My name is Vanessa Boutros and I am a first-generation Arab Canadian from Lebanon. I moved to Cleveland with my family when I was a child and have been raised here ever since. I am a Senior Technical Project Manager at Penske Logistics, working with a team to implement new technologies to optimize and improve warehousing and distribution operations. I started my career 6 years ago as an intern on a help desk, then worked my way up in IT to my current role as a project manager. I have always had a passion for technology from a young age, from taking apart old computers to building robots on my high school robotics team. In my free time, I like to collect video-games and Barbies, build computers, crochet, and play Dungeons and Dragons!
Arab American heritage to me is about perseverance. My parents grew up in war-stricken Lebanon; my father's parents passed away when he was 8 years old and my mother spent most of her childhood relocating and living in bomb shelters. My parents are an example of living the "American Dream"; they moved here with nothing, but with hard work and perseverance, became successful business owners. There are many stories like this in the Arab American community, and they are a great source of inspiration to me.
As a board member of Arab Americans of Cleveland, I want to empower young Arab Americans to go after their dreams, even if it does not fall under the "status quo". Success is how we define it for ourselves, and it is okay if it veers from tradition or others expectations. I want to inspire the next generation to stay true to themselves while also celebrating our rich culture and heritage.