It is with great joy and pride that we learned that Mr. Joe Saddi, President of the Board of Trustees of the Saint Joseph University of Beirut (USJ), has been appointed Minister of Energy and Water in the new cabinet. 

With over 38 years of experience in management consulting, Saddi is a globally recognized expert, particularly in the fields of strategy, governance, and economic development. 

A graduate in business management, he began his career as a Manager at Bain & Company in Paris (1986-1993) before serving as a Senior Partner in the Middle East and a board member at Booz Allen Hamilton (1993-2008). He went on to become the Global Chairman of the Board at Booz & Company (2008-2014) and its Managing Director in the Middle East. Subsequently, he was Chairman of Strategy&’s Middle East Business (2014-2018) and has since been a Senior Executive Advisor at Strategy& Middle East.  

Deeply engaged in academia, Saddi is an alumnus of Collège Notre-Dame de Jamhour and has been serving as President of the USJ Board of Trustees since its establishment in 2022. Under his leadership, the Board has played a key role in safeguarding USJ’s mission, ensuring academic freedom, promoting good governance, and fostering institutional development. Saddi underscores that the Board of Trustees has been instrumental in modernizing the University’s governance by integrating international best practices. He also emphasizes the Board’s crucial role in securing USJ’s long-term excellence and sustainability while creating opportunities for the business community to identify future talents capable of meeting the challenges of the coming decades. Beyond academic and financial matters, he affirms that the Board of Trustees remains committed to Jesuit values, placing the University’s mission of service to others at the heart of its mission. 

During the launch of the “USJ, Aspire for More” fundraising campaign in October 2023, Saddi highlighted the importance of securing financial resources to support USJ’s future. These funds will enhance access to education through scholarships, support instructor and researcher-led research projects, and modernize infrastructure and equipment for students and staff. 

In an interview with An-Nahar, Saddi outlined his vision as Minister of Energy and Water, stressing the urgent need for a structured, comprehensive plan with clear short-, medium-, and long-term objectives to drive progress and ensure the sector’s long-term stability. He also highlighted the importance of activating the Regulatory Authority – an essential mechanism for effective governance and a key requirement for securing international aid and investment.  

Acknowledging the challenges in the energy sector, he assured that Lebanese citizens will notice tangible measures in the coming months. However, he reminded that the sector’s recovery depends on deep structural reforms aimed at restoring public trust and attracting local and foreign investment, particularly in the energy sector. His goal is to develop a sustainable, well-governed framework that contributes to Lebanon’s economic recovery.  

USJ expresses its sincere gratitude to Mr. Joe Saddi for his invaluable contributions as President of the Board of Trustees and extends its warmest congratulations and best wishes for success in his new role as he faces the challenges ahead.