Samar Abou Ltaif is a Ph.D. candidate in Business Administration at the European University in Cyprus, focusing on the 2019 Lebanese Financial and Banking Crisis. Her research interests include financial stability, political economy, and regulatory compliance. Samar has extensive experience in the banking industry, particularly at the Bank of Beirut and the Arab Countries (BBAC), where she has excelled in customer service, compliance training, and financial advisory.Currently, she is preparing research on the shadow economy's impact on Lebanon's financial crisis and a comparative analysis of economic responses between Lebanon and Russia. Samar aims to contribute to both academic knowledge and practical solutions for financial instability in Lebanon, emphasizing the role of political patronage networks. Through her dedication to research, education, and mentoring, she strives to support the development of future professionals in the field.