AMEL NAJJAR 

FOUNDING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 

FINANCIAL TIMES COVER PAGE FEATURE AND INTERVIEW

Since founding Children of War Foundation in 2010, Amel has dedicated her time on an unpaid and volunteer basis, serving as Founding Executive Director, leading the organization's strategic priorities, with oversight to develop, innovate and drive implementation of the organization’s mission, goals and vision.

In addition to heading COWF, Amel sits on several governing boards for international organizations, advises as well as consults on projects in the areas of social and international development in public and private sectors. Amel is an advocate for Children's Hospital L.A. Division of Pediatric Plastic Surgery, advocating for current life altering research and innovative breakthroughs in neonatal and pediatric surgery. She has also worked with, volunteered, mentored, partnered with with NGO's, various private, public, academic & institutional entities, including; International Rescue Committee's Innovation and Research arm Airbel, U.N. ECOSOC, U.N.H.C.R. Jordan, Frontida Records, Summit Fellows, U.N.I.C.E.F., Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Bernard Mevs Hospital Haiti, Project Medi Share, Shriners Hospital, Mayo Clinic, Operation Smile, Takreem USA , International Health City Dubai, Entity Academy, WomenOne, Caritas International, U.N. Women for Peace, Farah Medical Campus, Royal Medical Services of Jordan, Ronald McDonald House Charities, American Red Cross, Frontida, among others.

Amel is an advocate for human rights concerns, including access to global development opportunities, children's welfare, secular education & inclusive empowerment initiatives. Having traveled to over 100 countries, and nearly 20 years of front line experience, working with displaced and marginalized communities, Amel's interest and areas of knowledge include; post conflict development, social and infrastructure development of emerging and developing markets, sustainable economic development in regions with growth potential, alternative investment solutions, micro & social finance initiatives, global resettlement, migration, refugee population integration, as well as access to healthcare through collective partnerships & technology solutions.

Amel envisions a world without unnecessary suffering, where every person, regardless of race, religion, gender, residence or ability to pay, has access to health care, education, and economic well being through connectivity and a more networked world.

Amel’s studies include;

  • M.B.A. - University of Oxford, Said Business School

  • B.A. - University of California San Diego, Political Science and International Relations & Minor Middle East Studies.

  • Artificial Intelligence in Health Care Program - MIT Sloan School of Management

  • The Aspen Institute Executive Leadership - Oxford-Aspen Leadership Seminar

  • Women's Transforming Leadership program - University of Oxford, Said Business School.

  • Accounting and Bookkeeping - University of California Los Angeles, UCLA extension