1. Nadine, as a CEO who is also a full-time artist, how does your creative process directly influence a difficult business decision?
My identity exists at the intersection of management and creativity. For instance, when I face a complex professional challenge, I return to my artistic mindset. I step back, observe the full picture, and explore solutions from angles not always obvious to others.
My creative process teaches me to solve problems with intuition, openness, and imagination. Additionally, I do not rush; I give each stage of decision-making the time it needs. I firmly believe no business situation is unsolvable; it can always be handled with calm, patience, and clarity.
This approach strengthens my confidence, shapes my leadership, and helps me stand out. Ultimately, it allows me to make decisions that are not only strategic but thoughtful and emotionally intelligent. In many ways, my artistic perspective transforms challenges into opportunities, adding a dimension to my work that is deeply personal and defining.
2. You lead with both a corporate and an artistic identity. Have you ever felt pressured to choose one over the other, and how did you handle it?
I have never felt the need to choose one identity over the other. In fact, from the very beginning, I have felt a natural, God-given balance between the structured world of management and the boundless world of art. This duality has never been a source of conflict for me; it has always been a source of completion.
This unique combination is, ultimately, what has helped me succeed. My artistic side grants me the freedom to flow, imagine, and create without limits. My managerial side grounds me, organizes my vision, and helps me build structures that turn creativity into tangible results.
So instead of feeling pressured to choose, I embraced both. The harmony between creativity and management has become one of my greatest strengths, shaping how I lead, how I create, and how I show up in every space I enter.
3. Your art is a dialogue with your Lebanese heritage. How do you translate such personal, cultural stories into a universal visual language?
My art is deeply rooted in my Lebanese heritage. To begin with, translating these personal stories begins with the symbols that formed my identity. The cedar tree, for me, is more than a national emblem; it represents life, roots, resilience, and family. Its enduring strength and expansive branches inspire much of my creative process.
The colors of the Lebanese flag carry their own emotional energy: the green symbolizes growth and grounding; the red reflects strength and sacrifice; the white holds purity and hope. Therefore, when I incorporate these elements, the cedar, the map of Lebanon, this palette, I’m not creating mere decoration. I am sharing a lived story, a feeling, a belonging.
These themes of roots, identity, family, and resilience resonate deeply with people worldwide. For example, when someone wears one of my designs, or gifts a foulard adorned with the cedar, that piece travels the world carrying a message of pride, heritage, and craftsmanship. Indeed, seeing my work reach places like the U.S. and across Europe has taught me a powerful truth: the more authentic I am to my Lebanese roots, the more global my art becomes. It is my way of honoring where I come from while connecting with people everywhere.
4. Your next goal is a global project to create art for every country. Can you share more about that vision?
Looking ahead, my next project is truly global in scope. Specifically, my vision is to create a unique artistic signature for every country, culture, and community through CREAart. I want it to become a reference for meaningful, personalized creations that carry identity, emotion, and purpose.
The next step is to build a concept where each nation’s artistic story, its colors, symbols, emotions, and personality, is translated into fashion that people can connect with. Whether for a home, a business, a restaurant, or a hospital, I want CREAart to be the voice for unique, custom-designed pieces that tell a story.
On a broader level, I believe meaningful art should be everywhere. I want anyone choosing a gift to offer something with depth and intention, something memorable that leaves an emotional mark. In essence, my work is about creating pieces of dreams that speak, and that stay.
Ultimately, my goal is for CREAart to become a universal reference: a source of artistic identity for nations, a creator of meaningful gifts, and a trusted partner for any space that wants its story told through design.
5. As a member of Executive-Women Global, what has been the most valuable insight you’ve gained from being part of that global community of leaders?
One of the most valuable insights I’ve gained is the power of intentional collaboration. To illustrate, being among leaders from diverse industries has shown me that when women at the top openly share their strategies, challenges, and lessons learned, it accelerates growth for everyone involved.
Furthermore, it reinforced a vital truth: leadership is not about having all the answers. It is about staying curious, learning from others’ experiences, and creating space for collective progress. This sense of shared wisdom and support has been transformative.
Moreover, the community has expanded my vision, allowing me to witness up close the ambition, resilience, and impact of women who are given space to lead. It has shown me the profound strength that comes from women supporting one another, not just with motivation, but by creating real opportunities and driving meaningful change.
As a result, this experience has instilled in me a deep confidence and a renewed drive to grow, contribute, and inspire. It is a powerful reminder that when women uplift each other, we elevate entire communities.
6. What is a “beautiful failure” you experienced, a setback that ultimately led to a more meaningful success?
A defining turning point in my life came when I recognized a moment of change and chose to build something of my own. At the time, what some might have seen as a setback became a ‘beautiful failure’ for me, a reset that allowed me to approach my path with greater purpose and intention.
Later on, I experienced another significant shift while I was at the peak of my career. Despite being in a strong position, circumstances compelled me to step out of my comfort zone and transition into a different domain. Interestingly, what initially felt like a loss revealed itself to be a gift. It pushed me to reinvent myself, grow beyond my perceived limits, and build something even more meaningful for my family and those who depend on me.
In the end, these moments taught me that what appears as failure can be a doorway to a deeper, more aligned success, one that strengthens your resilience and empowers you to give more to others.
7. With such a demanding schedule, what is your non-negotiable daily ritual for maintaining your own well-being and creativity?
My non-negotiable daily ritual is a rhythm that nourishes both my well-being and my creativity. First, my mornings are sacred: I begin each day with my coffee, my planning, and a quiet moment on my balcony overlooking Beirut. That view grounds me, offering peace, clarity, and gratitude before the day begins.
Throughout the day, I draw inspiration from people, their energy, conversations, and stories. I am receptive to the emotions and ideas around me; often, a single interaction can spark a new creative direction. This connection keeps my heart open and my imagination alive.
Equally essential is my time in nature. Stepping outside, even for a short walk, resets my mind and reconnects me to simplicity. It is a daily reminder that creativity flourishes when the mind can breathe.
Finally, my evenings are dedicated to learning and creating. I read every night, even if just a few pages, because learning feeds my ideas. And when inspiration strikes, I sit and work on it immediately. That quiet, nighttime space is where many of my most meaningful creations are born.
In summary, these rituals, my peaceful mornings, my moments in nature, my connection with people, and my creative nights, protect my inner peace and keep my artistic spirit vibrant, no matter how demanding life becomes.
Stay Connected:
- Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lionnadinelawandos/
- https://www.instagram.com/creaartbynadine/
- https://www.instagram.com/executivewomen_/
- Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ExecutiveWomen/
Read more articles: https://executive-women.global/en/nadine-lawandos-weaving-a-legacy-of-leadership-art-and-heart/
العربية 
English