Andrea Soueidan
Andrea Soueidan is originally Lebanese, she was born and raised in Montreal, Canada. She resided in Chicago, Il, in Dubai, UAE and returned back home in 2012. She launched her own Concierge and Event Planning company. This year she celebrates 10 years in business with pride and joy!
It’s hard to describe Andrea’s professional role, but it’s even harder to point out what she can not do. In fact, her passion is her daily motivation. She connects people together, she helps elevate busy people’s lives so they can live and work to their fullest capacity. A lifestyle manager that offers you the luxury of time.
She is a person that intuitively finds solutions, and that is able to connect people to all their needs, usually by their first meeting. From all her encompassing vantage points, she visualizes the links, the lines, the connections that join the dots to make your life easier.
She makes Magic Happen at its fullest!!
Bassam Touchan
Bassam holds an MBA as well as the title of Certified Management Accountant which he obtained in 2007. He is also a financial planner. In 2009, Bassam became a private banker. He then put all his assets at the service of a wealthy clientele looking for personalized service. His understanding of wealth management therefore stems as much from his experience in customer service as from his knowledge of the business world. He cares about the financial concerns of his clients, ranging from retirement planning to the day-to-day management of their transactions. Bassam joined Groupe Lalonde-Doyon in December 2018.
In addition, Bassam is involved in several causes, whether as a volunteer or a member of the board of directors. He is indeed a member of the Board of Directors of the Foundation du Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montreal (CHUM Foundation), Treasurer and executive member of the Gerard-Delage Foundation, Treasurer and executive member of the Canada Lebanon Chamber of Commerce & industry, he worked within the F.E.Lib Foundation (Vice-President from 2013 to 2016), the Canada-Lebanon Chamber of Commerce (Administrator 2016 and 2017)
Darine Haddad, MBA
Darine Haddad is a Senior Relationship Manager for Commercial Services at RBC, leveraging her passion, skills, and knowledge across multiple roles and sectors within the organization for over 20 years. With a B.A.A. from HEC and an EMBA from JMSB Concordia, she has held several leadership positions leading teams, branches, and markets of varying sizes. Darine’s strategic mindset earned her a nomination as Strategy and Initiatives Advisor, covering Quebec, and supporting the management of RBC’s business priorities. During the pandemic, she stepped up to help businesses in her current position as Senior Director, Commercial Services.
In addition to her professional activities, Darine is a committed philanthropist, particularly focused on supporting entrepreneurs, women, youth, growing businesses, and caregivers for the elderly. She was part of the launch of a Lebanese Business Development Committee within RBC in 2021 aimed at creating opportunities and impact. Darine has been awarded the Elite Banker title many times and was also honored with the Leo RBC Award, the highest honor reserved for less than 1% of employees.
Ghada Abou Assali
“Ghada, who recently completed her education studies, currently teaches fourth grade. Prior to pursuing her education studies, Ghada gained experience in business management as the owner of two café depots in Montreal for nearly two decades. She developed skills in strategic planning, employee management, and collaboration with suppliers and customers.
Ghada is also a persevering and determined person, which has helped her achieve her professional goals. As a teacher, she enjoys helping her students reach their full potential and develop their love for learning. She is also open-minded and curious about discovering new cultures and ideas.
She is delighted to work with other members of the “Board of Friends” and passionate about making the Lebanese Film Festival in Canada an unforgettable success. Her experience in business management and education can be useful in helping to organize successful events and promote the festival.”
Lilianne Nazar
Lilianne Nazar is the Vice President of Corporate Sales at BMW-MINI Montreal Centre and the President of the Canada-Lebanon Chamber of Commerce and Industry. She holds a degree in finance and financial planning and has an accreditation from the Canadian Institute of Bankers and the University of Toronto. With over 20 years of experience in various major financial institutions in Canada, she has held several leadership positions in the areas of wealth management, business development, and branch management. She has also received numerous excellence awards, including the BMO Bank of Montreal’s Grand Leadership Prize.
Outside of her professional activities, Lilianne is heavily involved in the business and cultural communities of Quebec and Canada. She has been involved in the CCICL to support projects for entrepreneurs, businesses, and businesswomen for the growth and success of the Canado-Lebanese and Canadian business community. She is a mother of two children and advocates for values of respect and human connection to create a harmonious, healthy, and prosperous society.
Mark Ghanime
Mark Ghanimé is a premier Lebanese Canadian actor born in Calgary, Canada but he didn’t set out to be in the performing arts. After graduating with a finance degree, he was in the real estate development world, working with his father and other developers. The attraction to performing was too great however and at the age of 22, Mark began taking dance, vocal training and ultimately on a whim, saying yes to a background role on a film starring Juliette Lewis.
From that day forward he knew being on set was where he belonged. His mixed, ethnically ambiguous strength afforded him the ability to play a myriad of archetypes from good, bad and everything in between and those piercing green eyes command attention when he’s on the screen, big or small.
After success in a number of network TV shows in Vancouver, Mark booked the series regular role of Sergio Balleseros in SyFy network’s Helix which filmed in Montreal, Canada. After the show’s exciting 2 season run, Mark moved on to recur and star in various successful shows like Private Eyes, Reign, Slasher and found films for Syfy and Netflix along the way.
Mark currently stars as Dr. Cameron Hayek, the new Lebanese American doctor in town on Netflix’s VIRGIN RIVER. The show is one of the most streamed shows of all time.
Mark resides in Montreal with his wife as they raise their lovely daughter together.
Rita Kachich
Rita Kachich is a Relationship Manager at RBC, specializing in Commercial Financial Services, retail, consumer services, and franchise. With over 30 years of experience, she manages her portfolio by providing advice and solutions to her clients, helping them achieve their goals. Rita has held various roles within RBC, including personal customer service, managing personal clients, coaching new employees, and small business. Since 2022, she has been working in commercial service, where she has brought her expertise to businesses, business owners, and their employees.
Throughout her career, Rita has been recognized for her superior performance, winning the Elite Banker title multiple times and receiving the highest distinction reserved for less than 1% of employees, the RBC Leo award. Rita is originally from Lebanon and moved to Canada in 1990. Besides her professional work, she is also involved in her community and volunteers her time to help students. In 2021, she joined the Lebanese business development committee within RBC with the aim of creating opportunities and exerting impact and influence between the two worlds. Rita is married and has two children.
Roni Daoud
Roni Daoud is an accomplished professional with an innovative and entrepreneurial spirit. As a member of The Board of Friends, he has been a driving force behind the success of the Lebanese Film Festival of Canada, bringing valuable perspectives and helping maintain strong ties between Lebanon and its diaspora. Roni’s education spans both Lebanon and Canada, having received his Bachelor of Biology from the American University of Beirut and his PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from McGill University in 2000, with his research in cancer chemotherapy being widely recognized.
Roni’s passion for innovation and knowledge led him to obtain his Doctor of Optometry from the University of Montreal in 2005. He founded Le Groupe Curyeux, a practice management, research, and development group in the vision care field that operates four large optometry clinics in the Montreal area, serving as training centers for optometry graduates. Additionally, he founded two technology companies: Retinahub, a platform for professional collaboration solutions and teleconsultation, and Eyelabs, a company for computer-assisted refraction in eyecare.
Apart from his professional achievements, Roni has diverse interests in music, photography, technology, international politics, interior design, traveling, gardening, and nature. He is happily married to his university sweetheart, Dr. Annie Mayer, and has three sons: Rafael, Gabriel, and Thierry.
Sayde Jabra
As a freelance and passionate photographer with over 10 years of experience in the field of photography: editorial, magazine cover, portrait, fashion, content creation, beauty, culinary, jewelry, e-commerce, lookbooks and products. She manages sessions; organizes and develops a photoshoot plan, creates a mood board, sets creative direction, and helps with the styling process. Sayde has worked with over 400 clients in the fashion industry including: Lancôme, Lancel, Love Moschino, Mont Blanc, Audermars Piguet, Lacoste, Mango, Gap, Adidas, Bershka as well as hotels (Four Seasons & more). Her work has been featured in over 10 different media: TVs, magazines and newspapers such as LaPresse, Radio Canada (Radio & TV)
