Country: 
Lebanon
Associated organisations: 
Non-profit Organization
Political Party
Professions: 
President
Field(s) of expertise: 
Advocacy
Areas of Impact: 
No Poverty

Personal information

May Makhzoumi
President

Contact information (Private)

Contact information (Work)

Makhzoumi Foundation
+961 1 660 890
+961 3 340043

Community/Lebanon Impact

Under her leadership, the Makhzoumi Foundation has made significant strides, reaching over 650,000 people across Lebanon over the past 25 years. Her work has empowered individuals through skills development, economic support via microcredit, and business guidance. She has been a strong advocate for preventive healthcare, running campaigns, and providing clinic services. Her environmental programs have raised awareness about alternative energy and waste management, and she has collaborated with municipalities and schools on various initiatives. Additionally, she has organized workshops to help people learn new skills and managed a relief unit that supports the most vulnerable communities.

In 2014, she was the only Lebanese representative at the UNESCO World Conference on ESD, where the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were announced. She served on the jury for the Jap ESD/SDG Prize for five years and won the UNESCO and Global Hope Award in the US, making her the only Lebanese recipient of this honor. Her contributions extend to her roles on the Board of Trustees at LAU and Makassed, and her membership in the National Commission for Lebanese Women (NCLW), where she plays a key role in advancing education and enhancing women's rights in Lebanon.

Social Media

Education

Education: 
  • The Philanthropy Workshop Certificate, 2009, Institute for Philanthropy, United Kingdom.
  • Bachelor of Science, Pharmacy, 1975, American University of Beirut, Lebanon

Work history

Previous Professions: 
  • 2000 – Present: Member of the Board of Directors of several Future Group Companies
  • 2001- 2013 Director Future Pipe Ltd., London, UK.
  •  2000- Present: President, Makhzoumi Foundation.
  • 1997 – 2000: Vice-President, Makhzoumi Foundation, Lebanon.
  • 1992 – Present: Chairperson, Future Management Services Ltd., London, UK
  • 1982 - 1992: Director, Future Management Services Ltd., London, UK
  • 1975 – 1977: Pharmacist, Beirut, Lebanon/ Pharmacist (out-patient), at King Faisal’s Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Major Achievements

Exhibitions, lectures & performances: 
  • Partcipated in different panels & presentaions
Collaborations and Partnerships: 
  • UNGC
  • UNESCO
  • AUB
  • LAU
  • Makassed
  • NCLW 

Accomplishments

Certificates: 
  • Honoured by Regional Network for Social Responsibility - Appreciation Certificate for Active Scientific Participation in awarding of the Donors' Awards, August 2020
Distinctions: 
  • Honored by the Regional Network for Social Responsibility – International Professional Title "Special International Delegate in the Humanitarian Diplomacy Field", April 2021.
  • Awarded by the Development Council for Women and Business – "Entrepreneurs Award," July 2018.
  • Honored by the Arab Women Council – "Jewel of Loyalty and Appreciation" Award for distinguished figures in the field of social responsibility, March 2018.
  • Recognized by the Speaker of the Parliament, October 2017.
  • Selected as one of the Heroes of 2017 by the Global Coalition for Hope for the global campaign against extremism and intolerance, New York, September 2017.
  • Honored by UNESCO – Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York – "Global Campaign Award for Overcoming Violent Extremism and Prevention" for outstanding humanitarian efforts in Lebanon, September 2016.
  • Awarded by the Pack Foundation – California – Global Humanitarian Work Award, June 2014.
  • Honored by the Lebanese Canadian community (Edmonton, Alberta), April 2009.
  • Recognized by Killarney School and Glen Gray School in Canada, November 2009.
  • Acknowledged by various associations and organizations in appreciation of the different charitable and developmental projects undertaken by the Makhzoumi Foundation.
Awards: 
  • Honoured by the Buck Institute, California, USA, International Award for Philanthropy June 2014
  • Honoured by the Arab Women Council - “Loyalty and Appreciation Jewel” Award for distinguished
  • Honoured by the Haigazian University as Women of the Year Award, March 2017
  •  Honoured by Arab Development Council for Women and Business - Entrepreneurs Award, July
    2018
  • Honoured by الشھادة مع" العرب فخر جائزة "Fakher Al Arab Award , for excellence in Philanthropic
    performance in 2020
  • Honoured by Regional Network for Social Responsibility - Medal of the Arab Woman leader in
    Social Responsibility for 2020
  • Honoured by International Excellence Foundation Inc. with Gold Medal & Red Scarf for NGOs
    sector for 2021
  • In addition to many honorary trophies from different organizations and institutes, in appreciation of philanthropic deeds and developmental projects undertaken by the Makhzoumi Foundation. 

Competences & Skills

Field(s) of Expertise: 
  • Management/ Administration
  • Strategic Philanthropy
  • Human Resources
  • Public Relations
  • Family Businesses Governance
  • CG
  • CSR
  • NGO
  • Sustainabilty
  • governance
  • empowerment
Languages: 
  • English
  • Arabic
  • French