Leena Albasha

President & Co-Founder

Leena AlBasha Abouhilal is the heart and one of the visionaries behind SyrAN – the Syrian American Network. With a lifelong dream of building community and connecting Syrian Americans with the broader society, she co-founded SyrAN to bring people together regardless politics and differences, celebrating shared heritage and supporting one another in life and opportunity.

She helped initiate and grow cultural and networking gatherings in Newton, Massachusetts, that quickly became highly anticipated community events.

Originally half Aleppian and half Lataquian, born and raised in Damascus, Leena carries within her the spirit and diversity of Syria’s major regions. This deep cultural connection, combined with over 20 years of life in Newton’s diverse community, enables her to bridge Syrian and American perspectives and create meaningful spaces where both communities learn from and enrich one another.

A clinical pharmacist turned entrepreneur, Leena currently works with a leading retail company, transforming the traditional corporate pharmacist role into that of a warm, community-focused healthcare provider — prioritizing patients, fostering teamwork, and creating welcoming spaces. She previously owned and operated two pharmacies and co-founded Albasha Institute, now partnered with the prestigious New Horizons Centers. She also leads creative ventures like paper quilling art, where her analytical skills and love for art, meditation, and innovation come together.

At home in Newton, family, culture, and community remain at the heart of Leena’s life — from lively discussions and new ideas to sharing her famous ceviche and exploring the treasures of world cultures with friends and neighbors. Among her most cherished memories is the joy and laughter of winning “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” in Cairo — a reminder of her curious spirit and love of new experiences.