"Together We Rise"

Abboud Barakat is the Founder and CEO of GENELLE and an entrepreneur-investor whose career spans consumer genomics, biotechnology, AI-enabled health intelligence, real estate master developments, maritime logistics, commodities, and public-market investments. He holds an MBA from Regent’s College London and began his career with banking training at Arab Bank across London and Jordan, building an early foundation in corporate governance, cross-border operations, and institutional finance.

Abboud later joined the family-owned Barakat Trading Group, working across luxury retail, wholesale, and distribution in Jordan and the UAE, and gaining direct experience in European sourcing and manufacturing through Loro S.R.L. in Florence. Abboud’s development and advisory track record includes involvement in City Mall in Amman (operated within a publicly listed structure), regional representation mandates for international engineering and construction groups, and design-led real estate initiatives including a Middle East mandate for YOO (Philippe Starck / John Hitchcox).

Abboud subsequently built and exited consumer and biotech platforms across Asia and the U.S., including Salome Skincare and the genomics platforms GENEUS and MAVIE (acquired in 2021 in a transaction valued at approximately USD 20 million). Today, he continues to scale GENELLE as a privately funded, debt-free, founder-owned multi-omics platform integrating genetics, biomarkers, microbiome data, AI, wearables, and lifestyle inputs to deliver personalised longevity and performance solutions globally.

Dr. Victor Nee is a scholar-practitioner who provides technical and operational leadership for the group’s global initiatives. A trusted partner and advisor to the founder for over twenty-five years, Dr. Nee was the pivotal figure who first introduced the group to the Chinese market, facilitating long term commercial relationships in the region. His career is rooted in bridging the gap between advanced engineering and international commerce, drawing on his background as a Professor Emeritus at the University of Notre Dame and his experience on the boards of NYSE listed corporations.

Dr. Nee specialises in the execution of complex cross-border collaborations across the Asia-Pacific, Middle East, and the Americas. His distinguished career includes facilitating the use of foundational technologies and serving as a strategic advisor to the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Within the Levant Group, he remains a vital link between industry and innovation, ensuring that large-scale ventures in healthcare, energy, and infrastructure are turned into high-performing operations that meet global standards.

Sam Hamdan is a seasoned executive with over 30 years of experience driving financial and operational excellence across Fortune 500 corporations and diverse international enterprises. With a deep professional footprint in both Silicon Valley and the Middle East, he has cultivated a unique ability to bridge high-tech innovation with complex traditional industries, including real estate, construction, and energy. Throughout his career, he has served as an Acting CEO, Group CFO, and Board Member, earning a reputation for his hands-on approach to organizational restructuring and IPO implementation.

He excels in navigating high-stakes environments—whether managing multi-billion dollar debt restructurings, leading turnarounds from loss to profitability, or negotiating complex international joint ventures. Beyond his technical mastery of finance, tax accounting, and Six Sigma operational improvements, Sam is a strategic advisor who partners with boards to define long-term growth objectives. He transforms complexity into clarity, building the institutional momentum necessary to secure sustainable performance.

Stephen Hsu is a senior legal professional and board member who provides critical strategic and regulatory oversight for the Levant Group’s Asian operations. As a lead lawyer at the Zongying law firm, he possesses extensive expertise in navigating the complex legal and corporate landscapes of China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Since joining the group’s advisory board, he has played a central role in structuring international business agreements and ensuring robust legal compliance across diverse jurisdictions.

Based in the Asia-Pacific region, Stephen facilitates the group’s cross-border initiatives by aligning international business models with regional regulatory requirements. His deep understanding of corporate law and institutional frameworks allows the group to execute high-value partnerships and investments with confidence. Within the board, he serves as a trusted advisor on corporate governance and strategic planning, helping to safeguard the group’s interests as it continues its expansion into new international markets.