What does it mean to live a life shaped by resilience, global experience, and an unrelenting drive to transform markets and communities? For Zoubeida Zorkot, it has meant turning personal challenges into purpose, and visionary ideas into impactful realities across continents.
From her beginnings in Africa with a rare health condition to her leadership in international marketing, public relations, and social entrepreneurship, Zoubeida has forged a path marked by determination, innovation, and a deep commitment to driving sustainable change. Her journey spans boardrooms, global events, and grassroots initiatives, from directing market strategies in Europe and MENA to launching pioneering platforms in Saudi Arabia. In this feature, she opens up about her motivations, her most meaningful accomplishments, and what it takes to be a true catalyst in today’s evolving landscape. Keep reading to discover how her bold vision continues to shape industries and inspire communities.
Global Roots & Career Path
Tell us about your early life, education, and career journey.
I was born different – I am a Lebanese who was born in Africa and grew up and worked across almost all continents. I was born in Abidjan with a Factor V deficiency, which is a rare condition that does not allow the blood to coagulate. Living with a constant threat to life taught me to choose my battles, love life, and dive into development and market transformation. I was raised and studied until high school in Africa, graduated from a French school, earned my Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration with a focus on Marketing and Communications from the University of St. Joseph (USJ) in Beirut, and then pursued my Master’s Degree in International Marketing with a Distinction in my thesis on the Adaptation of International Franchises from ESCP Paris.
Career-wise, I have always had a passion for transformation. Saudi Arabia is a land of opportunities and is the place to be for any savvy market transformer. I come from an industrial background (family business in Africa), worked as a director in leading global advertising agencies serving groups in the MENA region and Europe, opening and shaping markets for global brands. I then moved on to directing the Takreem initiative alongside the renowned Ricardo Karam, where I engineered the Takreem Award initiative, identified Arab transformers and change-makers, and led the exclusive events for this initiative. Transformation is in my blood; I can sense and see opportunities kilometers away. Today, my new passion is for KSA.
Current Roles & Impact
What is your current role, and what do you enjoy most about your work?
Today, I still sit on the board of our family business (Novaplast) in Africa, I sit on the board of 3Sixty PR agency in Saudi Arabia, and I have recently formed the Saudi & Partners Network in order to support market transformation based on the concept of Lobalization.
As a transformation catalyst, you develop a sense of seeing and identifying transformative opportunities in seconds. The utmost satisfaction is the journey of engaging with stakeholders, shaping homegrown strategies and cutting-edge initiatives and products, and finally seeing the impact on all stakeholders along with national impact. Seeing that your work enhances overall cluster aspirations and lifestyle is pure joy and a recognition in itself.
Proudest Achievement
What has been your proudest professional accomplishment?
It is very difficult to choose one professional accomplishment. Yet I can recall a recent one, as I was leading the Takreem Foundation Gala Dinner in Monaco, and in an attempt to support struggling foundations in Lebanon, we turned the dinner into an Art for a Cause exclusive event.
In a financially challenging time for Lebanon, we were able to engage renowned artists to put their pieces up for free, as the sales would be directed to a cause. At a time when trust in Lebanon was at its lowest, we managed to get global HNIs to invest in art pieces and support the causes we presented. The initiative was a success, and we raised a considerable amount that was donated to two NGOs: ASSAMEH Birth & Beyond and SESOBEL. Both entities support life and give second chances to newborns with difficulties and children with disabilities.
Overcoming Challenges
What is one major challenge you’ve faced in your career, and how did you overcome it?
Also many. But I believe the most universal and crashing one was during the breakout of the COVID pandemic. That was a real test of solution-driven abilities and agility. Back then, I had just successfully founded an aging prevention clinic in Brussels (Stay Young Clinic), which was itself a transformative and non-invasive business. Two years after its inception, and as we were growing out of control, the pandemic hit, forcing us to close and put our teams at home.
As a catalyst, I could not witness helplessness, especially under the very strict regulations in Belgium. In less than two months, I was able to mitigate the situation and adjust/refresh the overall business model. We launched online consultations and assisted services, VIP home service with the highest level of precautions, as well as private sessions for customers, whereby the client would book the clinic exclusively to ensure compliance with COVID management rules and regulations.
The uplift in the approach granted us business continuity, customer loyalty, team member sustainability, and the ability to ensure profitability.
Staying Ahead
How do you stay ahead in your industry?
I believe you stay ahead as long as you:
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Keep the passion going
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Keep learning and stay abreast of the latest directions and aspirations
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Most importantly, ensure that whatever you create/develop/initiate is locally need-centric with global reach
The norm with globalization is to glocalize, bring ideas/concepts/franchises/products from around the world and adapt them to your market. From my point of view, we are no longer at this stage. Today, and from Saudi Arabia, we are refreshing the approach to what works and adopting lobalization: creating and developing homegrown oncepts/industries/products/services that comply with global standards and are viable for export. This is the path to responsible, profitable, competitive sustainability.
Advice to Youth
What advice would you give to young professionals aiming for success?
I would address young professionals, among them my own two daughters:
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Make sure you do what you are passionate about
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Ensure that whatever you do has shared value, at profitability, market, social, and cultural levels
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Build based on what is material to your community: their needs and ambitions within the national strategy of your country
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Last but not least, be responsible and socially active
The future of competitiveness will be based on sustainability, responsibility, talent development, social viability, ethical proactivity, and agility.
Conclusion
Zoubeida Zorkot’s story is not just one of personal resilience, it’s a testament to the power of vision, responsibility, and transformation. Her ability to navigate industries, cultures, and crises with clarity and purpose highlights a rare blend of strategic foresight and human-centric leadership. Whether she’s empowering businesses in Saudi Arabia, reshaping perceptions through art and advocacy, or advising global boards, her influence consistently aligns with a deeper mission: to create shared value and drive purposeful change.
In a world where agility, ethics, and innovation are becoming the pillars of future leadership, Zoubeida stands out as a guidepost for aspiring professionals and seasoned leaders alike. Her journey reminds us that true transformation begins with belief, in one's vision, in the community, and in the responsibility to act. For those seeking to lead with meaning and impact, her path offers both inspiration and a challenge: to lead boldly, sustainably, and with unwavering authenticity.
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