Pablo Mattos
Brazil (Host: Bernardo Kohler Center)Pablo has three years of experience in the nonprofit sector in Brazil and Uganda. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law from the Federal University of Rio Grande – FURG, Brazil; and a Master’s degree in Migration and Intercultural Relations from Carl Von Ossietzky University, Oldenburg, Germany. As a Legal Assistant at IMDH, a Brazilian NGO based in Brasilia, he is responsible for carrying on refugee status determination procedures, including the interview of asylum-seekers, country of origin information research, the preparation of legal opinions concerning asylum claims, and finally, the provision of general legal support to asylum seekers and refugees. In 2013, he worked for six months in a civil society organization in Kampala, Uganda, with the main goal of advocating for better oil and gas policies in the African Great Lakes region.. He also lived and worked for three months in Nakivale Refugee Settlement, as a intern at the Protection Sector of GIZ. He enjoys working on issues of human rights law, immigrant protection, forced migration, development and poverty reduction. He also intends to be a professional in the field of humanitarian assistance and emergency relief.
Host: Bernardo Kohler Center
Fellow Role at Bernardo Kohler Center
In accordance with the mission of Bernardo Kohler, Pablo will provide assistance to clients within the areas of abused, abandoned and neglected juveniles, victims of human trafficking, crime victims, and asylum seekers.
Asmaa AbuMezied
Palestinian Territories (Host: Internet2)Asmaa has four years of experience in the nonprofit sector, and completed her Master’s degree in Management and Human Resources from London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), United Kingdom. She received her Bachelor’s degree from the Islamic University of Gaza majoring in Business Administration. While working as a Researcher and Business Development Specialist at Small Enterprise Center, she worked on the economic empowerment of marginalized people and areas of economic recovery in the Gaza Strip through Oxfam and UNDP projects. She provided more than 1000 training hours on entrepreneurship, social entrepreneurship, marketing and financing for small businesses. Furthermore, Asmaa conducted research on the demand and supply of business development services, needs assessments and sector relevant studies. Asmaa is a Global Shaper in Gaza Hub. She was responsible for organizing Gaza contribution in the Shaping Davos “Conflict Resolution” session; part of the World Economic Forum activities held in Davos in 2015. Additionally, Asmaa was one of the 50 shapers attending the World Economic Forum for MENA region where she stressed the role of entrepreneurship in youth empowerment. She is also a co-founder of an initiative called “PAL Initiatives of Change”, which aims to foster and reinforce the human values in the Palestinian society as well as develop the sense of individual and collective responsibility toward positive change. Previously, she worked as a part-time lecturer at Al-Azhar University-Gaza, giving courses, teaching in principles of management, research methodology as well as other areas in management. Asmaa is very passionate about economic development, entrepreneurship, youth empowerment, training, volunteerism and community service.
Host: Internet2
Fellow Role at Internet2:
Asmaa will focus on the core development of the Internet2 Advancement program. She will be identifying and researching programs aligned with the mission, and she will support the membership’s advanced global research and educational priorities by creating case statements in support of various programs.
Lina del Pilar Bocanegra Valero
Colombia (Host: Latin American Youth Center)Lina has two and a half years of experience in the nonprofit sector, and earned a Bachelor´s degree in Business Administration from the University of Los Andes in Colombia. While working as Social and Environmental Promoter in the Aqueduct of Bogota, she has helped to formulate projects about educating people and enterprises on how to handle their solid wastes. In 2013, Lina was chosen to be a fellow of Balloon Chile, where she gave classes on entrepreneurship and innovation to local entrepreneurs of Lonquimay and Malalcahuello, Araucanía, South of Chile. Previously, she worked in a Marketing Research Agency, coordinating quantitative and qualitative projects for different industries. Lina has volunteered in Asociacion Somos CaPAZes where she gave classes to kids about how to handle conflicts, and coordinated an environmental project. Through these experiences, she developed project formulation, and coordination, marketing research, and teaching skills. Lina enjoys focusing on the topics of entrepreneurship, innovation, and development of projects.
Host Organization: Latin American Youth Center (LAYC)
Role at Host Organization: Lina will be working with Academic support and tutoring, Community Peace Building, and Arts & Media programming within the Teen Center. She will be responsible for working with Teen Center staff to facilitate recruitment and registration of middle/high school youth and evaluating student progress in the programs.
Sworo Momo Manasseh
South Sudan (Host: World Vision)Momo has 5 years experience in the non-profit sector, having studied Education in Kyambogo University in Kampala, Uganda. While working as Assistant Project Manager for Save the Children International (SCI), under the DFID (UK Aid) funded “Education for All” Project, he helped increase school enrolment in Lakes State, as well as helped in the identification of schools for rehabilitation and construction of Temporary Learning Spaces (TLS) and improving the professional skills of teachers through training. The project focused on people who missed the opportunity of getting formal schooling due to the long period of conflict in South Sudan. In 2014, Momo helped in the founding of; The Rescue Initiative (TRI-SS), a South Sudanese National organization, where he currently holds the portfolio of Board Chairman. Momo’s latest assignment has been in Malakal – Upper Nile State, the area worst hit by the crisis in South Sudan, where he worked for War Child and later MEDAIR. The tasks in Upper Nile involved the
implementation of Education in Emergencies Projects and the distribution of Non Food Items (NFIs) and Shelter materials to the most vulnerable. With this experience, Momo has been able develop skills in coordination, training, strategy planning and development as well as the ability of understanding and gaining skills in overall Project cycle management. Momo is currently focusing on gaining skills in Multi Sector Programming to boost more school enrolment in a country that has the highest illiteracy rates in the world.
Host Organization: World Vision
Role at Host Organization: Momo will support the development of an Education in Emergencies strategy and capacity building materials for the World Vision National Offices. Momo will focus time on South Sudan and the Middle East by providing project management support to the strategy development.
Samaya Jafarova
Azerbaijan (Host: Save the Children)“Samaya has fifteen years of experience in the nonprofit sector. She earned her BS in Mathematics and Information from the Azerbaijan International University in Baku, Azerbaijan. While working for SOS Children’s Villages Azerbaijan as a Corporate Fundraiser, she helped the organization to achieve sustainability while improving living conditions of children deprived of family care. Samaya provided humanitarian assistance to the internally displaced people from Nagorno Karabakh area of Azerbaijan affected by the war. Previously, Samaya worked with different development programs in Azerbaijan such as the Community Development Program implemented by Save the Children/USAID, the Integrated Solid Waste Management Program financed by the World Bank and the HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria projects funded by Global Fund and supervised by UNOPS. Through these experiences she developed strong monitoring and evaluation, project coordination, donor management, presentation, and reporting skills. As a member of Rotary Club of Baku International, Samaya takes part in different community service projects. Samaya enjoys focusing on the topics of mental health and cognitive based therapy, and has strong passion for women’s empowerment.
Host Organization: Save the Children
Role at Host Organization: Under the HIV/AIDS team, Samaya will maintain personal narratives/human interest stories from all HIV and TB programs and interventions globally for the Department of Global Health’s document library and Save the Children’s Story Library. From this, a series of narratives will be produced to support the growth of the HIV/AIDS portfolio.
Niza Castaneda Carranza
Mexico (Host: AYUDA)Niza has three years of experience in the nonprofit sector. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Law from the Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon (UANL), in Mexico, and a Master’s degree in Human Rights and Humanitarian Law from Pantheon-Assas University in France. While working for the International Forum of National NGO Platforms (IFP), based in France, she provided legal advice on the legal incorporation of the IFP and helped promote an enabling environment for nonprofit organizations. Previously, she undertook an internship at the OHCHR in Switzerland, where she reviewed and analyzed National Human Rights Institutions independence, legal mandates, and cooperation with nonprofit organizations. In Mexico, she worked at the Human Rights Commission of Nuevo Leon, where she handled and processed complaints for human rights violations. Niza has also worked as a professor for the Mexican Ministry of Public Education and the UANL for 2 years. Throughout her career, she has volunteered in two projects, nationally and internationally: at Peace Brigades International France, for protecting Latin-American human rights defenders, and at the Penitentiary Institution for Minors of Nuevo Leon, for teaching computer and English courses. As a result of these experiences, she developed strong skills on project coordination, monitoring and implementation, as well as analytical reasoning and legal research. Niza is fluent in written and spoken Spanish, English and French. She enjoys focusing on the topics of human rights, education and social development.
Host Organization: AYUDA
Role at Host Organization: Niza will conduct interviews with clients and draft client statements. She will prepare applications, petitions and forms collecting documentary evidence. She will perform statutory, case law, public records and country conditions research, and she will also prepare certified translations of legal documents.
Muhammad Hamza Abbas
Pakistan (Host: ICRW)Hamza has five years of experience in the development sector of Pakistan, and has a strong academic background in Development Economics with a Postgraduate Degree (MSc.) in Economics from Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan. Hamza’s thematic areas of expertise are regional connectivity and trade, development economics, democracy and social accountability, quantitative analysis, gender development, social budgeting, and child rights governance in Pakistan. He has gained experience progressively working for global, regional and national organizations on forwarding human rights of children, youth, women, and the most vulnerable populations in Pakistan. He was associated with the Economic Growth Unit at Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), a premier think tank in Pakistan, in the capacity of Project Associate. Hamza also has experience working with various international non-profit organizations such as the International Rescue Committee (IRC), Save the Children, Actionaid International, The Asia Foundation and national non-profit organizations like Social Innovations, Pakistan Microfinance Network, Bedari, and Youth Parliament of Pakistan. He has shown resilience and commitment to working in sensitive areas of Pakistan for Afghan refugees and Internally Displaced People from the conflict area of Swat, in Khyber PakhtunKhwa and the Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA). Hamza’s core competencies include a drive for results, working with people, communication, formulating strategies and concepts, analyzing and interpreting, networking, and strategic thinking.
Host Organization: International Center for Research on Women
Role at Host Organization: Hamza will be a Research Fellow specializing in quantitative data analysis and program monitoring and evaluation. This research will help to support ongoing projects by providing input into the design of new studies in various gender related initiatives.
Mosab Ahmed
Sudan (Host: Atlas Corps)“Mosab has seven years of experience with Finance and Administration in the nonprofit sector. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Khartoum in Sudan, and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Bahari University in Sudan. Mosab most recently worked with United Nation Development Program at the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) as Administrative Associate. He also has worked as Finance and Administrative Assistant with Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in the Food Security and Capacity Building Program. He previously worked as Finance Officer for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Income Generation Activities for a female sex workers project at the JASMAR Human Security Organization in Sudan. At UNDP, Mosab supported the administration and implementation of GFATM projects. Previously, at the JASMAR organization, he contributed to building the capacity of 27 local nonprofit organizations, focusing in fund management and financial reports. Mosab helped reduce the HIV/AIDS levels in the targeted areas by providing technical support and developing strong tools for effective and efficient monitoring of the project budget. Mosab has played key roles in the success of HIV/AIDS – And Income Generation Activities for a female sex workers project, which encouraged donors to allocate more funds for this project. Though these experiences, he developed strong financial resource management and financial control skills. He hopes to have the opportunity to use his current studies and acquired skills to become a specialist in non-profit organization finance and administrative management.
Host Organization: Atlas Corps
Role at Host Organization: Reporting directly to the Controller and also assisting the Chief Operating Officer, Mosab Ahmed will work hand in hand in the daily oversight of the accounting and finance functions in the organization, including liaising between Atlas Corps staff and other Fellows on behalf of the accounting department.
Mona Algherbawi
Palestinian Territories (Host: American Red Cross)Mona has more than five years of experience in the nonprofit sector. She earned a Master’s degree in Project Management from the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom, in addition to a professional Diploma in Development Design and Management in the Middle East from the University of Pavia in Italy. Mona has an extensive experience in managing emergency and development projects, working with both local and international non-profit organizations in Gaza Strip. Most recently, working with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) for three years, she participated in the design and management of emergency response and recovery program in Gaza, focusing on shelter and livelihoods for conflict-affected families in rural communities and using market-based tools. She has also been managing a disaster risk reduction program that aims at increasing the resilience of vulnerable urban communities in Gaza by building the capacity of local development committees and establishing community-led microfinance system that provides financial services to its members. Prior to her work with CRS, Mona worked in developing and managing capacity building programs in the Community Service and Continuing Education Deanship (CSCED). Her work focused on the integration of women engineers in the construction industry through a market-based skills development and on-the-job training program. She also managed different institutional capacity building programs for municipalities and local nonprofit organizations in good governance, accountability and financial management.Mona gained hands-on experience in program management including project design, proposal development, and monitoring and evaluation. Her experience in different sectors allowed for a wider perspective on development and understanding of communities needs and strengths.
Host Organization: American Red Cross
Role at Host Organization: Mona will support the implementation of strategic projects and broad, cross-cutting initiatives of the Global Disaster Preparedness Center (GDPC), including coordination and dissemination of innovative programs in new technologies, social media, and beneficiary communications.
Mizanur Rahman Kiron
Bangladesh (Host: Community Options, Inc.)With seven years of experience in leading and managing youth-led voluntary organizations, Mizan has been working for youth with disabilities through diversified activities since 2008. He earned a Master’s degree in Arts from the Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka, Bangladesh. To promote inclusive leadership and empower youth with disabilities, Mizan and his team officially launched the Physically-challenged Development Foundation-PDF in 2008. PDF is the largest organization in Bangladesh working to empower the youth and youth with disabilities. As of late, Mizan has been leading research on these issues and publishing reports. In 2014, The Daily Star publication recognized him as a Young Achiever of Bangladesh. Besides his non-profit works, Mizan worked professionally with Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralyzed (CRP) as a disability rights activist. Mizan worked closely with its founder, Ms. Valerie Ann Taylor, and gained experience fundraising and grant writing for national and international donors. In his most recent role, Mizan has worked with one of the world’s largest organizations, Bangladesh Rehabilitation Assistance Committee (BRAC), as a policy advocacy specialist for road safety issues. He is also experienced in facilitating the leadership training sessions at BRAC and National Youth Center, Bangladesh. These excellent experiences promoted his skills to liaise with government officials, and network with INGOs and NGOs. He has honed his problem identification and leadership, advocacy and communication, staff management and event management, facilitation and training intervention skills as well. Mizan enjoys focusing on the topics of youth empowerment and community mobilization, and has a strong passion to protect and empower youth with disabilities.
Host Organization: Community Options, Inc.
Role at Host Organization: As the Training and Grants Fellow, Mizan will assist with the design and delivery of management related training and the roll-out of a day program curriculum. In addition he will assist writers in writing federal, state, local and foundation grant proposals to enhance housing development and employment for persons with developmental disabilities.
Mehr Abbas Bajwa
Pakistan (Host: Nexus Fund)Mehr has nine years of experience in the nonprofit sector. She holds a Master’s degree in Economics from the University of Manchester in the UK, and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) in Pakistan. While working as the Research, Monitoring and Evaluation Manager, Punjab with GRM Futures Group under the Dfid-funded voice and accountability project for better health and nutrition, she helped improve the health and nutrition of poor and marginalized women and children in the southern Punjab province of Pakistan. Previously, Mehr worked as a Senior Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist with Chemonics International, Inc., to make local value chains in Pakistan such as fresh mango, fruit and vegetable pulping, and dates more competitive in both international and local markets under the USAID-funded economic growth and agriculture program. She also has extensive experience working with stakeholders from the private and public sectors. Through these experiences, she has acquired strong monitoring and evaluation skills which are applicable across different thematic areas. Mehr enjoys focusing on the topics of empowerment and economic development.
Host Organization: Nexus Fund
Role at Host Organization: Mehr will utilize her experience conducting research and managing projects to build up the innovation lab and grants program and find ways to support civil society in countries at risk of mass atrocities. She will also support the fundraising director in their efforts and build Nexus Fund’s capacity to liaise with grantees.
Mayada Abdelazim Hassanain Osman
Sudan (Host: Mentor Capital Network)Mayada Abdelazim has four years of experience in the nonprofit sector. She is a graduate of Economics with a major in Development from the University of Khartoum. She obtained her Masters in Development studies from The University of Medical Sciences and Technology. She is the co-founder of the SheLearns initiative, which has supported female education in Sudan since February 2012. Mayada has had in-depth experience in women’s rights in Sudan and the horn of Africa, as a projects assistant at SIHA. She worked to enhance the capacity of women at the grassroots level, supporting them to organize themselves in cooperatives to improve their livelihood and gain access to rights. Mayada also worked with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) as a researcher on missing persons in Darfur. Mayada is interested in finding ways to link macroeconomic interventions and the development of local communities, by creating cost effective, pro-poor strategies.
Host Organization: Mentor Capital Network
Role at Host Organization: Mayada will expand interaction with entrepreneurs, mentors, and investors (collecting and telling stories, performing due-diligence for investors, and identifying where to further support them). She will also identify potential new opportunities for collaboration.