At this year’s Trust Summit, the Edelman Trust Institute’s annual gathering of institutional leaders, Fadi Chehedé, Founder & Managing Partner of Ethos Capital, captivated the room with a story about his nonprofit in Lebanon, the PAX Foundation.
We followed up with Fadi to hear more about the mission and strategy behind his work.
Tell us about your inspiration behind the PAX Foundation....
FADI: Lebanon is a place that’s deeply personal to me. I was born there, but like many others, had to leave at a young age because of the war. What drives me is this contrast: Lebanon is full of genuine, capable, hardworking people who want nothing more than a fair shot. And despite decades of political instability, corruption, and broken infrastructure, the foundation for a better future is already there. Lebanon has a rich land, a stunning coastline and mountains, a creative and digitally fluent youth, an inclusive society that has long welcomed persecuted minorities, a passionate diaspora ready to collaborate, and an international community eager to help. It’s not a lack of talent or will holding the country back, it’s a lack of opportunity, access, and trust in the systems meant to support progress. That’s what I want to help change, even in a small way.
How did you go about setting up the organization, and what did you do to build trust among local communities?
FADI: The PAX Foundation came to life just over a year ago, sparked by a conversation I had at the Trust Summit, a moment that helped crystallize an idea I had been wrestling with for years: finding a meaningful way to support Lebanon. That conversation pushed me to act, and I was fortunate to bring together a team equally passionate about the region and driven to create real, lasting impact. At the heart of our work is the PAX Exchange – a secure, AI-powered platform designed to connect donors directly with beneficiaries, and to ensure full transparency and accountability. We've spent time working closely with people on the ground to understand where previous efforts fell short and what needs to be done differently. We’ve also learned from experts in philanthropy, law, academia, and governance to build an approach rooted in trust, clarity, and measurable results.
How do you decide what programs or support you will offer, and what results have you seen so far?
FADI: Since we’re in the pilot phase of launching the foundation, our priority has been identifying projects we can thoroughly vet. We’ve developed a structured process where project owners go through detailed proposal submissions, identity verification, and regular send status reports throughout the life of their projects.
What does “financial access” mean to you?
FADI: I see it as the ability for individuals, businesses, and communities to access the capital, tools, and financial infrastructure they need to grow and sustain themselves. What’s critical – and where trust comes in – is how that access is structured. It’s not just about money flowing in; it’s about transparency, fairness, and a system where people believe that the resources are being used for real, long-term benefit. We also recognize that this need is global, and while the focus right now is on Lebanon, the exchange platform we are building has immediate applicability in many other regions.
Our 2025 Trust Barometer found that while the public believes NGOs are ethically sound, it doesn't show the same confidence when it comes to efficacy. What can be done to close this gap?
FADI: Accountability is one of our top priorities, especially when it comes to donor trust. We’re combining technology with local partnerships to provide real evidence that the work is actually being carried out. We have four technology pillars embedded in our accountability framework: AI (to engage project managers and inspect vendors on the ground in conversations to track progress); blockchain (to ensure identity, vet participants, and track all project and legal documentation); citizen involvement (to report on project progress on the ground via WhatsApp); satellite imagery (to image public service projects daily and build evidence of progress). To reduce the risk of funds being misused, we pay vendors directly, which ensures resources go straight to the project. Ultimately, it's about creating transparency and building long-term trust between donors and communities.
Fadi Chehedé is the Founder & Managing Partner of Ethos Capital and Chair of the PAX Foundation.
