About EIA
The Executive Innovation Academy (EIA) was founded to transform how leaders learn and lead, where learning becomes doing, and ideas turn into measurable impact.
Designed for executives and senior professionals seeking to drive innovation, lead strategic initiatives, and strengthen organizational competitiveness within the agrifood sector, EIA empowers participants to turn knowledge into action and vision into results.
Funded by the European Union through the EuroMed Clusters Forward Programme Co-created by QOOT Cluster, The Professional Training Center (CFP) at Saint Joseph University (USJ), EIA bridges two worlds: academic excellence and real business results.
Through its 8-week hybrid program, EIA empowers executives and entrepreneurs to shape innovation within their organizations, combining strategic thinking, creativity, and practical execution. At EIA, learning is experiential and human-centered: a space to think, feel, and act with purpose and impact.
A space to think, feel, and innovate with purpose and impact
Mission
To merge academic excellence with real business results, empowering leaders to think, feel, and Innovate through experiential learning that drives innovation, impact, and sustainable growth across Lebanon and beyond.
Vision
To shape a new generation of leaders who turn knowledge into action and Innovation into measurable results, by establishing the EIA as the Lebanese reference for applied innovation and executive learning, rooted in the agrifood sector and expanding across industries.
Who Can Attend?
The Executive Program in Agrifood Innovation is tailored for senior or mid-level executives, managers, or innovation leads in agri-food companies based in Lebanon. Participants must meet the following:
Senior & Mid-Level Executives
Managers or innovation leads in agri-food companies based in Lebanon.
Industry Experts
Consultants and specialists with minimum 5 years of professional experience aiming to expand their impact.
Innovation Leaders
Founders and business owners in the agrifood sector looking to scale their ventures and drive innovation, strategy, or organizational transformation.
Program Commitment
Commitment to attend all sessions (80 hours total), including physical and online components.
Program Schedule
Weekly Sessions: Every Thursday for eight consecutive weeks, starting January 29 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Modality: The program will be delivered in a hybrid format, with 5 hours of in-person sessions and 5 hours of self-paced online learning.
Core Offerings / Curriculum
An 8-module program with 80 hours of learning, combining online sessions with intensive in-person workshops.
Module 1: Companies Innovation Strategies (10 Hours)
Dr. Marc Bou Zeidan
In-person: Thu Jan 29
Online: Jan 29 Feb 4
• Open vs. closed innovation approaches
• Strategies for managing risk and uncertainty in innovation
• Tailoring innovation strategies to organizational goals and constraints
Module 2: Disruption and Innovation (10 Hours)
Prof. Gloria Haddad
In-person: Thu Feb 05
Online: Feb 05- 11
• Characteristics of disruptive innovation
• Strategies for adapting to and capitalizing on disruption
• Evaluating organizational readiness for disruptive change
Module 3: Financing Innovation (10 Hours)
Mr. Antoun Andrea
In-person: Thu Feb 12
Online: Feb 12-18
• Identifying funding sources and opportunities for innovation
• Strategies for attracting investment and securing funding
• Assessing the financial implications and risks of innovation projects
Module 4: Design Thinking and Ideation (10 Hours)
Dr. Ursula el Hajj
In-person: Thu Feb 19
Online: Feb 20-25
• Empathizing with users and understanding their needs
• Ideation techniques for generating innovative solutions
• Prototyping and testing ideas to refine concepts
Module 5: Business Model Innovation (10 Hours)
Mr. Victor Hamoush
In-person: Thu Feb 26
Online: Feb 27-Mar 4
• Analyzing existing business models and market dynamics
• Value proposition design and customer value creation
• Validating and testing new business models throughexperimentation and feedback
Module 6: Scaling Innovation (10 Hours)
Dr. Mohammad Merhi
In-person: Thu Mar 5
Online: Mar 6–11
• Creating scalable business models and processes
• Managing growth and maintaining quality standards
• Agile project management for scaling innovation projects
Module 7: Designing the Culture of Leadership and Innovation (10 hours)
Mr. Sergio Moukarzel
In-person: Thu Mar 12
Online: Mar 13–18
• Assessing and reshaping organizational culture for innovation
• Leadership strategies for fostering innovation and creativity
• Creating a supportive environment for experimentation and learning
Module 8: Innovation Management (10 hours)
Dr. Marc Bou Zeidan
In-person: Thu Mar 26
Online: Mar 27– Apr 1
• Setting clear innovation goals and metrics
• Portfolio management and resource allocation strategie
• Building cross-functional teams and fostering collaboration for innovation
Learning Journey
Your 8-module journey through 80 hours of transformative learning.
Disruption and Innovation
Characteristics of disruptive innovation and strategies for capitalizing on change.
Innovation Strategies
Open vs. closed innovation and managing risk in innovation initiatives.
Financing Innovation
Funding sources, attracting investment, and financial risk assessment.
Design Thinking
Empathizing with users, ideation techniques, and prototyping.
Business Model Innovation
Value proposition design and validating new business models.
Scaling Innovation
Scalable processes, managing growth, and agile methodologies.
Leadership & Culture
Reshaping culture and fostering experimentation and collaboration.
Innovation Management
Setting goals, portfolio management, and cross-functional teams.
Meet Our Instructors
Learn from industry experts and academic leaders who bring real-world experience to the classroom.
DR. MARC BOU ZEIDAN
Executive Director, QOOT Cluster | Food Innovation & Strategy Expert
Module 1 Companies Innovation Strategies Module 8 Innovation Management
Dr. Marc Bou Zeidan is a food engineer and innovation strategist with extensive experience supporting agrifood SMEs in Lebanon. As Executive Director of the QOOT Lebanese Agri-Food Innovation Cluster, he leads programs on innovation, competitiveness, green transition, and market access with international partners. Holding a PhD in Food Microbiology & Biotechnology, he teaches at several Lebanese universities and combines academic expertise with hands-on industry experience in innovation strategy, product development, sustainability, and value-chain development.
MR. ANTOUN ANDREA
Capacity Builder & Business Development Expert
Module 3 Financing Innovation
Antoun G. Andrea is a senior consultant and capacity builder with over 13 years of experience in organizational development, business development, and executive training across the MENA and EMEA regions. He has worked with government institutions, universities, NGOs, and private sector leaders, designing and delivering strategic learning solutions in project management, fundraising, stakeholder engagement, and organizational transformation.
DR. URSULA EL HAJJ
Director of the Career Services and Entrepreneurship Center at Saint Joseph University of Beirut
Module 4 Design Thinking and Ideation
Ursula is Director of the Career Services and Entrepreneurship Center at Saint Joseph University of Beirut, and a board member of The Rural Initiative. An EFQM Global Award Assessor, she has evaluated over 100 organizations in 10 countries across the private, public, and education sectors. Previously, she led the Innovation Office at the Presidency of Ecuador. She holds an Executive Doctorate in Business Administration from Paris Dauphine University–USJ.
PROF. GLORIA HADDAD
Associate Professor and Chair, Management and Entrepreneurship Department, USJ
Module 2 Disruption and Innovation
Dr. Gloria Ghantous Haddad is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Management and Entrepreneurship Department at Saint Joseph University in Beirut. She specializes in entrepreneurship, with a focus on women’s entrepreneurship and gender dynamics in business. Her research addresses workplace inclusion, responsible AI, and digital transformation, exploring how organizations can evolve sustainably. She is also a member of the Quality Assurance Unit and a research chair member at FERE (Femme et Renouveau Économique), contributing to gender-focused economic research and policy
MR. VICTOR HAMOUSH
Strategy & Capital Markets Consultant
Module 5 Business Model Innovation
Victor Hamouch is a senior C-suite advisor with over 25 years of experience supporting global banks, development finance institutions, and government entities across the MENAT region. His expertise spans capital markets, strategy execution, ESG finance, and large-scale institutional transformation, bridging global best practices with regional development priorities while mentoring executives, students, and startups in building resilient, future-ready business models
DR. MOHAMMAD MERHI
AI & Digital Transformation Consultant
Module 6 Scaling Innovation
Mohamad Merhi is an AI and digital transformation consultant with 20+ years of experience helping organizations in the UK, GCC, and Europe achieve growth and operational excellence. He is CEO of CreativeTechy and co-founder of BiteRight, a UK-based health-tech startup using AI for personalized nutrition. Holding a PhD in Technology Adoption, he advises enterprises and public-sector organizations on AI, automation, and digital strategy to build innovative, future-ready organizations.
MR. SERGIO MOUKARZEL
Professional Training Expert, USJ
Module 7 Designing the culture of Leadership and Innovation
Sergio Moukarzel is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in leadership, business development, and strategy in Cyprus and the Middle East. He specializes in enhancing decision-making, entrepreneurship, and stakeholder engagement, helping organizations adopt results-driven approaches and strategic relationships
Register Now
Join the next cohort of innovative leaders shaping the future of the agrifood sector.
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