own every stage
Founder and Mentor
Rana Najjar
Raised backstage in the world of Lebanese theatre, Rana Najjar spent her childhood surrounded by actors, scripts, rehearsals, and audiences.
As the daughter of renowned writer and producer Marwan Najjar, she witnessed firsthand the power of storytelling long before she understood its impact.
Despite being warned that theatre was better suited as a passion than a profession, she pursued a degree in Theatre and Directing.
Her graduation project would become an early defining moment: she revived one of her father's forgotten scripts, transforming it into a successful stage production and earning his confidence to direct her first professional play at just 21 years old.
After directing several productions, Rana embarked on a new challenge: advertising.
What began as a role in copywriting evolved into a twenty-year career in creative leadership across Lebanon and the Gulf. Along the way, she helped secure the first Cannes Lion ever awarded to a Lebanese agency for Leo Burnett Beirut and went on to earn more than 70 international awards.
Yet throughout her career, one observation remained constant: success was rarely determined by talent alone. The people who stood out were those who could communicate ideas, tell stories, inspire confidence, and connect with others.
This realization led her to spend more than fifteen years training professionals, teams, and leaders in communication, presentation skills, storytelling, and personal development.
Today, Rana brings together the two worlds that shaped her journey:
performance and professional growth.
Through Najjar Performing Arts Academy and The Cyrano Lab, she helps individuals discover their voice, build confidence, and develop the human skills that matter most when the spotlight is on.
At the heart of her work is a simple belief: "every person has untapped potential. Sometimes all they need is someone who can help them see it."
MEET THE MENTORS
Johnny El Helou
Johnny El Helou
Johnny El Helou
Johnny El Helou is a trainer, instructional designer, and motivational speaker with extensive experience in leadership development, communication, and interpersonal skills training across the Middle East and Europe.
He is the Managing Director and Senior Trainer at Tawjih s.a.r.l., where he designs and delivers high-impact learning experi
Johnny El Helou is a trainer, instructional designer, and motivational speaker with extensive experience in leadership development, communication, and interpersonal skills training across the Middle East and Europe.
He is the Managing Director and Senior Trainer at Tawjih s.a.r.l., where he designs and delivers high-impact learning experiences for professionals using highly interactive and engagement-driven methodologies.
A Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD) from the Association for Talent Development (ATD) in the USA, Johnny has trained over 8,500 individuals across private companies, NGOs, and public institutions in Lebanon, the UAE, KSA, Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, and France. His work focuses on transforming traditional training into dynamic, applied learning experiences that build real behavioral change in leadership and communication.
Beyond corporate training, Johnny is also the coach and host of “The Entertraining Show,” an innovative online emotional intelligence program delivered in collaboration with public figures and celebrities, designed to make learning more human, accessible, and engaging. He also brings academic experience as a university lecturer in Human Resources and Management, further grounding his practice in both theory and application.
At Najjar Performing Arts Academy, Johnny leads workshops that blend structure with energy, helping participants develop confidence, presence, and influence through experiential learning. His approach reflects a deep belief that leadership and communication are not taught, but practiced, embodied, and lived.
Bechara Kioumji
Johnny El Helou
Johnny El Helou
Bechara Kioumji is a seasoned global executive with more than 25 years of leadership experience across FMCG, food, and consumer goods businesses spanning Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Oceania, and Asia.
Having held senior leadership roles at Nestlé, IFFCO, EFI, and several boards and advisory positions, he has built and led high-perfor
Bechara Kioumji is a seasoned global executive with more than 25 years of leadership experience across FMCG, food, and consumer goods businesses spanning Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Oceania, and Asia.
Having held senior leadership roles at Nestlé, IFFCO, EFI, and several boards and advisory positions, he has built and led high-performing teams, consistently delivering transformational growth and operational excellence.
Known for his ability to connect strategy with execution, Bechara is equally passionate about developing people.
Throughout his career, he has mentored leaders and teams across multiple countries, fostering cultures of trust, collaboration, and accountability while empowering individuals to negotiate, influence, and lead with confidence.
Today, as COO and Managing Partner at HK Associates and an Independent Board Member at Amana Foods, Bechara continues to advise organizations on growth and transformation. At Najjar Performing Arts Academy, he brings his wealth of real-world leadership experience to help participants master the art of negotiation: combining strategic thinking with the human skills that drive meaningful outcomes.
Ranya Ghanem
Johnny El Helou
Ranya Ghanem
Ranya Ghanem is a regional marketing leader with over 15 years of experience across the Middle East and Africa, working with multinational organizations in industries including professional services, banking, telecom, and business transformation.
Throughout her career, she has led strategic initiatives, managed cross-functional teams, and
Ranya Ghanem is a regional marketing leader with over 15 years of experience across the Middle East and Africa, working with multinational organizations in industries including professional services, banking, telecom, and business transformation.
Throughout her career, she has led strategic initiatives, managed cross-functional teams, and partnered with senior stakeholders across diverse markets, shaping both brand and business growth.
Beyond her corporate leadership roles, Ranya has played an active mentorship role within her teams, guiding professionals to strengthen their communication, leadership presence, and career development.
She is known for investing in people, helping individuals grow into clearer thinkers, stronger communicators, and more confident leaders within fast-paced corporate environments.
At Najjar Performing Arts Academy, Ranya leads leadership workshops that bridge real corporate experience with practical human skills. Her sessions focus on leadership development, workplace communication, executive presence, team collaboration, personal branding, and professional confidence, equipping participants with tools to lead and influence with clarity and impact.
Known for her engaging and relatable style, Ranya brings a grounded, real-world perspective to leadership training, empowering professionals and future leaders to navigate complexity, communicate effectively, and grow with confidence in today’s evolving workplace.