Ibrahim Osta is an international economic development professional with a record managing large scale projects and expertise in tourism, youth entrepreneurship and trade. He directly managed projects over $120 million in USAID funding and more than a quarter billion-dollars in leveraged funds. Currently, he directs Chemonics Lebanon Enterprise Development Project. As Chief of Party, he led USAID’s largest tourism development portfolio in the world (2005-2017) which included global destination promotion, conservation, workforce development and creating new visitor experiences. Previously he was Senior Policy Advisor to Jordan’s Ministries of Tourism and of Water. Mr. Osta led the creation of Arabic language youth entrepreneurship organization (Injaz) modeled after Junior Achievement International and laid the foundation for its Middle East expansion, now mentoring over a half-million students annually across the Arab world. While based in Cairo for the Center for International Private Enterprise, he supported Egyptian export-oriented associations and firms formulate sector enhancement initiatives. Earlier, Mr. Osta was Executive Director of the US-based American Arab Chamber of Commerce that facilitates US-Arab trade and investment.
Mr. Osta served on various boards including the UN Foundation World Heritage Alliance, City of Detroit Land Use commission advisory group and University of Michigan Capital Campaign Committee. He now serves on the Panel of International Tourism Advisors for the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and was Awarded Jordan’s King Abdulah II Award for Supporting Entrepreneurship. Mr. Osta helped design economic development projects in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. He served as advisor or featured speaker in Lebanon, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Armenia, Jamaica, Italy, Switzerland, the U.S. and Egypt and was hosted by international organizations as The World Bank, United Nations, OECD and UNWTO.
Mr. Osta holds a Finance & Economics degree from the University of Michigan, a Master of Tourism Administration from George Washington University and Postgraduate Certificate in International Business Law from the University of London.