Madeena Foundation
Board of Trustees
Meet our Board of Trustees Members
Chairman of Madeena Foundation
Mr. Mamoun Ganama
Vice Chairman of Madeena Foundation
Dr. Suliman Al-Najem
Member of the Board of Trustees
Mr. Nidal Al-Bitar
Member of the Board of Trustees
Dr. Krikor Haikian
Member of the Board of Trustees
Mr. Obaida Banki
Board of Directors & Executive Managment
Meet our Executive Management Members
Executive Director of Madeena Foundation
Dr. Abdulkader Haj Ahmad
Dr. Abdulkader Haj Ahmad is a Syrian-German researcher, development practitioner, and human rights specialist with more than a decade of professional experience across humanitarian response, education, community development, migration, and public policy.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Al-Furat University in Syria and a Master of Arts in Human Rights from Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU), Germany. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Political Science and Human Rights Policy at the same university, where his research focuses on governance, authoritarianism, human rights, and political transformation in Syria.
Throughout his professional career, Dr. Abdulkader has worked with United Nations agencies, international organizations, public institutions, and civil society organizations in both Syria and Germany. His experience includes programme management, capacity building, educational development, migration and integration policies, stakeholder engagement, and institutional partnerships.
In Germany, he has served in advisory and consulting roles supporting migrant and refugee communities through cooperation with governmental institutions and organizations working in the fields of integration, education, and social inclusion. He has also designed and delivered numerous training programmes and community initiatives aimed at strengthening social cohesion, civic participation, and human development.
As the Founder and Executive Director of Madeena Foundation, Dr. Abdulkader is committed to advancing education, youth empowerment, community resilience, and sustainable development in Syria. His work focuses on building partnerships between local communities, academic institutions, civil society organizations, and international actors to create inclusive and locally driven development opportunities.
Dr. Abdulkader has participated in numerous international conferences, policy dialogues, and academic forums on human rights, migration, education, and development. He continues to contribute to research and practice at the intersection of public policy, human rights, and community development.
Programs & Projects Manager
Mr. Ezzat Bakjaji
Mr. Ezzat is a seasoned programs and projects coordinator with a strong foundation in development and a deep commitment to advancing Syrian society. Since 2012, his professional journey has reflected outstanding contributions in public relations, strategic project management, and humanitarian response, particularly through his work with several international organizations such as WE WORLD GVC, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Syrian Society for Social Development (SSSD).
Prior to that, his role as Director of Public and International Relations at Al-Furat University in Syria, which began in 2010, had a significant impact. During the early stages of the Syrian conflict, he helped shape a strategic vision and demonstrated a deep understanding of institutional resilience. His efforts, alongside a dedicated team, were instrumental in maintaining the university’s operations and ensuring the continuity of education despite an intensely volatile environment.
Mr. Ezzat is known for his technocratic, independent, and neutral approach. He effectively leverages a wide-reaching network and sharp analytical skills to foster collaborative environments and achieve tangible outcomes. His unwavering commitment to impartiality enables him to navigate complex challenges, forge key partnerships, and drive progress across diverse and demanding contexts. He is currently enhancing his strategic expertise by pursuing a Master of Business Administration (MBA).
HR & Admin Officer
Mrs. Sarah Al-Hallak
Mrs. Sarah holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Damascus and Master degree in Quality Management from Syrian Virtual University. She brings over eight years of progressive experience in customer service, quality management, and organizational development within leading telecom companies in Syria.
Recently, she has served as Head of the Quality Section where she has been responsible for monitoring and improving the quality management system in alignment with ISO standards, driving digital transformation of documentation, supporting system audits, and coaching and motivating team members to achieve corporate objectives. Previously, Sarah worked as a Quality Specialist, where she gained extensive experience in developing quality documents, implementing corrective and preventive actions, conducting quality assessments, and fostering knowledge-sharing and teamwork within her teams.
In addition to her professional roles, Mrs. Sarah has been an active volunteer with Junior Chamber International (JCI Damascus) since 2022, contributing to community development and personal growth initiatives.
completed multiple training courses, including Project Management, Quality Management System, Stress Management, Interactive Communication, and Public Speaking & Debate, equipping her with both strong technical knowledge
Mrs. Sarah’s blend of academic knowledge, professional expertise, and volunteer engagement positions her as a highly motivated and resourceful professional, committed to continuous learning, innovation, and contributing to organizational improvement and social impact.
Executive Assistant
Mr. Bassam Al-Draei
Mr. Bassam holds a degree in French language and brings over 20 years of extensive experience in education and pedagogy. He has worked as a lecturer with Syrian universities and taught at all school levels; primary, middle, and secondary. In addition, he has taught Arabic and French as foreign languages to non-native speakers.
He has participated in numerous training courses both inside and outside Syria, including an advanced program in French language instruction in collaboration with international universities.
Alongside his work in education, Mr. Durei has also taken part in community development and training programs in cooperation with international organizations such as UNFPA. He has contributed to projects focused on life skills development, youth empowerment, child rights advocacy, and the fight against child begging and violence.
Grants & Partnerships / IT Officer
Mr. Anas Haj Sakor
Mr. Anas is a highly accomplished IT professional with a strong background in information technology, technical support, and IT management. Anas holds a Degree in Computer Science from the University of the People and a Diploma in Computer Networking from Alison. His extensive career includes serving as Head of Information Technology at Sadaf Foods Company and as Information Technology - Service Desk Head of Section at Wafa Telecom. He has also contributed his expertise to major organizations such as the UN-World Food Programme, JCI Syria Sheraton, Syriatel Mobile Telecom and ITECH. Mr. Anas is skilled in managing networks, hardware and software, and overseeing WebDesign.
Strategy Officer
Mrs. Lamis Bakjaji
Mrs. Lamis is a heritage architect and the founder of the Deir ez-Zor Heritage Library, a grassroots initiative for cultural documentation and post-conflict recovery. In 2025, her project was selected for ArchDaily’s Next Practices, recognizing its innovative community-led approach to heritage preservation.
With more than a decade of experience in cultural heritage, museum development, and recovery in conflict-affected contexts, she served from 2013 to 2023 at Syria’s Directorate-General of Antiquities and Museums (DGAM). There, she co-supervised major rehabilitation projects, advanced 3D documentation of historic sites, and collaborated with international organizations including UNESCO and UNDP.
Her work has contributed to global efforts to safeguard endangered heritage, through participation in international conferences and the co-curation of exhibitions highlighting cultural resilience. She holds a degree in Architecture from Damascus University (2012) and an MBA from the Syrian Virtual University (2020).
Finance Officer
Mr. Hossam Al-Deen Al-Hadi
Mr. Hossam is a humanitarian and development professional with more than eight years of solid experience in project management, community mobilization, and livelihood support in complex and fragile contexts. He possesses a strong record in implementing and monitoring market-based and community-driven initiatives while ensuring full compliance with humanitarian principles and institutional standards.
Throughout his career, Mr. Hossam has demonstrated exceptional proficiency in financial and technical project management, developing and implementing annual operational and financial plans covering more than 150 training courses and community-based initiatives. In addition to manage over 20 funded projects per month, overseeing budgets, risk assessments, and operational efficiency, while leading mobile teams that implemented more than 70 community initiatives annually, significantly expanding program outreach and impact. His work directly advanced livelihood and educational outcomes through targeted training programs based on needs assessments reflecting the Syrian context. Hossam consistently achieved a 95% project delivery rate, managed procurement cycles exceeding USD 500,000 annually, and successfully reduced costs by 15% through strategic supplier negotiations.
Mr. Hossam seeks to leverage his analytical acumen, financial expertise, and advanced communication skills to contribute meaningfully to the mission and vision of Madina Foundation.
Communication & Projects Officer
Ms. Raghad Kharaba
Ms. Raghad is an accomplished humanitarian professional with nearly a decade of experience in the education and protection sectors. She holds a BA in French Literature from Aleppo University. Since 2015, she has worked with several leading organizations, including SOS Children’s Villages Syria, the Syrian Society for Social Development, and Al-Raja Association for Children with Disabilities, holding key positions such as Education Coordinator and Child Protection Case Manager.
Her career reflects a strong commitment to advancing children’s rights, inclusive education, and psychosocial well-being, particularly for children with disabilities. Ms.Raghad has played a vital role in designing and implementing educational and protection programs that directly improved access to learning and safety for hundreds of children across Syria.
Beyond the humanitarian field, Ms. Raghad also worked as a news editor on a media platform, enriching her communication and advocacy skills. Recognized for her neutrality, professionalism, and precision, Ms. Raghad has built a broad network of local and international partnerships that she has effectively mobilized to foster positive change and support sustainable community development. Her work continues to inspire hope and empower children to grow, learn, and participate actively in building their society.
Compliance & Risk Managment Officer
Mrs. lara Bik
Mrs. Lara is a compliance, risk management, and governance professional with more than eight years of experience supporting international organizations, United Nations agencies, and humanitarian operations in complex and high-risk environments. Throughout her career, she has played a key role in strengthening internal control systems, enhancing accountability frameworks, and ensuring adherence to donor, regulatory, and organizational requirements.
Mrs. Lara has extensive experience in compliance monitoring, audit coordination, risk assessment, policy development, and organizational accountability. She has successfully contributed to the completion of numerous donor and internal audits, supporting organizations in maintaining strong compliance records and achieving audit outcomes with no critical findings.
Her expertise includes developing compliance training programs, strengthening documentation and archiving systems, establishing standard operating procedures, and enhancing reporting mechanisms to improve transparency and operational integrity.
During her tenure with international humanitarian organizations, Lara co-developed risk assessment tools and mitigation frameworks that enabled proactive identification and management of operational, financial, and compliance risks. She has worked closely with finance, programme, and senior management teams to strengthen governance practices, improve internal controls, and support evidence-based decision-making processes.
In addition to her compliance and risk management expertise, Lara has extensive experience in safeguarding, ethics, accountability, and organizational learning. Her ability to bridge operational realities with governance requirements has enabled organizations to strengthen institutional resilience while maintaining the highest standards of accountability and compliance.
Mrs. Lara holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Master's degree in Quality Management and Internal Control. Her combination of academic knowledge and practical field experience positions her as a dedicated professional committed to promoting good governance, managing organizational risk, and fostering a culture of compliance, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Meal Officer
Mr. Hesham Al-Sultan
Mr. Hesham is a MEAL specialist with more than seven years of experience in humanitarian and development work across Syria and Türkiye. He has contributed to several international and local NGOs, including the International Organization for Migration (IOM), where he supported data collection, analysis, reporting, and accountability systems in diverse operational contexts.
Holding dual academic degrees in Economics and Business Administration, Hesham brings a strong analytical and organizational foundation to his work. He is proficient in a range of data management and visualization tools, including Kobo Toolbox, SPSS, Power BI, and Microsoft Excel, which he effectively applies to enhance evidence-based decision-making and program quality.
Through his expertise, Mr. Hesham consistently strengthens monitoring frameworks, promotes transparency, and ensures that communities’ voices are integrated into the learning and accountability processes of humanitarian action.
Communication Assistant
Mr. Abdullah Suhail
Mr. Abdullah is an Information Technology Engineering student at the Syrian Virtual University, with extensive experience in data entry, media and communication, and computer maintenance. Over the past several years, he has collaborated with leading organizations such as UNDP, UNFPA, and the Syrian Association for Social Development, serving in various roles including Media and Communication Officer, Photographer, and Computer Maintenance Trainer.
Mr. Abdullah is proficient in Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Premiere, and has solid hands-on experience in IT support and hardware repair since 2016. In addition to his technical expertise, he demonstrates strong communication, leadership, and teamwork skills gained through active participation in humanitarian and youth initiatives.
Fluent in English, Mr. Abdullah has also completed multiple professional training courses in communication, data management, and psychosocial support, reflecting his commitment to both professional growth and community service.