RDCL Elects Joumana Saddi Chaya as President and Six New Board Members

First woman to hold this position

Beirut, June 3, 2025 : The Lebanese Business Leaders Association (RDCL) held its ordinary general assembly on June 2, 2025, at ESA Business School – Clemenceau, Beirut, to elect a new board of directors in accordance with its bylaws.

In a notable milestone, the newly elected board elected Ms. Joumana Saddi Chaya as President of the Association, making her the first woman to hold this position since the Association’s establishment in 1986, and the first woman to serve on the board of Lebanon’s economic organizations. The election results were as follows: Joumana Saddi Chaya – President; Cyrille Arida – Vice President; Robert Kanaan – Secretary-General; Hassan Sinno – External Relations Officer; Hassib Lahoud – Membership Officer; Valerie Zakka – Treasurer; and Diane Ayoub, Christelle Boustany, Dalia Jubaili, Nadim Daher, Jean Tawile, and Labib Nasr – Board Members.

The general assembly was held in the presence of the Minister of Industry, Mr. Joe Issa El Khoury, and the Governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon, Mr. Karim Souaid, as guests of honor — underscoring the importance of public-private sector collaboration in supporting Lebanon’s recovery.

Mr. Maxence Duault, Director General of ESA Business School, delivered the opening remarks, expressing his "delight at seeing Lebanese business leaders work tirelessly, despite the challenges and crises facing Lebanon, to help the country overcome hardships," and commending "the Association’s strong commitment to organizing model elections on a regular basis."

Outgoing RDCL President, Mr. Nicolas Boukather, gave a speech in which he said: "During my mandate, I worked to defend the legal private sector in Lebanon’s darkest moments, and in every challenge, I found meaning and pride. The election of Joumana Saddi Chaya as the first woman President of the Association and the first woman to join Lebanon’s economic organizations is a pioneering achievement. In addition to her valuable expertise, her election will reinforce the role of women in Lebanon’s economic leadership." He continued: "The legal private sector is the key to unleashing Lebanon’s tremendous potential. It did not simply withstand the crisis—it bore the weight of an entire nation on its shoulders." Calling for "urgent reforms before it is too late," he concluded: "Today, I step down from the presidency of the Association, confident that the journey will move forward under the new board, driven by a clear vision and a spirit of commitment and teamwork."

For her part, the newly elected President of the Association stated: "It is an honor to be the first woman President of the Association, which I am proud to be part of. I promise to carry this responsibility with the utmost dedication and commitment." She thanked the outgoing President, saying: "Thank you for your visionary leadership, perseverance, and unwavering belief in Lebanon and its legal private sector." She also thanked the outgoing board members, emphasizing "a continued commitment to the strong foundation established during their tenure." She added: "Lebanon is undergoing a phase of positive reform that will need to be urgently implemented — this is a valuable opportunity we must seize as a committed legal private sector that leads rather than observes." She concluded: " Our mission is in driving economic growth, promoting integrity, and upholding a fair and legal system. We will work with transparency and perseverance to accompany change and strengthen Lebanon’s position as a free space for growth and entrepreneurship."

The outgoing board presented a comprehensive report on the Association’s activities during 2024, which included key initiatives, partnerships, and projects. The financial report was presented by outgoing Treasurer Mr. Nadim Daher and was unanimously approved.

It is worth noting that the Association used electronic voting for the second time since its founding, through a special program developed in collaboration with the Children’s Cancer Center of Lebanon. A group of young women and men from the center contributed to organizing the voting process as part of a partnership aimed at enhancing cooperation between both parties.