EXPERIENCE
aanab news
writer
sep 2022 – present
BEIRUT, LEBANON
Publishing a weekly newsletter on Substack about the culture of Lebanon, through the lens of wine
B For Bacchus
CREATOr & Host
MAY 2019 – DEC 2023
BEIRUT, LEBANON
Producing (researching, writing, editing) and hosting the B for Bacchus podcast – Writing an online weekly newsletter – Creating guided wine experiences – Designing wine-themed merchandise and a print newspaper, Aanab
Woodland Hills Wine Company
Sales & Ancient World Wine Buyer
SEP 2021 – FEB 2023
LOS ANGELES, CA – U.S.A.
Building the Ancient World wine category in one of SoCal’s top wine retail stores – Launching a weekly targeted email and selling in-store which resulted in a run-rate of $100K annually with a 31% profit margin for the category alone
The Wine Zine
Contributing Editor & Writer
OCT 2020 – OCT 2022
REMOTE
Brainstorming content for each issue and recruiting new writers – Promoting new issues – Authoring a minimum of one main article/issue on the Eastern Mediterranean/Caucasus and editing other writers’ work
Farentina Trading Co. (DBA Wesley’s Wholesale)
Creative Strategist
DEC 2015 – JUN 2020
BEIRUT, LEBANON
Purchasing imported FMCG and marketing them to Beirut market – Designing all online communications – Liaising with store’s Brand Ambassador – Representing company as lead buyer at international trade shows
Tarek Atrissi Design
Design Intern
SEP 2015 – NOV 2015
BARCELONA, SPAIN
Training with designer, Tarek Atrissi, in the creation of Arabic typefaces, corporate identities and branding
H&C Leo Burnett
Art Director
DEC 2012 – JUN 2015
BEIRUT, LEBANON
Building Procter & Gamble CEEMEA (hair care division) brands and luxury brands of the Levant including Exotica, Mercedes-Benz while reporting directly to Regional Creative Director – Art directing TVC productions, online edits, and KV photo shoots – Composing and presenting agency talks on trends in design, tech, and advertising
VOLUNTEER
A Better Beirut Podcast
Co-Host
AUG 2018 – DEC 2020
afikra
Global Team Member
2017 – 2020
Nike Run Club
Beirut Ambassador
2016
AIGA Middle East
Beirut Ambassador
2015
TEDxBeirut
Design Team
2014
EDUCATION + CERTIFICATES
Napa Valley Wine Academy
Certified Specialist of Wine (C.S.W.)
American Wine Expert (A.W.E.)
WSET Level 2
NAPA VALLEY, CALIFORNIA, USA
Lebanese American University (L.A.U.)
B.s. Graphic Design
SEPT 2009 – JAN 2013
BEIRUT, LEBANON
American University of Beirut (A.U.B.)
B.s. Biology
SEPT 2006 – JUN 2009
BEIRUT, LEBANON
LANGUAGES
English (fluent)
Arabic (fluent)
French (beginner)
Spanish (beginner)