About
Joanne F. Karkour is a Scaling Up Certified Coach, strategist, and entrepreneurial powerhouse who helps founders and executive teams unlock bold growth while staying grounded in purpose and performance. With over 25 years of experience across strategy, brand, marketing, CRM, operations, production/manufacturing and export, she’s built, led, and turned around businesses under extreme pressure—including navigating a lifestyle brand through Lebanon’s toughest years, scaling agro-food exports to 16+ countries, and advising rural producers and startups alike.

Joanne’s edge lies in her ability to translate complexity into clear direction, helping leadership teams align strategy, execution, and cash while creating the clarity and confidence needed to scale. She coaches in Arabic, English, and French across Lebanon, the GCC, and French-speaking Europe, with a particular edge in food, fashion, tech services and founder-led businesses ready for serious growth.

Recognized in 2024 by the Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce for her leadership at Fair Trade Lebanon and her work empowering women through trade, Joanne remains a founding board member of the organization. A passionate promoter of the Lebanon Mountain Trail and active in multiple impact-driven initiatives, she brings a deep commitment to community, resilience, and ethical growth. She also shares her experience and energy as part of The Empowering Tribe, a women-led, values-driven coaching collective designed to help women leaders and entrepreneurs grow smarter, lead better, and live more intentionally.

Known for her sharp execution, creative thinking, and relentless drive to deliver results, she brings a powerful presence to every engagement. A firm believer that “no mountain is too high,” she summited Kilimanjaro in 2009 and is grounded in a daily practice of physical training and mindfulness, living by the motto 'mens sana in corpore sano'.

Professional Highlights
Business Consultant: - 25 Years Experienced
Business Entrepreneur - 15 Years
Board Member Fair Trade Lebanon - 20 Years
Marketing and Advertising - 10 Years

Personal Highlights
Joanne holds a Master’s degree in Economics from Université Saint-Joseph and a DESS in Telecommunications and Technology Management from Paris-Dauphine University.

Avid hiker, from Kilimanjaro in 2009 and Annapurna in 2008 to the breathtaking trails of Lebanon and the scenic routes of France, she also loves wandering through arts exhibitions, getting lost in books, and discovering the world; one journey at a time

Coaching Regions
Africa
Europe
Middle East

Industry of Expertise
Accounting/Finance
Automotive
Building/Construction
Coaching/Business Consulting
Computer/IT/Software Development
Creative/Design
Customer Support
Food Services/Hospitality
Insurance
Logistics/Transportation
Manufacturing/Production/Operations
Marketing
Retail