Edition June 2025
LEILA BAZZI – TELLING STORIES THAT MATTER
AtENTIMES,ourmissionhasalwaysbeentoshinealighton leaderswhodomorethanjustshapeindustries,theyinspireand elevatetheworldaroundthem.Forthisedition’scoverstory, weareproudtopresentLeilaBazzi,atrailblazingmedia executivewhoselifeandcareerembodycourage,innovation, andadeepsenseofpurpose.
Fromherearlydaysinwar-tornLebanontohercurrentroleas Editor-in-ChiefofMiddleEastBroadcastingNetworks,Leila’s journeyisapowerfultestamenttoresilienceandvisionary leadership.Shehastransformedpersonaladversityintoa lifelongcommitmenttoauthenticstorytelling,givingvoiceto theunheardanduncoveringtruthsothersshyawayfrom.
WhatsetsLeilaapartisnotjustherprofessionalachievements, butherunwaveringdedicationtoempoweringothers.Inthe faceoffinancialconstraintsandpoliticalchallenges,she redefinedwhatleadershiplookslike,fosteringacultureof creativity,collaboration,andmeaningfulimpact.
Asyouexploreherstory,mayyoubeinspiredbyLeila’s fearlesspursuitofjustice,herbeliefintheemotionalpowerof truth,andherabilitytoleadwithempathy,strength,and unshakablepurpose.
ONTENT S T ABLE OF
20.
30. 36. 08.
Leila Bazzi - Editor in Chief
Spotlight on Transformational Ideas: TEDx Talks That Inspire Change!
Rachel Koretsky - Founder And CEO, Upace
From Side Hustle to Empire: Women Entrepreneurs Who Built Global Brands
LEILA BAZZI LEILA BAZZI LEILA BAZZI
LEILA BAZZI
STORIES THAT MATTER TELLING
LEILA BAZZI LEILA BAZZI
LEILA BAZZI Editor in Chief
LEADING THROUGH CHALLENGE
Whether it's through a survivor of violence, a young Arab woman, or a Gen Z activist, Leila’s storytelling is grounded in justice, inclusion, and long-term impact.
At the core of her leadership philosophy is empowerment. “I don’t lead from control—I lead from purpose,” she explains. She believes in nurturing talent by offering trust, guidance, and room to grow. At MBN, she fosters a culture where collaboration, mentorship, and innovation are part of the everyday workflow.
Leading Through Challenge
Leila’s leadership was put to the test when MBN faced significant financial constraints following halted government funding. Rather than retreat, she and her team leaned into innovation. “Instead of scaling down ambition, we scaled up creativity,” she says. Under her guidance, MBN restructured its editorial teams, rewrote operational processes, and began integrating AI to optimize workflows—all while maintaining the network’s core mission of impact-driven journalism.
“We didn’t just survive—we transformed,” she adds.
One of the biggest challenges has been providing editorial leadership to mission-driven media organization while under significant financial pressure. The company is in litigation with the government after the Administration stopped allocating Congressionally appropriated funds to MBN. At present, we have very limited resources, which have forced us to reimagine how to fulfill our mission.
But instead of scaling down ambition, we scaled up creativity. I led the redesign of our editorial structure, building a lean, agile team that could still deliver impactful content. We rewrote our SOPs, integrated AI into our workflows, and launched new content with a digital-first, data-informed strategy. We didn’t just survive—we transformed.
LEILA BAZZI LEILA BAZZI
Standing Apart in a Crowded Field
WhatmakesMBNunique,Leilabelieves,isits unwaveringcommitmenttoindependentjournalism fortheArabworld.Unlikeoutletsdrivenby regionalpoliticalinterests,MBNcentersitswork arounddemocraticvalues,transparency,and counteringdisinformation.
“WepresenttheU.S.authentically—notasasymbol ofpower,butasasocietybuiltondebates,rights, contradictions,andaspirations,”sheexplains.
HereditorialstrategyensuresthatMBN’scontent notonlyinforms,buttrulyengageswithits audience.
CultivatingaCultureofInnovation
AtMBN,innovationismorethana trend—it’sanecessity.Leilacreatesroomfor experimentationbyencouragingadiverse mixofskillsacrossherteam—fromeditors andresearcherstosocialmediastrategists andvisualjournalists.
“Wetestfast,learnfast,andadjustfast,”she says.Regularworkshopsandteam-led projectskeepcreativityflowing,and everyoneisencouragedtostepoutsidetheir comfortzones.
LEILA BAZZI LEILA BAZZI
The Future of Storytelling
Leila is excited by how storytelling is evolving—from cinematic journalism to mobile-first short-form content. Yet, amidst rapid digital changes, she believes authenticity is the true game-changer.
“Younger audiences are rejecting polished propaganda. They want honesty. They want voices like theirs,” she notes. While she embraces the role of AI in content creation, she believes the soul of storytelling still comes from human connection.
Defining Success
For Leila, success isn’t measured by titles or accolades. It’s about creating real impact with integrity.
“It’s knowing that your work helped someone feel seen or understand the world more clearly,” she says. Her personal definition of success also carries a deep emotional thread—honoring the legacy of her mother, whose courage and wisdom shaped her own path.
“Her voice lives through mine, and through every story I choose to tell.”
A Legacy in the Making
Leila Bazzi’s story is one of survival, reinvention, and fearless purpose. From a childhood marked by war to the forefront of global media leadership, she has never stopped believing in the power of storytelling to transform societies—and lives.
And through her work, countless others are finding the courage to tell their own.
TRANSFORMATIONAL IDEAS:
TEDX T Spoight
From inner transformation to global connection, these TEDx speakers explore the deep, often personal journeys that shape who we are and how we show up in the world. Here’s a curated look at some of the most compelling TEDx talks of 2025, each delivering powerful insights, personal stories, and actionable wisdom for navigating life’s most pressing challenges.
TALKS THAT INSPIRE CHANGE!
TatjanaStoljarova
TalkTitle:HowLanguageLearningHelps ChildrenMakeConnections
InherTEDxtalk,HowLanguageLearningHelps ChildrenMakeConnections,TatjanaStoljarova exploresthetransformativepowerof multilingualisminchildren’sdevelopment. Drawingfromhermulticulturalbackgroundand expertiseinlinguistics,shehighlightshow learningmultiplelanguagesenhancescultural understanding,empathy,andglobal competitiveness.
Stoljarovaaddressesthealarmingissueof languageextinction,presentingfivekeyreasons behindthisglobalcrisisandofferingstrategiesto reverseit.Shealsoemphasizesthreeoftenoverlookedbenefitsofmultilingualism, advocatingforitsroleinfosteringresilience,selfconfidence,andsafetyinchildren.Bypromoting languagediversityandpreservation,Stoljarova underscorestheimportanceofempowering immigrantsandmaintainingculturalheritage.
Hertalkservesasacompellingcalltoactionfor parents,educators,andpolicymakerstosupport languagelearningasameanstobuildcrossculturalbridgesandcreateamoreinclusive world.
TheseTEDxtalksshowcasenotjustpowerful voicesbutideaswiththepotentialtospark transformationwithinourselvesandintheworld aroundus.Divein,getinspired,andmaybeeven startyourownjourneytowardbecomingvisibly brilliant,deeplyconnected,andcourageously authentic.
Hertalkservesasacompellingcalltoactionfor parents,educators,andpolicymakerstosupport languagelearningasameanstobuildcrossculturalbridgesandcreateamoreinclusive world.
moreclients,increaserevenue,andmakeagreatersocietalimpact.Forentrepreneursnavigatingthe digitalage,Rachel’sjourneyhighlightstheimportanceofstayingflexible,seizingtheright opportunities,andalwaysaligningdecisionswithcorevalues.
BuildingaLastingLegacy
Beyondhercompany,Rachel’slegacyextendstoherfamilyandtheentrepreneurialcommunityshehas helpedbuild.Asaco-founderofDCStartupandTechWeek,shehascultivatedathrivingecosystemfor over15,000entrepreneursandtechleaders.Hercontributionsgobeyondbusinesssuccess;theyfostera cultureofcollaboration,learning,andsupportforthoseembarkingontheirownentrepreneurial journeys.
Ultimately,Rachel’smissionistostrengthencommunityspacesthatservepeopleacrossalllifestages. ThroughUpace,sheisnotonlyadvancingdigitalsolutionsbutalsoreinforcingthehumanconnections thatmakerecreationcentersindispensabletocommunitywell-being.Herworkcontinuestoshapea futurewheretechnologyempowers,connects,andenhanceslives.
Final Thoughts: Lessons from Rachel Koretsky’s Journey
RachelKoretsky’sstoryisoneofresilience, strategicrisk-taking,andunwaveringdedication tohervision.Aspiringentrepreneurscandraw invaluableinsightsfromherexperiences:
• TrustYourInstincts:Ifyourguttellsyouto taketheleap,doit—evenifitmeansstepping intouncertainty.
• BuildaSupportSystem:Surroundyourself withmentors,peers,andcommunitiesthat provideguidanceandencouragement.
• StayAdaptable:Marketshiftsandchallenges areinevitable;yourabilitytopivotwilldefine yoursuccess.
• PrioritizePurpose:Alignyourbusinesswith amissionthatdrivesyoubeyondfinancial success.
• FindYourWork-LifeHarmony: Entrepreneurshipisamarathon,nota sprint—createarhythmthatallowsyouto thriveinbothprofessionalandpersonal spheres.
Rachel’sleadershipandvisioncontinuetoinspire entrepreneursandbusinessleadersalike,proving thatinnovationandcommunityimpactcango handinhand.Herlegacyisoneofmeaningful change,shapingafuturewheretechnologyand humanconnectionconvergetobuildstronger, healthiercommunities.
