At a time when Lebanon faced unprecedented challenges, John Chamoun, an ambitious Notre Dame University-Louaize (NDU) alumnus (BBA’21), set out to make history. Competing in the EY Young Tax Professional of the Year 2025, he not only represented Lebanon on a global stage but also became the first-ever winner from the MENA region. This remarkable achievement highlights the potential of Lebanese youth and underscores NDU’s role in shaping future leaders.
Born from a drive to compete and a desire to represent Lebanon, John’s journey began in September of 2024, when an email from EY about the competition caught his attention. Even as the country was experiencing tremendous difficulties, John persisted in the pursuit of his goal. The competition’s topic—Taxation and Artificial Intelligence (AI)—immediately intrigued him. What fueled his ambition even more, however, was Lebanon’s track record: for the past nine years, no Lebanese participant had won the MENA competition. Determined to highlight the potential of Lebanese youth and break that streak, John embarked on a challenging yet rewarding journey.
The selection process was nothing short of competitive. The MENA competition featured several rigorous stages including video interviews and group discussions to evaluate knowledge and problem-solving skills, and a draft proposal presentation before senior EY partners on how AI could enhance a client’s tax function.
After being shortlisted and emerging as one of the four winners from the MENA region, John moved on to the global stage.
In only seventy minutes, participants had to evaluate a challenging case study and report their conclusions to a jury of senior tax executives and EY global partners. Competing against finalists from Greece, England, Sweden, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Denmark, Austria, India, and Indonesia, John secured a spot in the Top 10 globally in a historic first for Lebanon. The final challenge required contestants to deliver a visionary statement on the future of tax and AI—a task where John’s strategic insights and expertise ultimately led him to victory—John was officially named the EY Young Tax Professional of the Year 2025.
During the EY Young Tax Professional of the Year 2025 competition in Barcelona, John’s presentation explored AI’s transformative role in taxation, covering:
- Agentic AI and its impact on tax advisory services
- Real-time data utilization for improving tax compliance
- Process transformation beyond automation
- Ethical challenges and jurisdictional considerations in AI-driven taxation
His speech struck a chord with judges, especially as he highlighted the irony of a Lebanese professional winning a global AI taxation competition when Lebanon still relies heavily on manual paper tax filings. His success is a testament to the resilience and talent of Lebanese youth, proving that innovation can thrive despite national challenges.
Reflecting on his journey, John credits NDU for providing him with the knowledge, leadership, and confidence that set him apart in such a prestigious competition. During his time at NDU, John served as the president of the NDU Accounting and Finance Club—an experience that has greatly enhanced his presentation and networking abilities. John also expressed deep gratitude to his NDU professors, whose guidance and mentorship played a vital role in shaping his success.
Beyond personal success, John is committed to modernizing Lebanon’s tax landscape through AI-driven solutions. He aims to develop his technical expertise further and advocate for the adoption of AI in Lebanon’s tax system, leading the way in digital transformation in tax. His victory in the EY Young Tax Professional of the Year 2025 competition signifies more than an individual achievement—it exemplifies the power of young professionals to drive digital transformation in Lebanon and beyond.
Congratulations, John! Your success serves as an inspiration to future generations, reminding them that excellence knows no boundaries—only opportunities waiting to be seized.