Fellows

Abdulrahman has developed extensive academic and industry experience both over the past decade. He has worked in a diverse range of environments including public, profit and nonprofit organizations. He completed a PhD in Computer Science at Cairo University, achieving the Most Outstanding Thesis Award. Before that, he complemented his academic path with an MBA in International Business from the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT).While working at AASTMT as a Startup Support Officer, he helped student to translate their ideas into business plans, worked on fundraising and taught Computer Science. Previously, Abdulrahman supervised startup support activities at THE Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (TIEC) where he orchestrated the Industry-Driven Startups Program to consult entrepreneurs on how to approach common challenges. Through these experiences, Galal has developed various skills, from programming, giving public presentations and drafting proposals.

Host Organization : SAP

Role at Host Organization: Abdulrahman will manage logistical tasks of the department’s programs, liaising with partners to coordinate programs’ related events, engaging as an instructor of the programs’ training offerings, and drafting reports regarding different aspects of the programs.

Abid is a mobilization, monitoring and evaluation professional, with five years of experience in the humanitarian and development sector of Pakistan. He holds a Master’s degree in Sociology from Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur Sindh. Currently, he is working with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization as a Social Mobilization (Team Lead) and District Focal Person in the Human Security Project, funded by UNTFHS. He is engaged in field operations, implementation, and as a liaison to the government and other stakeholders. He helped more than 2000 male and female farmers gain access to their social rights and maintain good relations with their landowners by signing tenancy agreements, along with economic development through on-farm and off-farm activities. His tenure helped develop his leadership, project management, rapport building and monitoring and evaluation skills. Beyond his skills and professionalism, he is very interested in youth empowerment through education and social entrepreneurship activities. He has voluntarily organized many sessions at schools in his vicinity to raise awareness for future opportunities for youth in education and development sector. Abid is an adventurous person, who loves to explore famous places, cultures, meet different people and learn new languages.

Host Organization: Creative Associates International

Role at Host Organization: Abid will be supporting the Business Intelligence Function with research and analysis of the international development market to help inform strategic decisions. He will be conducting research on Creative’s competitors, partners, clients, and news sites to analyze where the market is and Creative’s advantages and potential opportunities.

Agha Mohsin Ali has been working in the development sector since 2006 with National & International organizations including NRDP, WWOP, Youth in Action, UNDP, BBSA, CPEA Network and SEHER on different management positions. He earned a Master’s in International Relations from the University of Balochistan, Quetta Pakistan. While working with the National Rural Development Programme (NRDP) Pakistan in Islamabad as Manager, Program Planning and Partnership Development, he led overall fundraising, resource mobilization, program research, planning, and program development processes. During 10 years of experience he implemented, coordinated, and developed partnerships with major donor agencies like USAID, DFID, UK-aid, UNICEF, USAID, CIDA, UNICEF, UNDP, USIP and IOM. Agha has had in-depth experience in child rights, education, and youth empowerment in Pakistan. He worked to protect children from abuse, neglect, and exploitation as well as to provide access to education through establishment of child-friendly spaces and temporary learning centers in flood affected areas. He has provided child protection actors opportunity to interact, share their experiences and avoid any duplication of resources through the CPEA Network and 12 larger projects on education, child rights, democracy and nutrition. Over this period, he has developed skills in monitoring and evaluation, program development, program implementation, proposal writing and resource mobilization. He has also written different articles and blogs on child rights and education in different news sites like ARY Blogs, Hamari Web, Duniya News and The Nations News. Agha also participated in different national and international forums like the World Youth Conference, 2010 in Leon City, Mexico, where he was as a delegate.

Host Organization: Creative Associates International

 Role at Host Organization: Agha will be assisting project staff with the development of an indicator database for a new evaluation project with the ExxonMobil Foundation. This project will be assessing the progress of client grantees in women’s economic empowerment on outcome indicators.

Aida Merabet has over ten years working experience with different nonprofits and corporations in the fields of business empowerment for women and youth educational programs in Algeria. She earned an MBA in Management Marketing from ESG Paris. Aida is the Founder of the social enterprise “Power Harmony Solution.” Previously, Aida worked as the Middle East Partnership (MEPI) Alumni Local Chapter Coordinator, where she strengthened commitment to civic activism, thus creating an environment where alumni can work together to bring positive change to the region. She helped empower young people to work for their economic success as an Education & Training Officer at Injaz El Djazair. As a Hub Manager for the Middle East and North Africa Business Women Network (MENABWN), she was responsible for leading and managing a program to support business women in Algeria. She has also served as an Algerian Country Officer Alwane-Algeria, with Women’s campaign International, an initiative that seeks to empower Algerian women to hold decision-making positions and to enhance their leadership roles so that they can become role models for the region. She also enjoys volunteering, whether it be as the Under Secretary General for Algeria’s national Model United Nations conference or as the Algeria Country Coordinator for the World Peace Initiative Foundation’s Project Peace In and Peace Out (PIPO).

Host Organization: Atlas Corps | American Express

Role at Host Organization: Aida will support the overall strengthening of leadership development in the nonprofit sector through a partnership with American Express. In her role, Aida will help to expand the American Express Leadership Academy franchise. Building on the American Express role in supporting best-in-class leadership practices and capacity building, she will coordinate and grow the alumni network; manage and coordinate the global Alumni Summit, help develop and improve communication and dissemination of best practices and provide overall project support for the Leaderstories.org website.

Andrew Tangas has three years of experience in the nonprofit sector and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Politics and Sociology from La Trobe University in Australia. While working at the Foundation for Young Australians (FYA), a leading Australian youth program delivery and policy advocacy organization, Andrew engaged with federal and state governments to leverage program funds and influence policy change around youth-related education, employment, entrepreneurship, and social change. In this role, Andrew oversaw the development and implementation of the organization’s government relations strategy, worked closely with the CEO in developing relationships with key government decision-makers, and supported the organization’s program teams in generating government funding streams. Through his experience in the nonprofit sector, Andrew has developed strong government relations, strategic thinking, and communication skills. Andrew is particularly passionate about creating strategic partnerships between governments, nonprofit organizations, and social entrepreneurs to maximise the social impact of innovative change projects.

Host Organization: Atlas Corps

 Role at Host Organization: Andrew will be managing special projects within Atlas Corps, including the long-term plan to franchise the Atlas Corps model around the world. In addition, he will assist the CEO with organizational development, fundraising, and streamlining internal processes. He will help manage strategic partnerships and donor relationships.

Angela Betancur has three years of experience in the nonprofit sector working with different social and development projects to support disadvantaged youth and women’s groups. Angela earned a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the University of Antioquia in Medellin, Colombia and received formal training in Art Therapy to work with communities in University of Saint Buenaventura. She is currently working with the at-risk youth population in areas of drug abuse, crime, prostitution, and teen pregnancy. Through prevention campaigns and group interventions she works to restore youth rights. She also worked at an organization for rehabilitating people with physical disabilities and youths with cognitive and mental disabilities. Her work there also included supporting the families of the youths. After graduating from college, Angela worked as a Toy Librarian planning activities for children, teenagers, and their families while addressing possible abuses and rights’ violations. She also worked as a research assistant for two projects concerning migration and transnational families. She is especially interested in youth rights and women’s empowerment. Angela’s focus in college dealt with verbal and gestural expressions concerning gender-based violence in the school setting.

Host Organization: Latin America Youth Center (LAYC)

Role at Host Organization: Angela will provide individual, family and group counseling services, diagnoses, treatment planning, and community support to approximately twenty-two youths and their families. She will work to create individual plans of care for her clients while consulting with qualified practitioners in the field.

Anna has nine years of nonprofit experience with different NGOs in Armenia and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Finances from Economics and Law University of Stepanavan, Armenia. While working as an Operations Manager at the Full Life NGO, she actively participated in projects focused on advocating for human rights and equal opportunities for people with disabilities, promoting principles of inclusive education within the USAID-funded “Strengthening DPO’s for Greater Outreach” project, and developing new projects and fundraising strategies. She was awarded with the Letter of Acknowledgement from the Governor of Lori Region for her efforts. Anna has worked at the Stepanavan Area Development Program regional office of World Vision Armenia as an accountant and volunteered with local environmental non-profits. In 2007 and 2008 she worked as an interpreter-assistant with international observers of OSCE at the parliament and presidential elections in Armenia. As a volunteer advisor she participates in pre-arrival orientations with students of the “Golden Bridge” Georgian-American Exchange Visitor Center. Through these experiences, Anna developed attention to detail, flexibility in cross-cultural communication, as well as strong skills in developing project proposals, budgeting, accounting and project coordination. Anna has a strong passion for human rights, equal opportunity, and gender issues. Above all, she champions sustainable development and social responsibility.

Host Organization: Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota

Boluwatife Michael-Biyi is an International Development Professional with over 7 years of experience working with nonprofits, local and international organizations such as the African Union, identifying and leveraging partnerships and contract opportunities, delivering sustained results, and managing projects from idea to impact. Bolu’ specializes in social innovation, a passion that is driven by his belief that business should be used as a force for good. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Covenant University, Nigeria where he also served as the President of the Student’ Union, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Law from Swansea University in the United Kingdom. Bolu’ is passionate about Impact and Learning, he thrives on initiating conversations that change mindsets and open up new possibilities. He also enjoys focusing on the thematic areas of civic engagement, education, and public health.

Host Organization: Steelcase Inc.

Role at Host Organization: At Steelcase Inc, Bolu’ will be serving as the Steelcase Social Innovation Fellow with a focus on Global Learning Community management. He will accomplish several strategic outcomes, including: fast-tracking the process of uncovering previously hidden opportunities for the adoption of new practices across the community​, increasing the number of total connections between previously disconnected partners, and strengthening the adaptive capacity of participating individuals and organizations to accelerate their personal and professional growth.