Yasser Abdul Malak

From Abou Ibrahim’s Nescafé van at LAU’s Upper Gate to leading Nestlé across 19 countries, Yasser Abdul Malak’s journey is one of determination, resilience, and gratitude. Nearly three decades after graduation, the Chairman and CEO of Nestlé in the Middle East and North Africa returns to LAU for an emotional walk down memory lane, revisiting the people and places that shaped his university years. Among them is Abou Ibrahim, whose legendary coffee van brought generations of LAU students together and whose legacy lives on through his sons, featured in a touching surprise arranged by Zaven. From driving his father’s truck to help pay for his education and struggling to make ends meet, to earning recognition among Forbes Middle East’s top CEOs, Yasser reflects on a remarkable journey shaped by perseverance, curiosity, and the ability to embrace life’s unexpected turns. In this episode of 100/100: The Full Grade, Yasser joins Zaven for a heartfelt conversation about leadership, Lebanese resilience, the personal sacrifices behind success, and the importance of giving back to the people and places that helped shape who we become. For Yasser, LAU can be summed up in one word: gratitude. A story that reminds us that success is not always about following a perfect plan, but about how we embrace opportunities, overcome challenges, and never forget where it all began. This episode was published on October 15, 2026.