Who We Are

Khaled Ghandour is a senior marketing and community development strategist with over 25 years of leadership experience across the MENA region. A pioneer in integrating marketing strategy with social impact, Khaled has advised governments, NGOs, UN agencies, and top-tier private entities (Baker Hughes, L'Oreal, Suzuki, Alpha Romeo, Wella Professional, Hard Rock Cafe, Elite Jet, Holiday Inn, Emilio Rabaud to name a few) on campaigns that bridge communities, brands, and cultures. He has led the conception and delivery of large-scale cultural events, civic initiatives, and brand activations across the Gulf, Levant, and North Africa. His approach combines on-the-ground knowledge of regional dynamics with international best practices. Khaled's ability to translate developmental goals into experiential marketing strategies has earned him multiple awards and long-term partnerships with institutions driving transformation in education, health, real estate, and public service. Khaled is the founder of several advocacy platforms and cultural initiatives like in Dubai We Trust, L'Oreal Mother & Daughter Dubai event, Muscat Festival 2006, Beirut Solidere opening. He is also an expert in partnership building and is a frequent advisor of governmental institutions (MOH Saudi Arabia, RAK Investment Authority, Georgia Rakeen) and media outlets across the region.

Hounaida is Assistant Professor of Marketing at LAU, Beirut. She began her career in marketing at Berytus Insurance, where she led client engagement and new product development. Her experience in Lebanon & New Zealand equipped her with practical expertise in cultural awareness, gathering consumer insights and customer-centric innovation. With over a decade of academic and practical experience, Hounaida specializes in brand experience strategy and design, inclusive branding, customer experience & engagement, and branding for social impact. Her approach to brand design and strategy is grounded in rigorous ethnographic research methods, making her an expert at uncovering deep consumer insights to craft engaging and culturally resonant branding strategies. A sought-after speaker, she has addressed global audiences on marketing related topics including gender, sustainability, inclusion and ethical branding, contributing to thought leadership through international conferences, media appearances, and cross-sector panels. Combining creativity with empathetic design, Hounaida is a trusted partner for clients seeking to build brands with purpose in a rapidly evolving marketplace.

Nacima has over two decades of experience at the intersection of branding, consumer insight, and strategic societal transformation. She is Full Professor of Marketing and Consumer Culture at KEDGE Business School, France. She holds a Ph.D. from ESSEC Business School in partnership with the LVMH Chair (Paris), and an MBA in Global Luxury Brand Management (Cartier Chair, Paris). Nacima began her career as a strategy consultant for creative and cultural industries, working with PwC and Accenture, and later served as Group Manager at the heritage luxury house Lancel. Her work focuses on strategic marketing and branding challenges within fashion, luxury, and consumer lifestyle sectors, while engaging with broader issues such as gender, sustainability, and inclusion. Known for blending cultural insight with strategic thinking, she has advised global brands, authored industry reports for firms like Bain & Company, and delivered impactful work through both academic research and executive consulting. A specialist in qualitative research and cultural analysis, Nacima uses methods like ethnography and semiotics to uncover deep consumer insights and shape meaningful brand strategies—particularly in culturally diverse markets.

Szilvia is an event strategist and sales manager with extensive experience designing and delivering high-impact events across the UAE and Qatar. She specializes in turning client objectives into fully realized experiences—from initial concept and budgeting through to vendor negotiation, logistics coordination, and flawless on-site execution.

Szilvia has managed a diverse portfolio of events, including product launches for global brands such as Admiral Appliances, large-scale public activations like City Walk Unplugged, VIP venue launches, and corporate gatherings for organizations including Allianz Partners and Finmart. Her expertise ensures each event is culturally resonant, strategically aligned, and delivered within scope and budget.

Known for her ability to build strong relationships with clients, artists, and suppliers, Szilvia combines sharp negotiation skills with a keen eye for detail and a commitment to quality. Fluent in English and Hungarian with proficiency in Spanish, she brings a cross-cultural sensitivity to her work, making her a trusted partner for brands seeking to engage audiences in the MENA region and beyond.

Joanna is a multidisciplinary designer who brings a sharp creative vision and a refined aesthetic sensibility, blending form and function across brand identity, visual storytelling and spatial design. With professional experience spanning Qatar, Oman, and Lebanon, Joanna has worked on diverse design challenges from luxury fit-outs to brand systems, logos, and visual retailing. She leads the creative development of all visual outputs at Brand & Bridges—including graphic design, branding and visual identity, UX/UI, and retail and spatial design. Joanna's work is informed by a unique cross-section of disciplines: architectural thinking, hands-on material expertise, and a designer's creative ethos for storytelling. She ensures that every brand experience—whether in print, digital, or physical space—feels cohesive, emotionally resonant, and culturally attuned.