CV

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)