In a world where businesswomen face significant challenges, Christina Khater (BA ’06) successfully navigated obstacles that came her way without losing sight of her resolution to make a difference.

Armed with a bachelor’s degree in communication arts from LAU and a master’s degree from the London Film School, Khater chose to depart from the conventional career her qualifications laid out for her to establish a creative agency with social impact.

In 2007, she founded KristiesLab, an events management and marketing business that would gain recognition for providing environmentally friendly, sustainable and innovative solutions. Driven by the universal language of effective business, “leading with values, every day,” Khater, through KristiesLab, has kept community empowerment at the heart of her mission.

For her, business success was never just about profit. It was about creating opportunities for others, particularly women, to thrive.

“The most important thing I’ve learned through my journey is that success isn’t just about financial gain,” she says, “It’s about the people you uplift along the way, the lives you touch, and the change you bring to the world.”

Her university years went a long way in shaping her approach to business and entrepreneurship. “LAU was a place where you could be yourself,” she shares. “It was culturally enriching and encouraged me to explore and express my creativity.”

What Khater also learned at LAU, she says, was that in navigating uncertainty, one must take initiative, and push beyond expectations. “It wasn’t about following a roadmap, but about creating my own path,” she adds—principles that have contributed to her success.

Agility and strategic thinking enabled her to guide KristiesLab through challenging times while continuing to innovate and expand. For her, resilience and adaptability to constant change were essential in confronting local, regional, and global crises, including the political instability in Lebanon, global economic shifts, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“In business, as in life, you cannot avoid challenges,” she says. “The key is to learn how to turn those challenges into opportunities.”

Adaptability, she believes, “is the cornerstone of success, and resilience is about having the courage to figure things out as you go. It’s about showing up, even when you don’t feel ready.”  

Khater’s advocacy for social change and improvement defines her leadership style in business and beyond. As the president of Unconditional Lebanon, an organization supporting women’s empowerment, she has sought to provide women with the tools and resources they need to succeed, through leadership training, mentorship, and direct support for entrepreneurial ventures.

Empowering women entails creating environments where they feel they can thrive, not just survive. “It isn’t just about giving them a seat at the table; it’s about giving them the tools and the confidence to build their own tables,” she says.

This ability to seamlessly integrate business acumen with a passion for social change has earned Khater numerous accolades. In 2016–2017, she was honored as the Woman Entrepreneur of the Year, a recognition that solidified her reputation as a force to be reckoned with in both the business and social sectors.

She is also a recognized leader at international forums, such as the Young Leaders Summit and Global Entrepreneurship Summit, where she shares her expertise on entrepreneurship and social impact. As a Vital Voices (VV) Grow Fellow, she has connected with influential women leaders worldwide and continues to advocate for women’s rights and sustainable business practices.

With her vision, resilience, and belief in the transformative power of business, Khater is an inspiration to entrepreneurs and women worldwide.

As she continues her journey with KristiesLab and Unconditional Lebanon, she remains focused on her mission to uplift others and build a legacy of change.

“LAU encouraged me to dream big and back it up with action,” she says. “It’s about creating opportunities and using your platform to make a difference.”