Since earning her coveted TEDx license, Dr.
Fakhoury has tirelessly curated and
impeccably organized 11 TEDx Ocala events,
each one upholding TED’s rigorous global
standards for quality, innovation, and
intellectual integrity. Under her visionary
stewardship, the event has transcended its
origins as a regional gathering, steadily
growing into a nationally recognized stage
that consistently draws an eclectic array of
influential speakers and engaged audiences
from around the world.
One of her most profound and meaningful
extensions is TEDx MCI, a groundbreaking
and deeply impactful event hosted inside the
Marion Correctional Institution. Here,
incarcerated men are provided with an
extraordinary platform to share their
powerful ideas that inspire redemption,
foster personal growth, and advocate for
systemic reform. It stands as a powerful
testament to her unwavering belief that
every voice, regardless of circumstance or
societal perception, profoundly deserves to
be heard and valued.
“When people are given a platform to
speak, they reclaim their humanity,” she
reflects with deep insight. “That’s the true
power of TEDx Ocala, it’s not just an event;
it’s a vital catalyst for fundamental societal
change.”Empowerment Behind Bars: Gavel
Clubs and the Sage Program
Her unyielding passion for effective
communication and transformative
leadership naturally led to the innovative
creation of Gavel Clubs within Florida’s
correctional facilities. These are dynamic
public-speaking programs, meticulously
modeled after the highly respected
Toastmasters International, designed to
systematically build confidence, instill
discipline, and cultivate crucial emotional
intelligence among inmates. What initially
began as a single, heartfelt letter from an
inmate earnestly requesting guidance has
evolved into multiple active clubs flourishing
across the state, all harmoniously connected
through a bespoke personal-development
initiative she passionately calls Sage.
These programs have undeniably transformed
countless lives. She vividly recalls the poignant
story of Richard, a wrongfully sentenced inmate
whose profound growth and development through
these programs were instrumental in paving the
way for his eventual exoneration. Today, he stands
as a respected law clerk and a compelling TEDx
speaker, living, breathing proof that profound
transformation can indeed begin even in the
darkest, most challenging places.
Education, Engagement, and Fairness: Her
Guiding Values
Dr. Fakhoury’s rich Palestinian heritage and her
deep-seated respect for justice profoundly shape
her comprehensive leadership philosophy.
Education, engagement, and fairness are not
merely abstract concepts but her immutable
guiding principles, core values she meticulously
integrates into every single program and initiative
she leads.
She firmly believes that true abundance emanates
not from what we tirelessly acquire but from the
generosity of what we willingly share. Quoting a
timeless Hadith from the Quran, she gently
reminds us that the most blessed among us are
those who consistently strive to be of genuine
benefit to others.
“Abundance is about giving, your precious time,
your focused attention, your invaluable wisdom,”
she asserts with conviction. “When we lead with a
spirit of selfless service, authentic success naturally
and inevitably follows.”Balancing Life, Legacy, and
Leadership
A devoted wife and loving mother, Dr. Fakhoury
attributes her remarkable balance to a
combination of robust health, the unwavering
support of her loving family, and a relentless,
insatiable curiosity for continuous learning. Her
amusing anecdote about secretly enrolling in her
MBA program before courageously telling her
husband invariably draws laughter from her
audiences, but also profound admiration for her
independent spirit and drive. Her formidable Type
A energy, harmoniously matched with a deep,
abiding humility, empowers her to lead with
exceptional effectiveness without ever losing touch
with what truly matters most: genuine human
relationships.