Sara Bazoobandi
Iran
Iran
Sara Bazoobandi is a non-resident research fellow at the Institute for Security Policy of Kiel University in Germany. She was previously a Marie Curie fellow at the German Institute of Global and Area Studies working on Iran’s economic diversification and economic resilience strategies. Additionally, she is a non-resident fellow at Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, and ISPI in Milan. Over the past decade, she has worked as a consultant for various global clients in both public and private sector. Between 2013 and 2018, she was a senior lecturer in international political economy at Regent’s University London. Prior to that, she was a scholar at the Middle East Institute of the National University of Singapore.
She was an associate fellow at the MENA program of the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House, from 2013-16, and was appointed a member of the Global Agenda Council of the World Economic Forum on the Middle East and North Africa for 2014-2016. Sara has been a fellow at Higher Education Academy in the United Kingdom since 2015.
She holds a PhD in Arab and Islamic studies from Exeter University, an MSc in economic development in emerging markets from the University of Reading, and speaks Persian, English, German, and Arabic. Her current research interests are political economy, security and foreign policy of MENA, Iran, Information Wars, critical discourse analysis, and China-MENA relations.
Yassine Achahrar
Morocco
Morocco
Yassine ACHAHRAR is an entrepreneur and sustainability advocate dedicated to creating impactful business ventures. He is the Founder of GreenTreks, a sustainable travel initiative that promotes eco-tourism, cultural exchange, and community-driven experiences across Morocco. Through GreenTreks, he designs innovative travel solutions that benefit both travelers and local communities.
With a strong background in sales, marketing, and business development, Yassine currently serves as a Sales Manager at Pyxeli Agency, where he helps startups and businesses optimize their digital presence and growth strategies. His expertise spans CRM systems, client acquisition, and strategic partnerships.
As a UM6P Explorer Program Participant, Yassine collaborates with MIT Sandbox Innovation Fund to foster entrepreneurship and innovation. He is also a Founder Institute participant, further developing his leadership and startup-building skills.
Yassine is multilingual, speaking English, French, Arabic, Amazigh, and basic Chinese, which enhances his ability to navigate global markets and cross-cultural collaborations. He is also pursuing Salesforce Administrator certification to strengthen his CRM and data management expertise.
His long-term vision includes expanding GreenTreks internationally, scaling his entrepreneurial ventures, and pursuing a master’s degree in Business Administration or International Relations. A results-driven leader, Yassine thrives on innovation, sustainability, and strategic collaboration to drive meaningful change in business and society.
Hazem Alghabra
Syria, USA
Syria, USA
Hazem Alghabra, born in Damascus Syria, is the founder and president of Frontiers Consultants, a Washington DC-based consultancy firm that provides public relations and crisis management solutions with a focus on the Middle East and the United States. Prior to starting his firm, Alghabra held multiple positions with the U.S. Department of State including senior advisor for public affairs at the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs. Alghabra provides daily insight and analysis as a commentator on a vast array of television stations including i24, Keshet, Alarabyia, Sky News, BBC, and Alsharq-Bloomberg. Alghabra is also the North America partner for the Israel-based Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs.
Beth Debeer
Israel, USA
Israel, USA
Beth Debeer is a strategist and relationship builder dedicated to mobilizing capital for transformative impact. She has partnered with foundations, family offices, investment advisors, asset managers, and venture capital funds to design and implement strategies that maximize returns across asset classes.
Driven by a passion for building bridges and connecting people with ideas, Beth brings a collaborative approach to fostering innovative solutions and sustainable change. Originally from the US, Beth is fluent in Hebrew and English, Beth holds a BA from the University of Michigan and a Master’s degree from Columbia University.
Walid Nassef
Morocco, Canada
Morocco, Canada
Walid is a dedicated public servant, blogger at the Times of Israel, and a full-time PhD candidate in Contemporary Religious Studies at the University of Sherbrooke. Specializing in cultural and religious diplomacy, his research focuses on Arab-Israeli normalization, the Abraham Accords, and the role of music and arts in fostering peace between Jewish and Muslim communities.
Born in Morocco, Walid resides in Québec, where he is actively engaged in political activity. With a professional background in immigration, project management, and media, he holds a Master’s in Applied Political Studies and a Bi-disciplinary Bachelor’s in Marketing and Management, earning several scholarships for excellence and perseverance. Passionate about political analysis, academic writing, and conference organization, his scholarly interests include the intersection of culture, religion, and diplomacy in promoting peace and understanding.
Lana Sewkany
Kurdistan, Iraq
Kurdistan, Iraq
Lana Sewkany holds a law degree from the American University of Iraq, Sulaimani. She is passionate about public policy and international humanitarian law, with a particular focus on addressing societal and environmental challenges. As a consultant with Human Rights Watch, she has contributed to research on critical environmental issues, working to promote accountability and advocate for sustainable solutions.
Marwan Albloushi
UAE
UAE
Marwan Alblooshi is an Emirati PhD researcher at Lancaster University in the United Kingdom. His thesis examines the relationship between changes in Emirati foreign policy and the regional order, as well as national identity.
Alblooshi previously worked in policymakers’ circles in the UAE, assisting the government in the development and implementation of several national agendas.
Rajae Sahouri
Jordan
Jordan
Rajae Sahouri is an investment professional and host of The Straight Up Start Up podcast. With expertise in entrepreneurship and portfolio management, he has led initiatives such as the entrepreneurship fund and program at King’s Academy, as well as the Youth Executive Committee with Jordan’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship. Rajae is also known for fostering strategic collaborations to empower entrepreneurs across the Middle East.
Dr. Nedal Rashed Al-Jayousi
Palestine
Palestine
Dr. Nedal Rashed Al-Jayousi is a passionate peace educator, the founder of the only Conflict Resolution Program in Palestine, and the author of the only Peace Education manual, which has been taught in several Palestinian schools. He was awarded the prestigious Mount Zion Award in 2009 by Dormitio-Abtei for his outstanding contributions as a leading educator in rapprochement and conflict resolution.
Dr. Jayousi serves as the Head of the Higher Education Reform Committee and the Country Representative for the Palestinian European Cooperation in Palestine. He is also a member of the Steering Committee for the President’s Higher Council of Innovation and Excellence. With extensive experience and numerous publications across various educational disciplines, Dr. Jayousi is recognized as a thought leader in the field.
In addition, Dr. Jayousi is the honorary board head of 12 private educational institutions, NGOs, and CBOs in Palestine and the region. He previously held key roles as the Regional Director of the Palestinian Reform Fund at the Prime Minister’s Office and the Regional Director of the Capacity Building Program across 13 countries.
Ezzeldeen Masri
Gaza (Palestine), USA
Gaza (Palestine), USA
Ezzeldeen was born in Gaza City in 1971. He completed his Bachelor’s in Political Science and Criminal Justice In the spring of 1997 from Northeastern Illinois University. He then worked for Chicago’s Board of Education as an Arabic/English bilingual teacher. In the fall of 2000, he completed his Master’s in International Relations, with specialization in conflict resolution. That year, he moved back to Palestine, and accepted a job with the American International School in Gaza, as a social studies teacher and head of the upper school.
In November 2006, he opened OneVoice Palestine-Gaza office and was appointed as the Executive Director. After the end of the first Gaza War, he moved to Ramallah City and accepted the job of Director of Development in OneVoice Palestine. In the summer of 2011, he moved back to the Gaza Strip and was appointed as Director of OneVoice-Gaza. He returned to the United States in 2015, and is currently the US Outreach Director. In 2014, Ezz was featured in the New York Times for his work with OneVoice.