ILA Podcast

Thriving During Crisis: A Successful Middle Eastern Businesswoman

Maureen Metcalf Podcast Cover

with Aline Kamakian

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Thriving during a crisis is a challenging feat for any leader. Aline Kamakian shares how she encountered the difficult decisions that many faced in the hospitality industry due to the pandemic –then dealing with the destruction of one of her restaurants during the massive explosion in Beirut, Lebanon, in August of 2020. Aline reveals how she adapted to the crises her business endured, and offers very real-world advice for leaders gleaned from those experiences.

About Aline Kamakian

Aline Kamakian

Aline Kamakian began her career as an insurance broker at the age of 18 to put herself through college. She graduated with a double major with a Masters in Finance and Marketing.  Aline’s skills as an insurance broker allowed her to build one of Lebanon’s top 9 brokerage firms. All through her successes, Aline never forgot her love for food; more importantly, she never forgot her Armenian roots. In June 2003, she opened “Mayrig,” an avant-guardiste traditional Armenian restaurant to introduce the forgotten flavors of ancient Armenia to all those who appreciate homey, healthy and tasty food. Aline was also voted Woman Entrepreneur of the Year 2014 in the Brilliant Lebanese Awards. She is a board member of the Lebanese Franchise Association as well as a board member of the Lebanese League of Women in Business, and a successful candidate of the 2014 Vital Voices Fellowship Program.

Host Maureen Metcalf

Maureen Metcalf

Maureen Metcalf, Founder and CEO of the Innovative Leadership Institute, is a highly sought-after expert in anticipating and leveraging future business trends to transform organizations. She has captured 30 years of experience in an award-winning series of books used by public, private, and academic organizations to align company-wide strategy, systems, and culture using Innovative Leadership techniques. 

Maureen shares her hard-won insights through public speaking, industry publications, interviews, and video presentations. She is a regular contributor to Forbes.com, host of the top international radio show, Innovating Leadership, Co-creating Our Future, and author of the award-winning Innovative Leadership book series. The series includes: Innovative Leadership FieldbookInnovative Leaders Guide to Transforming Organizations; Innovative Leadership Workbook for Global Leaders; and Innovative Leadership for Health Care, among others.

She is a Fellow of the International Leadership Association.

About Innovating Leadership: Co-Creating Our Future

The pace of change in the world is increasing exponentially. Leadership must evolve. And that gets to the heart of our mission: To bring you the latest thoughts on leadership so you can innovate, learn, and evolve…growing your team, your business, and yourself! This series features a new interview every week. Host Maureen Metcalf interviews world leaders, global business and NPO executives, thought leaders, and researchers in a wide range of industries. It’s a breadth of perspectives unavailable anywhere else. Become an innovative leader in your own right! 

Innovating Leadership is proud to partner with the International Leadership Association on a yearly series of episodes on global leadership with special ILA speakers, members, and guests. 

As an Amazon Affiliate, ILA earns a small amount from qualifying purchases (at no extra charge to you) when you click on the link(s) to the book(s) above. Thank you for your support!