Beirut, Lebanon – June 2026
The 12th edition of the Unleash Your Creativity Contest concluded on June 4, 2026, at the Middle East Training Center in Beirut, reaffirming its position as one of Lebanon’s leading youth empowerment and talent development platforms. Organized by Fernand Hosri Group as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility commitment, the initiative continues to bridge the gap between higher education and the labor market by connecting university students with real business challenges, professional mentorship, and meaningful industry exposure.
Held under the patronage of the Ministry of Labor and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, the event brought together representatives from academia, the private sector, and public institutions around a shared objective: investing in Lebanon’s youth and creating pathways toward employability, innovation, and future leadership.
COO of Fernand Hosri Group, Carina Hosri Boustani: “What began twelve years ago as a student competition has evolved into a national platform dedicated to empowering young Lebanese talent. Through collaboration between universities, students, industry experts, and corporate partners, Unleash Your Creativity encourages creativity, innovation, professional development, and future-oriented thinking while providing students with practical experiences rarely accessible through traditional academic programs alone.”
This year’s edition was developed in collaboration with NEO by Bank Audi and challenged participants to explore the future of digital banking transformation through the concept of neobanking. In a country still navigating the long-term consequences of the banking sector crisis, students were invited to develop strategic marketing campaigns addressing how technology, innovation, and customer-centric solutions can contribute to rebuilding trust and engagement within the financial sector.
The 2026 edition brought together more than 150 students representing 60 teams from nine leading Lebanese universities: the American University of Beirut (AUB), Lebanese American University (LAU), Université Saint-Joseph (USJ), Notre Dame University (NDU), Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK), École Supérieure des Affaires (ESA), American University of Science and Technology (AUST), the University of Balamand (UOB), and the Lebanese University (LU).
Following several months of preparation, evaluation, mentorship, and coaching, ten finalist teams advanced to the final stage of the competition, joined by an additional team selected through public voting.
Throughout the program, participants benefited from intensive coaching and mentoring sessions led by industry professionals including Deenah Fakhoury, Rami Itani, Joe Abou Khaled, Naila Saba, Nisrine Haddad, Rudy Shoushany, and Mario Lilly. Students also participated in one-on-one guidance sessions designed to strengthen their strategic thinking, presentation skills, and campaign development capabilities.
Finalist campaigns were evaluated by a distinguished jury panel composed of Riccardo Hosri, CEO of Fernand Hosri Group Holding; Hani Bohsali, representing Beirut Traders Association; Anthony Azzi, Creative Director at Impact BBDO; Moe Minkara, Marketing Communications Professional at Mink; Elie Ghanime, Chairman of Rubicom; and Saydeh Younes, Head of Product & Marketing at NEO Digital Bank by Bank Audi.
Carina Boustani, creator and organizer of Unleash Your Creativity, also commented:
“Even in the most difficult times, we choose to move forward. This initiative is a testament to our belief in the resilience, creativity, and potential of Lebanese youth. We remain committed to nurturing their talents and giving them a platform to shine, because we truly believe that they will shape a stronger, more vibrant future for our country and its economy.”
The winning teams of the 2026 edition were:
• First Place: LAU JBEIL- Tatiana Al Murr, Karen Lteif
• Second Place: ESA – Sacha Chalhoub, Elena Wakim, Celine El Darwish
• Third Place: USEK – Jana Challita, Joya Saba, Nathalia Wakim, Yasmina Zein
• Public Vote Winner: USEK – Sacha Mehanna, Mia Saad, Rhea Haddad, Serge Bassil
As part of their recognition, first-place winners will receive internship opportunities with leading international marketing agencies, while the remaining winning teams will benefit from internships within leading local agencies. All finalist teams received certificates recognizing their successful completion of the program’s coaching and mentorship journey.
The success of the 12th edition was made possible through the support and collaboration of strategic partners including NEO by Bank Audi, Beirut Traders Association, the United Nations Global Compact Network Lebanon, the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, Middle East Training Center, Impact BBDO, TBWA\RAAD, Mink, and Rubicom.
As Lebanon continues to face significant economic and social challenges, initiatives such as Unleash Your Creativity demonstrate the power of collaboration between academia, industry, and the private sector in supporting youth employability, fostering innovation, and retaining talent. More than a competition, Unleash has become a growing ecosystem connecting students, professionals, mentors, and organizations around a shared commitment to Lebanon’s future.