Meet Lilian Abou Zeki
Meet Lilian Abou Zeki, who will be joining the Young Tech Leaders’ Careers in Product Panel.
Lilian is the Head of Solutions Mapping at UNDP Accelerator Labs, where she scopes user-led solutions across different development problems. Previously, she managed engagement and growth for Amnesty MENA and Africa. Her earlier life was in start-ups as she led product at one of MENA's fastest growing food recipe platforms, ATBAKI. Lilian designs and facilitates design thinking and innovation programs with business and social entities, including UNICEF, GIZ, Goethe Institute, and Erada Incubator in Kuwait.
Get to know Lilian below!
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Why did you want to participate in Young Tech Leaders of the Middle East?
I recall my own journey trying to both understand what is possible and where to go about finding it. "You cannot be, what you cannot be" was a mantra I stumbled upon that made me keen on expanding what I see; I was curious to always bend the frame so I could see more, get exposed to more, and increase my choices.
I find that there is great value in exposing young aspiring talent to various, diverse, and non-lateral career tracks and individual stories. I struggled a lot to find product managers in the region to talk to or even just emulate. Reaching out to an enthusiastic cohort of youth who may have experienced hardship or disadvantage that further constricts their exposure and imagination of what is possible is a big driver for my participation in Young Tech Leaders.
What do you currently do?
As the Head of Solutions Mapping at the UNDP Accelerator Labs in Lebanon, I lead on scoping user-led solutions/grass root innovators/positive deviants across different development areas in the country. I do so by identifying their root issue and the underlying insights on behavior, trends, and systems that might make for solution learnings to experiment with at UNDP and with partners. This role has been akin to product management with the people we serve as Board of Directors.
How did you find yourself in your current field?
My background in user experience design and product management together made me a good fit to take on this role at the lab. Organizations in the humanitarian world are gaining ground and taking note from agile start-up and innovation culture. After spending years in marketing, and then in product at start-ups, I wanted to transpose the skill sets I gained onto bigger and deeper challenges that have lasting sustainable impact on communities and lives.
What was your first job?
I started my career as an in-house graphic designer at a design boutique in Beirut. The account I managed was DELOITTE MENA. I always credit the exposure that job gave me, in terms of business, strategy, and consulting, to how my career unfolded in a non-lateral manner. I later pursued a Business Design master’s degree, which led me into tech and product management. I don't think that would have been my route had I not had that role as my first gig, especially since traditional design education tends to shield design students from business acumen.
What have been some of the defining moments of your career?
The moment I decided to take on a leading product role at ATBAKI, one of the region's leading food recipe start-ups at the time. I recall an immense internal tug-and-pull confusing my decision-making process. I saw an opportunity to step into a product role, something I had actively and strategically aimed to transition into—however, it was a food start-up! My ego felt that a food start-up did not sit well with my ideals; it wasn’t my "passion.” I am very glad I took on that role, which taught me so many lessons, technically and otherwise. I learned that passion is made wherever you are. You make your own purpose, and you set a select group of goals for every phase of your career.
What was the best advice you've ever received?
There will always be people who are already at point F while you are still struggling with point C. That does not mean your position in this proverbial alphabet is “behind” or “useless.” Every letter of the alphabet is indispensable, like every stage of our growth and career. At point C, you will be able to help those at point A and B too. Wherever you are, your point of reference is you and you alone.
What advice would you give to your 18-year-old self?
Try your best, believe in your intention to do well while trying the best you can, and rest otherwise. Also, you are enough.
What is your favorite technology or innovation?
The simple calendar. If we use it to its optimal capacity, it is the best piece of technology out there!
What's your hidden superpower?
I am forever a confident beginner. Always willing to learn, while always confident enough to practice.
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
3-minute noodles!
