Hana Chaar Choueib, General Manager of the Children’s Cancer Center of Lebanon (CCCL), has spent the past two decades transforming the center into a beacon of hope for thousands of children diagnosed with cancer across the Middle East. She ensures that the center can support as many children as possible and that no child is left behind. Her exemplary leadership, smart, balanced decisions, innovative ideas, and empathetic approach are playing a pivotal role in saving young lives and shaping the future of pediatric cancer care in the region.
As a woman in leadership, Hana strives to lead with both strength and empathy. “Understanding the color of energies provided by Insights Discovery enables me to navigate challenges, create an inclusive culture where every voice is valued and where energies are directed toward a shared purpose,” she says. This understanding infuses her with the zeal to provide the best possible care for the children.
Inspired by the Mission of CCCL
The mission of the Children’s Cancer Center of Lebanon (CCCL) is to treat children with cancer and provide them with the chance to heal and thrive. This mission “profoundly inspired” Hana when she joined the center as General Manager in 2004.
“The opportunity to dedicate my leadership to such a noble cause was a natural decision,” she says. “The thought of standing behind these children and their families during one of the most challenging battles of their lives resonated deeply with me.” From the beginning of her tenure at CCCL, Hana had to demonstrate operational leadership as well as transformational vision. She did that exceptionally well, successfully steering the center through periods of challenge, setback, and growth.
Initially, as General Manager, she was responsible for ensuring the center’s growth, sustainability, and ability to serve every child without discrimination. Over the years, Hana’s position has evolved to encompass broader responsibilities, which now includes securing financial sustainability, building partnerships locally and internationally, and advancing standards of care. She also works to cement CCCL’s role as a “beacon of hope” across the region.
“What continues to inspire me every day is the resilience of our children and families, and the knowledge that every effort we make directly translates into more lives saved, more smiles restored, and more futures reclaimed,” Hana says.
List of Major Achievements
As General Manager, Hana has several achievements to her credit. In 2009, CCCL achieved ISO 9001 certification, making it one of the very few charitable healthcare centers in Lebanon to hold this mark of quality and standards. Hana considers this certification one of her major career achievements.
“Since then, we’ve upheld those standards consistently, which has bolstered our credibility, efficiency, and trust among partners and donors,” she says.
She is also incredibly proud of the telethons they have conducted across multiple TV stations. According to her, they have helped raise essential funding, spread the center’s message widely, and inspired more people to rally behind their cause.
Another milestone Hana highlights is the creation of the Champions’ Circle in 2018. She explains that this club, comprising cancer survivors, ensures that a patient’s CCCL journey does not end with treatment. It allows survivors to come together to support one another, mentor younger patients, and inspire the community by showing that life after cancer is not only possible but also thriving. According to Hana, the Champions’ Circle also embodies a strategic vision: transforming survivors into advocates and role models, and reinforcing CCCL’s mission across generations.
“What makes all these accomplishments even more meaningful is that they were achieved in the face of tremendous challenges: economic collapse, political instability, disasters, and conflict,” Hana points out. “Yet through it all, CCCL has continued to stand firm, innovate, and grow in service of children and families battling cancer.”
Innovation and Partnerships
CCCL, recognized as the pediatric cancer reference in Lebanon and the region, covers more than 50 percent of the country’s cases. Hana credits the Fundraising and MARCOM teams for keeping the center innovative through many ups and downs. They are always exploring creative ideas to secure the challenging $15 million annual budget needed to sustain their work.
Hana says that despite Lebanon’s many crises, including the 2019 revolution, the coronavirus outbreak, the 2020 port blast, the currency devaluation, and the 2024 war, they have remained committed to helping as many children as possible. One example of this commitment is the National Program launched in 2019. It has enabled the center to bring care closer to patients across the country and ease the burden on families.
“Our resilience lies in adapting to challenges while keeping our focus on providing every child with cancer the best possible chance at life,” Hana says.
Additionally, partnerships have been at the heart of CCCL’s strength and sustainability. Their collaboration with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (SJCRH) and the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) has ensured that children receive state-of-the-art medical and scientific treatment, aligned with international standards.
In addition, they have built a number of international partnerships, including with global organizations such as the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), where Hana serves as a board member, as well as with other institutions where team members actively contribute. “We’ve also benefited from the support of major international funding sources and corporate partners, all of whom play a vital role in helping us secure the resources needed to sustain our mission,” Hana says.
The Lebanese diaspora has played an equally important role in the center’s growth. Hana praises them for their “unwavering trust and generosity,” noting that they have continued to support CCCL despite facing challenges abroad. At home, the Lebanese community has also remained by the center’s side, enabling the team to carry forward its mission.
“The credibility we have built over 23 years has been the foundation of this trust, and it has been instrumental in allowing us to continue offering free treatment and holistic support to children with cancer,” Hana says.
Lasting Impression: Moments of Joy and Sadness
At CCCL, Hana has been a witness to countless stories. Some were filled with joy, while others were filled with sadness. But every story has left a lasting mark on her.
She remembers a young boy with osteosarcoma. Every week, he would travel long hours to reach the center, enduring unbearable pain along the way. Although his parents knew he was unlikely to win the fight, they still brought him to the center. They were determined to do everything possible for their son so they could one day say, “We gave it our all.” Hana can never forget their courage and love. She recalls how the boy’s father would often sit quietly with a staff member, his eyes filled with tears, heartbroken to see his son in such pain.
Hana also recalls stories that embody the hope CCCL brings. Ahmad, for example, was only eight years old when he was diagnosed with leukemia. After three years of treatment, he triumphed over cancer. Today, he is one of the center’s most active Champions’ Circle members and one of its most cherished ambassadors. Hana points out that Ahmad is now thriving thanks to his strength and the care he received.
Jessy is another example of resilience and inspiration. She lost her father at the age of eight, just before being diagnosed with cancer herself. According to Hana, Jessy not only faced the pain of illness but also the emotional struggles that came with her changing appearance. She recalls that Jessy endured more than any child should, but despite that, sometimes, she would pretend to be in pain just to visit her “second home”: CCCL. “In truth, there are no better Ambassadors for the center than these cherished survivors,” Hana says.
The stories of Ahmad and Jessy, along with so many others, whether heartbreaking or hopeful, serve as constant reminders of why CCCL exists. Hana says it is to stand by every child and family, no matter the outcome, and to offer them the best chance possible.
Dealing with Systemic Challenges
In many societies, barriers still exist that prevent people from accessing quality treatment and care. Hana is working to break these barriers in the Middle East, specifically in Lebanon, in order to make healthcare accessible to all. She understands the importance of overcoming systemic challenges to ensure equal access to care.
CCCL’s mission of non-discrimination is central to its operations. According to Hana, they never consider where a child or their parents come from. They believe every child deserves the same chance to fight cancer, and that principle guides all their work.
Hana points out that quite early on, she and her team recognized the challenge of accessibility across Lebanon. This led them to launch the National Program, which, as mentioned before, brought treatment closer to patients and helped families avoid the long and costly travel to Lebanon’s capital, Beirut.
Additionally, under Hana’s leadership, women’s empowerment and gender equality are key priorities at CCCL. “The latter is directly linked to SDG 5,” she says. SDG 5, the fifth of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
So, at the center, 19 of the 49 team members are men. “This shows that healthcare and nonprofit work are not only female-driven but also inclusive of both genders,” Hana says. “This balance enriches our team and sets an example for the wider community.”
A General Manager’s Typical Day
For Hana, as General Manager, no two days ever look exactly the same. “No matter how much planning I do,” she says, “I’ve learned that I always need to be ready to act quickly, adapting to whatever situation arises.”
In her role, she is required to balance operational, strategic, and emotional responsibilities. She strives to accomplish that, while keeping their commitment to the SDGs in mind, particularly Good Health and Well-being, Gender Equality, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Climate Action, and Partnerships for the Goals. Hana points out that a clear example of this could be seen during times of crisis, such as the recent war.
She and her team had to be proactive to ensure continuity of care for the children, as well as to protect and support their staff and stakeholders. According to Hana, they created crisis cells to monitor the situation and stayed in contact with patients and their families daily, making sure they continued to receive treatment even if they had to be relocated. “That was in addition to managing all other aspects affecting the staff and our operations,” Hana says. “In such moments, it is essential to be a role model, as team members look up to leadership for stability and reassurance.”
So, for Hana, a ‘typical day’ is about staying grounded in their mission, acting with agility, and making sure that every decision reflects both immediate needs and long-term sustainability.
The Future: Regional Beacon for Pediatric Cancer Care
Hana envisions CCCL as a regional beacon of pediatric cancer care. She sees it emerging as a center that demonstrates treatment can and should be accessible to every child, free from financial barriers. In addition to covering treatment costs, their goal is to redefine care through the Wellness Program. According to Hana, true healing comes from nurturing both the body and the spirit.
“The future I see is one where CCCL sets a new standard for pediatric healthcare in the Middle East,” she says. “It will be known for being comprehensive, compassionate, and equitable.”
Advice to Young Professionals
“Be ready to work very hard,” is Hana’s first piece of advice to young professionals. She points out that leading a purpose-driven organization is not easy, especially in the healthcare sector. And, according to her, with the rapid rise of technology and AI transforming the world, it has become imperative that young professionals develop traits such as responsibility, adaptability, and a commitment to continuous learning.
She also reminds them that technical skills alone are not enough to succeed as leaders in purpose-driven organizations. Young Professionals need passion, the ability to lead from the heart, and the attitude to remain realistic and responsible in their decisions. Additionally, they need to build long-term relationships, earn respect, and sustain credibility, according to Hana.
“When people trust you and believe in your mission,” she says, “the impact you can achieve becomes far greater than what numbers alone can reflect.”
The Legacy: A Self-Sustaining Business Model
As General Manager at CCCL, Hana hopes to leave behind the legacy of a business model that is “truly self-sustaining.” When the time comes to step away, she does not want to worry about the center’s future. She wants to bow out with the confidence that a strong, self-generating system is in place to ensure that CCCL continues its mission for years to come, regardless of external challenges.
Hana notes that a lot has changed since she joined CCCL more than 20 years ago. When she began her journey, there was no WhatsApp and no instant connectivity. “Today, the spread of information is incredible,” she says. “However, even with so much at our fingertips, I’ve learned that true knowledge and wisdom come only through experience.”
