Hello,
I lead and build humanitarian campaigns that support communities affected by wars, disasters, and crises.
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currently
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currently »
Currently
Director of Communications, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières Canada
(November 2020 - Present)
I currently serve as the Director of Communications at Doctors Without Borders in Canada, where I lead an exceptional team of press officers, digital media experts, editors, and creatives to highlight the need for medical humanitarian assistance during armed conflicts and crises around the world.
formerly
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formerly «
Formerly
Manager for Humanitarian Communications, Women Deliver (Dec 2017- Nov 2020)
Promoted from Senior Associate for Humanitarian Communications
New York City ● Beirut ● Global
I served as the Manager for Humanitarian Communications at Women Deliver - a global advocacy organization that champions the health and rights of girls and women. In this role, I led campaigns & communications strategies that promoted stronger global policies, programs, and investments for girls and women in humanitarian settings. I also helped train Lebanese, Syrian, and Palestinian grassroots women’s organizations to become more visible advocates to global audiences.
WORK SAMPLES (CLICK IMAGES TO VIEW MORE):
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Communications & Advocacy Officer, Lighthouse Relief (2017)
Chalkida (Greece) ● Lesvos (Greece)
As the Communications & Advocacy Officer for Lighthouse Relief, I led campaigns to highlight the overlooked needs of refugee women, children, and youth living in mainland Greece. I also worked with front line humanitarian responders on the Greek island of Lesvos to document the ongoing denial of safe passage to asylum seekers crossing the Mediterranean Sea.
WORK SAMPLES (CLICK IMAGES TO VIEW MORE):
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Senior Associate, Global Health Strategies (2015-2016)
New York City ● Global
As a Senior Associate at Global Health Strategies - a communications consultancy that powers global campaigns - I supported initiatives focused on neglected tropical diseases, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and global health innovation. My clients included the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria; and others.
WORK SAMPLES (CLICK IMAGES TO VIEW MORE):
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Global Communications Fellow, IntraHealth International (2014-2015)
Washington, DC ● Global
I joined IntraHealth International - an international NGO focused on strengthening health workforces in the Global South - at the time of the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa. At the height of the crisis, I supported campaigns that highlighted the lifesaving work of local health workers and called for greater U.S. investment to support them. Additionally, I served as a steering committee member on the Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition, contributing to global advocacy efforts to protect health workers and hospitals in countries affected by war.
WORK SAMPLES (CLICK IMAGES TO VIEW MORE):
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Personal Projects
Outside of work, I occasionally lead and co-create projects that highlight injustices at home and abroad.
Shannen’s Dream Scholarship:
In collaboration with the First Nations Caring Society, my family and I launched this pay-it-forward scholarship to support First Nations youth in Canada with their post-secondary fees. The scholarship is named in honour of Shannen Koostachin, a courageous young leader from Attawapiskat First Nation who sparked a national movement for safe and comfy schools for First Nations students. More here.
#ScaryImmigrants:
This online campaign and gallery (begun in 2017, restarted in 2019) demonstrates the absurdity of xenophobic narratives by sharing everyday stories from immigrants and displaced persons worldwide. The campaign received press and coverage in CBC, Global Citizen, New Canadian Media, Mashable, Telemundo, and CBC Radio-Canada.
I Am Mohammed:
In 2017, I co-curated (with two fabulous collaborators) an interactive exhibit that challenges xenophobia by spotlighting diverse people - of all genders, ages, and from different geographies - named Mohammed, a name commonly faced with prejudicial assumptions and discrimination. The exhibit was displayed in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and online, and received coverage in The Washington Post and Huffington Post.
Toronto’s Untold Stories:
In 2016, I curated an interactive exhibit that shared stories from Toronto citizens at the margins of society, including LGBTIA+ refugees, immigrants, people experiencing homelessness, sex trafficking survivors, and survivors of multiple forms of addiction. The exhibit was displayed at the Art Square Gallery in downtown Toronto, and received coverage from The Globe & Mail (print edition), Toronto Observer & Metro News Toronto (print edition).
Education
Master’s in Development Studies,
University of Cambridge
United Kingdom
(2013-2014)
Bachelor of Arts Honours in Global Development,
Queen’s University
Canada
(2009-2013)