born in June 1967, in Beirut.

first born child of my beloved parents, Amal Hassan and Nadim Makarem

at birth, my family’s residence was Nigeria. my first six years of life were imprinted by my experiences in Africa.

in 1973, the decision to return to Lebanon, on the dawn of a civil war, was a milestone turning point.

in my primary years, I was the student of a schooling system that was very strict and constrained. it’s focus was on discipline and academic rigor.

I skipped a class at the age of 6yrs and was a high achiever yet very unhappy and isolated. it was time to shift.

at fifth grade, I moved to a more “liberal” school in the capital.

at Beirut, the campus atmosphere of the school was open and liberal, which challenged my traditional upbringing. here, I managed to enhance my observation witnessing skills while I navigated the feeling of “not being seen”.

in 1984, I graduated with distinction yet it was clear that I was part of a general schooling system that honored academic achievement, focused on developing the rational mind and preparing us for higher education, while neglecting the creative self.

during my computer and communications engineering studies at the American University of Beirut from 1984 to 1988. I witnessed first-hand how university admissions, stereotyping degrees, and imposed requirements influence and potentially constrain the paths of many, because they don’t consider their learners’ creative powers, multiple intelligences, values and inner capacities.

in summer of 1988, I moved to London.

until the spring of 1989, I wasn’t sure what I will be doing. I was settling into the rhythm of a new country. I was integrating twenty one years, acknowledging the journey so far, embracing the resilient and adaptable capacities that came with my adolescent years, and preparing for the next stage of my life journey.

I now realize that this  period of “no work” – the empty space between one phase and another – was an integral practice: honoring Transition.

in autumn 1989, I entered the workforce joining NCR UK. here, I established and run a network computing center to bring products and services closer to customers. my design skills were starting to be harnessed with “cooperation” and “collaboration” as key ingredients.

in 1993, it was time to prepare for the return to Beirut. I was given a sabbatical year.

in autumn 1993, I joined a master’s degree from UCL, London in data communications, networks, and distributed systems. the only woman in a class of men, was a challenge and an opportunity. the scientist in me flourished.

in 1994, I graduated with honors.

I now realize that this year was an integral practice: preparing for Transition.

in summer 1994, I moved to Beirut.

until the spring of 1995, I wasn’t sure what I will be doing. I was sensing while keeping myself occupied by learning a new language. I was integrating my previous six years before deciding what next.

I now realize that this  period of “no work” – the empty space between one phase and another – was an integral practice: honoring Transition.

in 1996, I started my own family with Akram Saab.  in 1998, our first born son, Rakan, was born. in 2000, our daughter, Riwa, was born.

my choice was clear, the wellbeing of my family comes first – knowing that the first seven years of our children’s life is critical to their life journey. at the same time I acknowledged the importance of being an active contributor to the larger society through my work, and recognized the value it brings to myself, to my family and to all I am being in service of. my request to work part-time was accepted.

the key word during this stage is Balance.

(photo of our home designed by polypod, captured by mazen jannoun)

during spring 1995, I received a call and there I was starting a new career in project management with the United Nations Development Program at the Office of the Minister of State for Administrative Reform.

I, like most people, had been oriented towards status-quo jobs that offer the basic security of survival. accepting them, knowing we are making a difference yet being blinded that we are cycling away from self-progress was dawning on me. in 2006, I had my final wake-up call.  I realized that my success was not based on the knowledge I had gained at school and university, but in fact was a consequence of who I am – my creative life force! 

I chose to walk out. the photo is my exit presentation.

in february 2007, after a short-term project at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for West Asia, assessing and improving the workflow of their regular program for technical Cooperation, I committed to a year with the Office of the Prime Minister as program coordinator for the partnership for Lebanon initiative.

I now realize that this year was an integral practice: preparing for Transition.

in December 2007, I entered into the space of the “unknown”, into a journey of exploration to rediscover what I wasn’t taught at school and to unlearn what I have been taught that limits my expansion. 

my voice and creative expression emerged.

in 2017, I authored a journal book “into the dance of life”. I became an entrepreneur, developing an embodied creative leadership program for adolescents and adults, and founding nSite – a creative community space in Beirut, Lebanon.

(photos at Cordoba mosque-cathedral by georgianne cowan)