Campaign’s Media Faces to Watch 2026 – Vanessa Wazen, Senior Planner, Initiative MENAT
Campaign’s Media Faces to Watch 2026 – Vanessa Wazen, Senior Planner, Initiative MENAT
Age: 28
Country: United Arab Emirates
Nominated by Jyotishree Pandey, Business Director:
I am proud to recommend Vanessa for her exceptional leadership, strategic acumen, and ability to deliver outstanding results. She seamlessly combines performance expertise with big-picture thinking, consistently developing integrated, high-impact solutions that drive client success. Vanessa demonstrates remarkable ownership, professionalism, and dedication in every project, earning the trust of colleagues and clients alike. Her ability to navigate complex challenges, collaborate effectively, and deliver with excellence sets her apart as a truly high-performing leader. Confident, insightful, and results-driven, Vanessa is poised to take on broader responsibilities and make a lasting, top-level impact within any organization.
Career highlights
I joined Initiative Beirut in 2023 as a performance marketing specialist and quickly grew into a strategic planning leader. By combining data-driven insights with strong strategic thinking, I became the go-to contact across multiple clients, delivering fully integrated media solutions. I led planning across the GCC, driving operational excellence and consistent growth. At the same time, I managed prestigious luxury accounts with precision and high standards of execution. Bringing together performance, brand strategy, and operational leadership has allowed me to establish myself as a trusted, well-rounded young leader within the agency.
Guiding principles
Stay curious, stay bold, stay accountable.
Embrace continuous learning, challenge the status quo, and take ownership of your growth. Build with integrity, collaborate with purpose, and balance ambition with humility. Prioritize impact over titles, resilience over comfort, and long-term value over short-term wins.
Side hustle
I’m a proud dog mom to my poodle, Bella. I love spending time training her. It’s something I genuinely enjoy, and it reflects my patience, discipline, and passion for growth qualities I bring into both my personal life and my career.
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