Flag of Egypt
Egypt

The American University in Cairo

MISSION

Serve as the leading provider of knowledge and resources for strengthening philanthropic practice in the Arab region.

Pakiname Mamdouh

Pakiname Mamdouh

Senior Manager, Civic Engagement Unit

Pakiname holds an MA degree in Political Science from the Saint Joseph University in Beirut. Her studies have allowed her to develop an in-depth understanding of development needs of the region to complement her professional experience in the field.

She is currently working as the Head of the Civic Engagement Unit, at the John D. Gerhart center at the American University in Cairo. Her work involves developing and advancing the Units’ programs nationally and regionally, and conducting strategic planning including outreach, partnerships, and fundraising. Her main role is leading the efforts of institutionalizing civic education and social change and scaling it both nationally and regionally.

She worked for almost 8 years as a Senior Development Specialist in Charge of Cooperation with European Countries in the Cabinet of the Minister of International Cooperation. As an assistant to the Minister her responsibilities included acting as a coordinator and a focal point with European Countries' Embassies in Egypt, as well as European agencies of development in addition to conducting research in relevance to development aid and cooperation between Egypt and European Countries. She was also responsible for monitoring and assessing development projects carried out with European partners.

Her work at the Ministry – a focal point of Egypt’s bilateral and economic relations – helped her build an insight of the different work systems of Egypt's donors. Besides, liaising between relevant line ministries and the donors’ community helped her maintain connection with multiple donors and international development agencies. Equally important, her work has involved regular representation of the Ministry at events held for coordinating cooperation between Egypt and European Countries, including Joint Committees for economic, scientific and technical cooperation, seminars, forums and conferences. Pakiname was also handling the NGO’s file, which is one of the confidential files at the Ministry, through the coordination with all the concerned authorities regarding the work of the Egyptian and Foreign NGO’s in Egypt.

Her experience at the Cabinet of the Minister of International Cooperation, not only did her job tasks focus on research and analysis but was also entrusted with the preparation of talking points, speeches and all the Minister’s correspondence, as well as providing strategic and technical opinion to the Minister about matters relevant to international development and economic cooperation.

Nada Bahgat

Nada Bahgat

Program Officer

Nada Bahgat is a youth development practitioner, researcher, and cultural anthropologist. Driven by the 2011 Egyptian revolution, Nada decided to blend her roles and interests to empower youth and catalyze social change. With over 8 years of dedicated experience in fostering youth civic engagement and education projects within the Egyptian context, she has made significant contributions to the empowerment of hundreds of Egyptian youth, leveraging her expertise in project design and management. Nada was awarded the Civil Society Leadership Awards in 2021 by the Open Society Foundation.

Nada works as the Lazord Fellowship Program Officer at John D. Gerhart Center for Philanthropy, Civic Engagement, and Responsible Business, at the American University in Cairo, where she plays a pivotal role in creating learning journeys for youth for empowerment, growth, and civic participation. Additionally, she serves as an anthropological consultant and previously as a teaching assistant and as a researcher on a couple of projects at the American University in Washington D.C.

Bahgat holds a B.Sc. in Political Science from Cairo University and a master’s degree in Public Anthropology from the American University, in Washington D.C. Bahgat also studied Gender and Anthropology of the Middle East at George Washington University.

Beyond her professional commitments, Nada is a writer and aspiring filmmaker, utilizing her talents to amplify marginalized voices and shed light on pressing social issues. Her passion for writing and filmmaking reflects her dedication to storytelling as a powerful tool for social transformation.

Ayah Munir

Ayah Munir

Senior Program Specialist

After earning her bachelor degree in Economics and Political Science from Cairo University; Major; Political Science. Ayah Munir entered the development sector, when she started an internship in the Population Council.

After that she started working at the John D. Gerhart Center in 2018. She found her passion in dealing with youth full of enthusiasm and energy. She dealt with hundreds of students throughout various projects. She started as a junior specialist at Tashbeek II Program with the partnership of the United States Institute of Peace. Tashbeek II aimed to engage a cohort of 100 university students in an online course as well as in-person exchange sessions that focused on providing knowledge and concepts in the area of conflict resolution and peaceful thinking.

Then in 2020 she worked as a Senior Specialist at the Strengthening Egypt’s Family Planning Program Youth Competition, which aims to encourage 64 university students in strengthening Egypt’s family planning system and creating family planning awareness through innovative ideas.

In 2022, she started working with the team of the Lazord Fellowship, witnessing the journey of 12 fellows, and in parallel she is now managing the Maan Regional Competition, which holds an annual competition for Egyptian University Students tackling different social causes.

Greece

HIGGS

MISSION

HIGGS is an initiative which aims to reinforce Nonprofit Organizations | NPOs | and Social Enterprises operating in Greece, through educational and supportive programs and activities.

Dr. Sotiris Petropoulos

Dr. Sotiris Petropoulos

Co-Founder

During his PhD studies, he came across the Civil Society and Nonprofit Organizations. Since 2009, Sotiris has been focusing on the NPO ecosystem, in particular through the research program “Thales-Evaluation of Greek Nonprofit Organizations”. In 2012, he started organizing a series of capacity building seminars directed to organizations throughout Greece. Having met people from more than 200 Nonprofit Organizations, Sotiris can maintain his positive attitude and smile since all the elements for fascinating initiatives are out there. His aspiration is to support as much as possible the Greek ecosystem.
____________________

Sotiris holds a Bachelor’s degree in Shipping, an MA in International Political Economy and a PhD focusing on Regionalism in the Developing World.

Alexandra Emirza

Alexandra Emirza

Deputy Director

Her first contact with the NPO ecosystem starts with her participation in the high school environmental volunteer team. Upon completion of her academic studies, Alexandra worked in private and Nonprofit Organisations where she gained experience in conducting economic studies and mainly in the preparation, analysis and monitoring of programs funded by national and international donors. Since 2012, she has been a key lecturer in capacity building trainings and regularly evaluates projects, since measuring social impact is a long standing goal. Being a HIGGS member Alexandra hopes to put her knowledge and experience to the service of all those who try to make the world better.
____________________

Alexandra has studied Public Administration and holds an MSc in Health Care Policy and Management from University of Birmingham.

 Angeliki Stamataki

Angeliki Stamataki

Administrative Officer

Her first contact with volunteering and engaging with the CSOs ecosystem was in her early years as a student. Through her daily interaction with humanitarian organizations and through her work, she always wanted to be close to people.

As part of her work at HIGGS, she wants to provide the necessary support to the common effort of empowering NGOs and effectively addressing the growing challenges.

Angeliki studied at the Department of French Language and Literature of the National Kapodistrian University of Athens.

Flag of Jordan
Jordan

INJAZ

MISSION

To inspire and prepare youth to become productive members of their society and accelerate the development of the national economy.

Thuria Ibrahime

Thuria Ibrahime

Job Placement Supervisor

Thuria graduated with a Master's degree in Human Rights and Development from Jordan University. Thuria decided to pursue a career where she could have an impact and be part of the change in Jordan and the region. She has over nine years of experience in civic engagement, peacebuilding, sexual and reproductive health, employment, and youth empowerment in Jordan and the region. She is a member of the International Aids Society and several international and national networks and organizations advocating for human and women’s rights.

Thuria believes that one of the most important things is that we have to reach in our community women’s rights, which made her a co-founder of Feminist Collective and a believer in women’s rights.

Flag of Tunisia
Tunisia

UTIL

MISSION

Founded in 2011, UTIL is dedicated to engaging youth and women in public life, fighting government corruption, and ensuring economic opportunity for youth as a means to combat radicalization.

Ali Cherif

Ali Cherif

Program Officer

Ali has over 7 years of experience in civic engagement, youth employability, good governance, and fighting violence. He joined the UTIL organization as a fellow for the Lazord Fellowship Program in 2015.

He has a master's degree in computer science from the Higher Institute of Computer Science and Management, and is currently working on his dissertation to obtain his second master's in good governance and anti-corruption.

Ali is a Lazord Fellowship Alumnus, Local Development Program Facilitator, and Workplace Success Program Alumnus with EFE Organization, and graduated from the Tunisian School of Politics in 2017.

Ali has a passion for reading, traveling, traditional and classical Arabic music, and sports!

Moez Ali

Moez Ali

President

Tunisian civil society key actor focusing on Human Rights, countering violent extremism and corruption. Co-Founder and President of the Union of Independent Tunisians for Freedom (UTIL), created after the Tunisian uprising which played a central role in the national democratic transition. UTIL works very closely with youth, women and regional NGO’s on democratic awareness, citizenship awareness and involvement of women and youth in the public life. Moez is also the founder of the Tunisian Association Front, coordinator of the Tunisian Civil Coalition Against Corruption and coordinator of the Tunisian Civil Coalition Against Terrorism. He was awarded a certificate of completion for the Strategic management of NGO leaders Program, in 2015, from Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Executive Education. He is the General Manager of MA & Consulting since 2005. Moez Ali has also held positions in the US government administration and private companies.