Grace Saade profile

Grace Saade

In the realm of leadership, the traditional contrast between masculine and feminine styles has long been a subject of debate. While masculine leadership often embodies assertiveness and authority, feminine leadership tends to emphasize nurturing relationships and fostering inclusivity. This evolution in leadership dynamics is particularly evident in the corporate world, where women leaders are increasingly making their mark.

Grace Saade, the Senior Vice President of Azentio Software, exemplifies this shift towards a more inclusive and empathetic leadership approach. With a keen understanding of the importance of relationships and diverse perspectives, Grace has distinguished herself as a visionary leader in the tech industry.

Grace’s commitment to nurturing talent, fostering inclusivity, and promoting a sense of ownership has not gone unnoticed. As a testament to her influence and impact, she has been recognized among The Most Influential Women Leaders to Watch in 2024.

From the Scratch

Growing up in a Lebanese household alongside 6 siblings, and hard-working parents, Grace exclaims that during her time, girls were only educated enough so that they become good housewives. But Grace’s ambitions were much greater, and she never accepted this stereotype.

Literally swimming against the tide, Grace was fascinated by the writings of Gebran Khalil Gebran, and by the age of 16, she had read most of his books, which she believes has reinforced in her the rebellious spirit that shaped her life.

Not only was she a dreamer, but also a good academic achieving high scores throughout her academic life and especially in science-related subjects. “My parents and teachers were encouraging me to become a teacher, but I couldn’t settle for a monotonic job”, Grace shares. “I wanted to invent and create something new, and I found in computer science a good mix between science and creativity”, she added.

A Journey of Leadership and Innovation

Grace Saade found herself negotiating a major life shift as she entered into marriage at the height of her ambition. Her line manager offered her a position that was “less demanding and more suitable” to her new status during this period. Grace decided it was time for a change and moved to Path Solutions, a reputable software business with a reputation for creativity. Afterwards, Azentio purchased Path Solutions.

Beginning her journey at Path Solutions as a lead developer, Grace quickly ascended the ranks, earning promotions to Development Manager and subsequently to Vice President of Product Engineering & Product Management. She spearheaded the revamping of the technology framework within the organization, laying the groundwork for further advancements. Under her leadership, various technology teams successfully developed products such as the Digital Banking platform and Business Analytics suite.

Grace’s involvement in implementation projects for strategic clients sparked her interest in the “Field Organization,” where she collaborated closely with clients to align their business requirements with the company’s systems’ functionalities. Demonstrating her adept negotiation skills, Grace navigated challenging meetings and devised tailored working models to meet clients’ needs effectively. This pivotal phase in her career led to her assuming the role of Senior Vice President of Professional Services & Support, marking a significant shift and further solidifying her position as a dynamic leader.

As the Senior Vice President

Currently at Azentio, Grace serves as the head of the Islamic Banking Business Unit, where she oversees the development, implementation, and support of the Islamic Core Banking platform, iMAL, and manages the unit’s profit and loss (P&L) responsibilities. Emphasizing values of diversity, ethics, and dedication, Grace fosters a strong team culture focused on serving clients worldwide.

Recognizing the importance of innovation, Grace champions a working environment that encourages continuous learning and rewards innovative initiatives, empowering team members to explore new ideas without fear of failure. Effective communication of company objectives is central to Grace’s leadership approach, unifying diverse individuals towards shared goals and objectives.

Furthermore, when we asked Grace to elaborate on what she looks forward to achieving at Azentio in the days to come, she shared – “Azentio represents the merger of four distinct technology companies, each recognized as a leader in specific business domains. With this amalgamation of expertise, we are poised to spearhead the journey of transformation and emerge as a trailblazer in the tech-landscape”.

On a Personal Note

Grace Saade finds solace and rejuvenation in nature, particularly through long hiking trips amidst Lebanon’s picturesque mountains, often accompanied by friends or her children. On Saturdays, she prioritizes her personal well-being, engaging in activities such as hiking, yoga, and supporting her children in their endeavors, followed by family outings or gatherings on Sundays to maintain strong familial bonds.

Despite her demanding professional role, Grace acknowledges the importance of work-life balance and embraces imperfection, recognizing that it’s impossible to excel in every aspect simultaneously. She delegates tasks both at home and in the workplace when necessary and understands that balance doesn’t always entail an equal distribution of time and energy. Instead, she prioritizes according to the demands of the moment, ensuring that she compensates for any imbalances and makes time for relaxation and self-care to recharge her energy.

Finally, when questioned whether she would alter any aspect of her life given the opportunity, Grace reflected, “In hindsight, I wouldn’t alter a single thing. Both failures and triumphs have shaped my present self. I am enthusiastic about embracing fresh challenges and feel more prepared to confront whatever the future holds.”