Meet the Founder and CEO

Lina Hammouda

Founder & CEO | Microfinance and MSME Expert. 

With over 25 years of impactful experience in microfinance and capacity building, Lina Hammouda is a recognized expert in empowering micro-entrepreneurs, VSEs, and SMEs. Her expertise spans micro and SME lending, client protection, market research, financial analysis, and innovative product development.

Before founding Mahara Consultancy in 2024, Lina held several leadership roles, most notably at Al Majmoua – The Lebanese Association for Development, where she served as Product Development and Customer Care Manager and previously as SME and VSE Manager. She also contributed her strategic and operational insight to international development initiatives.

Lina has led national and international projects focused on financial inclusion, SME product development, needs assessments, capacity building, and social performance management. Her work is grounded in hands-on field experience, coaching, and training, including the development and delivery of tailored Training of Trainers (TOT) programs. She is a certified trainer by Sanabel and holds a prestigious SME Finance Expert certification from the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management.

At Mahara, Lina brings her lifelong commitment to sustainable development, offering advisory services and capacity-building programs to MFIs, NGOs, Donors, and entrepreneurs. 

Core Competencies:  

• Business Advisory for SMEs, MFIs and NGOs. 
• Project Management.
• Product Development & Service Design.
• Customer Experience & Client Protection Standards.
• Capacity Building, workshop Facilitation & Soft Skills Training.