Board of Directors

Samir Abdelmalak
President and Co-founder
Empowering local
With an unyielding belief in Lebanon’s potential and richness, Samir embodies the spirit of empowerment and resilience. He lives by the words of Gibran Khalil Gibran, reminding us that true strength lies in weaving our own cloth, harvesting our own bread, and savoring the wine from our own wine-press. As a renowned lawyer with a lifelong dedication to the Lebanese civil society, Samir is an activist, particularly in the fields of rural development and intercultural dialogue.

Gabriel Debbane
Vice-president and Co-founder
Unwavering dedication
As a renowned businessman, Gabriel stands as a vigilant guardian over Fair Trade Lebanon. With wisdom and experience, he breathes life into our organization’s prospects and development strategies. Gabriel’s entrepreneurial journey has fueled his boundless enthusiasm for products and services crafted with genuine Lebanese expertise. He has taken it upon himself to be an firm supporter and an inspiring ambassador for Lebanese products and culture, both at home and abroad.

Joanne Karkour
Secretary and Co-founder
Fierce determination to break the silence
Joanne, an Economics graduate with a Master’s in telecommunications, has left an indelible mark on the development of Fair Trade Lebanon’s Marketing and Communication strategy. Her career in operations management and consultancy with prominent local and regional companies has shaped her expertise. Before co-founding her own retail concept shop, Joanne was guided by the words of Martin Luther King: ‘It’s not the violence of the few that scares me; it’s the silence of the many.

Philippe Adaime
CEO and Co-founder
Solid belief in the possible
Philippe brings a wealth of experience in management, financial consultancy, and university teaching to his role as a business lawyer and MBA holder. His remarkable vision and passion have positioned him as one of the main pillars nurturing Fair Trade Lebanon since its inception. Philippe’s managerial acumen and long-term perspective have driven our organization’s growth and expansion, establishing us as a force to be reckoned with.

Dominique Lesaffre
Member of the Board of Directors in charge of Management and Financial Strategy
Deep understanding of diverse regions
As an independent consultant specializing in solidarity finance, Dominique brings over 40 years of expertise in designing, developing, and evaluating financing systems for development. With an Economics degree from the University of Vienna and an MBA from ESSCA Angers, his diverse background includes managing a hospital in the Brazilian Amazon and holding executive positions in European solidarity and social investment organizations. Dominique’s extensive experience extends across regions like Latin America, Sahel, Palestine, and Southern Africa.
Team
