By Claudia Chaalan

Dearborn — The Arab American Women’s Business Council (AAWBC) recently hosted its annual New Economic Initiative (NEI) Pitch Competition at the Arab American National Museum, bringing together community leaders, entrepreneurs and supporters for an evening dedicated to celebrating women in business and leadership.

The competition, held Nov. 19, showcased innovative ventures from women entrepreneurs across diverse industries, including mobile applications, cybersecurity, medical wear, education, event management and nature-inspired experiences.

Left to right: Hannah Awada, Farah Merhi, Karl Makky, Sharifa Mohamed (South Beauty School), Zeina Saad, Claudia Chaalan, Yousef Al-Madrahi.

The event drew a strong public audience and was attended by local elected officials. A distinguished panel of judges included Karl Makky, owner and franchisor of Unburger, EggBar, Birdie and Bistro Avenue; Farah Merhi, founder of Inspire Me! Home Décor and creator of Instagram’s most-followed interior design inspiration page; Hannah Awada, founder of Hummus Goodness, originally launched in Shanghai, China; and Yousef Al-Madrahi, CEO of Specialty Medical Center, which specializes in advancing orthopedic and spine care services.

Founded in 2007 in Dearborn, the AAWBC is a nonprofit professional organization dedicated to inspiring, empowering and connecting Arab American women in business and leadership. Over the years, the council has awarded more than $103,000 in scholarships, supported more than 250 businesses in 2023–2024 and is on track to surpass that number in 2025. Through partnerships with multiple organizations, the AAWBC continues to strengthen community ties and provide certifications that support women in their professional journeys.

This year’s NEI Pitch Competition winners were:

• Community Impact Award: Dearborn Balloon Decor, Amira Abuhoud
• Third Place: The Baby Lounge, Zeina Sobh
• Second Place: South Beauty School, Sharifa Mohamed
• First Place: Watani Coffee, Malak Wazne-Fadlallah

The evening not only highlighted the entrepreneurial spirit of Arab American women but also reinforced AAWBC’s mission to foster innovation, leadership and community growth.