Arab America Foundation Announces 30 Under 30 Awardees-Class of 2026

posted on: May 13, 2026

For Immediate Release

Washington, DC (May 13, 2026): The Arab America Foundation announced today the awardees of the 30 Under 30 initiative. Thirty Arab Americans from throughout the U.S. were announced. Judges from different states reviewed the applications anonymously, without identifying names or ethnicity.

Our 2026 awardees are: Rewan Abdelwahab, Noura Abou Hamze, Nadeen Abusada, Sophia Agag, Majd Al-Marrawi, Yzen Al-Marrawi, Zaid Al-Shoha, Omar Aljebrin, Hend Alkarzon, Sarah Asali, Yousef Bazzi, Layla Dhabaan, Reem Eldabagh, Moutaz Elias, Yasmine Elkharssa, Ibrahim Emara, Phebe Fahmy, Amir Farhat, Bayan Galal, Abdullah Ghali, Jude Hammoud, Aya Hamza, George Harb, Gabriel Khoury, Majid Matariyeh, Jumana Meri, Alexander Restum, Sedra Shahin, Nesreen Shahrour, and Mai Zaru.

30 Under 30 is a celebration of accomplished young Arab Americans. The program spotlights professionals (20-30 years old) who have achieved spectacular success. The program spotlights professionals in all fields, including but not limited to education, law, public service/politics, non-profit, business, entrepreneurship, engineering, medical professionals, artists, entertainers, writers, and media representatives.

“Our 30 Under 30 awardees represent the promise, talent, and resilience of a new generation of Arab American leaders,” said Warren David, co-founder of the Arab America Foundation and president of Arab America. “From public service and medicine to entrepreneurship, education, the arts, and advocacy, these young professionals are making an impact while proudly embracing their Arab heritage.”

The awardees are aged 30 or under, excel in their studies, actively work in their communities to help their peers, and demonstrate a commitment to their Arab heritage. The competition was open to all students who live and/or work in the United States and are of Arab descent. All awardees have shown remarkable leadership in their academics and extracurricular activities. They have exemplified what it means to be an Arab American in an increasingly multinational world.

The Arab America Foundation and its board are grateful for the leadership of the initiative’s coordinators, Nabelah Ghareeb and Elias T. Khalil, and for the prestigious panel of judges.

The 30 Under 30 awardees for the class of 2026 will be honored at the Connect Empowerment Summit in the Fall at a date to be announced.

About the Arab America Foundation

The Arab America Foundation (AAF) is a non-profit (501(c)(3)) educational and cultural organization. The mission of the AAF is to Promote the Arab heritage and empower Arab Americans; Educate Americans about Arab identity and culture, and to Connect Arab Americans to each other and to other communities.

For more information about the 30 Under 30 initiative, click here.

For more information about the Arab America Foundation, click here.

For media inquiries, please get in touch with Claire Boyle, click here.

The 30 Under 30 Awardees, Class of 2026

Rewan Abdelwahab

Rewan Abdelwahab is a dermatology resident at Mayo Clinic. She graduated at the top of her class from Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine and earned Phi Beta Kappa and highest honors from Harvard College, where she majored in integrative biology with minors in African American Studies and Spanish. She is passionate about education and policy reform aimed at expanding access to affordable, high‑quality medical care. She has presented at national and international forums on education reform, surgical protocols, and cancer outcomes, and has been involved in medical education, public health, policy, and quality‑improvement initiatives. Her prior research contributed to a national change in surgical protocol regarding religious head coverings in the operating room. She is a proud Egyptian-American whose heritage continues to shape her artistic, academic, mentorship, and community endeavors.

Noura Abou Hamze

Noura Abou Hamze is a Lebanese American political researcher, writer, and human rights advocate. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and International Affairs with Distinction from the Lebanese American University and later completed her Master’s degree in Political Science with a 3.9 GPA from the University of Central Florida, focusing her research on immigration restrictions, migration policy, and humane protections for vulnerable communities.

Noura received recognition for excellence in diplomacy and negotiation at the 2019 Harvard World Model United Nations in Madrid. Passionate about advocacy, Noura has supported migrant domestic workers and their rights as well as immigrant communities through volunteer work, grassroots initiatives, and policy engagement, while also working to empower rural women in her home village. She is also the co-founder of a nonprofit initiative in Lebanon focused on road safety awareness and educating youth on responsible driving and traffic laws. Alongside her advocacy work, she enjoys journalism and has written articles highlighting Arab American identity, culture, and community issues.

Nadeen Abusada

Nadeen Abusada is a Cleveland-based reporter covering Cuyahoga County with a sharp focus on immigration and underrepresented communities.
A proud Palestinian American, she is shaped by her father, a journalist in the West Bank who was arrested multiple times for documenting life under occupation. His resilience and his journey to the United States anchor her work. She carries that legacy into every story and space she enters, from reporting on the ground to co-creating plays with Cleveland Public Theatre to serving on the board of Arab Americans of Cleveland – Young Professionals Network. She also supports organizations including the Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund and the Palestinian American Heritage Society.

Sophia Agag

Sophia Agag is redefining what it means to belong. Born and raised in New York City to an Italian American mother and Algerian father, she embodies the strength of intercultural identity and is committed to uplifting future generations from multicultural backgrounds like her own. Deeply connected to her Amazigh heritage, Sophia taught herself the Kabyle language as an act of cultural preservation and pride. Fluent in multiple Arabic dialects, she uses language as a bridge to connect across diverse communities throughout the Middle East and North Africa, amplifying underrepresented voices and strengthening cultural identity and belonging. She serves as an Albert Vann Legislative Fellow with the New York City Council and is a member of the Women’s Empowerment Coalition of New York supporting women from low-income and immigrant communities.

Yzen Al-Marrawi

Yzen Al-Marrawi is a Syrian-American medical student at Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine and a graduate of The Ohio State University, where he earned a degree in neuroscience. Passionate about orthopedic surgery, global surgery, and health equity, he has built a career-in-progress at the intersection of medicine, research, and community advocacy. His scholarship spans orthopedic surgery, hematology, and medical education, and he has presented nationally on surgical innovation and culturally responsive care. Yzen serves as President of the Orthopedic Surgery Interest Group, Global Surgery Chair of the Robert J. Lucas Surgical Society, and Project Lead for Project E.A.C.H. (Enhancing Arabic Communication in Health), where he advances medical Arabic education and language-access advocacy for Arabic-speaking patients. Grounded in service, cultural pride, and a deep commitment to representation, he hopes to help build a future where compassionate, equitable healthcare reaches communities too often left unheard.

Majd Al-Marrawi

Majd Al-Marrawi is a Syrian-American, Goldwater Scholar, and aspiring physician-scientist committed to advancing health equity for Arab and refugee communities through culturally responsive medicine, cancer research, and community leadership. A graduate of The Ohio State University with a B.S. in Neuroscience, he has led cancer genetics research on how mutations in DNA repair genes drive the development of human cancers, resulting in first-author scholarly work and presentations at national conferences. Beyond the lab, Majd has advanced health equity for Arab Americans and underserved communities through his leadership as the Founder and Co-President of the Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS) Ohio State chapter and Vice President of the Arab Medical Society (AMS), organizing Medical Arabic workshops, global health initiatives, and programs addressing Arab health disparities and barriers to healthcare access. Before starting medical school, Majd will study how war- and displacement-related trauma creates epigenetic changes within refugee populations in Jordan.

Zaid Al-Shoha

Zaid Al-Shoha is a Jordanian-American undergraduate at Cornell University studying Biological Sciences. He is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Voices of Equity, a national student-led health equity organization spanning 50+ university chapters, engaging over 1,000 students, raising over $40,000, and reaching more than 60,000 individuals through education, research, and community-based initiatives. At Cornell, Zaid conducts neuroregeneration research in the Lin Lab, where he has received multiple competitive grants to support his work on peripheral nerve regeneration. He also leads an 8+-member health equity research team examining frameworks to advance community-based health initiatives. He has been selected for the highly competitive National Institutes of Health Summer Internship Program, where he will contribute to clinical research in urologic cancers. He is interested in advancing public health through academic medicine by developing innovative, scalable approaches to improving health outcomes in underserved communities.

Omar Aljebrin

Omar Aljebrin is a Saudi-American physicist, researcher, and community builder from Fairfax, Virginia. Graduating from George Mason University’s Honors College this May, he will continue his studies at Imperial College London with a Master’s in Physics, with the ultimate goal of earning a PhD in theoretical physics. His research in dark matter halos and galaxy formation earned him research funding and a Research Excellence award, and he will be presenting this work at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research this April. Beyond the lab, Omar is an active member of the Saudi Student Association, organizing Ramadan iftars and Eid celebrations for students far from home. He is committed to amplifying Arab voices in science and space exploration — working to ensure that the next generation of Arab scientists and researchers are seen, supported, and celebrated on the world stage.

Hend Alkarzon

Hend Alkarzon is a Palestinian-American CPA, entrepreneur, and author, born in Qatar and raised in Gaza, now based in Chicago. She earned her Master’s in Accounting from Northern Illinois University, where she was Founder and President of the Arab Student Association and Vice President of the Muslim Student Association. She received the Outstanding Graduate Accountancy Scholar Award from the Federation of Schools of Accountancy, which selects one top graduate per accredited program nationwide, and was also named an AICPA Scholar for academic excellence and leadership.

After losing her cousin in the Gaza war, Hend turned grief into action by founding Hend’s Boutique, offering Palestinian-themed apparel, jewelry, and children’s books while donating 50% of profits to families in Gaza. She is the author of two children’s books sold nationally, including at Barnes & Noble, and works at Deloitte, where she was one of 10 employees nationwide to receive the US Purpose MVP Award within her first year. Hend also founded Career Ummah, a free global mentorship initiative for Arab and Muslim young professionals, empowering over 500 students and reaching more than 2 million through LinkedIn.

Sarah Asali

Sarah is an Iraqi-American healthcare leader driving meaningful change across hospitals and public health programs. She currently oversees revenue cycle management for 250+ healthcare providers at Richmond University Medical Center, implementing initiatives that streamline workflows, improve reimbursements, and enhance patient care. She has contributed to Columbia University’s Racial Justice and Equity Board, helping launch a course addressing structural inequities in healthcare. She mentors Arab students, volunteers as an Arabic medical interpreter, supports community-based organizations, and organizes executive panels connecting healthcare leaders.

Yousef Bazzi

Yousef Bazzi is a faith-driven entrepreneur and community builder from Dearborn, Michigan, whose work sits at the intersection of purpose, fashion, and human impact. As the founder of Conceal The World, Yousef built a global clothing brand rooted in faith, moral conviction, and the belief that what you wear should mean something. His garments have been worn by NFL and NBA athletes and major social media influencers, carrying a message of purpose to a worldwide audience.

Conceal The World is more than a brand; it is a movement. Through charity drops and community collaborations, Yousef has raised over $200,000 for humanitarian aid, hosted fundraising events, and partnered with organizations dedicated to meaningful relief. His journey began by documenting the stories of over 100 individuals through The Purpose Project, and that foundation of human connection continues to drive everything he builds. Yousef’s vision extends far beyond what has already been accomplished, he hopes to drive true impact and lasting influence for the generations to come, proving that when purpose leads, everything else follows.

Layla Dhabaan

Layla Dhabaan is a multidisciplinary Iraqi-American medical student at Emory University School of Medicine and founder of UMMI—“my mother” in Arabic—Uplifting Marginalized Mothers & Individuals, a nonprofit serving refugee and underserved women through healthcare, education, and advocacy. Through UMMI, Layla has worked with volunteers, community leaders, and local partners, impacting over 500 individuals, securing more than $21,000 in funding, and helping train over 100 volunteers to support refugee mothers during childbirth.

Layla hopes to continue advancing equitable care for Arab and refugee communities through both local and global health efforts, and has been recognized through honors including the Isam Vaid Lifetime Achievement Award, Women Leader of the Year, Fulbright, and Luce Award. Her maternal health work has reached Turkey, Kenya, and Indonesia, while her art business and photography explore cultural identity, displacement, and healing through murals, visual storytelling, and community-based advocacy.
The eldest of five siblings, Layla plays the viola, is learning the oud, and hopes to integrate art, medicine, and policy as a future physician and advocate

Reem Eldabagh

Reem Eldabagh is an Arab-American scientist and professor. She works 9-5 pm at Roche Molecular Diagnostics as a Senior Quality Partner. At the same time, she spends some 5-9 p.m. teaching undergraduate courses at her alma mater, while helping students master science through tutoring at its Science Enrichment Center. Prior to her current role, she was a scientist in manufacturing and R&D in the biologics industry at Thermo Fisher Scientific, Merck, Kashiv BioSciences, and BeiGene. She founded and ran Arab Scientists, a professional network within the larger Arab Socials community, through which she led the Arab Scientists Seminar Series, designed to connect, promote, and uplift Arab scientists all over the world. She hopes to continue to lead by example, inspire others, and help grow and mentor future generations through her career, teaching, and volunteer efforts. Besides science and education, Reem is a passionate baker who recently launched her business, Fruit & Flour!

Moutaz Elias

Moutaz Elias is a Machine Learning Engineer at Meta, where he leads the agentic integration for Meta Ray-Ban wearables. Moutaz earned his Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering and Plasma Physics from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign at the age of 25. His technical contributions include over 100 citations and the namesake equation in plasma physics.

Beyond his professional role, Moutaz founded the first overseas chapter of the American Nuclear Society in Sharjah and is part of the Arab Fusion Energy Program (AFEP). On a non-professional level, he is deeply attached to Arab culture, from classical to indie music. He is a passionate supporter of the Arabic National Orchestra and remains an active member of the Arab communities in Seattle and Portland.

Yasmine Elkharssa

Yasmine Elkharssa is a Lebanese-American policy strategist, narrative builder, and Truman Scholar who works at the intersection of lived experience and political action. A Dearborn Heights, Michigan native and University of Michigan’s Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy graduate, Yasmine’s passion lies between centering economic justice, civil rights, and political visibility for Middle Eastern/North Africans and other marginalized communities.

She is the founder of MENA With MS, a nationwide initiative that promotes visibility, research, and community for Middle Eastern/North African people in the US who are living with Multiple Sclerosis like herself. Her experience spans roles at the Aspen Institute’s Center for Rising Generations, U.S. House of Representatives in the office of Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, the Muslim Public Service Network (MPSN), Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) and more.

In the near future, Yasmine hopes to become a Public Interest lawyer to protect the rights of all individuals marginalized by the law.

Ibrahim Emara

Ibrahim Emara is an Egyptian MPA candidate at Cornell University and a nationally recognized digital inclusion practitioner. His career spans grassroots community impact, UN humanitarian work reaching 6 million+ refugees, and AI-mental health research.

As an AmeriCorps member in Pittsburgh, he helped engage 2,600+ residents with affordable internet access, supported 400+ small businesses with digital readiness, and co-developed multilingual digital skills programming for underserved communities. In 2025, he was named Digital Equity Champion – Emerging Leader by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance, one of the field’s highest honors.

At Cornell, Ibrahim co-founded the Data for Good in Policy Club, empowering students with data skills while consulting for public-sector clients. He is also VP of Cornell’s Graduate Arab League, a nonpartisan organization building community, mentorship, and cultural belonging on campus. Recently, he was selected as a Delegate for the World Bank Group’s Youth Summit, engaging young leaders on solutions to global development challenges.

Phebe Fahmy

Phebe Fahmy is a student at the College of William & Mary studying Kinesiology & Health Sciences with a focus on the science of nutrition. Her academic work and research interests explore how targeted nutritional strategies influence cognitive function and metabolic health. She has been accepted to the Master of Clinical Nutrition Coordinated Program at UT Southwestern Medical Center, where she will complete advanced clinical training while working toward becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. Phebe is passionate about translating rigorous nutrition science into practical, evidence-based guidance that empowers individuals and communities to improve their health.

Inspired by her own experiences navigating nutrition misinformation, Phebe is passionate about improving public access to evidence-based nutrition education. She is particularly interested in translating scientific research into practical guidance that individuals can apply in their everyday lives.

Phebe plans to pursue a PhD in nutrition science and combine research, clinical practice, and education to improve nutrition literacy and patient care.

Amir Farhat

Hailing from the Galilee and Jerusalem, Amir Farhat is a Palestinian double MIT graduate and award-winning computer systems researcher. Currently, he is a Senior Software Engineer at Google, building algorithms for cloud infrastructure and computer networks to support AI.

A dedicated community leader, Amir established Arabs@Google chapters in Cambridge, MA, and Atlanta, GA, where he volunteers with the Alif Institute and Atlanta Arab Americans.

Amir is the third-generation embodiment of his family’s values: striving for excellence, spearheading technology, and supporting the community. Back home, he is active in the Harmony Professional Network, Tech2Peace, and Middle East Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow. Stateside, he engages with the Arab Tech Collective and conducts admissions interviews for MIT and Google. Passionate about empowering others, Amir is a personal and professional development coach who helps young professionals grow their careers and prepares students for top universities like Harvard and MIT.

Bayan Galal

Bayan Galal is an Egyptian-American Paul & Daisy Soros Fellow and medical student at the University of Pennsylvania whose work spans clinical care, research, and health systems strengthening. She earned a bachelor’s degree in molecular biology and global affairs from Yale University, where she served as student body president and advanced reforms to financial aid and academic policies. As a Marshall Scholar, she completed a master’s in population health sciences at the University of Cambridge, focusing on population-level cancer screening strategies. At Penn, she has led the United Community Clinic and founded Providing Access to Health, a health navigation program supported by a $100,000 Projects for Progress Award. Bayan also serves as national chair-elect of the student branch of the Association of American Medical Colleges. Her research and advocacy focus on improving access to care, strengthening health data systems, and advancing more equitable models of care delivery for underserved communities in the United States and globally.

Dr. Abdullah Ghali

Dr. Abdullah Ghali is an orthopedic surgery resident at Baylor College of Medicine and a physician-scientist committed to advancing musculoskeletal health in both high-resource and conflict settings. A graduate of the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and Baylor University, he has authored more than 60 peer-reviewed publications and presented nationally and internationally on orthopedic trauma, oncology, health disparities, and Medicine in Space.

Dr. Ghali has conducted research and clinical work focused on Gaza’s healthcare system, publishing on medical ethics in war and disaster trauma care. His work bridges academic medicine, humanitarian advocacy, and community leadership. He is dedicated to mentorship, service, and the elevation of Arab American voices in medicine and public health.

Jude Hammoud

Jude Hammoud is a musician and bioengineer advancing precision brain imaging and multimodal neurotechnologies. He serves as a researcher at Massachusetts General Hospital’s Center for Precision Psychiatry, where he runs studies integrating multimodal imaging to investigate how brain-body dynamics relate to mental health outcomes in vulnerable populations.

His work is guided by a commitment to translate these measurement frameworks into low-resource settings, with an emphasis on deploying accessible imaging technologies and generating population-specific datasets in Arab regions to support locally grounded research and care. He advocates a sustained practice of technical and intellectual contributions from the Arab diaspora to their homelands.

Jude is committed to cultivating a confident and empowered Arab American identity rooted in intellectual rigor and creative expression. As a founding member of the Nahda Project, he helps build spaces where Arab music, dialogue, and community life are preserved and reimagined for a new generation.

Aya Hamza

Aya Hamza is an Iraqi-American, Miami native, and graduate of the University of Chicago with a Bachelor of Arts in Human Rights and Middle Eastern Studies. Her senior thesis investigated how Egypt Vision 2030 sets out to achieve foreign direct investment goals, and the ramifications that selectively pro-arbitration attitudes pose to the development of the rule of law. Born from this research, she founded MENAInvestmentHub.com, an open-access repository of Arab League bilateral investment treaties to benefit entrepreneurs and advocates alike.

As a youth delegate to the United States and the United Kingdom, Aya was selected to speak on the “Financing the Future: Young Voices in Sustainable Development” panel at the 16th session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development in Geneva.

She currently works as an antitrust litigation analyst in Miami and plans to attend law school to pursue a career focused on international business and human rights.

George Harb

George Harb is a Palestinian American curator, archivist, artist, and community historian, and founder of the Zaman Project, an initiative dedicated to preserving Palestinian family archives and diaspora narratives. His work focuses on amplifying Arab and Palestinian histories, combining artistic practice with rigorous archival research and community storytelling. He previously served as a Community Historian at the Arab American National Museum, where he expanded national collections through oral histories and archival initiatives and contributed to exhibitions documenting diaspora experiences. He is also the founder of the Palestinian American Heritage Society in Cleveland, where he has led cultural initiatives and community programming. Now based in Washington, DC, he is the Director of Exhibitions and Programs at the Museum of the Palestinian People, where he curates exhibitions, develops public programs, and fosters engagement with Palestinian history, art, and identity for diverse audiences.

Gabriel Khoury

From Taybeh, Palestine, Gabriel Khoury is an attorney in Washington, D.C., focusing on regulatory compliance, government investigations, and emerging technologies, including blockchain, cryptocurrency, and artificial intelligence. He has conducted high-stakes government investigations across the Middle East, advising multinational corporations on cross-border compliance and regional regulatory frameworks. A passionate advocate for Arab American and Palestinian advancement, Gabriel co-founded the Palestinian American Bar Association, the first and only national bar association for Palestinian American legal professionals, growing it to nearly 700 members and hosting its landmark inaugural Conference and Gala. He also founded the Arab Crypto Professionals Association to elevate Arab representation in the fintech and crypto industries. Committed to access to justice, Gabriel volunteers pro bono on asylum cases for Arab clients fleeing persecution, domestic abuse, and gang violence, assists nonprofits, and mentors Arab American law students weekly. He is a proud PracticePro Diversity Scholar and D.C. Bar High Honors pro bono recipient.

Majid Matariyeh

Majid Matariyeh is an Outreach and Volunteer Manager at Zakat Foundation of America and Illinois Regional Director for MSA National. A Palestinian American leader based in Chicago, he has mobilized thousands of volunteers through strategic partnerships with universities, faith institutions, and community organizations to advance humanitarian relief, food security initiatives, and youth civic engagement. Known for building scalable outreach systems that connect grassroots activism with sustainable community impact, Majid has led statewide collaborations and service campaigns that strengthen Arab American representation and leadership. He is currently completing his MBA in Project Management and remains committed to elevating the next generation of Arab American changemakers. Through service-driven leadership, Majid bridges faith, culture, and civic responsibility to create measurable impact both locally and nationally.

Jumana Meri

Jumana Meri is a Palestinian-American and an incoming Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) candidate at the VCU School of Dentistry. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Virginia Commonwealth University. Passionate about equitable access to oral healthcare, she aspires to become a dentist dedicated to expanding quality care in underserved communities. Through clinical experience serving Medicaid and low-income patients, she has developed cultural competency by providing care in Arabic and bridging language and cultural gaps. At VCU, she served as President of the Dental Club and Co-President of VCU P.R.I.M.E., mentoring first-generation and minority pre-health students. She also served as Community Engagement Chair for the Muslim Student Association, organizing volunteer events, and held a leadership role in the Palestinian Student Organization, creating spaces for cultural engagement and advocacy. Jumana has received multiple awards recognizing her leadership and was recently honored by U.S. Senator Mark Warner for her contributions to her community and VCU.

Alexander Restum

Alexander Restum is a Lebanese American who earned his B.S. in Public Health and Biology, summa cum laude, with honors from Wayne State University. He is currently a medical student and researcher at Wayne State University School of Medicine. In the past few years, he has worked on various research projects aimed at improving the health of the Metro-Detroit Arab community. He is an advocate addressing poor air quality in Southwest Detroit, where he has been published in the APHA, Harvard Health Review, and the UofM Public Health Journal to support disfranchised communities. He’s involved in a variety of Arb-American health initiatives in the community as well . He works hard to one day make a difference in his patients’ lives and support the health of Michigan’s Arab community. Outside of school, he enjoys spending time with his mom and sister, running, and camping.

Sedra Shahin

Born in Latakia, Syria, Sedra Shahin is a Syrian-American student at Arizona State University pursuing triple degrees in Business Administration, Business Law, and Public Policy, with acceptance into ASU’s Master of Legal Studies program. She served as Student Body President, representing and advocating for over 180,000 students while leading initiatives to expand academic support and student engagement. Sedra has worked across both public and private sectors, including roles with the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, Wells Fargo, and the League of Arizona Cities and Towns, focusing on public policy, legislative affairs, and issue management. She is actively involved in supporting Arizona’s Arab community through the Syrian Community Service Center, helping connect families to critical resources and support systems. Passionate about representation, Sedra is committed to empowering Arab American students to pursue leadership and public service.

Nesreen Shahrour

Nesreen Shahrour grew up in Syria and earned her Bachelor of Science in Human Science with a minor in Disability Studies from Georgetown University. She is now a Doctor of Medicine candidate at Georgetown University School of Medicine and a Cancer Research Training Award Fellow at the National Cancer Institute, where she studies hereditary cancer susceptibility and translational genomics. Her work spans clinical research, health equity scholarship, and medical education reform, with peer reviewed publications in leading academic journals and presentations at national scientific meetings. Nesreen is committed to advancing patient-centered care that addresses structural barriers to health and integrates scientific rigor with community impact. She has led institutional initiatives to improve accessibility and mentorship within medicine and continues to serve patients through clinical navigation and community outreach. In her free time, she enjoys playing the piano, practicing henna art, and staying active through hot yoga and pickleball.

Dr. Mai Zaru

Dr. Mai Zaru is a Palestinian American educator, researcher, storyteller, and International Literacy Association 30 Under 30 honoree whose work transforms literacy into a force for justice, cultural preservation, and community empowerment. Featured in This Week in Palestine (“Dear Home”), Hathihe Ramallah, Literacy Today (“The Transformative Power of Dialogue through Immigrant Mothers’ Stories”), and Journal of Cases in Education Leadership, she centers displaced, refugee, immigrant, and diasporic communities at every stage of her scholarship. With a Ph.D. in Education, over eight years of teaching K–12 in the U.S. and Palestine, and mentoring 260+ undergraduate and graduate students, she trains educators to enact equity, belonging, and culturally sustaining pedagogy.

Her research blends participatory and mixed-methods approaches, empowering Arabic-speaking caregivers and partnering with Palestinian mothers to document their lives through graffiti-elicited narratives, published in the International Journal of Qualitative Methods. She continues to work with displaced individuals, those experiencing homelessness, and transnational communities, translating research into programs, policy, publications, and informal dissemination, donating books to Free Little Libraries, refugee centers, and local coffee shops, and leading community storytelling projects that amplify marginalized voices. With 13 publications and 30+ national and international presentations, her work not only exposes structural barriers and systemic exclusion, but it also builds lasting pathways for transformative, community-centered change.

Compiled by Arab America

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