Lebanon, meet the Team.
Myriam Akiki
Staff Writer
Myriam Akiki is a current Staff Writer for The Phoenix Daily. She is a graduate student in law at the Lebanese University with focus on administrative and international law and a special interest in history and politics. She has experience in research, project management and youth work.
Myriam is based in Lebanon.
Albert Geokgeuzian
Staff Writer
Albert Geokgeuzian is a computer science major who is currently enrolled at Haigazian University. Albert discovered his passion for writing during a visit to his university's Writing Center and started writing articles and posting them on Medium. While he doesn't have a specific field in which he constantly writes about, he does have a curiosity that is sparked by a variety of subjects, from psychology, to technology, to politics, to business, to sports, etc. Albert believes that this curiosity is his most important feature because he is constantly looking to learn more, about anything. Albert is currently working as a staff writer and is a member of the TPD HR team.
Albert is based in Beirut Lebanon.
Marilyne Atayek
Staff Writer
Marilyne Atayek is a journalism and communication graduate student from USEK, Lebanon. She has a deep interest in writing about social problems in society. Having acquired some journalistic experience working with 2 newspapers, Marilyne aims to combine her writing skills, her passion about media, and her curiosity about the world around her, in order to shed light on social issues forgotten in the Lebanese society. She is the awardee of the BIAF award as an honored student. And she works as a news editor in a website.
Marilyn is based in Lebanon.
Johnny Achkar
Staff Writer
Johnny Al Achkar is a current English Special Education teacher. Johnny is a graduate student of English Language and Literature from the Arab Open University with focus on British Literature. He has a special interest in History, Geography as well as Poetry. He is a published author having written two poetry books that were released on Amazon and Kobo. He may abruptly start a conversation related to WWII.
Johnny is based in Beirut, Lebanon.
Hestia Akiki
Looking Local Editor
Hestia Akiki is a highschool student with an interest in science, culture, and french literature. She is an enthusiastic young writer with curiousity about the world surrounding us. She finds that in journalism lies an opportunity to rally her passion regarding science, culture and writing. Hestia hopes through her work to reveal different faces of Lebanon.
Hestia is based in Beirut, Lebanon.
Zeina Dagher
Featured Writer
Zeina Dagher is a second-year Law student at the Saint Joseph University in Beirut. Her devotement for exposing the world through its truest facets juxtaposes with her passion for reading, writing, and photography. Further, her keen interest in international matters fueled her eagerness to join The Phoenix Daily. Through this platform, Zeina aims to embrace her potential as an advocate for human rights, and as a promoter of the principles and values of being a true Lebanese.
Zeina is based in Lebanon.
Joelle El Sheikh
Featured Writer
Joelle Al Cheikh is a graduating senior studying Political studies with a focus on International Law at the American University of Beirut. She has worked across several fields, including human rights, advocacy, and policymaking. With a range of experience in politics and international relations, Joelle hopes to contribute to the objectives of The Phoenix Daily: Inspire, Connect, and Achieve.
Joelle is based in Le Gers, France
Lama El Samad
Featured Writer
Lama El Samad, is a Law Graduate currently pursuing master's degree in Law at the Lebanese University. Her passion for law drove her establish a social media page “Daily Dose of Law”, the latter gained hundreds of followers in a small amount of time. Through this platform, Lama is endeavoring to enlighten people about mainly Lebanese law and unravel any misinterpretations or assumptions in this field. She has a profound conviction that each and every life matters, and thus she strives to focus on human rights and trys to educate people about their basic rights. On the other hand, Lama is currently working as a Legal researcher and content creator, with an extensive experience in the legal field, copywriting, and social media. Building herself from scratch, she genuinely believes in self-efficiency and the power of perseverance.
Lama is based in Lebanon.
Taleen El Gharib
Featured Writer
Taleen El Gharib is a Featured writer and Editor for The Phoenix Daily, as well as a content creator at Beirut.com. Taleen is an undergraduate student of English Literature and Language at the Lebanese American University. She has particular experience in research, language and media, and linguistics. She has an interest in social justice, gender issues, and foreign and domestic policy. She plans to further expand her experience in humanitarian work, social change, and activism.
She is based in Beirut, Lebanon.
Click here to read Taleen’s publications.
Sara Nasser
Featured Writer
Sara Nasser is a current undergraduate student of International affairs/ Political science at the Lebanese American University. She is a featured writer at the Phoenix Daily.
Sara is based in Beirut, Lebanon.
Georges Haydar
Featured Writer
Georges is a Computers & Communications Engineering and Economics student at AUB and occasional flâneur. His interests span a wide range of subjects, from technology and finance to history and politics. Natural born problem solver, he aims to make people curious about the beautiful intriacies of technology that surround them. Although pragmatic and questioning, he is adamantly convinced of Lebanon's bright potential despite the dire circumstances.
Georges is based in Beirut, Lebanon
Roa Daher
Featured Writer
Roa Daher is an Environmental Science graduate with a minor in International Studies based in Dubai. She is a strong advocate for the Palestinian cause and has a special interest in the intersection of the environment and politics, as well as environmental justice. She has published an academic paper tackling the increasing incidence of environmental violence due to globalisation. When she's not writing, Roa loves to bake, read about food science, and admire cats.
Roa is based in Dubai, UAE.
Gaia Bchara
Featured Writer
Gaia Bchara is an undergraduate student at the Lebanese American University. Gaia is studying Political Science and International Affairs. She has a special focus on capacity building, sustainable development, and collaborative governance.
Gaia is based in Beirut, Lebanon.
Boshra Merhi
Featured Writer
Boshra Merhi, a journalism and media studies graduate, and currently continuing her master’s degree. Interested in shedding the light on the many issues that we are facing in our region (social, economic, identity issues…). She has always been passionate about writing and published several of her articles. She believes that writing is one of the essential tools to enhance the freedom of speech.
Featured Writer
Tala is a current Research Assistant at think tank Arab Reform Initiative and a Policy Director at NGO Elgorithm. Tala has a BA in English Literature, a minor in Media and Communications, and a minor in Translation Studies. Tala's work mostly covers Lebanon and the wider region, with a special focus on youth activism, social justice, mental health advocacy, women’s rights in the Middle East, and democracy. She has particular experience working in research, policy analysis, project management, and political campaigns. She also enjoys long walks to protest social injustice.
Tala is based in Beirut, Lebanon and Doha, Qatar.
Maria Wehbe
Featured Writer
Maria Wehbe is a current undergraduate student at the American University of Beirut. She is studying Education, with a minor in English Literature and a teaching diploma in Special Needs Education. She has a special interest in children’s rights, the right of education for all, community wellbeing and service.
She has been in the scouts movement for the past 8 years and is the current Vice-President of the Education Student Society at the American University of Beirut.
She has a deep and profound love for organization and planners.
She is based in Beirut, Lebanon.
Siriine ElKhalili
Featured Writer
Siriine ElKhalili is a graduate student and assistant of Applied Economics with interests in experimental economics, policy making and assessment, and business development. Siriine is currently working on enhancing her research experience by assisting in an EU-funded project to fight the Covid-19 pandemic (CoronaNet Research Project) as well as interning at the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs. She has also conducted a research project in which she received a DAAD scholarship for project implementation. She constantly seeks personal development and is always invested in diverse opportunities that come her way.
Siriine is based in Beirut, Lebanon.
Cherly Abou Chabke
Featured Writer
Cherly Abou Chabke is an undergraduate Law student at Saint Joseph University in Beirut. Besides working with the Phoenix Daily, she is also a journalist for l’Orient le Jour’s “Campus” section, and her faculty’s paper where she approaches topics from a legal point of view. She has particular experience working in research, human rights and social studies. Her devotement for exposing the world through its truest facets juxtaposes with her passion for using education as a tool to untangle the plethora of human and economic factors that cripple the progress of her home country, the region, and other struggling social orders around the globe. Cherly's strong involvement in Model UN enhanced her sense of leadership and spurred her interest in international relations and the interdependence of nations in today’s world. In developing her knowledge and creating content within this subject, Cherly’s goal is to raise awareness, through her writing, about the important issues in the world that often go overlooked.
Cherly is based in Beirut, Lebanon.
Contributors
Tala Al Otaibi
Writer and part-time contributor
Tala Al Otaibi is an undergraduate student of International Studies with a concentration in International Relations and a minor in Psychology at the American University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. She is very passionate about mental health and humanitarian assistance. As such, she has co-founded an online mental health magazine based in the UAE tackling mental health awareness in hopes of eradicating the mental health stigma. Besides her work, Tala loves to read novels, write and perform poetry, and practice photography as a hobby!
Tala is currently based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Nour Lana Karam
Writer and part-time contributor
Nour Lana Sophia Karam is a current Master’s student, head of proofreaders at her university paper Campus-J, and contributor at The Phoenix Daily.
Nour is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Private Law at the Saint-Joseph University in Beirut, Lebanon.
She has experience in legal analysis and social and political research, with a focus on shedding light on often forgotten issues, especially but not only in Lebanon.
Additionally, she has extensive volunteering experience.
Nour is currently based in Lebanon.
Rhea Haddad
Writer and part-time contributor
Rhea Haddad is a current undergraduate senior student. Rhea is majoring in Economics at the American University of Beirut and will then be joining ESSEC Business School for a Master in Management. She has a special interest in international trade and humanitarian causes. She is involved in various volunteering projects in her community and is a very athletic person.
Rhea is currently based in Beirut, Lebanon.
John Sakr
Writer and part-time contributor
John Sakr is a current undergraduate student and volunteer at the Lebanese Red Cross. John studies Biology, on a pre-medical track, at the American University of Beirut and is set to graduate in the spring of 2022. He has a special focus in public health research and community well-being, with an emphasis on preventative health. He is quadrilingual, and is known to take active part in all sorts of talks and conferences that bridge gaps between communities and promote a more united world. He also likes nachos.
John is currently based in Beirut, Lebanon.
Jana Al Hassanieh
Writer and part-time contributor
Jana Al Hassanieh is the Founder and current Chief of the Internship Program at The Phoenix Daily. Jana is an Environmental Health graduate student at the American University of Beirut. Her research, capacity building, and project management experiences span across environmental affairs, social justice, youth mobilization and advocacy, disaster management, and public health. She is also a member of the proofreading and fact-checking team at The Phoenix Daily.
Jana is based in Beirut, Lebanon.
Sarah Yehya
Writer and part-time contributor
Sarah Yehya is a current Dentistry student. She has deep interest in history, politics and everything in between. Along with being a contributor for The Phoenix Daily, she also stands as the Director of their Design and Media Department.
Sarah is currently based in Beirut, Lebanon
Gaelle Nohra
Writer and part-time contributor
Gaelle Nohra is an undergraduate Economics student at the American University of Beirut graduating in the spring term 2020-2021. She has a particular interest in the fields of behavioral economics and how game theory thought experiments could find validity in real-life events. She also looks forward to pursuing a carrier in business.
Gaelle is currently based in Beirut, Lebanon.
Jad El Haddad
Writer and part-time contributor
Ahmad Khzaie
Writer and part-time contributor
Ahmad Khzaie is a current Law and Political Sciences graduate from the University of Paris - SUAD. Ahmad has a special focus on legal analyses of matters of public opinion, especially ones concerning the MENA region. He also has an interest in LegalTech and speciality coffee and many things in between. He is a Youth Ambassador at the United Nations Global Development UAE Local Network, in addition to being a Youth Sustainability Leader at Masdar .
Ahmad is currently based in Dubai, UAE
Mounia El Khawand
Writer and part-time contributor
Sasha K. Matar
Writer and part-time contributor
Annabelle Ghanem
Writer and part-time contributor
Annabelle Ghanem is a Lebanese undergraduate student at the American University of Beirut, double majoring in Political Science and Education. Annabelle is currently serving as the Secretary-General of Beirut International Model United Nations, a simulation accredited by the United Nations UNITAR organization. She has also worked in multiple nongovernmental organizations, with a lifelong goal of helping each and every child attain their set of human rights. Annabelle is a strong believer in the importance of freedom of speech, and hopes to inspire a new way of thought through her publications at The Phoenix Daily.
Anabelle is based in Dubai, UAE
Tala Karkanawi
Writer and part-time contributor
Fadi Salehidin
Writer and part-time contributor
Fadi Salahedin is a current undergraduate student. Fadi is studying Psychology and Business Administration at the American University of Beirut. He has a particular experience in research, community building, and sustainable development. He is a member of the Next Generation Leaders Program, the MEPI Tomorrow’s Leaders Program, and is a contributor at The Phoenix Daily.
Fadi is based in Beirut, Lebanon.
Zeinab Hammoud
Writer and part-time contributor
Francesco Pitzalis
Writer and part-time contributor
Nadim Choueiri
Writer and part-time contributor
Nadim Choueiri is a featured writer for The Phoenix Daily. Nadim is an undergraduate student majoring in French literature at the Saint-Joseph University of Beirut, and minoring in philosophy. He has experience working in literary and philosophical fields (analysis, research,..), and project management that focus both on the cultural and media fields.
Nadim is based in Lebanon
Ambre Regani
Writer and part-time contributor
Interested in joining the Phoenix Daily Team?
We accept applications for positions at the Phoenix Daily on a rolling basis. If you see yourself with us, then do not hesitate to apply!