Born in Lebanon but raised in Canada, Ahmad originally had his sights set on becoming an engineer. “The majority of Arab parents wish their children to become either engineers or doctors”, he laughs. The middle child and only son, Ahmad and his family - mum, dad and four sisters - moved from Lebanon to Miami in the US when he was 10 years old. After a year in the states, the family decided on another move to Canada where they settled in Montreal, Quebec.

Whilst two such big moves could have been quite an upheaval for a young child, Ahmad credits the support of his family at the time and says he found it all ‘a rather exciting adventure'. “I am so thankful to my family for everything,” he says. “My parents, through their love of Arabic poetry and literature, encouraged me to never lose touch with my roots and my older sisters were an inspiration to pursue my engineering career. I, in turn, then encouraged my younger sisters to pursue their passion for careers in law. We are a very close family”, he smiles.