Lebanon - Our team
Sarah Al Charif
Sarah Al Charif is the Founding Director of Ruwwad Al Tanmeya Lebanon, with extensive experience in community development and organizational leadership. She has played a key role in building and sustaining Ruwwad Lebanon as a credible and impactful non-profit. Sarah oversees strategy, operations, and programs, while leading fundraising and partnerships that support education, economic inclusion, and civic engagement.
She also founded two social enterprises, Atayeb Tarablos and Beit El Mina, that expand Ruwwad’s socioeconomic impact and support women and youth. Sarah holds an MBA from AUB and a business degree from the Lebanese University. She is a certified leadership trainer and coach, and an alumna of global programs including INSEAD, THNK, and She Entrepreneurs. She is also an active member of the Women’s Peacebuilding Network in Lebanon.
Hoda Al-Rifai
Hoda Al-Rifai is a seasoned Project Manager and Trainer with over 10 years of experience in youth development and community engagement. At Ruwwad Al Tanmeya, she leads the Youth Organizing program, including the scholarship program that reaches 150+ young people yearly, and manages large-scale, donor-funded projects with partners like GIZ, Expertise France, Danida, and AFD.
With degrees in Human Resource Management and Environmental Sciences, Hoda brings a multidisciplinary lens to her work. She’s also a certified mediator and vocational education instructor, delivering trainings on Emotional Intelligence, Leadership, Citizenship, and more.
Hoda is recognized for her empathetic leadership and commitment to inclusive, community-driven change.
Reem Haj Ali
is an educational psychologist and community development specialist with over 12 years at Ruwwad Al Tanmeya Lebanon, where she manages programs and projects, particularly the Child Development Program. Her work is rooted in Ruwwad’s community-led approach, emphasizing grassroots mobilization and participatory learning.
Reem has led initiatives promoting youth leadership, women’s participation, and education for vulnerable children, especially those affected by displacement. She applies an inquiry-based approach to foster curiosity and critical thinking among children and youth.
She holds a Master’s degrees in Educational Psychology (AUB) and Finance (LU), and is a certified trainer, community organizer, and Relational Dynamics Coach committed to inclusive and transformative learning.
Heba Nashabeh
is the Finance Manager at Ruwwad Al Tanmeya, with over 15 years of experience in financial management across the nonprofit and private sectors. Since 2016, she has led Ruwwad’s finance department, overseeing budgeting, compliance, and team operations.
Her background includes senior roles in accounting and HR at Consolidated Consultancy Group, and finance positions in various industries. She has also consulted for several companies on accounting systems and financial reporting. Heba is known for her technical expertise and commitment to financial integrity.
Marwa Baker
is the kitchen coordinator at Atayeb Tarablos Community kitchen, a social enterprise founded by Ruwwad Lebanon in 2014. She is an experience accountant with a TS degree in Accounting, and has over 10 years of diverse experience in managing the community kitchen and its affiliated projects, including cash-for-work projects, private catering events and catering community initiatives and training programs for NGOs such as Yassma & Bassma Initiative, the Red Cross, Right to Play, and Oxfam. Marwa is passionate about supporting women and children through mentoring and awareness sessions. She brings strong organizational skills, financial management expertise, and a commitment to community development.
Racha El Bissar
is a communications specialist with a background in economics, international affairs, journalism, and marketing. Since joining Ruwwad Lebanon in 2020, she has led internal and external communications, developing proposals, reports, fundraising materials, and social media content. Racha played a key role in establishing Ruwwad Lebanon’s communications department and shaping its voice and visibility. With degrees in International Affairs and Economics, and professional experience across different sectors, she brings a unique lens to development work, translating complex issues into accessible narratives and amplifying community voices.
Tharaa Captan
has been Communications Officer at Ruwwad Lebanon since 2022, with over 13 years of experience in multimedia design, art direction, and university teaching. She holds a Master’s in Multimedia and Graphic Design and has shaped the organization’s visual identity in Lebanon.
Tharaa leads all visual content production, from event branding to donor communications, and manages photography, videography, and design across campaigns. She has also trained Ruwwad scholars in media skills, building a youth-led visual team. Her work is rooted in a belief in the power of visuals to drive change and tell community stories.
