Scholars

Alexander Gunkel is a serial entrepreneur using space technology for social and environmental good. Alexander’s company Space4Good leverages satellite earth observation, geographic information systems, and artificial intelligence to provide geospatial analytics to global impact initiatives for data-driven decision making and increased transparency. The company is active in nature conservation, agriculture, smart cities, disaster relief, and peace and justice. Space4Good provides its insights to clients such as The Red Cross, The World Bank Group, The Carter Center, and The European Commission. Additionally, Alexander co-founded Skytree, which invented a CO2 recycling process to reduce global CO2 emissions, as well as RoadEO which is developing a global road quality monitoring and prediction platform to improve road safety and comfort. He is actively mentoring “Tech4Good” entrepreneurs in university-related incubators as well as accelerators, including in Startupbootcamp and Google LaunchPad. Before starting his entrepreneurial career, Alexander studied mechanical engineering and business administration and worked as a Project Manager at the European Space Agency. He is a Young Transatlantic Innovation Leaders Initiative Fellow of the German Marshall Fund and believes in the power of social entrepreneurship to drive positive societal and economic change.

Current Organization: Managing Director at Space4Good

Almamoon Almashaqba has seven years of experience in the nonprofit sector and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems from Al Albyt University in Jordan. Almamoon worked as a Technical Youth Assistant with a youth capacity building project for community engagement in Jordan under the Norwegian Refugee Council program. In this role, he helped increase the accessibility of the labor market for youth by building their capacity and mitigating local market employment challenges. He provided a set of systematic training for Jordanian and Syrian youth aged between 16 and 26 years old, including: positive thinking, employment skills, and communication skills. Previously, Almamoon worked as a Protection Case Manager with the International Catholic Migration Commission to assist the most vulnerable people in the community. Through these experiences, he developed solid knowledge and experience in project life cycle management, program development planning, setting indicators, implementing, and monitoring and evaluation. Almamoon worked with the International Rescue Committee in the Child Protection Program based in refugee camps in Jordan as a Child Protection Case Worker in unaccompanied and separated children to provide protection and make reunification with their families. Almamoon enjoys focusing on the topics of protection and livelihoods. Almamoon has a strong passion for youth empowerment.

Current Organization: FE at AVSI

Bashar Timraz has eight years of experience in the nonprofit and government sectors. Bashar earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administrations from Al-Quds Open University in Palestine. Bashar has diverse work experience in administration, coordination, security, reporting, and project management. In his current role as Operations Coordinator in the Field Security and Risk Management at the United Nations for Relief & Work Agency (UNRWA), he provides emergency response to around 13,000 staff members working in 300 UNRWA installations, guarantees a safe work environment for the UNRWA employees, follows up and reports all security incidents as needed, and organizes and maintains security files on all issues related to assessments, security plans, and more. Through his work with UNRWA, Bashar works with staff from different backgrounds, experiences, and working styles. Thus, he has developed strong communication, teamwork, risk-management and problem-solving skills. Previously, Bashar worked at the Ministry of Detainees and Ex-detainees Affairs in the projects and planning department, and was responsible for preparing the Ministry’s projects, operational plans, and reports. Working with the government has enabled him to develop report writing skills, strategic thinking, and communication skills, along with the ability to organize media events. Bashar is particularly looking to challenge himself and learn new things focusing on the topics of humanitarian, operations, and economic development.

Current Organization: Operations Coordinator at United Nations for Relief & Work Agency (UNRWA)

Faten Juma has more than nine years of experience in the nonprofit sector. Faten has been working with the United Nations for Relief & Work Agency (UNRWA) since 2010. She earned a Bachelor’s degree of Science in Business Administration from Al-Quds Open University in Palestine, and a two-year diploma in Commerce from Gaza Training/Community College. Working with UNRWA as Human Resources Associate has enabled her to contribute significantly in developing the internal policies to ensure strong governance and effective accountability systems. Faten has worked on maintaining positive morale and trust through increasing the engagement and structural communication among employees. While she was working at the Recruitment Office, she made constant efforts in improving the quality of living standards for refugees on infrastructure, educational, health, and humanitarian aid through recommending the most competent employees to ensure delivering best services. Also, she has made many achievements in bridging the gender gap and realizing gender equality principles by her outreaching efforts and powerful networking skills. As an HR professional, her ultimate goal is to contribute in building a thriving and prosperous economy through managing the human capital by establishing an institute for people management and development. Faten has a great eagerness in utilizing her proven knowledge and expertise to benefit her venerable community and has assiduously played a key role in supporting it by sharing innovative ideas and launching initiatives properly while volunteering in community associations. She is well-known for having constructive insights about human resources and keeping abreast with the latest international approaches.

Current Organization: Human Resources Associate at United Nations for Relief & Work Agency

Lina Valencia has four years of experience working to empower young leaders and advance the rights and living conditions of vulnerable communities. Currently, Lina works for the International Center for Tropical Agriculture, one of the leading international organizations in climate change adaptation and mitigation practices, on initiatives to promote the scaling of climate-smart agriculture alternatives. Her work helps developing countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America improve food security and the implementation of sustainable practices. Previously, through her work at the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA), Lina helped to facilitate the coordination between other UN agencies and local organizations to deliver humanitarian aid to vulnerable populations. As a young leader committed to social change, she co-founded a microcredit training program to improve low-income population access to basic goods and services in rural areas of Colombia. The program provided financial management training to communities impacted by high levels of violence and forced displacement. Lina has also volunteered with international nonprofits, such as AISEC and America Solidaria, to empower young leaders and promote meaningful social change in Latin America. Lina holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a major in International Relations, from the ICESI University in Cali in Colombia. Through her studies and experience, she has acquired in-depth knowledge of the different social, political, economic, and cultural dynamics of several countries, particularly in Latin American and the Caribbean.

Current Organization: Research Assistant at CGIAR

Mbivnjo Etheldreda Leinyuy has four years of experience in the nonprofit sector. Mbivnjo earned a Master of Science in Public Health and Health Promotion from Bangor University in the United Kingdom, as well as a Master of Science in Nursing Education and a Bachelor of Nursing Science from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Mbivnjo currently serves as the Development and Fundraising Officer for the Association for Community Awareness, where she raises funds through farm projects and manages online volunteers for website content and grant proposal writing. As a World Literacy Foundation Ambassador, she explored the global illiteracy problem and gained skills on how to advocate and fundraise for literacy-promoting initiatives. Through the Young African Leaders Initiative, she gained insight into Africa’s development challenges and led a project on improving the use of emails for education and business. Mbivnjo volunteers at the Health Research Foundation Buea as the project manager for a pilot birth defect registry in the Southwest Region of Cameroon. She is also designing parts of a sexual and reproductive health manual for a nonprofit called Teams4U. Previously, Mbivnjo supported disadvantaged people from Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) backgrounds with employment as a Volunteer Mentor for the nonprofit Change Grow Live, supported by the European Fund through the Welsh Government. Mbivnjo has excellent volunteer management, teaching, and research skills and is interested in human resource management, volunteerism, project management, fundraising initiatives, disease prevention, and health promotion.

Current Organization: Development and Fundraising Officer / Public Health Specialist and Nurse Educator at Association for Community Awareness / Biaka University Institute of Buea

Menna Saed is an expert in peace education, gender equality and youth engagement. Menna has worked for over four years on community resilience building, racial justice, nonviolent communities, and peaceful dialogue. She has professional experience in program management, research, and advocacy. Menna holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and pursued her Master’s degree in Gender and Development from Institute of Development Studies. Menna believes in collaborations that advocate for racial and social justice and inclusive communities.

Current Organization: Program Coordinator at Theatre of Transformation Academy

Mónica Ruíz is a clinical psychologist. Mónica has worked with young adolescents for more than eight years. Mónica graduated from Rafael Landívar University, with a Master’s degree in Social Psychology from the University of Valencia. Her most recent job was as an Assistant in the law department at the Francisco Marroquín University where she performed administrative tasks, such as assisting the department’s attorneys, faculty members, students, and guest professors. At the same time, she was also an Assistant Professor at Rafael Landívar University. Mónica has been a volunteer in different nongovernmental organizations, such as Obras Sociales del Hermano Pedro where she worked as a psychologist. Mónica was also president of Rafael Landívar University’s Student Association, for which she was awarded the Magis Award for Excellence in University Leadership. Mónica’s passion lies in supporting youth in their development and creating programs for mental health.

Current Organization: Psychologist at Obras Sociales del Hermano Pedro