The founder of Mariana Wehbe Public Relations and We Design Beirut is supporting regional talent through her platforms

Entrepreneur Mariana Wehbe has long been a quiet but powerful force within the Middle East’s creative landscape. As the founder of Mariana Wehbe Public Relations, a cultural communications agency operating between Beirut and Abu Dhabi, she has spent more than a decade connecting designers, architects, artists and cultural institutions with audiences across the Middle East, Europe and beyond. Through her work, she has helped shape conversations around design, architecture and public art in the region, while also championing the next generation of creative talent.

Founded in 2013, Mariana Wehbe Public Relations quickly became known for its highly personalised approach to communications and cultural strategy. Working across culture, design, architecture and public art, the agency collaborates with leading institutions and creatives to develop events, partnerships and media initiatives that amplify the region’s creative voices. For Wehbe, supporting design in the Middle East has always been about more than just communication. It is about recognising a cultural legacy that has existed for decades. “Design and craftsmanship have always been deeply rooted in the history of our region, stretching back hundreds, even thousands of years,” she explains. “When you look at the architecture, the intricate geometries, and the extraordinary artisanship across the Middle East, you realise that creativity is part of our cultural DNA.” She said.

“From traditional glassblowing to the Phoenicians discovering the legendary purple dye in the south of Lebanon, this region has long been a place where beauty and innovation meet. For me, championing design has never been about introducing something new, but about reviving what has always existed here; bringing it back into the spotlight while allowing it to evolve for the future.”

That philosophy sits at the heart of one of her most ambitious initiatives: We Design Beirut, a multidisciplinary platform celebrating the city’s design and cultural scene. Founded in 2023, the annual four-day event brings together designers, architects, artists and students through exhibitions, installations, talks and workshops. The first edition in 2024 welcomed more than 170 participants and signalled a renewed cultural momentum for the Lebanese capital.

“The original vision behind We Design Beirut was to create a platform that would bring designers back to the city while supporting local craftsmen, preserving our heritage, and empowering young students in design and architecture,” Wehbe says. “Over time, it evolved into something much larger. By activating Beirut’s spaces and responding to the spirit of the city, the platform became a cultural movement. Today’s design is not only about objects or furniture; it can be food, music, performance, and the way we imagine our cities. It is about understanding that design lives everywhere around us.”

Wehbe believes the wider Middle Eastern design industry is entering a particularly exciting phase, as regional creativity increasingly takes its place within the global cultural conversation.“The region is experiencing a remarkable moment in design. There is a shared sense of momentum, and it is inspiring to see the Middle East increasingly recognised as part of the global design conversation,” she says. “For Lebanon, despite the challenges we face, the creative energy has never disappeared. We Design Beirut was born from the belief that Lebanon deserves to stand within this global dialogue. What is particularly exciting today is the growing exchange taking place; collaborations, institutions, and creative initiatives are increasingly coming to the region, creating a richer and more balanced cultural conversation.”

Supporting emerging designers remains a central part of that mission. Through mentorship, guidance and exposure, Wehbe is committed to helping young creatives build sustainable careers. “Our role is to continue nurturing that momentum while offering meaningful guidance,” she says. “Through We Design Beirut, we realised that true support goes beyond offering a space to exhibit. It means mentoring young designers, guiding them through production, pricing, sourcing, and storytelling. By working closely with designers under 30 and with university students, we aim to create a platform that grows alongside the next generation.”

Among the emerging talents whose work she finds particularly compelling are Emma Jabr, Studio Tuut, Studio Yalex, Assaad Feghali, Serge El Douaihy and Marine Zovighian. What excites her most about this new generation is the way they reinterpret heritage and craftsmanship through contemporary design. “There is a renewed appreciation for authentic materials, traditional techniques, and the human touch behind every object. Seeing this new generation reconnect with artisanship while interpreting it in contemporary ways is one of the most exciting developments in the region’s design scene.” She says.

At a time when the region is facing periods of uncertainty, Wehbe believes art and design play an important role in maintaining hope and fostering dialogue. “We are living through a time of deep uncertainty and division. In moments like these, art and design become even more essential because they have the power to bring people together beyond politics, religion, or identity,” she says. “During We Design Beirut, what we experienced over those few days was exactly that, a moment where differences faded and people simply connected through creativity and imagination. Art and design allow us to pause, reflect, and envision possibilities for the future. They remind us that there is always space for dialogue, beauty, and hope.”

Wehbe’s own journey into the creative sector was far from conventional. Before founding her agency, she spent 16 years in the corporate world at DHL, building experience in leadership and business before eventually taking the leap into entrepreneurship.
“My journey began in the corporate world, where I spent 16 years at DHL learning the foundations of leadership and teamwork,” she says. “Over time, I discovered that leadership is not about authority but about empathy, humility, and the ability to inspire others. True leadership happens when a vision stops belonging to one person and begins to live in the hearts of many.”

Throughout her career, intuition has remained her guiding force. “If there is one defining thread throughout my journey, it is intuition. It has always been my compass. Of course, experience and hard work matter, but intuition gave me the courage to take risks and to trust that sometimes the most meaningful paths reveal themselves only after we begin walking them.”

Today, her ambitions extend far beyond individual projects or events. What she hopes to build is something lasting, a creative movement that continues to open doors for others. “What I hope to create is something that lasts beyond me; a movement rooted in unity, creativity, and opportunity,” she says. “A movement strong enough to open doors for those who may not otherwise have them, because I know how transformative a single opportunity can be. If one day someone says that something I helped build changed their path, that would be the most meaningful legacy I could hope to leave behind.”