Patricia Letayf

Patricia Letayf is a prominent social entrepreneur and the co-founder and Executive Director of Five One Labs, an organization dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs from diverse and often marginalized communities, particularly in conflict-affected regions.

Background and Education

Patricia Letayf has a rich background shaped by her experiences as a Lebanese-American whose family was displaced during the Lebanese civil war. This personal history has fueled her passion for helping immigrants and refugees rebuild their lives through entrepreneurship. She holds a Master of Public Administration in Economic Development from Columbia University, where she focused on economic and political development, and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Economics from Tufts University.124

Career Path

Before co-founding Five One Labs in 2016, Letayf worked as a political risk analyst at Control Risks in Dubai, where she advised businesses on navigating the complex political landscape of the Middle East, particularly Iraq and North Africa. Her transition to nonprofit work was inspired by her desire to create meaningful change in the lives of those affected by conflict and displacement.245

Five One Labs, launched alongside co-founder Alice Bosley, aims to empower young entrepreneurs in Iraq and beyond by providing them with the resources and support needed to develop their startups. The organization has expanded its reach to Colombia and has initiated programs for refugees in other countries, including Brazil and the United States.13

Leadership Role

In September 2024, Patricia Letayf rejoined Five One Labs as Executive Director after previously serving as its Director of Operations. In this role, she oversees the organization's strategic direction, operations, and global team, focusing on scaling its impact to support more entrepreneurs worldwide.13 Letayf emphasizes fostering innovation and economic opportunity through entrepreneurship, aiming to create sustainable solutions for the communities served by Five One Labs.1

Patricia Letayf's commitment to social entrepreneurship continues to drive her work at Five One Labs, where she seeks to challenge perceptions of refugees and highlight their potential as capable entrepreneurs ready to contribute positively to their communities.