Leadership & Governance

Mr. Najib Azar is a seasoned finance and accounting professional with extensive experience spanning over a decade in audit, accounting, and financial management. He has a proven track record of delivering strategic financial solutions, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and optimizing organizational financial performance. With a deep understanding of financial reporting, budgeting, and risk assessment, he has successfully guided businesses through complex financial landscapes. His expertise extends to streamlining operations, implementing robust accounting systems, and fostering financial transparency to drive informed decision-making. Mr. Azar's dedication to excellence and his analytical acumen have made him a valuable asset in both corporate and advisory roles.

Mrs. Iman Nasreddine Assaf is the founder of the Beirut, Lebanon-based NGO Ahla Fawda, which aims to support, provide for, assist, and sustain necessities for Lebanon's most vulnerable communities. She is also the co-founder of the NGO Art of Change – Lebanon, which promotes hope by beautifying communities through creating breathtaking murals and turning the streets into large public galleries. She works tirelessly to organize national cultural festivals and events.

Mr. Antoine Chahine is the Chairman and General Manager of ALyarz S.A.L Leisure Club, a premier destination for recreation, wellness, and social engagement, with a focus on excellence and innovation, Mr. Chahine has been instrumental in enhancing the club's offerings, fostering a welcoming environment, and ensuring a high standard of customer satisfaction. His dedication to community building and strategic management has solidified ALyarz Leisure Club's reputation as a benchmark in the leisure industry.

Mr. Fady Jamaleddine is a distinguished legal expert, serving as Chairman, Founding Managing Partner at MENA City Lawyers. Renowned for his expertise in Corporate and Commercial Law, Property Law, and Corporate Finance, he specializes in M&A, BOT and PPP projects, and cross-border financial transactions. A Vice President of the Association of European Lawyers (AEA) and member of prestigious international legal associations, he also engages in pro bono work and holds leadership roles, including as Ambassador of the Environment and Sustainable Development Unit at AUB and a trustee of AUL University and ULF University. He is also a founding partner of the Lebanese Association for Human Rights and Founder and Owner of Crazy Farm; a bio-Lebanese experimental farm in West Bekaa.

Dr. Walid Khairallah serves as the medical director of Green Clinics, a multidisciplinary healthcare center in Beirut, Lebanon, which practices an integrated approach to medicine. An alum of the American University of Beirut's medical school, Dr. Khairallah specializes in evidence-based nutritional therapy, integrative medicine, and functional healthcare. His post-graduate training includes Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, as well as health coaching. Dr. Khairallah offers medical and nutritional guidance to patients with diabetes, hormonal imbalances, chronic diseases, and conditions that influenced by imbalances in the gut microbiome including children on the autism spectrum and children with attention deficit disorder. At Step Together, we are immensely proud to have Dr. Khairallah as a board member and eagerly anticipate his upcoming lecture.

Meet the Founder: Dr. Waltraud Merhej, a German pediatrician, began her remarkable journey in Lebanon in 1967, working at the Saint Charles German Hospital. Tragedy struck in 1975, when her husband Riad Nasahbe passed away but she remained steadfast in her mission. She worked with the Palestinian Red Crescent and was a director of the Nasra Children's Hospital in the Shatila camp. She founded "Le Petit Prince" a Waldorf kindergarten. Then, she married HE Bechara Merhej, and together, they embarked on a journey of compassion and service, working with several humanitarian organizations. Dr. Merhej established a diagnostic center with a team of professionals, and in 1993, she founded FiSTA (First Step Together Association) with two psychologists from Tripoli.

Together, they created a nurturing school and community for children and adults with special needs, establishing two branches in Beirut and Tripoli. Her academic contributions included lecturing at the AUB from 1987 until 2007, when her vision impairment, macular degeneration, regrettably forced her to cease teaching. With unwavering courage and boundless hope, Dr. Merhej embarked on the arduous journey of overseeing the construction of a new campus in Dayshounieh, a monumental endeavor that began in 2006. Remarkably, the land for this purpose was generously donated by one of the parents, underlining the strong community support for her noble cause. This campus features an organic architectural marvel consisting of four main blocks, made possible through the generous contributions of many donors and the support of BMZ and the Arab Fund. It serves as the heart of the First Step Together Association, now known as the Step Together Association. It embodies the vision and resilience of Dr. Waltraud Merhej and her unwavering commitment to the welfare of underprivileged individuals and those with special needs. Dr. Merhej stands as an inspirational figure, a beacon of determination and humanitarian values, steadfastly supporting underprivileged children and adults with special needs in very challenging circumstances.

Dr. Rim Nashabe Mouawad is an innovative educator and humanitarian dedicated to advancing inclusive and special education in Lebanon and beyond. As Chairperson and Executive Director of Step Together Association, she has pioneered transformative initiatives inspired by Waldorf educational principles, promoting social inclusion and holistic learning. With a career rooted in social activism and driven by her early experiences with individuals with special needs, Dr. Mouawad has developed groundbreaking teacher training programs, inclusive curricula, and early childhood education frameworks in collaboration with international partners. A global advocate for Steiner education, she holds a Ph.D. from the University of Aberdeen and has contributed to international conferences and councils, shaping policies and practices in inclusive education. Her academic roles at AUB and LAU and her book, The Different Child, further highlight her commitment to empowering educators and fostering a more inclusive educational future.

Adriana Doumit is a passionate and dynamic business developer deeply inspired by the principles and philosophy of Waldorf Education. Her approach integrates creativity, holistic thinking, and a strong focus on human-centered values, which are hallmarks of the Waldorf methodology. Beyond her professional pursuits, Adriana is devoted to empowering others by sharing her knowledge and expertise in business development. Through her efforts, she aims to foster collaboration, growth, and a sense of community, helping individuals and organizations achieve their goals while staying true to values of integrity and innovation.