Our Team

H.E. Me Ziyad Baroud

H.E. Me Ziyad Baroud is a Lebanese civil servant and civil society activist. He served as minister of interior and municipalities, considered to be one of the most powerful positions in the country, from 2008 to 2011 for two consecutive cabinets in both Fouad Siniora and Saad Hariri’s governments.

Owing in large part to his industrious work ethics, his unchanged middle-class status and his political impartiality, Ziyad Baroud is widely considered to be one of the most popular politicians in the country today. Baroud is also one of the few political personalities who is appreciated by both ends of the rivaled Lebanese political clan and thus, subsequently holds good esteem with many of the personas across the complex and contentious Lebanese political spectrum.

An attorney by formation and practice, Baroud is an expert on issues of decentralization and electoral law reform. He is known to abstain from engaging in feudal politics, and to focus instead on building the Lebanese civil society and Lebanese civil institutions.

Dr. Rita Joukhadarian Harouny

President at YOHAN

Dr. Rita Joukhadarian Harouny is a Doctor in dental surgery-Prosthodontics. She graduated from USJ-Lebanon and Paris V & VII. Very committed to social work since her young age, she is an active member in Focolari movement. Dr. Harouny lost her beloved son Yohan in April 2017 due to a sudden cardiac arrest and, along with her husband Elie, decided to transform their deep sorrow into a mission, to spread awareness among youth and prevent other parents from experiencing the same pain. She loves reading, hiking, traveling and sharing moments with close friends.

Dr. Mario Njeim

Vice-Chairman at YOHAN

Dr. Mario Njeim is a cardiologist and cardiac electrophysiologist (heart disease and heart rhythm specialist) practicing at Hotel-Dieu de France Hospital in Beirut. He is a lecturer at Saint-Joseph University in Beirut. Dr. Njeim completed his medical school training at Saint-Joseph University before moving to the United States for his postgraduate training. He completed Internal Medicine, Chief Residency and Cardiology training at Henry Ford Hospital/Wayne State University in Detroit before moving to the University of Michigan Health System where he completed training in cardiac electrophysiology. Dr. Njeim holds American board certifications in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular disease, Echocardiography, Nuclear Cardiology and Cardiac Electrophysiology. He was granted a number of awards for excellence in clinical work and research during his stay in the United States and has multiple publications in the fields of cardiology and cardiac electrophysiology. Dr. Njeim is the co-chairman of the cardiac electrophysiology workgroup of the Lebanese Society of Cardiology. He served as a chief of unit in the Lebanese Scout Association for several years. He enjoys skiing, soccer and ping-pong and is a big fan of German Shepherds and dogs in general.

Dr. Elie Harouny

Secretary at YOHAN
DDS, Restorative Dentistry

Dr. Elie Harouny graduated from USJ-Lebanon. He is a Clinic Assistant in Restorative Dentistry department at USJ.

Dr. Harouny is the Founder of “Adventure of Charity” since 2000, an association helping provide medicines to people in need, especially for chronic diseases treatments. Very close to people’s needs, in his work and association. For him, the only way to continue living after Yohan’s departure was founding this association in his name to keep him alive through it, and transform his pain into a positive action for the youth and all the society. He loves reading, crosswords, pilgrimage, sorting medication for his association.

Walid Sfeir

Walid Sfeir is Sales & Marketing professional with over 20 years of experience in well renowned Hotels, Restaurants and Nightclubs. Graduated from USEK with an MBA in Marketing Banking. Die hard lover of chocolates, travelling and adventures, his aim is to dedicate his expertise to Yohan foundation helping youth to be aware and avoid, where possible, Sudden Cardiac Death.

Christian Chlela

Christian Chlela is Cardiopulmonary Project Director for the International Area at LivaNova, a leading company in Open Heart Surgery. He is the 1st Senior Perfusionnist for more than 9 years at HDF Lebanon and CHUV in Switzerland. Christian holds a Nursing degree and Master in Medical research.

Pascal Kassis

Pascal Kassis holds an MBA & BA in Marketing and Macro/Micro economics. He attended the University of Ottawa. Through the years, Pascal gained a deep knowledge in the beauty industry and was assigned as a board member in the Professional Beauty Association of America (PBA).

He brings with him many years of international business experience and is a pioneer in entrepreneurship and business venture success.