross-cultural collaboration, Rashal Baz Zureikat brings legal acumen, governance experience, and a deep understanding of nonprofit operations to her board service. She is based in Michigan and remains actively engaged in initiatives that bridge legal strategy with meaningful social impact. Read More
Mr. Salim Sessine was born in Lebanon and immigrated to the United States in 1979. Mr. Salim Sessine received a Masters of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan and is a Registered Professional Engineer for the State of Michigan. Mr. Salim Sessine is currently the Owner and President of MA Engineering and EAM Engineers, Inc., privately held consulting engineering firms, located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Mr. Salim Sessine's Cultural and Humanitarian Activities include: -Vice President for the Lebanese American Council for Democracy (LACD). -Parish Council Chairman for St. Mary's Orthodox Church in Livonia, Michigan. -Board Member of Trustee for the Christian Lebanese Foundation of the World (CLFW). -Member of the Advisory Board for ACCESS Community Organization. -Board Member of the American Task Force for Lebanon (ATFL). -Previous Board Member with the Auxilia Foundation. -Entrepreneur of the Year (2024) by the American Arab Chamber of Commerce. -Lifetime Achievement Medals of Honor Ellis Island. Mr. Salim Sessine was awarded an Honorable Mention at the first annual New Americans Appreciation Gala, which featured Governor Rick Snyder as its keynote speaker, for having made significant contributions to the community. Mr. Salim Sessine is a driven visionary who established himself as a respected businessman and trusted neighbor in the Metro Detroit Area. Mr. Salim Sessine embraces the future with his forward thinking and enthusiasm for the possibilities that lay ahead. Mr. Salim Sessine resides in West Bloomfield, Michigan with his family. Read More
Yasmine Shouhayib Troy, MI Originally from Aley, Lebanon, Yasmine Shouhayib was born to Fouad and Layla Daou of the Chouf region. She completed her education at the French "Rahbat" school in Aley before marrying Kamal Shouhayib and relocating to the United States in 1979. After dedicating herself to raising four children, Yasmine joined Kamal in their real estate management firm, The Choice Group. Together, they have built and overseen a wide portfolio of properties across the country. Their collaborative success and community impact earned them the Rotary International Crystal Award. Outside of work, Yasmine cherishes time with her family—especially her seven beloved grandchildren—and enjoys exploring the world alongside Kamal. Read More
Motivated professional with strong communication, organisational, and time-management skills. Experience includes volunteer leadership, administrative support in a medical office, and coordination of construction and property projects. Brings a journalism background, active lifestyle, and dedication to community engagement, including contributions to Lebanese-American cultural initiatives, while successfully managing multiple responsibilities as a mother of three. Read More
