Champion of Change: Marina El Khawand Joins Forbes 30 Under 30 for Transforming Healthcare Access

Marina El Khawand, Founder and President of Medonations, has earned a spot on the Forbes Middle East 30 Under 30 2024 list in the Social Impact category. MedTech World extends its heartfelt congratulations on this well-deserved recognition.

Marina, now 22, a HIMSS24 ChangeMaker in Health Award winner, founded Medonations at just 18 following the Beirut explosion, transforming a personal mission into an NGO that now operates in Lebanon and France. By 22, she established Lebanon’s first Free HealthTech Clinic and expanded Medonations internationally. Her work has saved over 20,000 lives and funded more than 110 surgeries, embodying her motto: “Anyone, anywhere, and at any stage of life has the potential to become a lifesaver.” 

The Forbes 30 Under 30 Social Impact category highlights young leaders driving transformative change, with this year’s list including 20 Lebanese among names from Egypt, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Syria.

The Class of 2024 includes 120 individuals recognized across four categories: Commerce & Finance, Sports & Entertainment, Science & Technology, and Social Impact, with 30 entries in each category. To be eligible, candidates needed to be under 30 years old as of December 31, 2023, meaning they were born in 1994 or later. While applicants could be of any nationality, their primary ventures or initiatives had to focus on the MENA region.

Earlier this month, Marina inspired audiences at MedTech Malta 2024, speaking on the panel Empowering Voices in Healthcare Innovation. MedTech World was honored to host her and celebrates her continued achievements in advancing healthcare equity.

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