Youssef Aboutaleb
Dedication, honesty, faith, positivity, and being realistic are all tools I use to move forward and achieve my goals. With my 7 years of experience as a certified fitness trainer, I have been able to follow my passion and make an impact on others’ lives. My civic engagement began in 2023 with Decathlon, where I participated in their CSR project in collaboration with Samusocial International Egypt. As a trainer and sport advisor, I worked to integrate children into society and improve their behavior through sports in governmental shelters. This initiative was important to me because I believe in using sports for social change, and I have the skills and tools needed to make a difference. In 2024, I turned to Lazord to deepen my understanding of civic society. With their support, I joined the Sawiris Foundation to continue working toward my goals and beyond.
Wissam Alarabey
Wissam Alarabey is a junior researcher at Alternative Policy Solutions, contributing to public policy analysis and development.
Wissam has a deep personal interest in exploring issues of justice, gender equality, and identity, reflecting her commitment to understanding complex societal dynamics.
Known for her curious and analytical mind, she approaches challenges with determination and a thirst for knowledge. In her downtime, Wissam enjoys playing the piano, finding balance and creativity through music.
Ahmed Essameldin
Ahmed is a medical doctor driven by a deep sense of social responsibility. He has a strong passion for developmental work, reflected in his four years of experience in various areas of sustainable development, such as public health, refugee issues, economic empowerment, and youth engagement.
He is currently pursuing the Lazord Fellowship for Responsible Leadership and Civic Engagement at the American University in Cairo and is also an alumnus of the US-MEPI Student Leaders Program (SLP) at Georgetown University in Washington, DC.
Ahmed believes that life is all about leaving something good behind, and he would consider his life mission done if he managed to have a positive impact on the access of refugees to quality healthcare services in their host communities.
Mustafa Elkhawaga
I am an Environmental Specialist and Climate Activist, Driven by a deep interest in waste management, climate change, and environmental sustainability.
Ahmad Hesham
Have you ever needed a medical consultation? Spotify playlist? Movie recommendation? A short story or a tip to facilitate an engaging SRHR session? Better call Ahmad Hesham!
A 25-year-old intern doctor, SRHR advocate, and film maker, with heart full of passion, faith and curiosity, he believes that communities are the real key to change, devoting 8 years of experience in development and civic engagement field trying to integrate medicine, art, and philosophy to lead a real change in his community, and -one day- the world.
Merehan Fouda
A house officer at Ain Shams University Hospitals, graduating with a Bachelor of Medicine in Internal Medicine and General Surgery in 2024. Merehan is a passionate advocate for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and an internationally certified facilitator on Gender-Based Violence. Currently, she is a Lazord Fellow and an intern at the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Egypt, and she has previously worked as a Monitoring & Evaluation Officer at the El-Shehab Institution for Comprehensive Development. She is not only goal-oriented but also focused on being a human-centered doctor, with aspirations for a parallel global health career alongside her medical practice.
Merehan has a seven-year advocacy journey during which she has held various positions, including serving as an executive board member of the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations in Egypt (IFMSA-Egypt), and she currently holds the roles of Secretary General and Treasurer for 2024. She is certified internationally in Financial Management, Administration, and Logistics Organization. Throughout this journey, Merehan has developed skills in a variety of areas such as Project and Activity Management, Financial Management, Archiving and Documentation, Monitoring and Evaluation, Event Planning and Organization, Leadership, Teamwork, G Suite and Google Apps, Proposal Writing, and Reporting. Notably, the key skill she has gained is Communication, which has been instrumental to her accomplishments and experiences.
Hasnaa Soliman
Hasnaa Abdel-Nasser Mohamed is an Education Sector Fellow with a degree in Business Administration from the Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport (AASTMT). She is deeply passionate about education, with a particular focus on nontraditional learning methods. Hasnaa is committed to exploring and promoting innovative educational strategies that cater to diverse learning needs and drive positive change in the education sector.
Asmaa Yahya
From a young age, I have been deeply fascinated by health and its profound impact on people’s lives. This passion inspired me to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Clinical Pharmacy and an ongoing Master’s Degree in Public Health. Through my academic journey, I’ve gained insights into the potential of these fields in various sectors, including government and daily life. My early experiences as a community pharmacist expanded my knowledge of diseases and their control, fuelling my desire to make a difference in global public health.
I am particularly interested in the intersection of health and social justice, focusing on how public health interventions can address disparities and improve outcomes for marginalized communities. This perspective led me to the Lazord Program, where I am learning to be a civic leader through systematic training. Currently, I am gaining hands-on experience as a Healthcare Coordinator with Save the Children in Egypt, implementing health projects that make a meaningful impact.
Mohamed Ashraf El Adl
Empowering change through innovation and impact, Mohamed brings over four years of experience in the development sector and civic society, specializing in project management, economic empowerment, and employability. His journey began during his university years as President of VIA Club, where he impacted over 10,000 students by bridging the gap between university students and the labour market.
Mohamed worked at Enroot Development for three years during university on projects such as job search clubs and economic empowerment initiatives. Skilled in project management and stakeholder engagement, he has collaborated with diverse NGOs and international organizations.
Currently, he serves as a Project Assistant at GIZ, focusing on Labour Market Information-Oriented Technical Education and the green transition. His work supports the Ministry of Education and Technical Education’s strategies to enhance Egypt’s technical education system.
As a Lazord Fellow, Mohamed is committed to driving socio-economic impact and empowering youth with innovative solutions.
Mostafa Atef
Mostafa Atef is a social work graduate from Helwan University with extensive experience in education and youth development. Over the years, he has designed and led transformative initiatives to empower students and improve learning environments. Mostafa developed ‘ELWAR4A,’ the first interactive platform for technical education in the Arab world, which earned international recognition by UNICEF and UNDP, providing technical students with engaging, accessible educational resources.
Currently, as a Lazord Fellow placed at GIZ, Mostafa supports the Employment Promotion Project (EPP) project, focusing on enhancing technical education systems and equipping students with modern skills. He also contributes to the Centers of Competence project, mentoring students to foster innovation and practical expertise.
His educational contributions extend to training and capacity building, where he has collaborated with schools, organizations, and initiatives to design character-building programs and foster interactive learning environments that empower youth and inspire change.