Beirut: In the second cohort of "By Women, For Women: Introduction to Building Women's Leadership in Health and Public Health," twenty-two women healthcare professionals from across Lebanon gathered for a two-day workshop at the Suliman S. Olayan School of Business (OSB) at the American University of Beirut (AUB).
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, the program was jointly organized by the Center for Women in Business (CWiB) at OSB and the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the AUB Medical Center (AUBMC). It brought together women from various medical disciplines to strengthen leadership capacity, build confidence, and foster meaningful professional networks.
After a welcome note from Professor Yusuf Sidani, OSB dean, emphasizing the school's continuous support to the CWiB and its mission of empowering women leaders across sectors, participants heard from Dr. Hanan Balkhy, regional director for the Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office at the World Health Organization. Drawing from her global experience in health leadership, Dr. Balkhy shared lessons on resilience, purpose, and leading through uncertainty-underscoring how women's voices shape stronger, more equitable health systems.
Norwegian Ambassador to Lebanon Hilde Haraldstad also shared reflections on women's representation in the medical field. She highlighted Norway's advancements in women's representation in the healthcare sector, while also acknowledging the ongoing global challenge of women's underrepresentation in senior leadership roles. Her remarks offered both global perspective and local resonance, advocating for continued progress in leadership equity.
The workshop featured sessions led by AUB female faculty members and experts, contributing insights on leadership, innovation, and personal growth. Dr. Ghina Ghazeeri, professor of obstetrics and gynecology and head of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at AUBMC, opened with "Core Competencies Unlocked-Foundations of Mastery in Healthcare Leadership." Her session explored skills needed for effective team leadership, balancing clinical excellence with organizational priorities, and building confidence as decision-makers.
Dr. Rola Chami-Malaeb, assistant professor of human resource management at OSB, led "Leading Change with Purpose," focusing on managing transformation and inspiring innovation. She was joined by Manal Ayoub, fertility nurse and patient educator at AUBMC, who shared her experience as a nurse leader and mentor, illustrating how empathy, teamwork, and emotional intelligence can transform clinical practice.
In "Amplify Your Influence-Negotiating Powerfully and Celebrating Achievements," Dr. Nada Khaddage-Soboh, director of the Center for Women in Business at OSB, guided participants through skills needed to advocate for themselves and others, paving the way for more women in leadership roles across healthcare.
The second day focused on adaptability, digital presence, and resilience. Dr. Jessy Kfoury, OSB senior lecturer in marketing, led "Your Online Presence," encouraging authentic digital identities for professional credibility. Dr. Maya Romani followed with "Resilient Leadership-Mastering Work-Life Integration and Preventing Burnout," offering strategies for maintaining well-being in demanding environments.
Dr. Mona Itani, assistant professor of entrepreneurship at OSB, delivered "Fostering Intrapreneurship in the Workplace," encouraging creativity within organizations. The program concluded with "Women's Leadership in Crisis Times," presented by Dr. Eveline Hitti, sharing insights from her experience leading emergency response teams through crises.
As the workshop concluded, participants reflected on the transformative experience, emphasizing peer learning, mentorship, and collective growth. This workshop marked the first module of a multi-phase initiative to build leadership capacity among women in healthcare, raise awareness of systemic barriers, and foster a sustainable community of women leaders driving innovation and transformation across Lebanon and the wider region.