Nassib El-Husseini

Committed to exploring the horizons of human creativity in all its complexity. Nassib El-Husseini has charted a singular and eclectic course.

Following studies in public administration and international relations at the American University of Beyrouth (AUB), he obtained a Ph.D. in political science from l’Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) in 1996, and published L'Occident Imaginaire (Éditions PUQ) in 1998. After leaving his native Lebanon in the 1980s, Nassib worked as an advisor and volunteer with numerous Quebecois, Canadian, and international governmental and non-governmental agencies.

In the 90s, Nassib put his conflict resolution and international business development expertise at the service of Canadian Crown corporations as well as other actors from the private sector in Quebec and Canada, mainly in the postal and telecommunications sectors.  

Nassib El-Husseini's trajectory took a major turn in 2003, when his path crossed that of seven artists determined to make their mark on the world of contemporary circus. With their first show just created, a clear-eyed ally was all the troupe needed to conquer the world. Nassib placed his experience and his passion for art and innovation at the service of the nascent troupe that would become one of the jewels of artistic expression.

As Chief Executive Officer of the company, Nassib has brought his resolutely avant-garde, innovative vision and has turned towards a vast exploration of possibilities. Propelled by these ideas, The 7 Fingers have become a major player in the world art scene.

Involved in his community, Nassib El-Husseini has served on numerous boards of directors including those of the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership, the Montreal Arts Council, the National Theatre School of Canada, the Société des Arts Technologiques (SAT), as well as the organizing committee for the 2019 Canadian Arts Summit and the Advisory Committee of the National Creation Fund of the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. He also served for 13 years on the board of directors of CINARS (International Conference of Performing Arts), including 10 years as president, and is a founding member of the Movement Arts Creation Studio in Boston.

Nassib is Laureate Cèdre et Érable of La Chambre de Commerce et de l’Industrie Canada-Liban. In 2013, he was awarded the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM)’s Prix Reconnaissance in recognition of his exceptional career. In 2014, he received the Artists for Peace Award on behalf of The 7 Fingers. In 2019, he received the Carmelle and Rémi Marcoux Chair in Arts Management’s Cultural Manager Award from HEC Montréal. Shortly after, he was named Knight by L’Ordre de Montréal. In 2022, he received the Charles Biddle Award in the international section. In 2023, Nassib was awarded the Ordre du Québec, the highest distinction awarded by the Quebec government.