Empower. Enhance. Enable. For Sustainable MSME Development.
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.
In Collaboration With
Nader Habbas
Development and MSME Expert
With over 25 years of international experience across Canada, Europe, and the Middle East, Nader Habbas is a seasoned specialist in MSME development, financial inclusion, and institutional consulting. His expertise covers project management, strategic operations, and business advisory services that strengthen organizations across the nonprofit and private sectors.
Nader has successfully led multi-sectoral initiatives focused on SME growth, governance, and inclusive economic development. He has managed regional programs in financial inclusion, product development, credit risk, and market expansion, and advised development finance institutions, MFIs, and startups on strategies for sustainable growth. His leadership has supported the design and implementation of complex development projects, capacity building programs, and organizational change initiatives across diverse contexts.
Currently based in Canada, Nader provides tailored consulting and coaching for MSMEs and entrepreneurs on business planning, process efficiency, and financial resilience. He draws on extensive cross-cultural experience to deliver actionable solutions that drive performance and impact.
Nader holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the Lebanese American University and is a Certified Expert in Microfinance from the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management. Fluent in Arabic, English, and French, he collaborates widely with local and international partners to deliver practical, high-impact solutions for inclusive economic growth.
Core Competencies:
- MSME Development & Inclusive Finance.
- Institutional Consulting & Capacity Building.
- Strategic Operations & Project Management.
- Credit Risk Management & Product Development.
- Business Advisory & Entrepreneurship Support.