Dr. Manal Fakhoury is a distinguished community leader, entrepreneur, and philanthropist whose life’s work is rooted in service, leadership development, and the pursuit of justice. She is the President and CEO of Fakhoury Leadership International, where she brings decades of expertise in strategy, organizational growth, and fundraising to empower individuals and organizations to achieve lasting impact.

A graduate of the University of Southern California, where she earned both her undergraduate and doctorate degrees, and Webster University, where she received her MBA, Dr. Fakhoury combines academic excellence with over 30 years of leadership experience. She has guided nonprofits to new heights, and continues to serve as a consultant pharmacist, inspirational speaker, coach, and mentor.

Deeply committed to civic engagement, she has served on numerous boards including the United Way of Marion County, YMCA Executive Board, Truist Bank, Arab American Community Center, and Rotary International, where she has also served as Assistant Governor.

She is the founder of multiple Toastmasters clubs, including Toasting Ocala, and is the visionary licensee and curator of TEDxOcala, where she provides a platform for bold ideas and diverse voices. Her innovative personal development program has also reached the Florida Department of Corrections, helping incarcerated individuals transform their lives.

Dr. Fakhoury’s impact has been recognized through honors such as Person of the Year, Businesswoman of the Year, Communicator of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, and the Webster University Distinguished Alumni Award. A testament to her adventurous spirit and resilience, she also completed the Climb of Hope, summiting Mount Kilimanjaro in 2014.

With an unwavering passion for service, empowerment, and justice, Dr. Manal Fakhoury continues to inspire through her leadership, speaking, and tireless dedication to building stronger communities.