Sarah Sidani

I am an entrepreneurship and economic-development leader working at the intersection of innovation ecosystems, public policy, private-sector development, and women’s economic empowerment.
I currently serve as Assistant Professor and Head of the Entrepreneurship Center at Arab Open University – Lebanon. I lead the Center’s strategy, entrepreneurship programs, partnerships, mentoring activities, and university–industry engagement. My work focuses on creating practical pathways that move students and entrepreneurs from ideation to business planning, market validation, mentoring, pitching, and connection with the wider ecosystem.
I have built and managed collaborations involving international organizations, donors, universities, government institutions, NGOs, business-support organizations, and private-sector partners.
Before moving into university and consulting leadership, I spent approximately 15 years at Lebanon’s Ministry of Economy and Trade. My experience covered economic and financial analysis, trade remedies, public policy, regulation, WTO-related work, intergovernmental coordination, gender inclusion, and institutional processes. I contributed to Lebanon’s WTO accession work, represented the Ministry in national and regional committees, and served as a Gender Focal Point.
I also advise MSMEs, startups, NGOs, and development organizations on entrepreneurship, business planning, financial literacy, export readiness, institutional strengthening, ecosystem development, research, training, and proposal design. My work has particularly supported women entrepreneurs, youth, and businesses navigating challenging economic environments.
I hold a PhD in Management, with research focused on women’s entrepreneurship and stakeholder management, and an MBA in Finance. I am also an ILO-certified business trainer and a World Bank-certified export-readiness evaluator and business advisor.
My strongest contribution is connecting entrepreneurship, higher education, government, and international development to build partnerships and programs that create sustainable economic and social impact.
I am open to senior regional and international opportunities in entrepreneurship and innovation leadership, MSME and private-sector development, women’s economic empowerment, economic development, public-sector transformation, program leadership, and strategic advisory services.