Rita El‑Mounayer

When SAT-7 launched in 1996, Rita hosted its first program, Ears of Wheat (in Arabic, Asanabel). This program ran for 12 years and became one of the channel’s most successful. 

Initially serving as host and producer, Rita’s role soon expanded to Programming Director for all children’s programs on SAT-7 while finishing her master’s degree in Communication Practice from the University of Wales. 

In 2004, she became Programming Director for all Arabic programs at SAT-7. Then, with the launch of SAT-7 KIDS in 2007, her dream of launching the first independent Arabic Christian channel for children became a reality. In 2008, Rita was named Executive Director for SAT-7 ARABIC and SAT-7 KIDS. 

In 2016, SAT-7 was positioned for growth and impact, with structural changes and key leaders taking on more responsibilities. At this time, Rita began to serve in the newly created position, Chief Channels and Communications Officer (CCO), overseeing the Arabic, Persian/Farsi, and Turkish Channels – with a total of more than 150 staff and freelancers distributed across studios in Lebanon, Egypt, Cyprus, Turkey, and the UK. 

On April 1, 2019, SAT-7 appointed Rita as Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Rita says, “My prayer is that during my lifetime and time of service as CEO of SAT-7, we will see millions of viewers sharing their testimony as to how God’s message changed their lives, and we will rejoice together that we made a difference.”