Iskandar Safa
Lifetime Achievement – 2024
Iskandar Safa is a renowned entrepreneur and philanthropist whose journey from Lebanon to international business leadership left a lasting impact on industries and communities alike. Moving to France at a young age, he earned an engineering degree from the American University of Beirut and an MBA from INSEAD. His career took a pivotal turn in the 1990s when he acquired Constructions Mécaniques de Normandie (CMN), a struggling French shipyard. Under his guidance, CMN transformed into a major player in defense, stealth technology, and renewable energy, with an international presence, including shipyards in Germany and a UK-based ILS software facility.
Safa’s dedication to innovation is exemplified by his support for HydroQuest, a CMN subsidiary focused on tidal energy. Known for his integrity and visionary leadership, he inspired excellence throughout his organization. Beyond business, Safa is deeply committed to philanthropy, supporting causes from the Special Olympics in Lebanon to the restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral.
His contributions to building churches and his passion for contemporary art, particularly sculpture, further demonstrate his dedication to cultural and social enrichment. Safa’s legacy endures through his family and his lasting impact on the communities he has touched.