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Hiba Yazbeck – Finance Executive | Entrepreneur | Board Director | Sustainability Advocate

Hiba Yazbeck – Finance Executive | Entrepreneur | Board Director | Sustainability Advocate

Hiba Yazbeck: A Board Value Proposition

Hiba Yazbeck is a distinguished finance executive and entrepreneur offering over 27 years of global leadership across corporate finance, sustainability, and nonprofit governance. She provides boards with a powerful combination of CFO-level financial acumen, groundbreaking ESG innovation, and a deep commitment to philanthropic impact. With a proven track record of managing budgets exceeding $3.5 billion, delivering over $5 million in cost savings, and leading the integration of more than $750 million in acquisitions, Hiba is a strategic asset for any boardroom. As the Founder of Shifting Gaia™, she created the proprietary GaiaScore™ sustainability rating system, evaluating over 1,000 brands and launching a curated marketplace projected to exceed $10 million in revenues. Her philanthropic leadership has also mobilized more than $500,000 for critical education and healthcare causes.

Core Competencies and Board-Ready Expertise

Financial Oversight & Strategy: Expert in managing large-scale budgets ($3.5B+) and delivering significant cost savings ($5M+), ensuring financial health and strategic growth.
Governance & Compliance: Audit Committee qualified financial expert with deep SOX expertise and a history of clean audits, ensuring robust risk management.
ESG & Sustainability: A true innovator as the founder of Shifting Gaia™ and creator of the GaiaScore™ methodology, providing boards with critical insights into sustainability and brand integrity.
M&A & Integration: Proven experience leading over $750 million in transactions and successfully integrating a $700 million acquisition within 12 months, driving value and operational synergies.
Digital Finance Transformation: Led large-scale ERP modernization projects (Oracle, SAP, Hyperion) and implemented shared service centers to enhance efficiency and reporting.
Leadership Development: Managed, mentored, and developed teams of 80+ finance professionals, improving retention and building strong succession pipelines.
Philanthropy & Social Impact: Mobilized $500,000+ for global initiatives, aligning corporate purpose with meaningful social change.

Career Highlights: A Track Record of Excellence

Finance Executive – MAHLE (North America)

Directed all financial operations for $3.5 billion in budgets, delivering over $5 million in annual cost savings.
Led the full integration of a $700 million acquisition within one year, realizing projected operational synergies ahead of schedule.
Supervised and developed a team of 80+ staff, implementing shared service centers to drive organizational efficiency.

Founder & CEO – Shifting Gaia™

Built an internationally recognized sustainability platform and the proprietary GaiaScore™ brand rating system from the ground up.
Rated over 1,000 consumer brands on their sustainability practices and launched a curated e-commerce marketplace projected to generate over $10 million in revenue.
Secured exclusive partnerships with ESG-driven leaders in the beauty and wellness industries.

Board Member – Teach for Lebanon USA

Provided strategic guidance on governance, compliance, and fundraising strategies.
Instrumental in efforts that mobilized over $500,000 for education and healthcare causes.

Earlier Leadership Roles – TRW Automotive, Hayes Lemmerz, Arthur Andersen

Directed corporate financial reporting for multi-billion-dollar automotive entities.
Implemented advanced Hyperion forecasting tools, significantly improving the accuracy and speed of financial reporting.
Coordinated external audits with zero material weaknesses and supported critical M&A due diligence processes.

Philanthropy & Advocacy: Leadership with Purpose

A breast cancer survivor, Hiba Yazbeck has powerfully transformed her personal journey into advocacy and action. Her philanthropic efforts are both impactful and strategic, including raising over $400,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, for which she received the Heart of St. Jude Award. She co-founded the Jana Fund endowment to support underprivileged students and has been a dedicated supporter of the Children’s Cancer Center of Lebanon and the Barbara Nassar Association. In total, her efforts have mobilized over $500,000 for global healthcare and education initiatives.

Recognition & Awards

Top 50 Women Leaders of Detroit (2024)
Heart of St. Jude Award – Pediatric Cancer Fundraising
Rise Like a Phoenix Award – Cancer Advocacy, Barbara Nassar Association
Woman of Outstanding Leadership Award – International Women’s Leadership Association
Alumni Recognition Awards (2024–2025) – Lebanese American University

Positioning for Future Boards

Fully board committee qualified and ESG committee ready, Hiba Yazbeck uniquely combines global financial expertise with entrepreneurial innovation and a visionary philanthropic spirit. Boards seeking to enhance performance, integrate purpose, and ensure long-term sustainability across diverse sectors will find immense value in her strategic counsel and proven leadership.

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