In a world where stability often equals success, Samar Sahily choose uncertainty. While working as a marketing specialist at a publishing house, she came across an advertisement for a six month graduate internship at Ericsson. It was a crossroads moment: continue with the safety of a steady job or take a leap into the unknown. Without a mentor, without guidance, and with nothing but determination, Samar applied, went through interviews and a challenging case study, and was accepted.
What began as a brief six month stint evolved into nearly five years at Ericsson. This role exposed her to internal communications and, more importantly, introduced her to the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility team. Volunteering as their single point of contact for projects and events sparked a deep passion in Samar for impact driven work. She realized that corporate organizations, when guided by purpose, could create profound social change, something that drew her in far more than the idea of working in traditional NGOs. This experience not only reshaped her career trajectory but also became a defining moment that fueled her ambition to make meaningful change in the corporate world.
The Awakening to Corporate Responsibility
Samar’s early experience at Ericsson was transformative. Collaborating closely with the Corporate Social Responsibility team, she witnessed how large corporations can tangibly contribute to communities, improve lives, and create opportunities for underrepresented groups. For Samar, it was a revelation: the corporate world was not just about profit margins and KPIs; it could be a platform for purposeful, societal impact.
She found herself drawn to initiatives that went beyond internal communications, taking on responsibilities that allowed her to plan events, lead community projects, and engage with multiple stakeholders. Each project became a stepping stone, not only developing her professional skills but also giving her a strong sense of purpose. She realized that real, lasting impact could be led from within large corporations, blending strategy with empathy.
This understanding guided her next big career decision: moving to PwC Middle East as a Corporate Sustainability Manager. Here, she could align her professional expertise with her personal passion, creating opportunities for others while influencing corporate policies that fostered social good.
A Journey of Self Discovery and Resilience
Samar’s path was not linear, and it was far from easy. Her professional journey began while pursuing a master’s degree at the Lebanese University. She took a part time role in an educational startup as a telemarketing and admin assistant, the first real taste of the professional world. After graduation, she returned home to live with her parents, determined to achieve financial independence. She accepted a digital marketing role at a startup consultancy, hoping it would align with her ambitions.
However, the experience was grueling. Long hours, a toxic environment, and constant self doubt made her question her capabilities. After only two months, she quietly left the job, afraid of disappointing her parents. For a time, she felt lost, unsure of which path to take next. Her focus was simply to regain her footing, find stability, and rediscover her confidence.
A breakthrough came when she secured a marketing manager role at a publishing house. Within the first month, an opportunity at Ericsson arose, leading to a nearly five year tenure. By age 27, clarity emerged regarding personal identity and professional aspirations. A year of interviews, rejections, and persistence ultimately led to her role at PwC, a position she describes as where she belongs.
Creating Impact with Purpose at PwC
At PwC, Samar’s work in corporate sustainability allows her to combine her expertise with her passion for social impact. She is not just implementing programs; she is creating pathways for meaningful change. From volunteering with youth focused NGOs to leading initiatives that connect diverse communities, Samar’s role goes beyond professional responsibilities; it is a mission to influence, inspire, and create opportunities for others.
One of the most significant aspects of her work is youth engagement. Samar believes that empowering young people, especially those who may never have imagined the opportunities available to them, is central to sustainable development. She has worked on projects that enable youth to explore careers, exchange ideas across cultures, and gain hands on experience. These programs reflect her belief that real impact comes from equipping the next generation with skills, confidence, and vision.
Her commitment to continuous learning drives her professional and personal growth. Samar actively seeks international exchange opportunities, connecting with youth across cultures and broadening her perspective. She envisions becoming a youth ambassador, representing voices that often go unheard and leading initiatives that help young people discover their potential.
Lessons Learned Boldness Curiosity and Growth
Samar’s journey has imparted valuable lessons that she hopes others can learn from. The most crucial lesson is to be bold. Speak up, share your ideas, and never shy away from expressing opinions when it matters. This approach leaves a lasting impression, especially with leaders, and can open doors to opportunities otherwise inaccessible.
Curiosity has been another key driver. Samar embraces mistakes as learning opportunities and continuously seeks ways to improve. Her philosophy is simple: pour your heart and mind into your work, and the results will follow. By committing fully to each task, she ensures that the value she delivers is tangible, both to her teams and to the organization as a whole.
These principles guide her in leadership and mentorship. Samar believes that cultivating boldness, curiosity, and resilience in others is just as important as developing these traits within oneself. By modeling this approach, she hopes to inspire a culture where young professionals are encouraged to take risks and pursue meaningful work early in their careers.
A Vision for Legacy and Long Term Impact
Looking ahead, Samar is determined to leave a legacy where corporate responsibility is more than a department; it becomes a mindset. She wants organizations to embed social impact into their culture, ensuring that doing good is inseparable from doing well.
Her ultimate goal is to inspire youth across the region to discover who they are, take calculated risks, and pursue learning opportunities without hesitation. By creating pathways to careers that many may not have imagined possible, she aims to help young professionals reach heights they once thought were out of reach. Samar envisions a future where the work of corporations contributes meaningfully to society, demonstrating that profit and purpose can coexist harmoniously.
Her efforts aim to show that meaningful contributions, whether small or large, leave lasting impressions. Even helping a few young people believe in themselves and take the first step toward their dreams constitutes a significant achievement.
Advice to the Next Generation
Samar’s story is a guide for anyone navigating uncertainty and pursuing purpose. Her advice is, “Trust the process. It will feel painful, lonely, and uncertain at times, but you are capable, and the sky is your limit. The person you are now and the one you are becoming will go through uncomfortable transformation, and that is exactly what is needed to discover your true self. And never ever let anyone make you doubt your worth or your potential. Keep going, even when it is hard. You are on the right path.”
She emphasizes that growth comes from persistence, risk taking, and the courage to follow one’s passions. The path to purpose is rarely linear, but each challenge, rejection, and detour is a step closer to discovering one’s potential.
Conclusion
Samar Sahily’s journey from a marketing specialist in Lebanon to Corporate Sustainability Manager at PwC Middle East is a story of courage, resilience, and purpose. It highlights the power of taking risks, embracing change, and aligning career choices with personal values. Her experiences demonstrate that impactful work is possible in the corporate world and that meaningful change can be achieved when passion meets opportunity.
Samar’s mission extends beyond personal success; it is about empowering youth, inspiring leadership, and cultivating a corporate culture where responsibility and profit coexist. Her story encourages aspiring professionals to trust the process, take bold steps, and embrace challenges as part of the journey toward self discovery and purpose.
Through her work, Samar Sahily continues to prove that purpose driven leadership not only benefits organizations but also leaves a lasting impact on communities and future generations.
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