After last year’s success, the Lebanese League for Women in Business (LLWB) took the initiative to relaunch the Corporate Ambassadors Program (CAP) in Beirut, Lebanon. This pivotal event is once again in partnership with the Middle East and North Africa Businesswomen’s Network, the U.S. Department of State’s Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) and Vital Voices Global Partnership. This year’s timely and appropriate theme is Redefining Strategies during Crisis.  CAP 2009 was more than just a series of panels covering important topics; it was a forum for the exchange of ideas and a means to help solidify the vital link between businesswomen in the MENA region and the United States.

Hotel Le Gabriel Beirut was abuzz on the 25 and 26th of September with around 200 professionals, three U.S. executives and a Lebanese panel. Sharing knowledge pertinent to the media, FMCG and financial industries under the theme’s umbrella, this key exchange is part of the Corporate Ambassadors Program, a strategy designed to develop women’s entrepreneurship overseas by connecting high-level female executives from the United States with emerging businesswomen leaders from other countries. This program empowers women in the MENA region with the management, business development, marketing and communications skills necessary to expand their enterprises, help provide for their families, and create jobs within their communities. Thus this event strongly mirrors LLWB’s drive to ensure businesswomen actualize their true potential.

Attracting LLWB members, many men, professionals from across the board, business owners, government officials and employees and NGO representatives, the Corporate Ambassador Program featured esteemed American speakers V. Sue Molina (Retired Partner, Deloitte & Touche, LLP), Julie Bergman Sender (Executive Producer & Founder of The Cause Company), Maxine Champion (President & Founder of Champion Strategies), in addition to respected speakers from Lebanon.  The fully-charged yet varied schedule shed professional insight into the manifold elements of ‘Redefining Strategies during Crisis’ while providing an ideal opportunity for networking and interaction.

CAP 2009 proved to be another triumph that stood out in today’s extremely challenging corporate world. LLWB’s commitment to creating brighter prospects for women and hence the community at large was clearly evident in this event.  LLWB continues its pledge to lead landmark events and programs in the present for the future.