I am Programme Manager and Officer in Charge at the Governance, Peace and Security unit of the United Nations Development Fund for Women, UNIFEM. Programming in 27 countries around the world includes supporting women’s leadership and political empowerment; improving protection and assistance for women in conflict situations; and supporting women’s role in peace building, especially through bringing a gender perspective to constitutional, legislative, judicial and electoral reform.
I hold a Masters in International Affairs from Columbia University, School of Public and International Affairs, and have also studied at Beirzeit University in Ramallah in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, after earning a Bachelors of Arts at the University of California in Santa Barbara.

Prior to my current post at UNIFEM, I served as Deputy Director of the Women's Commission for four years. I have also worked at the International Rescue Committee (IRC) where I held several positions including Regional Director for the Great Lakes region, Acting Country Director for Azerbaijan and Program Officer in headquarters geographic sections. Before joining the IRC, I worked for Save the Children/US.