Age: It’s just a number. Birthplace: Sudan. Profession: Social impact finance. Organization: The Center for Effective Philanthropy. Title: Vice President, Finance & Operations. Significant other: My best friend, Ira Renfrew. Languages spoken: Arabic and English.
Current project: Creating a community for international women in business. Recent professional development: CHIEF membership. Hobbies: Dancing, singing in the shower, gardening (to my surprise!) and hugging family members. Last book read: The Sum of Us, by Heather McGhee. Recently viewed and recommended: Ruth Chang’s TED Talk: How to make hard choices.
Personality profile: Authentic, passionate, determined. Moral compass: Do the right thing no matter how hard it is. How do you define a perfect friendship? One that is built on honesty and acceptance. How do you define an ideal business relationship? One that is based on trust and open communication. What natural talent have you neglected? Running. What is at the top of your bucket list? Skydiving. What is your go-to workout? Rowing. What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? Self-care.
What was your first paying job? As an Assistant at the United Nations World Food Programme. What was your favorite college course? Business Simulation. What’s prominently featured on your home or office wall? My daughters’ pictures. Besides your parents, who has had the greatest influence on your life? Professor Ricardo Hausmann. What personal circumstance has had the greatest influence on your life? Surviving a bomb attack while working with the United Nations World Food Programme in Algeria.
What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field?
Creating a network of International Women in Business.
What change would you like to see in the world? Redefined gender roles. What message do you want to send out into the world? You deserve compassion!
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? The Humanitarian. What actor would you choose to play you in the movie about your life? Zoe Saldaña. Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? My father. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? A journalist. What advice would you give your younger self? This too shall pass. What period in your life would you do differently, if you could? None. It all contributed to who I am today.
Favorite quote: “…when an inner situation is not made conscious, it happens outside, as fate” (CG Jung). Desired epitaph: She had an impact.
