Naglaa Elhag is the Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa at Search for Common Ground, the world’s largest dedicated peacebuilding organization. With nearly three decades of leadership in international development and peacebuilding, she has led transformative initiatives across 37 countries in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and SouthEast Asia.
Her expertise lies in peacebuilding, inclusive governance, human security, and sustainable development, with a proven record of navigating some of the world’s most complex conflict environments. A strategic and visionary leader, she has played a pivotal role in facilitating political processes and mediations in several countries in the region, leveraging inclusive dialogue and negotiation to advance inclusive political and peacebuilding processes..
Naglaa began her career at the Dutch Embassy in Sudan in 1996 and has since served as Country Director and Regional Advisor for leading INGOs, where she built and managed diverse, high-performing teams. She is recognized for her innovative thinking, inclusive decision-making, and ability to translate ambitious plans into lasting impact.
She holds a Master of International Development (Politics of Alternative Development) from the Institute of Social Studies (ISS) in The Netherlands and is fluent in Arabic, English, Dutch, and German. Bringing a global outlook and deep regional expertise, Naglaa is committed to shaping a peaceful, inclusive, and resilient future for the MENA region by 2050.