Up And Down Beirut
Rita Wakim Montreal
The Lebanese-Canadian Chamber of Commerce and Industry organized a discussion panel on the occasion of International Women’s Day, hosting two Lebanese-origin business pioneers who have achieved inspiring success stories: Rola Dagher and Caroline Codsi. The event was titled “Pioneers Beyond Barriers,” reflecting the idea of empowering women who challenge obstacles and push boundaries to achieve success.
The discussion was moderated by Caroline Codsi, the founder of La Gouvernance Au Fémini, a businesswoman who dedicated more than 20 years in the corporate world, holding senior management positions before fully dedicating herself to establishing her organization on governance in the feminine form in 2017. Her efforts in gender equality have been highly recognized, leading to her appointment by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to the national committee for gender equality in 2019.
The event began with an opening speech by the newly elected president of the Lebanese-Canadian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Bassam Touchan, who welcomed the guests and attendees and thanked the new board members of the Chamber: Antoine Hajj, Antoine Tayyar, Elie Abi Ghanem, Elsa Khalil, Mazen Gattas, and Patricia Chammoun. He also announced the commitment of the new board of directors, focusing on the goals and aspirations of the new board in enhancing the role of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry as a bridge connecting expatriate entrepreneurs with their home country.
On her part, the Chamber’s Secretary, Attorney Patricia Chammoun, introduced the guest of honor, Rola Dagher.
Rola Dagher is a Canadian businesswoman of Lebanese origin, known for her leadership in the technology sector and her commitment to diversity and inclusion. Born in 1970 in a small village in Lebanon, she is the second of six sisters. During the Lebanese Civil War, her family moved to Beirut, where she continued her education.
At the age of 15, Rola got married and became a mother to two children, Michael and Stephanie. After 20 years of marriage, she divorced and emigrated to Canada to join her family.
In Canada, Rola began her career in the technology sector, holding various senior management positions at companies such as Bell Canada and Dell EMC. In June 2017, she was appointed President of Cisco Canada, where she oversaw sales, engineering, services, finance, and marketing operations. Under her leadership, Cisco Canada became one of the top-performing subsidiaries of the parent company.
Rola Dagher was named Woman of the Year 2019. Some of her inspiring quotes during the panel discussion were : “Learning, Earning,Returning (contributing to the community)”
“Be yourself because everyone else is taken.”
At the end of the discussion, commemorative photos were taken, and a toast was made to celebrate the occasion, courtesy of Catering Chez Jano.
