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.

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.

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.

Al Muthana Mufleh

Multiple circumstances, life changes, lessons, loss, lies, and too many other things to count have shaped AlMuthana (Dr. Alex) into the person he is today.

The person who he is today is a result of living in three different countries, dealing with people and cultures all around the world, having the insight of a doctor who tells him how the human body works and how to deal with the human being at his weakest, combining being a human and curing one. One sphere of knowledge won’t grant you success and that one sphere is not enough to proceed in life and have an impact upon others’ lives.

Becoming a Lazord Fellow put Dr. Alex in a test that sculpted his skills and gave him insight into what he is capable of learning and doing, implementing his skills, and coming up with a more aware person of what is the meaning of an opportunity, and giving it to himself.

He became a Lazord Fellow to be a part of a community that holds two important words as an aim. “Responsible leader” sees that the first word is scary to state but yet the second one is tempting to hold. Dr. Alex believes that the way to achieve your dreams and ambitions is taking responsibility for your own actions and leading yourself to greatness by learning and spreading the knowledge a person can gain.

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Dr. Alex is a very sophisticated person that has always pushed himself beyond the traditional paths of life and stereotypical life He didn’t limit his life choices within his major but he also went beyond to discover, develop skills and experiences in other aspects that made him involved and evolve in the social and management of life aspects in three different countries. When he started his journey in Medicine he had the honour to claim the position of the Batch leader and advancing all the way to become the first-ever foreign president of the faculty of his university where he worked thoroughly with students and their well-being, academic development. Dr. Alex also became a TV host to spread awareness on matters that help maintain the original concept of humanity and working hard.

“Once you stop learning, you stop living” – Dr. Al Muthana Mufleh

Taheni Ben Mansour

Taheni is a dynamic professional with a background in financial engineering and a passion for exploring diverse fields. She embarked on a journey of discovery, seeking out diverse experiences to broaden her skill set. Her career trajectory took a transformative turn in 2018 when she joined the Lazord Fellowship Program, where she discovered a passion for social impact and community development. This led to roles such as Financial Assistant at ATL MST SIDA and Project Assistant at AHK Tunisia. Since 2023, Taheni has contributed to international projects at Expertise France. With a knack for adapting to new challenges and a commitment to personal and professional growth, Taheni is poised for success in her endeavors.

Ahmed Elsawy

I began my journey as one of the top students at the military academy but later chose a path that allowed me to connect more deeply with people, fostering creativity and finding a safe space to develop my skills and pursue my passion. Through extensive volunteer work, I gained valuable experience in independent research, initiative, and self-motivation. I volunteered as a case worker with the Community Development Association, managing the funding process for families, and later excelled as a PR specialist, writing analytical reports for the President and General Secretary.

Driven by my passion for community service, I transitioned into roles supporting refugees, working as a case manager and facilitator with Terre des Hommes, where I delivered training on reducing violence in schools. I then had the opportunity to join UNAIDS as a Social Mobilization and Youth Coordinator, where I further developed my skills in communication, PR, M&E, strategic planning, and management. My role also involved providing technical support to governmental organizations and NGOs.

Additionally, I worked as a Projects Coordinator at Educate Me Foundation, contributing to the improvement of public schools, and served as a Branch Manager at Masr Al Mahrousa Balady Association.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, I had to shift my career from the NGO sector to the corporate world. Despite this transition, I remained committed to my passion for volunteering and worked on enhancing my skills by earning a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

Now, I’m thrilled and confident to return to the field where I truly feel I belong. I’ve joined a promising and inspiring foundation close to my heart.

Merqah Foundation focuses on social and medical services, striving to make a positive impact across Egypt. I’m proud to be part of a dedicated team working to create meaningful change. where I continue to apply my diverse skill set and leadership experience.

These experiences have enhanced my capabilities and fuelled my ongoing dedication to making a meaningful impact.

Ebaa Elkalamawi

In addition to her 5-year work experience in global health and development in low- and middle-income countries, Ebaa Elkalamawi holds a master’s degree from the University of Notre Dame as the recipient of the Riberas Orjales Family Fellowship. She also holds an MSc in global health policy from Maastricht University in the Netherlands and an MBBCh in medicine from Mansoura University. She was the recipient of Lazord fellowship at the American University in Cairo and the chair of its alumni committee.

Ebaa served as a senior health program specialist for a private-sector consulting firm that provides development solutions for communities in the MENA region. She also held senior positions in various organizations, including Save the Children – Senior Health Officer and UNFPA – Senior Research Consultant. She has several publications on international platforms. Ebaa also worked with the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) as a global health consultant, where she researched Hepatitis C Elimination in Southeast Asia.

Elkalamawi works for Catholic Relief Services (CRS) as an international development professional and acting business development specialist. She is in charge of positioning the Zambia country program for opportunities with various donors. Her driving passion is narrowing the gap between shrinking funding opportunities and the provision of sustainable, equitable health services.