Highlights

Gilbert Ghostine takes on this responsibility with humility, guided by a strong personal commitment to the Association and its mission. A Knight of the Order for nearly a decade, he has been actively involved with the Association for more than twelve years, notably through the pilgrimage to Lourdes. He has also served as Vice-President of the Association for the past four years, during which he chaired its Human Capital and Governance Committee. Alongside this longstanding engagement, he brings extensive international leadership and governance experience. Together with the newly elected Board, he is committed to carrying forward the mission entrusted to the Association: to remain close to those who suffer, to serve the sick and the most vulnerable without distinction, and to uphold human dignity, solidarity, peace and coexistence across Lebanon.
Gilbert Ghostine succeeds Marwan Sehnaoui, whose leadership over more than three decades transformed the local Association into the institution it is today. Under his stewardship, the Order of Malta Lebanon grew into a nationwide presence, delivering more than 1.5 million services annually through over 60 projects and programs across the country. Today, it brings together 350 dedicated staff members, supported by an extensive network of medical and paramedical professionals, alongside local and international volunteers, while upholding the highest international standards and remaining deeply rooted in local communities.Beyond this remarkable growth, he forged enduring trust, built strong strategic partnerships and alliances with national and international stakeholders, and strengthened the standing and credibility of the Order of Malta Lebanon.
As it enters this new chapter, the Association will continue to build on the strong foundations established under his leadership. Together with the newly elected Board, Gilbert Ghostine's responsibility will be both to preserve what has been built and to strengthen it further, ensuring that the Association remains apolitical and faithful to its values while continuing to grow in professionalism, effectiveness and reach. Marwan Sehnaoui's legacy will remain deeply present through his continued role as President of Honor of the Association, while devoting particular attention to humanitarian diplomacy in support of the wider mission of the Order. This transition is one of both continuity and renewal: a legacy carried forward, a mission shared, and a renewed commitment to serve with faith, humility, responsibility and hope.

President

Gilbert Ghostine brings over 40 years of international leadership experience across four continents. He currently chairs Sandoz and SGS, serves on the Boards of Danone and Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, and previously led Firmenich as CEO through its merger with DSM. Awarded the French Legion of Honour in 2026, he holds degrees from Saint Joseph University and Harvard Business School. A Knight of Magistral Grace since 2017, he has been actively engaged, with his family for several years, notably through the Lourdes pilgrimage. He served as Vice-President of the Lebanese Association, chairing its Human Capital and Governance Committee.

Board Members

Mario Saradar is Chairman and CEO of Saradar Capital Holding, a family-owned investment group active in financial services, real estate and private equity. He also chairs Saradar Bank, Lia Assurex and SFO Capital Partners. Committed to philanthropy, he founded the Saradar Foundation in 2000, supporting education, culture and the arts, and established the Saradar Collection to promote Lebanese art internationally. A Knight of Magistral Grace since 1998, he has played an active role in developing the annual Lourdes pilgrimage and encouraging youth participation. Through his Foundation, he has also supported the inception of the Order’s agro-humanitarian program in 2020.

A distinguished hematologist and oncologist, Professor Marwan Ghosn practices at leading medical institutions in Lebanon and the UAE. Former Chairman of the Hematology-Oncology Department at Saint Joseph University, he trained in Beirut and France and has authored over 300 scientific publications. Knight of Magistral Grace since 2021, he brought his medical expertise and leadership to the Order of Malta Lebanon, serving on its Medical Advisory Council and helping shape strategies to strengthen healthcare services. He played a key role in developing multidisciplinary cancer care at the Order’s specialized clinic and has actively participated, with his family, in the annual Lourdes pilgrimage.

Lyna Hobeiche holds degrees in Applied Economics and Financial Management from Paris-Dauphine University and serves as Chairwoman and CEO of Erash SAL, a trading and agricultural company. Actively engaged in humanitarian service, she has been a member of the Lebanese Red Cross since 2008 and involved in the Order of Malta’s international pilgrimage to Lourdes since 2009, joining its organizing committee in 2015. She has been a Dame of Magistral Grace since 2017. She and her family are actively involved in the Order.

A Lebanese priest of the Mariamite Maronite Order, composer and choir conductor, Father Khalil Rahmé has dedicated over 30 years to sacred music and education. Founder and Director of Notre Dame University’s Choir and School of Music, his compositions have been performed at Carnegie Hall and the Vatican. A professor at the Lebanese National Conservatory, he has received several international distinctions, among which the Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic. Chief Chaplain of the Order of Malta Lebanon since 2011, he places his spiritual and artistic vocation at the service of the Order’s humanitarian mission and interfaith dialogue.

A distinguished Lebanese attorney, Cheikh Walid el Khazen holds law degrees from Saint Joseph University and pursued postgraduate studies at UCL with a degree from University of Lyon. A member of the Beirut Bar since 1968, he specializes in international and business law. A Knight of Honour and Devotion in Obedience and detainer of the Grand Cross Pro-Merito Melitensi, he served as Ambassador of the Sovereign Order of Malta to Jordan. A longstanding pillar of the Order’s mission in Lebanon, he led one of the first Lebanese delegations to Lourdes in 1997, has presided over the pilgrimage ever since, and co-founded the Chabrouh camps project.

 A distinguished periodontist, Professor Megarbane holds degrees from Saint Joseph University, Paris Descartes University and Tufts University. He served as Professor and Head of Periodontology at the Lebanese University and as Visiting Professor at the University of Florida. An internationally recognized academic, he has published extensively and received numerous distinctions for his contributions to dentistry. A Knight of Magistral Grace since 2006, he has been entrusted since 2024 with restructuring dental services across the Order of Malta Lebanon’s healthcare centers.

 A Lebanese designer and entrepreneur, Tania Arwachan is Creative Director and Co-Founder of Scope Ateliers, a Beirut-based design studio established in 2012. An AUB graduate, her expertise spans visual communication, design, publishing and production. She has also taught at the Lebanese Academy of Fine Arts (ALBA). A Dame of Magistral Grace since 2021, she has been actively engaged with the Order of Malta Lebanon for over 20 years, she has volunteered at the Chabrouh camps and participated in numerous Lourdes pilgrimages.

A Lebanese businessman, diplomat and philanthropist, Fady Romanos is Founder and Managing Director of Cape SAL, an insurance brokerage firm established in 1987. A graduate of Saint Joseph University, he supports several social initiatives in South Lebanon and is a member of the Maronite League and Maronite Foundation. Actively involved, along with his family, in the Order of Malta’s international pilgrimage to Lourdes since 1999, he became a Knight of Magistral Grace in 2017 and has served as Adviser to the Order’s Chancellery in Cyprus since 2024.