Eliane Charabaty — A visionary leader and Montessorian mompreneur—turns dreams into impact. She believes education has the power to transform communities and inspire minds, proving that vision creates reality.
As the Founder and CEO of Montessori World and The Business Talk 2.0: Future Leaders Academy. Eliane has transformed her passion for education into a movement that empowers children and youth across Lebanon and the MENA region.
What truly makes her story unforgettable is the partnership at its core. Alongside her mentor and partner in vision, Fouad Charabaty, Eliane is also the Co-founder of Transpetrol, a petroleum transportation company in partnership with TotalEnergies. Their shared commitment to innovation and excellence reflects a bond rooted in purpose. Fouad isn’t just a brilliant businessman—he’s the steady hand that has believed in Eliane every step of the way. Together, they’ve built more than businesses; they’ve created a life rooted in shared vision and purpose, leaving a legacy that inspires everyone around them.
Q: Eliane, what sparked your journey in education? Where did it all begin?
“It started with Maria, my daughter. Her teachers once asked, ‘What’s your secret? Maria is so independent and confident.’ I smiled, knowing it wasn’t a secret—I was simply applying Montessori principles at home.
That moment opened my eyes. I thought, If this works for Maria, imagine what it could do for others. So, I created the Step-by-Step Montessori Program.
It wasn’t easy. Hachette Antoine rejected me twice, and those moments were tough—but I believed resilience is everything. I pushed forward, bringing together experts in speech therapy, psychology, and education.
Visualization and affirmations were key. I had a vision board where I placed Hachette Antoine’s logo on my books. I could see it so clearly that it felt real—and I made it happen.
When the program launched, it exceeded my dreams. Today, it’s in 80% of Lebanon’s kindergartens and has expanded across the MENA region. What started with Maria became a movement I’m incredibly proud of.
Q: The Montessori Arabic Box has been called a ‘game-changer.’ How did it come to life?
The pandemic was a challenging time for all of us. Schools went online, and I could see a huge gap in how Arabic was being taught—it felt rigid and uninspired. I wanted to make learning Arabic fun.
Elio, my son, became my partner in this journey. Together, we created the Montessori Arabic Box, a project born from love and determination. Seeing it help families and teachers today is deeply fulfilling. It proves that even in tough times, creativity can lead to something beautiful.”
Q: What keeps you motivated, especially during difficult times?
My family. Maria and Elio are the heart of everything I do. I want them to look at me one day and say proudly, ‘That’s my mom!’
Fouad—my mentor, anchor, and quiet strength—taught me the power of time. Together, we’ve built more than businesses. We’ve created a partnership rooted in love, trust, and shared vision.
Q: What do you want people to take away from your story?
“Success isn’t a solo journey—it’s fueled by those who believe in you and the courage to stay true to your purpose. For me, it starts with family. Fouad, Maria, and Elio inspire me to rise higher every day, and my mom, Esperance, taught me resilience and strength.
Like my nephew Ghady once told me, ‘With the right mindset, the right work ethic, and the right people, anything is possible.’ This became my motto in life.
If my story inspires even one person to dream big and build with purpose, I’ve done my part. Life is about balance—motherhood, leadership, and love—leveraging education, a strong mindset, and clear goals to create legacies that uplift generations. On that note, I’m excited to share that Business Talk 2.0: The Future Leaders Academy will be launching soon, shaping tomorrow’s leaders. Stay tuned—we’ll keep you posted!
