Nada Abi Saleh bows out: A defining chapter closes at Leo Burnett Beirut

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Her departure marks not just the end of a tenure, but the conclusion of a defining era for an agency and an industry she helped elevate to global recognition.

A career built over decades

Nada’s story is inseparable from Leo Burnett Beirut itself. Joining the agency in 1988 as an account executive, she rose steadily through the ranks to become Managing Director in 2014. 

Over the years, she led major regional and local accounts, navigating Lebanon’s most turbulent economic periods with resilience and vision. Under her leadership, the agency evolved into a creative powerhouse, delivering purpose-driven campaigns that resonated far beyond the region.

In the message she shared with colleagues and friends, Nada framed her departure not as an ending, but as a transition: “The timing simply felt right, a moment to pause, reflect, and allow myself a different rhythm.”

She further reflected on her journey with deep emotion: “I’ve reached a point where redefining my rhythm felt both necessary and right. Leo and Publicis Groupe have been more than workplaces to me. I will always cherish the agency that shaped me, and that I had the privilege to shape in return. Most importantly, I feel deeply grateful to have worked with generations of Burnetters across departments, geographies, and levels, colleagues who became friends and saw this industry not just as a career, but as a calling.”

Nada’s contributions earned her international acclaim, including three Glass Lions at Cannes and the 2024 L’Oréal Paris Woman of Worth Award. Yet her impact was felt just as strongly at home.

She played a pivotal role in putting Lebanon on the global creative map, as she noted: “It has been a privilege… helping place Lebanon, and Leo Burnett Beirut, on the international creative map, from Cannes and beyond.”

Beyond awards, her legacy is deeply tied to advocacy. A strong voice for women’s empowerment, she consistently pushed for greater representation and leadership opportunities for women across the industry.

The leader behind the legacy

Educated at the American University of Beirut and Saint Joseph University of Beirut, she holds a BA in Political Science and Public Administration from AUB and an MA in Political Sciences and Legal Studies from USJ. Nada brought both academic rigor and emotional intelligence to her leadership style. Colleagues often describe her as both demanding and deeply human, a rare combination that fostered loyalty and excellence across generations.

Paying tribute to her impact, Youssef Naaman, CEO of Publicis Communications Levant, said: “We are deeply grateful for Nada’s leadership, dedication, and the lasting impact she has had on so many people across our network, and we look forward to staying connected in the years ahead. I will particularly miss Nada’s creative passion, her unwavering positivity, her strong sense of ownership, and her friendship and sound advice; above all, the meaningful relationships she built over the years.”

Not a goodbye, but a continuation

While stepping away from corporate leadership, Abi Saleh made it clear that her mission remains unchanged. She concluded: “I will continue to stay deeply engaged with what drives me: championing women, challenging the status quo, and using creativity as a force for change.”

That conviction suggests her influence is far from over, it is simply evolving.