Class 11

Hiba is a Medically Trained Public/Global Health Professional with National/International experience designing and managing health, SDoH, youth, education interventions and projects in underserved communities and limited resource post conflict setting. Hiba worked with US based international NGOs for +10 years like GHETS in Providence, RI allocating grants to advance Community Oriented Primary Care COPC medical education and medical services in Sub-Saharan Africa and the MENA region; and as an Atlas Corps Fellow at AAMC in Washington, DC, later as a MENA program specialist/advisor establishing and facilitating medical students’ mobility to advance global medical education and capacity building for medical schools’ faculty. Hiba worked also with the IRC in Baltimore, MD managing their health and youth programs aimed at integrating refugees in to Baltimore’s community and increasing access and utilization of services/benefits. Hiba worked with Fazko Education in Owings Mill, MD advancing their health projects. Hiba’s background includes coordinating care for national and international patients at hospitals like Johns Hopkins Health System in Baltimore, MD and Children’s National Hospital Center in Washington, DC. Hiba was the assistant of the Election Analysist Expert at the EUEOMIS during Sudan’s 2009 Elections. Hiba also has experience with international radio and television media agencies designing messages and reporting political and social news like Mango Media System, Ramattan News Agency and Nile International TV. Hiba has a MD and MPH equivalent US credentials and is currently working with LISC, a Community Development Financial Institution, managing their SDoH and Safety programs in Charlotte, NC.

Host Organization: AAMC Association of American Medical Colleges

Taha Sharif has more than eight years’ experience working in the nonprofit sector. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Sciences and Technology in 2006 in Sudan. He also a Microsoft,Cisco,VMware professional certified. In 2007, Taha volunteered in various youth initiatives where he developed sound skills and training in leadership and program management in relation to youth rights and education, community development, and corporate social responsibility. Taha co-founded I-Care nonprofit organization in 2008. Through I-Care, he actively participated in projects focused on advocating for human rights and equal opportunities for children with disabilities, and youth development. Taha now works with a consulting firm in DC as a cyber-security specialist.

Host Organization : Mobilize.org

Steven Caron has two years of experience in the nonprofit sector, and earned a Bachelor’s of Commerce Degree (Major in Finance; Minor in International Business) from Concordia University. While working as an intern in financial and business development for project COOPFORH under SOCODEVI, he helped initiate, support, and develop economic activities and businesses to help improve the economic and social situations of rural, cooperative members in Honduras. Steven has also worked for Camp B’nai Brith as a supervisor and managed a team of 13 staff members. He has also trained 42 future staff members. These experiences have taught and prepared him in project management, business development, leadership training, and financial management. Steven has a keen interest in business development, the environment, and microfinance.

Host Organization : Charity Navigator

Sergio has five years of experience in the nonprofit sector. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the Catholic University of Bolivia, and a Master’s degree in Economics from the University of Chile. In his years of experience he has acquired solid quantitative and qualitative research skills, has conducted several research projects, and has developed interpersonal and team working skills. He started as a researcher in a microfinance institution assessing the impact of microloans on poverty among less-developed areas of Bolivia’s highlands. Afterwards he worked as a researcher in the infrastructure sector of the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF) at its headquarters in Venezuela. Back in Bolivia, he worked in the Research Department of the Ministry of Planning (UDAPE), where his main research interest was the relationship between the financial system, private investments, and labor markets. Since January, 2010, he has worked in the Research Department of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce of Santa Cruz (CAINCO) in Bolivia, where he runs the macroeconomic and financial research agenda. He is also the Director of the Economic Program in POPULI (Políticas Públicas para la Libertad), a public policy independent think tank that promotes well-designed public polices for a free society. He has several publications, including chapters in books and working papers.

Host Organization : Heritage Foundation

Sally Roshdy has three years of experience as a researcher in the nonprofit sector. She earned a Bachelors’ degree of Political Science from the University of Cairo in Egypt in 2009. While working as a Policy Researcher at One World Foundation for Development and Civil Society Care in Cairo (OWF), she contributed to the transition-focused research work of Refa’a Al-Tahtawy Forum, an independent Egyptian think tank of OWF. Her area of research focuses on the transition issues in Egypt with an emphasis on the Democratic Reform and Security Sector Reform (SSR). Sally has participated in the assessment of Egyptian civil society needs concerning engagement in SSR through coordinating the joint program of SSR learning exchange in collaboration with Policy Association for an Open Society (PASOS). She has coordinated a study visit to Serbia on an exchange of Egyptian and Serbian experiences of SSR. Sally has written number of policy briefs addressing the Egyptian issues of reform. She has contributed in the organization of regional conferences that focus on the transition issues of Arab Spring Countries, the most recent one was, the Exchange of Arab NGOs Experience conference hosted in Egypt in collaboration with the Network of Democrats in the Arab World. Throughout her career, she has gained vast experience in Democratic Reform with a focus on electoral processes. She also contributed to voter education through interacting with groups of citizens in number of provinces in Egypt during the last election.

Host Organization : Project on Middle East Democracy

Ramona has over six years of experience in working in the nonprofit sector, starting as a volunteer in numerous local, national, and international organizations and later joining Pro Vobis – National Resource Center for Volunteering of Romania as a Program Coordinator. She a degree in Political Science from Babes-Bolyai University and her thesis was on how social capital is developed and fostered within virtual communities; she was also awarded a fellowship to participate in the Hansen Summer Institute on Leadership and International Cooperation at San Diego State University. Ramona has also participated in numerous trainings, conferences, seminars and workshops that focused on the topic of volunteering, both at the national and European level. Her extensive professional experience in the field of social development by means of volunteering translates in to setting up and implementing projects to support the development of volunteer infrastructure in her home country – managing the National Network of Local Volunteer Centers, overseeing national events such as National Volunteer Week. Ramona is currently working for the Local Volunteer Center in Banska Bystrica, Slovakia, contributing to developing a culture of volunteerism in the local community.

Host Organization : International Association for Volunteer Effort

(updated August 2018) Nici earned a Masters in Development Management from the Ruhr-Universitaet Bochum in Germany after obtaining a Post-Graduate Diploma in Management Studies from the University of Cape Town in South Africa and a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Management and Human Resources, from the University of Pietermaritzburg, Kwazulu-Natal in South Africa. She left an award-winning project management career in the tourism and incentives industry, and successfully cross-skilled her organizational and time management skills into the development sector. She has worked with small grass route community organisations to large international organisations throughout East & Southern Africa, as well as on an international platform in the USA and Europe. Her work experiences span across a diversity of sectors, such as refugee livelihoods, peace & conflict studies, health, disabilities & inclusion, education, and all with a constant thread centered around development and volunteerism

(Fellow Bio – January 2013) Nici has two and a half years of full-time experience in the nonprofit sector. She earned a Post-Graduate Diploma in Management Studies from the University of Cape Town in South Africa, after obtaining a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Management and Human Resources, from the University of Pietermaritzburg, Kwazulu-Natal in South Africa. Nici has been the Program Coordinator for Operation Smile South Africa since October 2011, maintaining the medical and non-medical volunteer base as well as coordinating all the surgical programs in Southern Africa. Prior to that, Nici managed an education project on the Wild Coast of South Africa, where children in rural schools were taught basic end-user computing skills. This change in career came after many years of part-time volunteering and working within the corporate social responsibility sector in the tourism industry. This experience has greatly improved her coordination and time management skills acquired over the years as a Project Manager in the tourism industry, specifically now within the nonprofit sector. Nici is passionate about building a society where everyone actively volunteers and works towards a better future for all, allowing everyone to enjoy at least the basic human rights some often take for granted.

Host Organization : International Peace and Security Institute (IPSI)

Natasha conceptualized and implemented a nation-wide program aimed at sensitizing the youth and mobilizing thought and action around the cause of women’s empowerment while working at CARE India as the Youth Engagement Coordinator. Previously, as part of Ashoka’s Full Economic Citizenship initiative, Natasha supported marketing and communication efforts for the ‘Global Summit of Housing Entrepreneurs’ held in Barcelona, Spain. She also assisted volunteer teams with strategies for onsite implementation and event delivery. Natasha has held multiple leadership positions in AIESEC, the world’s largest youth-run organization, which she was a part of for three years. She partnered with thirty-five NGOs focusing on HIV/AIDS, education, and child rights, and implemented innovative social projects that combined international exchange programs with local awareness events. She organized Delhi University’s first HIV/AIDS testing drive and facilitated HIV/AIDS and reproductive health workshops for over 500 students. Additionally, she led six diverse and multicultural teams throughout her tenure and in 2009, was selected to represent AIESEC India as a cultural envoy to Turkey. In 2010, she led a five member international team and handled media relations and PR for India’s largest youth congregation comprising of 700 young leaders from 110 countries. Through these experiences, Natasha has honed strong communication, project management, and leadership skills and has grown into a committed and ambitious nonprofit professional. Natasha has earned a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Delhi, India, and is a strong advocate for women and children’s rights.

Host Organization : PYXERA Global/US Center for Citizen Diplomacy

Maksim has ten years of legal research experience and has earned an LL.M in European Law from the College of Europe, Bruges Campus (Belgium). He currently works as a research fellow at the HSE-Skolkovo Institute for Law and Development, National Research University Higher School of Economics in Moscow. He conducts research on regulatory framework for artificial intelligence and on regional integration. He also is finalizing his PhD in law at Ghent University (Belgium). Through these and other experiences he has developed strong research, leadership and productivity skills and reinforced his enthusiasm to bring about a positive change in the world.

Host Organization : Cato Institute

Donna has over three years of experience in the nonprofit sector. She earned a Master of Arts in International Affairs and a Bachelor of Arts in French and Psychology both from the University of Ghana. Her Masters’ dissertation focused on, “The United Nations Security Council Resolution 1820 on Sexual Violence against Women: Prospects and challenges.” Currently a Program Assistant at the UNESCO Office in Accra, Donna provides support in the implementation of program activities in areas of social science research capacity development; climate change and migration; and youth civic engagement. In partnership with a colleague, she has prepared a background research paper on the nexus between climate change and migration. She has also been engaged in an assignment to map and assess national youth policies in Sub Saharan Africa. While still at UNESCO, Donna worked on a volunteer assignment for UNFPA on engaging men and boys to prevent gender-based violence. Through her work experience, Donna has developed good writing, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation skills. Her areas of particular interest are gender equality and youth development.

Host Organization : PYXERA Global

Cleopatra Ndlovu has nine years of experience in the nonprofit sector in Zimbabwe. She has a Bachelor of Arts Honors Degree in English and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Media and Communications from the University of Zimbabwe. She is a former Director of Women in Politics Support Unit (WiPSU), a feminist nongovernmental organization that promotes the participation of women in politics in Zimbabwe. Previously, Cleopatra was employed by Women’s Action Group (WAG), which is an organization which seeks to promote women’s sexual and reproductive health rights. During her three years at WAG, she was the Communications Officer and the Editor of their quarterly magazine, Speak Out/Taurai/Khulumani. Cleopatra is a founding member of The Girls Legacy, an organization seeking to build the capacity of young women and girls through leadership development and mentoring so that they can live empowered lives and become models and change agents in their communities. She has served as a Board Member for several organizations including Transparency International- Zimbabwe, Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, Youth Initiative for Democracy in Zimbabwe, Women and AIDS Support Network and Zimbabwe Young Women’s Network for Peace Building. Cleopatra has a strong passion for women’s rights.

Host Organization : InsideNGO