Cohort 03

Khaled Hussein has five years of experience in the non-profit sector and earned a Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy from the Islamic University of Gaza. While working as Teaching Assistant at Islamic University of Gaza, he participated in the delivery of clinical courses at the university and various hospitals, taught and facilitated the educational process, led the delivery of clinical courses, and conducted many extracurricular activities to improve students’ personal skills such as time management, effective studying, and following evidence-based practice in the field of research. While working as Teaching Assistant, he acquired many skills including networking with professionals. He was a Team Leader and physiotherapist for a year at the National Center for Community Rehabilitation. He led the home care team that visited the disabled people and provided physical rehabilitation services. Previously, Khaled volunteered for four years at the Islamic University Student Council, where he helped solve students’ problems and conducted training courses for students. During his community service, Khaled acquired many skills including: Networking and Problem-Solving. Khaled is interested in musculoskeletal rehabilitation and women’s health.

Mialy Rasoanarivony is a Business Analyst. She has an educational background up to a Master’s degree in the environmental and financial fields. Her current position has allowed her to deepen her understanding of the economic realities of her country – Madagascar. For one, she has strengthened her leadership skills by surrounding herself with Entity Executors. In addition, she has shown a strong interest in sustainable finance and is therefore aware of the important role that the private sector plays in sustainable development.

Anjanoro Rabarijaona has four years of experience in the non-profit sector and earned a Master’s degree in Law from the University of Antananarivo in Madagascar. While working in Madagascar as a Recruitment and Procedures Supervisor with Population Services International, she helped improve the public health of vulnerable populations through a malaria control program and a reproductive, maternal, and neonatal HIV health program. Previously, Anjanoro worked as Human Resources Assistant for five years in an establishment in the health sector, where she participated in ensuring company employees and their families had access to basic care. Through these experiences, she developed interpersonal communication and talent management skills. Anjanoro enjoys focusing on the topic of public health.

Lorna Kanyuga is a skilled development professional with five years of experience in the social sector. She obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Nairobi. Currently, she is the Kenya Philanthropies Lead at Microsoft, where she coordinates digital training initiatives and entrepreneurship and employability programs. During her time at Yusudi Limited, she led the development, testing and launch of Jijali, an online learning program that uses blended learning techniques to provide personalized entrepreneurship and career training to over 1,400 young people. Previously, she was Life Skills Trainer at the same company, where she developed and delivered career preparation training to over 200 unemployed college graduates and young professionals. Prior to that, she managed the Social Projects Department at the AIESEC office in Kenya, where she led the development and implementation of strategies to grow the international volunteer program. Through these experiences, she has gained skills in project/program management, training, and youth development. In her spare time, Lorna volunteers at schools in informal settlements in Nairobi, where she supports schools in providing life skills training to students and fundraises for learning materials. She is passionate about skills development for youth from disadvantaged backgrounds, youth development and the use of technology in education.

Sherine Bin Said has ten years of experience in non-profit organizations and earned a Bachelor of Economics and Administrative Sciences from the University of Al-Azhar in the Palestinian Territories. She also earned her Professional Diploma in Management of Civil Society Organizations at Islamic University in Palestine. While working as a project coordinator at Filastiniyat Organization in Fada’ Shababi, she implemented an EU-funded framework project Shabab Live in partnership with DW Akademie, Al Khatt, and Al-Jana, which gave her the opportunity to work closely with youth to provide them with access to conventional media and give them a voice by addressing their concerns and supporting their creative initiatives. Previously, Sherine worked for the Culture and Free Thought Association in the Projects, Fundraising and Advocacy Department, where she handled all documentation and filing for a department. Her work included data entry, translation, and filing hard and soft copies, as well as assisting visitors to the projects and the organization. Additionally, Sherine Bin Said took on the responsibility of facilitating several focus group discussions to support the evaluation process at CFTA. Through these experiences, she developed strong project coordination and implementation skills. Sherine enjoys being involved in youth empowerment.

Maha Saymeh has over seven years of experience in the non-profit sector. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in accounting (in English) at Islamic University in Gaza. While working at United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in Finance Department as Claims Examination Section Head, Maha was recently promoted to Head of Section Team. Previously, Maha also worked at the Treasury Department and headed the Treasury Team at UNRWA Gaza Office. She supported UNRWA programs – Education, Health, Relief, Infrastructure and Camp Improvement – in providing services to 2.1 million refugees living in Gaza Strip. Maha worked at SULAFA, an income generation project for women established by UNRWA, helping to convert from manual to computerized accounting, developing databases for SULAFA, and developing effective reporting techniques to meet management needs. Maha also worked at Oxfam OPT in the finance department, supporting Oxfam programs that contribute to sustainable development, agricultural and economic justice, and food security programs in Palestinian Territories. Maha worked as a teaching assistant at Islamic University in Gaza after graduating at the top of her class. Maha has experience volunteering with local non-profit organizations. Maha has an endless ambition that motivates her to work hard to achieve her goals. Her enthusiasm and good spirit impact the team she works with. Maha enjoys working for a cause that helps the poor and the most vulnerable in society, helping refugees and advocating for humanitarian aid.

Feda’a Sobeh has six years of experience in the non-profit sector and is a PhD student in Curriculum and Teaching Methodology in English at the Institute of Arab Research and Studies, Egypt. She works as a program manager at Al Aqsa Sports Club Association. She is also a member of the National Team on Developing and Adapting Entrepreneurship Curricula in Palestine. She is an Entrepreneurship Trainer and a Business Plan Development Trainer. In addition, Feda’a was a judge at the graduation ceremony of Hult Prize at Al Quds Open University- Gaza. Feda’a is passionate about women’s rights, child protection and community protection and has been part of many projects that promote women and youth capacity building, leadership, non-violence and quality education. She is also a member of a community protection committee. Feda’a believes that her work background allows her to appreciate new perspectives and national differences. She believes in the power of community and the role of women and youth in bringing about positive change.

Bisan Abu Harb completed her Bachelor’s degree in business administration at the Islamic University of Gaza. She completed several short courses for professional development, including leadership, reporting, gender and crisis management. While working as a UDOC assistant at Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) under the Emergency Relief Program, she helped improve living conditions to enable non-refugees internally displaced by the 2014 Gaza conflict to return home. Previously, Bisan worked at MAAN Development Center as a team leader in the UNMAS funded project “Risk Education ERW Awareness”. In addition, she worked as a team leader in the same organization in another project namely “Promoting Conflict Preparedness and Protection in Gaza Strip”. She also worked as a project assistant for the project “Supporting women leadership in Gaza Strip” where her success story started as she got to know well all the non-profit organizations working in this field and contributed significantly in strengthening the human security of women in vulnerable areas. Bisan has volunteered in many programs and organizations as she believes in community participation. During her professional career, she developed strong project management skills, networking and communication skills, and event planning skills. Bisan is interested in focusing on gender issues and has a strong passion for helping IDPs and refugees survive. She is interested in various things such as art, photography, humanitarian work and most importantly making a difference in people’s lives.

Zunaira Ali is a communications expert with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Graphics from the University of Engineering and Technology in Taxila. She has over three years of experience in the development and public sector of Pakistan. Under her recent role as a Digital Media Expert at Pakistan’s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene unit with the Federal Ministry of Climate Change, she led the digital initiatives for community participation in the national level “Clean Green Pakistan” movement. Previously, Zunaira worked as a digital media assistant at Alif Ailaan – a DFID funded political advocacy campaign for education reforms in Pakistan, where she developed the campaign’s communication strategy for advocacy with politicians, communities, education department officials, and journalists on the post-elections education reform agenda.

Zhanar Tatkeyeva has four years of experience in the non-profit and for-profit sectors. Zhanar received her Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees from Nazarbayev University in Kazakhstan in Political Science and International Relations. She presented her Master’s thesis on the Construction of Gender Role Perceptions Among Kazakhstani Youth at the ASN World Convention. Prior to joining Atlas Corps, Zhanar worked as the Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist at ICAP, Columbia University. At ICAP, Zhanar worked for the Elton John AIDS Foundation AMEC project, PEPFAR HIV, and Chevron COVID-19 projects. Previously, Zhanar held the positions of Regional M&E Advisor and National M&E Officer for the USAID Central Asia HIV Flagship Activity Project with Population Services International. Zhanar was responsible for M&E activities in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. Additionally, Zhanar worked with AGI- CDCS, where she was responsible for the implementation and management of the new contract. During her studies, Zhanar interned at the EU’s “Enhancing Criminal Justice in Kazakhstan” project, the General Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and participated in the AIESEC & US Embassy “Top Talents 2” project. Zhanar also volunteered at the “Red Village” orphanage and Nazarbayev Intellectual School, created and managed the “Art Space” student organization, participated in international programs in Russia, China, Georgia, and the USA. Throughout these experiences, Zhanar developed exceptional project management, data analysis, and people skills. Zhanar is passionate about gender and women’s issues and youth empowerment.

Theophilus Saah Kiah, I is a Career Development Coach, as well as a development scholar and researcher. He is the founder and Executive Director of Career Development and Life Coaching Inc. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of Liberia and is a senior student at a Master of Public Health degree at the Cuttington Graduate School with a specialty in Epidemiology. Theophilus has also obtained post-graduate diplomas and certificates in monitoring and evaluation, and project management. He is currently studying a Master’s program in Development Management at Ruhr University in Germany. Theophilus has over nine years of professional working experience in the non-profit sector with both local and international organizations in Liberia. He has a solid experience in monitoring and evaluation, qualitative and quantitative research, project management, strategic planning, and human and institutional capacity development. He has worked on projects funded and implemented by the following institutions: Action Against Hunger, FHI360, UNDP, USAID, EDUcare, Academic Consortium to Combat Ebola in Liberia. Over the years, Theophilus has developed skills in research, event and program planning, facilitating project activities, community mobilization, stakeholder engagement, system thinking and approach, and team building for sustainable impact. Theophilus is interested in developing a concept for effective project monitoring and evaluation that could impact the sustainability of donor funded projects in developing countries. He is also interested in youth and institutional development, local governance, and knowledge management.

Tapiwa Yemeke holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of Zimbabwe. She is the founding Program Coordinator for S.A.L.T Africa, a platform which seeks to embrace Afrocentric solutions to mental health challenges while promoting sustainable development and resilience within African communities. She has gained vast knowledge through working with inmates, communities, and tertiary institutions. She has also gained knowledge on disaster risk management after working with survivors of the tropical cyclone Idai that destroyed eastern parts of Zimbabwe. She is a NOREC alumna and is passionate about human development and improved livelihoods, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. She worked with several grassroot organizations in Zimbabwe promoting women participation in sustainable growth. At a regional level she worked with the LGBTIQ+ communities focusing on provision of legal representation in case of violations as well as sustainable projects to improve livelihoods.