Significant Figures of YLDF
Dr. Antelak Almutawakel
Antelak Almutawakel holds a PhD in Gender from Tilburg University in the Netherlands. She is the co-founder and chairperson of the Youth Leadership Development Foundation, an assistant professor at Sana’a University, and a lecturer at the Inclusive Development Center. Dr. Almutawakel has been actively involved in peacebuilding as a member of several coalitions, including the National Dialogue Conference, the Constitution Committee, PACT, ICAN, and Development Champions.
Elizabeth Alexander
Elizabeth Alexander, the wife of the CEO of Sheffield, began volunteering in 2000 at the Girls World Communication Center (GWCC), taking over from Karan Mirberg—the wife of the former Dutch ambassador—upon her return to the Netherlands. With her background in civil and community work, Elizabeth made a smart suggestion to rename the initiative to Girls World Communication Center and stressed the importance of creating an official identity and structure for the center. Through her initiative, the center received its first two donations from Sheffield Company, and she continued to work at GWCC for several years.
Catherine Hendel
Catherine "wife of the Director of the World Bank" joined as a volunteer in (Girls International Language Center), during the year 2002, she trained girls in the subject of scientific research methods within the educational mix of the Preparatory Program for Young Leaders (YLP), and provided swimming courses for girls, and worked for years in the International Center languages for girls.
Waleed Mohammed Al-Sabri
Bachelor of Electrical Engineering, joined the institution in 2018 under the title of Coordinator of Monitoring and Evaluation and had an active role in this department.
Dr. Sawsan Al Refai
Board Member at YLDF, she is an expert in Public Policy and Advocacy, She holds a Master’s Degree in health policy, planning, and financing, from the London School of Economics and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Dr. Al-Refaie serves as the Women and Gender Equity Specialist in the Municipality of Ottawa since June 2019..
Mohammed Alasadi
He holds a Diploma in Human Resources Management and a Bachelor of Business Administration. He joined to YLDF in 2009 and worked as a volunteer for six months. Then he got a job as a storekeeper, then as a cashier, and currently he works as an assistant accountant. He had a major role in the work and development of the financial system and its modernization from the manual system to the automated system.
Sharif AbdulKarim
Sharif AbdulKarim holds a Bachelor's degree in Management Information Systems from Arwa University. With an academic background that blends administrative and technical skills, he is well-equipped to perform effectively in humanitarian and programmatic environments. He has also completed advanced training in project proposal writing, cash and voucher assistance (CVA), gender-based violence (GBV) risk mitigation, and international law. Sharif began his humanitarian career in 2017 as a Project Assistant at the Youth Leadership Development Foundation (YLDF), where he was involved in coordinating community-based protection activities, beneficiary selection, and field distribution monitoring. As his experience grew, he advanced to Project Coordinator, then Senior Project Coordinator in 2024, before assuming the role of Programs Manager in January 2025. Throughout his time at YLDF, Sharif has led the implementation of various humanitarian and development projects in protection and livelihoods, including CVA and Food-for-Assets (FFA) programs. His work emphasizes inclusive community engagement and empowerment. He has overseen strategic program planning, managed technical teams, facilitated partnership agreements, and ensured high-quality reporting to donors. Sharif brings extensive experience in program design and coordination, budget management, monitoring and evaluation systems, and the application of accountability and transparency principles. He is fluent in both Arabic and English and has a solid track record of collaboration with government entities, local communities, and international partners
Hamas Mansour Abu Hatem
I studied computer science at the Faculty of Computer and Information Technology, Sana'a University. She joined the Foundation in 2022 as a trainee in the Projects Unit. She contributed to the development of the Foundation's technical projects.
Hana Moqbel
Assistant in the Programs and Projects Unit, holds a master’s diploma in public law from the Yemeni Academy for Postgraduate Studies - Sana’a and a mini professional master’s degree in law from Taiz University. She joined the institution in 2017, specializing in protection projects and the political and economic empowerment of women, experience in international laws and agreements Especially with regard to the rights and issues of women and gender. She works as a legal advisor in many agencies and is a member of many local and regional feminist components.
Akram Hafez Allah Al-Khawlani
Bachelor of Business Administration graduate He joined YLDF team in 2006. He was assigned to various positions as Reporter, In charge of Stores and Purchasing, Human Resources Assistant, Currently working as Projects Assistant.
Asma Alqabati
Project Coordinator, holds a Bachelor’s degree in media, majoring in public relations and advertising, from Sana’a University. She joined the Foundation in 2010. She worked in programs and projects that aim to build capacities and empower young men/women in many social and economic aspects.
Samed Al-Samei
Bachelor of Journalism, Faculty of Mass Communication, Sana’a University, 2015. He worked as a coordinator for the Media and Communication Unit from January 2021 to August 2022. He contributed to the development of marketing and communication mechanisms in the Youth Leadership Development Foundation, and to raising the quality of content for social media, stories and reports, and he also contributed to the establishment of the website.
Manal Al-Marouni
She joined the Young Leaders Program (YLP) for high school graduates in the year 2009_2010, then she moved to work in the Foundation as a Project Coordinator in the year 2017 until the year 2021, and she had a prominent and important role in the projects that were established during this period.
Mohamed Nadeem
.Holds a Bachelor's degree in Information Technology from Twintech University in Sana’a (2020). Mohammed has been working with the organization since 2021 and currently serves as an Administrative Assistant in the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit
Ayman Al-Shaibani
Data Management Assistant, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology Department from the University of Science and Technology 2016, more than three years of experience in data management and analysis, joined the institution in 2022
Aintilaq Alwashlii
Bachelor’s degree in Islamic studies, she joined the institution in 2008 as an administrative assistant in the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit and responsible for complaints. The institution has a great impact on her personality as she became more confident and a leader.
Fatima Ahmed
She joined the Foundation in the Young Leaders Program (YLP) in 2008, then worked on many projects as a volunteer, and then moved to work as an administrative assistant in the Projects Unit in the year 2021. The Foundation considers her motivation in community and civil work, and her name is associated with the name of the Foundation a lot.
Farah Al-sadoon
Trainer and Course Developer – Young Learners Farah’s passion has been to teach English as a second language and it has always motivated her to deliver more through her educational journey over the last twenty years. As a BA degree holder in Translation from Al-Mustansiriya University in Iraq, Farah has based her academic and professional career in translation, teaching and teacher education. She was given the privilege to teach semantics, translation, interpretation and Business Correspondence at university level and became a principal of an international school in the Middle East. Farah has been well known among her many students as an inspirational model, enjoying the challenge of making them love learning English language, and is now transferring these skills to training Arabic teachers. She has been chosen as an English Language Consultant for an education platform ( Thakhasus ) which provides high school graduates with academic advice on choosing their majors for registering in colleges and universities. Additionally, as a social responsibility, Farah has been a volunteer in helping special needs students (blind students) to learn English for several years. Areas of Expertise: Teacher Education, Training and Development, Translation
Mohammed Al-Mikhlafi
Bachelor of Accounting, Faculty of Commerce and Economics, Sana’a University. I joined the Foundation as a volunteer on the projects side, then a trainee in financial management. In 2018, I joined the position of assistant in the Procurement and Contracts Unit.
Ala' Hajar
She holds a Bachelor's degree in translation. English teacher, YLP program since 2017. I learned that working with young people gives a beautiful energy and prevents boredom, which has a great role in developing the language of YLP trainees and refining their language skills.
Doaa Hammoud Al-Mutawakel
Bachelor's degree in International Business Administration, she joined as a trainee in 2022, then she was employed as an administrative assistant for the YLP Young Leaders Preparation Program. Experience in administrative work such as facilitation, organization, archiving, follow-up, and others.
Jamala Abdullah
Bachelor's degree in translation, University of Modern Sciences, worked as an administrative assistant during the period 2020_2022, and moved around in many units such as purchases, stores, secretarial and social communication.
Ahmed Alshargabi
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting 2016, currently working as a financial officer in YLDF He worked as a teaching assistant in some private universities, a financial trainer for some commercial companies, and a financial consultant for emerging companies. Contribute to the development of financial management mechanisms in YLDF, and to raising the quality of reports and teamwork within the financial unit team. Joined in YLDF in July 2018.
Ali Al-Maznai
was Senior Coordinator at Youth Leadership Development Foundation during the period of April 2018 – 2022 Aug. Ali has a bachelor degree in Management Information System MIS. Ali started to work with YLDF in 2014 as project coordinator and promoted to Sr. Programs Coordinator in April 2018. Since the engagement with YLDF, Ali has managed Development and Emergency with focus on Food Security and Livelihood Projects that address humanitarian situation in Yemen, all of which adhere to Sphere Standards and Core Humanitarian Standards, in addition to projects related to Child Protection and Peacebuilding. In 2016, Ali has contributed to the establishment of YLDF Emergency Programming. Since that time, Ali has led all emergency programing at YLDF.
Sarah Mofleh
BA in English Education, an English language teacher at the training center, she joined to YLDF in 2006, she learned a lot of things within the institution being the first work environment she joined, she has been working with young people for years and this is what restores her passion, vitality, activity and renewal always and pushes her to provide more for them on the scientific and life sides .
Akram Al-Matari
The institution's security officer, he joined to YLDF since 2017 and works to maintain security and protection throughout this period. For him, the institution is like a safe house and the employees are like one family, and he always strives to ensure security and safety for all.
Alia Essam Al-Amrani
A graduate of the Faculty of Agriculture, Sana’a University, she joined the Sustainable Livelihood Opportunities, Vocational Training and Employment (SOLVE) program, then joined the YLDF as a trainee in some of administrative units such as finance and human resources. She gained practical experience in many matters such as communication, communication and administrative procedures.
Ferdous Al Mutawakel
HR and Operation Manager: Ferdous Al mutawakel officially joint Youth Leadership Development Foundation / Youth Economic Development Center in 2006 as a project Coordinator for two years for two projects; Youth Leaders Program (YLP) and Youth Civic Engagement Program (YCEP). Ferdous had worked in Education Office as a Manager of Public Relations and Educational Media Management during the period 1998 – 2006 then she had worked in the Ministry of Education – Girls’ Education sector as a manager of Monitoring department during the period 2008 – 2011. Finally, Ferdous again joint YLDF in November 2011 as an Operation and Human Recourse Manager She has a key role in development HR Manual and participate in development YLDF Policies
Ali Al-Haj
.IT specialist with a Bachelor
ِAsmaa Honebir
She studied technical education with a specialization in Graphic Design and Multimedia, earning her Bachelor's degree on July 6, 2018. This academic background provided her with a solid foundation of knowledge and practical skills, enabling her to enter the field of digital media and visual design with confidence and competence. She joined the Youth Leadership Development Foundation (YLDF) as a Digital Media and Communications Specialist, where she contributed to content creation, visual materials design, social media management, and the implementation of media campaigns. Her responsibilities also included preparing annual reports, designing data presentations, and organizing events. Asmaa has distinguished herself through her excellent performance within YLDF’s dynamic and collaborative environment, where she has creatively applied her skills in support of the foundation’s mission and in amplifying its community impact.
Nashwan Al-Maweri
A development professional with a Master’s degree in Computer Science from Pune University, India, and a strong passion for leveraging technology to drive social impact. I specialize in integrating digital solutions within the NGO sector to enhance program efficiency, improve data systems, and support strategic decision-making. Currently serving as the HR and Operations Manager at YLDF, I am working to utilize technology to increase employees productivity and integrate AI within YLDF’s processes to streamline operations and drive innovation. Deeply committed to youth development, I work to help young people harness the power of technology to improve their livelihoods, access opportunities, and shape a better future.
Mohammed Al-Hadhri
Mohammed Al-Hadhari joined the Youth Leadership Development Foundation in 2021 as a consultant specializing in evaluation and monitoring studies, including market analyses, baseline studies, final project evaluations, and post-humanitarian aid distribution follow-up reports. He later assumed the role of Monitoring and Evaluation Officer and was subsequently appointed as Senior Coordinator of the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit in April 2022. Throughout his journey with the organization, Mohammed has played a key role in developing M&E systems, designing data collection tools, conducting analysis, and preparing final evaluation reports. With over five years of experience in the monitoring and evaluation field, Mohammed has worked with various organizations on both humanitarian and development projects across several governorates, including Sana’a, Dhamar, Al-Bayda, Aden, Taiz, and Hadhramaut. He has contributed to the preparation of end-of-project reports and designed interactive dashboards for quantitative and qualitative data analysis using tools such as Power BI, SPSS, ArcGIS, and has extensive experience with Tableau. Mohammed holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering with a specialization in Communications and Electronics from Sana’a University. He has participated in numerous specialized courses in M&E, statistics, data analysis, governance, and community accountability. In addition to supervising team capacity-building, he represents the organization before donors and partners regarding evaluation results and lessons learned.
Najwa Hadi
Najwa joined the Youth Leadership Development Foundation (YLDF) in 2023, beginning her journey as a project intern. She later served as a Communication and Media Assistant, then as a Content Writer, and eventually assumed the position of Communications Officer in January 2025. Najwa has played a key role in showcasing the impact of the organization’s projects through the creation of human-centered stories, digital awareness campaigns, and impactful multimedia content in both Arabic and English. With over two years of experience in development communication and social media management within civil society organizations, Najwa has contributed to the development and implementation of media strategies that strengthened the organization’s digital presence and reinforced its institutional image. She has created a wide range of written and visual materials, led advocacy campaigns such as the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, and headed the content team for the Local Conference of Youth on Climate Change (LCOY) in Yemen. Najwa is experienced in donor coordination, press release writing, and marketing content creation. She possesses strong skills in translation, editing, and digital engagement analysis. She has also participated in several training programs in public relations, data analysis, and professional writing. Najwa holds a Bachelor's degree in English Translation from the Faculty of Languages at Sana’a University. She is proficient in tools such as Adobe Illustrator and PowerPoint and demonstrates advanced skills in digital content management.
Fatima Laheb
Finance Officer at the Youth Leadership Development Foundation since late 2024 A seasoned finance specialist with over ten years of extensive experience in accounting and financial management. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Accounting from Sana’a University, in addition to a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license accredited by the Ministry of Industry and Trade – Association of Chartered Accountants. Throughout her career, she has held several financial positions that have deepened her expertise in financial reporting, financial planning, internal auditing, and budget management. She actively contributes to enhancing financial performance, promoting efficiency, and ensuring transparency in institutional operations.
Karen Mirberg
Mrs. Karen Meerberg, "wife of the former Dutch ambassador to Yemen", accompanied by Dr. Al-Mutawakel, started the "Girls' World Initiative" in the summer of 1998, and through this initiative they worked as teaching volunteers. English language skills for girls, and continued to do volunteer work until she returned to the Netherlands in 2000, the initiative at that time still bearing the same name before the YLDF took its current name.
Dr. Gabool Almutawakel
Gabool al-Mutawakel is a Yemen civil society activist, and a co-founder of Youth Leadership Development Foundation (YLDF) in 2001– a local non for profit organization where she served as General Manager until 2011. Currently Gabool works at YLDF as senior consultant in project management, monitoring and evaluation. In 2013, Gabool co-founded Leaders for Education organization and since then have been managing the Leaders school as first project of the organization aiming to build State-of-the-art School in Yemen. Gabool also worked at Silatech International Foundation as the organization’s Country Manager in period 2014-2017. Recently, Gabool has completed her second master degree in International Development Policy at Duke University. Her first Master’s Degree was in NGOs and Development from the London School of Economics (2008).
Nawal Dubais
Nawal Dubais has been serving as the Program Director at the Youth Leadership Development Foundation since July 2016. She holds a Bachelor's degree from the Faculty of Languages at Sana’a University and currently oversees emergency and livelihood programs that address the ongoing humanitarian situation in Yemen. An active figure in Yemeni civil society since 2006, Nawal has played a significant role in numerous volunteer initiatives focused on women and youth empowerment, youth-led actions, and civil society organizations. She previously served as the Executive Director of a girls’ empowerment initiative and continues to be a passionate advocate for inclusive development and community engagement
Amal Yahya
Amal Yahya Executive Manager, holds a Bachelor's degree in English Language from Sana'a University's College of Education. With over 13 years of experience in managing development, humanitarian, and community projects, Amal has been involved in various initiatives aimed at building the capacities of young men and women, supporting local NGOs, councils, and government. She played a significant role in developing the MEAL unit and supervised numerous studies, evaluations, and strategic plans, which have enhanced the effectiveness of the YLDF programs and initiatives.
Safa Rawiah
Serving as the General Director of the Youth Leadership Development Foundation since 2012, she holds a Master's degree in International Development and Gender from the Gender and Development Studies and Research Center at Sana’a University. She has received numerous awards in recognition of her contributions to the empowerment of Yemeni women and youth. Her professional journey spans across youth and women empowerment, civil society development, community resilience, peacebuilding, and conflict resolution. She is the Chairperson of the Civil Coalition for Peace and a co-founder of both the Leadership School and “WARD” for Women’s Empowerment in Sana’a.
Kafia Al-Afif
Kafiya is the Director of Community and Education Programs at the Youth Leadership Development Foundation (YLDF). She holds a Bachelor's degree in Medical Laboratory Sciences from Sana’a University and joined the organization in 2003. Over the years, she has led programs focused on peace and security as well as human rights. Kafiya is a specialist in designing and implementing gender empowerment programs and interventions, with extensive experience in strengthening civil society organizations. She has played a leading role in establishing several influential networks, including the "Women in Politics" network.
Amal Alkibsi
An academic mentor in the English language, she has been working as an academic supervisor for the Young Leaders Program for 20 years. She is a graduate of the Faculty of Commerce, Sana’a University. She worked on developing curricula and preparing an English language curriculum for beginners. She offered several courses, including teacher training (TKT).
Mohammed Zunbor
Program Assistant in Livelihoods, worked as an Academic Coordinator for the Young Leaders Preparation Program from 2020 to 2023. Holds a Bachelor's degree in English Language from the Faculty of Languages, Sana'a University. Joined the Young Leaders Development Foundation in 2018 as a trainee in the Business Management Unit, then progressed to become an Administrative Assistant for the Young Leaders Preparation Program. Later, moved to the Programs Unit in the Foundation in late 2023.
Amina Al-Ajmi
A graduate of French literature, Sana'a University - a master's student in international development and gender. She joined the Foundation in May 2008. The Foundation is considered the most diverse and positive place in the nature of work, personalities, and dealings. She worked in project management and is currently working in supporting the project unit.
Suhaib Jaber
He joined the Foundation as a trainee for six months in 2017, then joined the position of Communications Assistant. He helped and contributed to the work of media campaigns on communication sites, especially in the YLP program, and the preparation of its identity. He also worked as a photographer, designer, and assistant in the production of video clips for Creativity for Social Justice programs. He also created the Foundation’s Instagram and Twitter pages.