Since the founding of the QOOT Cluster in 2019, we have come a long way, thanks to the shared vision, passion, collaboration, and commitment of our board, of our team and of our members and associate members. Over the years, QOOT has grown into a driving force for innovation and collaboration within Lebanon’s agri-food sector.
On May 29, 2025, we marked an important milestone: The second election of our Cluster’s Board held at the Bossa Nova Hotel in Sin El Fil. The event brought together members to reflect on achievements, plan the road ahead, and welcome a newly elected board to lead Lebanon’s agri-food innovation cluster into the future.
Looking Back, Moving Forward
The 2025 General Assembly opened on a powerful note as President Nadine El Khoury took the stage, preparing to pass the torch after years of dedicated leadership. she reflected on the founding of QOOT Cluster in 2019, a vision that began with a handful of committed partners and has since evolved into the Lebanon’s most dynamic agri-food innovation communities.
With heartfelt emotion, Nadine expressed her gratitude to the QOOT Cluster community and founding board members, recognizing their commitment and perseverance throughout the Cluster’s formative years. This moment held great personal significance for her, it was both a celebration and a handover of a mission she remains profoundly committed to.
“QOOT was born out of a shared belief that Lebanon’s agri-food sector could be stronger together. I may be stepping away from the board, but my dedication to this community and its mission is stronger than ever.What we have built is not just a network, it is a movement of changemakers. Today, I leave this position with pride and trust in those who will carry the mission forward.” said Nadine El Khoury.
Following this heartfelt tribute, Executive Director Marc Bou Zeidan underscored the General Assembly’s significance as a pivotal moment of both reflection and forward momentum. He framed the gathering as an opportunity to celebrate QOOT Cluster’s progress while setting a course for the future, presenting an overview of QOOT’s Milestones for 2024–2025 and showcasing the Cluster’s progress, from new market access programs to collaborative innovation efforts and global participation in trade expos.
The financial state of the Cluster was then presented by Treasurer Paul Eid, who offered members a comprehensive financial overview. He detailed the year’s budget allocations, and resource management, reinforcing QOOT Cluster’s commitment to transparency and sustainability.
A key transitional moment followed with remarks from Ramy Boujawdeh, former board member and Chief Operations Officer at Berytech. As one of QOOT’s original visionaries, Ramy spoke about the Cluster’s journey from inception to impact.
Following this, legal expert Me. Maya Abdallah explained the board election process in detail. She outlined the eligibility criteria, legal responsibilities, and voting procedures, ensuring that all members were informed and the process remained transparent, fair, and inclusive, consistent with QOOT Cluster’s principles.
The session concluded with the candidate presentations, where each nominee was given the opportunity to address the assembly, sharing their motivation to join the board and the value they hoped to bring to the Cluster’s continued growth. From cider-makers and organic wellness founders to agribusiness executives and branding strategists, the group reflected the vibrant diversity of Lebanon’s agri-food ecosystem.
The Process Behind QOOT’s 2025 Board Election
QOOT Cluster’s commitment to integrity, transparency, and inclusivity, was reflected by the Board Election Guidelines and process. The board is composed of nine members in total with five seats open for election in this cycle and four seats retained from the previous 2019–2025 board. To be eligible, candidates had to be QOOT members who joined before 2024 and had demonstrated active engagement and commitment to the Cluster’s mission. A quorum of 51% of members was required to validate the election process, while provisions were made for absentee members to participate through official proxy forms. Members attending online were also able to delegate their votes via proxy, ensuring broad and fair participation.
This year, nine inspiring candidates stepped forward, each bringing with them a strong belief in the power of collaboration and innovation. Their professional backgrounds spanned the agri-food range, from organic farming and artisanal production to branding, strategic leadership, and export development. They included:
Though diverse in expertise, they shared a common vision: to contribute meaningfully to Lebanon’s agri-food future and uphold QOOT Cluster’s role as a leader for growth, innovation, and resilience.
A symbolic cake-cutting ceremony honored the founding board (2019–2025) for their years of dedication, while a special trophy was presented to Nadine El Khoury in recognition of her exceptional leadership and vision as QOOT’s first president. Heartfelt thanks and recognition were extended also to Ramy Boujawdeh and Fadi Sarkis from the 2019–2025 board, along with deep appreciation for all the candidates who participated in the election.
Looking Forward with Purpose
QOOT is more than a cluster, it is a living network of dreamers, doers, and change-makers. As we welcome new board members and look to 2025 and beyond, we honor our past, celebrate the present, and shape a resilient future.
To our members, partners, and supporters: thank you. Together, we continue this journey of growth, innovation, and community, making an impact, side by side.
Together, we continue this journey of growth, innovation, and community, and we keep making an impact, side by side.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Joelle Abi Younes
Joelle Abi Younes is the Communication and Outreach Coordinator at QOOT Lebanon Agrifood Innovation Cluster, where she combines her technical expertise with strategic communication skills to drive impactful outreach initiatives. With a degree in audiovisual studies, Joelle's passion for visual storytelling has shaped her creative approach to communication.
