Alaa Arnaout, a current M.A. candidate in Leadership and Innovation in Contemporary Media (Class of 2027) at the American University in Dubai, has been named a Gold winner at the MENA Young Lions Competition 2026, earning the opportunity to represent the region at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity this summer.

This achievement marks an early milestone in Alaa’s career in integrated communications and creative strategy, positioning her among the youngest winners in the competition’s history.

Arnaout previously completed her B.A. in Psychology at AUD (Class of 2025), graduating with a perfect 4.00 GPA. During her undergraduate studies, she received multiple academic distinctions, including the School of Arts & Sciences Award (SoAS), Outstanding Psychology Student Award, and Student Leadership Award.

She currently works in communications at Gambit Communications, a leading independent homegrown agency, where she contributes to integrated campaigns across a portfolio of global brands including Porsche, Mall of the Emirates, Marriott Bonvoy, lululemon, and Crate & Barrel. In her first year, she supported award-winning campaigns for lululemon and Uber, while also supporting successful client pitches.

At the MENA Young Lions 2026 competition, Alaa and her teammate competed against 26 teams from across the region in a high-pressure creative challenge. Given just 24 hours to respond to a CSR brief, the team developed a full PR strategy. Their campaign, titled #GlovesOffHandsOn, secured Gold, earning top honors and advancing them to the global stage.

Reflecting on her journey, Alaa highlighted the role of AUD in shaping her academic and professional foundation:
“Looking at all my achievements today, it really proves one thing: AUD truly gets us life ready! AUD was a home for me (literally), a place that exposed me to so many opportunities, gave me constant support from faculty, staff, and even the university’s leadership, and challenged me to perform my best. Beyond academics, it will always be a place I’m grateful to have chosen, and one of the most meaningful relationships I will carry with me, one that has shaped who I am today, filled with memories I’ll hold close forever.”

Throughout her time at AUD, Alaa was actively engaged in student leadership and campus life. She served as SoAS Representative in the Student Government Association (SGA), Deputy Secretary General of AUDMUN, and Vice President of the Lebanese Club. She also contributed as a peer advisor, tutor, and resident assistant, supporting student life and community development on campus.

In addition, she represented AUD across multiple platforms, including as a TEDx AUD speaker and on MBC Group’s “Sabah El Khair Ya Arab,” and was selected as a member of the Ad Hoc Task Force on Student Mental Health, working alongside deans, professors, and psychologists on student wellbeing initiatives.