As Executive Director of UPA since 2011, Saleem leads a diverse staff across five areas of operation (Gaza, West Bank, Lebanon, Jordan and Washington, DC). During this period, he has provided strategic leadership in the expansion of UPA’s capacity to meet the growing relief and development needs of the most vulnerable Palestinian communities in the MENA region.

Saleem brings 35 years of executive experience in both the non-profit and private sectors. Prior to joining UPA, Saleem was a practicing architect, city planner and university professor who co-founded the first homebuilding and mortgage financing company in Palestine. He has managed large-scale land acquisition and development projects both in the Middle East and the United States. With extensive, first-hand knowledge of the social and political environment in the Middle East and as a certified non-profit coach, Saleem frequently offers his broad range of expertise and industry knowledge to numerous local advocacy and international development efforts.

Saleem grew up in Ramallah, Palestine. He attended Ramallah Friends School, the American University of Beirut, Earlham College, and Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. He currently resides in Maryland while maintaining close ties to his community in Palestine.

Jackie joined UPA as a grants manager in 2016 and today leads the organization’s institutional fundraising efforts. She has over a decade of leadership, program development, proposal writing, and project management experience in international and domestic settings. Prior to joining UPA, Jackie served as assistant director of economic development at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, where she worked to establish a supercomputer center and to further several state-level economic development initiatives. She is a graduate of Loyola University Maryland and holds master’s degrees in public policy and environmental management from Duke University. Jackie enjoys music, traveling, and seizing the day.

Jennifer is an international development professional with more than 10 years experience overseeing health, humanitarian relief, education, and democracy and governance projects in the Middle East region. Ever since spending all four of her high school years in Beirut, Lebanon volunteering with youth in the Sabra and Shatila Palestinian refugee camps, her academic and professional interests have been centered around the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the dire situation of Palestinian refugees, especially those living in camps in Lebanon. Ms. Ibrahim earned her bachelor’s degree in International Affairs and Middle East Studies from the George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs in Washington, DC and her master’s degree in Peace and Justice Studies from the University of San Diego’s Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies.

Ru Freeman is a Sri Lankan born writer and activist whose creative and political work has appeared internationally in English and in translation. She is the author of the essay collection Bon Courage: Essays on Inheritance, Citizenship & A Creative Life (2023), the short story collection, Sleeping Alone (2022), and the novels A Disobedient Girl (2009), and On Sal Mal Lane (2013), a NYT Editor’s Choice Book. She is editor of the anthology, Extraordinary Rendition: (American) Writers on Palestine (2016), and Indivisible: Global Leaders on Shared Security (2019). She holds an MFA in Poetry, an MA in Labor Studies, researching female migrant labor in the countries of Kuwait, the U.A.E, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and has worked at the Institute for Policy Studies in Washington, DC, the South Asia office of the American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL/CIO), and the American Friends Service Committee in their humanitarian and disaster relief programs.

Maryam joins UPA as the Regional Director of Programs overseeing projects in Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon. She brings a wealth of leadership experience, with over a decade of broad technical expertise in education, mental health and psychosocial support, and community engagement and development, especially in youth programming. She has both designed and managed multidisciplinary and complex humanitarian and development programs, particularly in crises and emergencies, all designed to improve the lived experiences of affected populations through purposeful, meaningful, and impactful programming. Maryam is an expert in advancing the delivery of services and strengthening the quality of crises-responses through developing resilient, holistic, and multifaceted approaches that promote empowerment and accountability. She has effectively managed large teams, with a proven track record of capacity-building and supporting organizations to meet their strategic priorities. A central pillar of her work has involved facilitating collaboration across multi-sectoral and multi-functional teams to achieve common goals.

She is passionate about advancing the agenda of young people and designing programs that remedy the impediments children and youth face, while supporting them to reach their greatest potential and simultaneously address the root causes affecting their realities. Maryam is an enthusiastic proponent of social justice and has worked closely with refugee communities across the Middle East, particularly in Lebanon. Maryam earned her Bachelor of Arts from Columbia University’s Columbia College, double majoring in Political Science and Human Rights. She went on to obtain her Master of International Affairs from Columbia University’s School of International Public Affairs (SIPA) with a focus on humanitarian and refugee affairs in the Middle East.

Ian Smith is an operations and research professional with extensive experience in nonprofit administration in the Washington, DC area. Ian holds an M.A. in Conflict Resolution from Georgetown University and a B.A. in Globalization Studies with a concentration in Middle East Studies from Gettysburg College. He is committed to promoting development and justice in Palestine, and enjoys studying piano in his spare time.

Daniah is originally from Jerusalem, Palestine and has an educational background in Interior Design. She has worked on major construction projects in the Middle East and Africa, including the Boulevard Abdali in Amman, Jordan, the Kempinski Hotel, and private villas. She has earned a Positive Psychology certificate from the University of Pennsylvania and has worked closely with children suffering from post-COVID-19 ailments. As a multicultural woman, she has invested her free time in helping and coaching others in need.

Rana Hayyeh is a community-oriented writer and researcher driven by advocacy for marginalized communities. Rana has utilized her academic and professional experiences to advocate for her community by focusing on research and work experiences that derive their purpose and mission from the people they serve. In her undergraduate studies, Rana earned a B.A. in International Relations and used her degree to further understand the intersection of Middle Eastern history and development. She strives to increase accessibility to necessary educational and professional resources in the Palestinian community, further propelling sustainable development amongst Palestinians globally.

Tabitha is a Palestinian-American who recently graduated magna cum laude from McDaniel College with a B.A. in Sociology. She is dedicated to furthering UPA’s mission by using creative and informative ways to raise awareness regarding the historical and current events in Palestine, connecting with impassioned people and organizations, and serving her community both as an Arab and a citizen of the world. In her free time Tabitha likes to read, spend time with her family and friends, and listen to music.

Ayman Shuaibi brings more than 24 years of extended expertise in leading the design and the implementation of different humanitarian and development programs and strategies in West Bank and Gaza, staff management, strategic planning, resource mobilization, programs quality, Nexus programing, partnership management, networking, and coordination. He most recently served as the Programs Manager of CARE, where he was responsible for dozens of project implementations as well as supervising numerous staff members in West Bank and Gaza.

Hanna Rabah is an experienced development and project management expert. He has over 10 years of experience in governmental reform, health development, data management, performance monitoring, and donor coordination. He has worked with governmental, private sector, and international development agencies in Palestine. Before joining UPA, he worked extensively with the Palestinian Ministry of Health to establish an e-health system, particularly in designing and monitoring technical implementation. He also has experience in managing data flow systems for public, private sector, and donor projects. Mr. Rabah has a BA degree in computer science from Earlham College – Richmond, Indiana. He is fluent in Arabic and English.

Is a seasoned finance professional with over 22 years of experience in the field. Bashar Idkaidek currently serves as the Director of Finance at UPA, after an esteemed 18-year career in the same role at the A.M. Qattan Foundation. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration (MBA), which provide him with a robust understanding of financial management. Bashar has a well-rounded background that includes expertise in accounting, finance, budgeting, human resources, procurement, and management across both local and international development organizations. His blend of academic background and practical experience empowers him to drive impactful financial strategies within not-for-profit entities, significantly enhancing their operational efficiencies and financial controls.

Amal comes to UPA with over 25 years of experience and an accomplished background in the emergency and humanitarian sectors, community development, and NGOs dedicated to agriculture, culture, and education in both Palestine and Lebanon. She is a registered pharmacist with a master’s degree in public and community health, and has a breadth of experience in research and data analysis, teaching, donor communication and engagement, strategic program development, project management and implementation, and monitoring and evaluation.

Rula Saad comes to UPA with experience in international development, non-profit partnerships, and the private sector. She worked at Jawwal, the largest telecommunications company in Palestine, for 11 years, in various positions and networked with over 400 national and international partners. Rula also worked with IREX’s Partnership with Youth Program in Palestine for three years to provide support for Palestinian youth through sustainable programming. She has represented Palestine in several national and international events, demonstrating her passion in support of the Palestinian community. Rula holds a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Birzeit University and a Diploma in Human Resources from Pitman Training.

Spiro holds a BA in Accounting and Business Administration from Birzeit University in Ramallah, Palestine, and earned a CPA certificate from the Guam Board of Accountancy in 2019. After working for 12 years in financial management, Spiro has gained advanced knowledge in overseeing organizational financial operations, managing financial activities, financial analysis and planning, accounting operations and reporting, budgeting, and external auditing. Spiro has extensive experience establishing and improving upon organizations’ financial policies and providing compliance reviews of procurement and financial transactions, contracts, and grants. Before joining UPA as the Finance Manager, Spiro was the Finance Manager for RWDS and a finance officer of DAI Europe.

Natalie is a strategic communications professional with a passion for helping others and working in the nonprofit sector. She holds an M.A. in Strategic Communications with a concentration in Corporate Communication and Reputation Management from American University, and a B.A. in Integrative Studies with a concentration in Leadership and Organizational Development from George Mason University. Natalie is committed to using effective communication to drive positive change and strategic development. In her free time, Natalie enjoys listening to music as well as connecting with family and friends.

Jack Rabah holds a BA in Computer Science from Earlham College in Indiana, U.S. and an MBA from Birzeit University, Palestine. Jack is a seasoned communications and media professional with extensive expertise in media production as well as in most aspects of the communications including creative design, campaign planning, media and print production, copywriting, events management, and research and evaluations. Previous to UPA, Jack filled various positions including the Communications Director at Taawon-Palestine, Business Development Director at the Palestinian communications agency Al Nasher as well as an independent media and communication consultant. He led major campaigns and events including USAID/WBG public awareness and outreach multiyear projects and coordinating several exhibitions. Prior to his work in media and communications, Jack worked in several other professions including systems administration and software development. Jack enjoys photography, reading, cooking, and byzantine chanting.

Majd is an accomplished clinical pharmacist with a vast experience in community pharmacies and clinical hospital work. She holds a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Jordan University of Science and Technology, and a master’s degree in public health from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem- Hadassah. Majd has over 8 years of academic experience at the faculty of Pharmacy at Birzeit University as an instructor, and as a clinical preceptor responsible for clinical rotations with West Bank and East Jerusalem hospitals. Her clinical experience includes infectious diseases, neurology, psychiatry and gynecology. She also served as a pharmacy manager and clinical consultant for insurance companies. Majd was born and raised in Jerusalem, and is fluent in Arabic, English, French and Hebrew. She enjoys playing the Piano, reading and traveling.

Faten Husary has extensive experience in project management and planning in the fields of education, culture, society, and development, including women and youth focused projects. She also has a strong background in financial analysis and budgeting, M&E, log frame analysis, and has supported the implementation of several projects in the region.

Dr. Ivona Amleh received her medical degree from the University of Belgrade in former Yugoslavia, and later her psychiatry degree in the University Hospital ‘Rebro’ in Zagreb, Croatia, in1993. Before coming to Palestine in 1995, she gained experience as a young psychiatrist in working with people traumatized by war in Croatia and with Bosnian refugees in the Netherlands. She joined Bethlehem Psychiatric Hospital in 1999, where she continued to work until 2021, holding for years the position of the Acting Medical Director. Over all those years she was a clinical tutor and lecturer in psychiatry to medical students of Al-Quds University, holding in recent years also a leading position in the education of the residents in psychiatry trained at the same place. She has been a member of the Specialized Scientific Committee For Psychiatry (the Examination Board) of the Palestinian Medical Council since 2008, and its elected Vice-President since 2019. Her major interest in psychiatry are the multifaceted sufferings of human beings as well as the pathways for recovery, especially as seen in the fields of trauma, psychosis, personality disorders and gender issues. She believes in transformative potential of human relations, and loves the coast of her Adriatic Sea and the whole Mediterranean area in its every point.

Razan brings five years of nonprofit accounting experience to UPA. She is responsible for accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and general accounting support. Prior to UPA, she worked as an Accountant and Administrative Assistant at the National Society for the Visually Handicapped, an organization that aims to improve the quality of life of blind and visually impaired Palestinians and facilitate their integration into the local community. She has wide experience and knowledge in budgeting, reporting, bookkeeping, and ensuring that appropriate accounting policies are applied. Razan holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Bethlehem University in Bethlehem.

Tatiana Maayeh is the Admin and Finance Assistant for United Palestinian Appeal. She has extensive experience in administration, finance, and customer service, with over 25 years working in governmental and non-governmental organizations. She uses her diverse skills to contribute to the administrative wellbeing of the UPA office in Ramallah. Tatiana holds a bachelor’s degree in Communication Management from the University of Texas at Arlington. She also enjoys enhancing her knowledge by taking online courses to gain and improve her administrative management abilities.

Areen holds a master’s degree in community and public health from Birzeit University and a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from Jordan University of Science and Technology. She has extensive and diverse experience in the fields of public health, biomedical engineering, project management, MEAL, and data utilization. Her enrolment in several consultancies and full-time positions with local and international organizations and with local and international partners provided her with wide knowledge in various areas including health, emergency response, psychosocial support, education, and research.

Dr. Mustafa Elmasri is a Palestinian psychiatrist. He received his medical degree from Alexandria University, Egypt. He received his psychiatry degree in 1996 from Ain Shams University in Egypt. Dr. Elmasri started working as a psychiatrist at the Gaza Mental Health Programme, as a clinical psychiatrist, researcher, and clinical supervisor.  He has worked in several developing countries on the design and implementation of psychosocial and mental health programs for children, women, and adults exposed to trauma from war, conflict and political violence.

He returned to Gaza in 2007 and worked with the WHO to implement mental health in primary care. He has developed training programs for psychosocial and mental health interventions in areas of conflict and developed training programs and manuals for trauma, mental health for children, gender-based violence and cognitive behavior therapy. He is currently working with UPA, as the clinical supervisor and trainer for the Healing through Feeling Program.

Prior to joining UPA, Mr. Khader Alrayyes held the position of community mental health worker at the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme.  Mr. Alrayyes earned a Bachelor degree in Sociology from Birzeit University as well as professional diploma in “Community Mental Health & Human Rights” from the Islamic University and Gaza Community Mental Health Programme.   He also joined as trained researcher in public polices at the Palestinian center for polices researches and strategical studies which published some papers for him. Currently he is preparing his master theses in psychology at Islamic University in Gaza.

Laila Mahmoud is an architect with nearly 12 years of experience dedicated to working with INGOs in Palestine and Jordan. Her expertise lies in projects related to food security, livelihood, and economic empowerment, with a particular focus on supporting the youth in these regions. Her passion for architecture has been the driving force behind her commitment to enhancing the built environment and creating sustainable structures, and has also played a vital role in promoting socio-economic development and community empowerment. Laila holds a post-graduate diploma in management for civil society. This qualification has equipped her with valuable skills in managing projects within the context of civil society organizations and an ability to lead and contribute to initiatives that promote positive social change.

Kareem  Abu Shabaan has a background in journalism and media and extensive experience in program coordination, procurement, and other administrative skills. He is dedicated to fostering a collaborative and efficient work environment.

Baker AlJed has a background in nursing and first aid. He earned a nursing diploma from Al Azhar University in Gaza, and then worked at El Nasr Pediatric Hospital as a nurse. He took several first aid training sessions, including a basic first aid course offered by the Palestine Academy for Training and Development, and an advanced first aid course from the Municipality of Gaza, which qualifies trainees to become an ambulance assistant and to teach first aid to other students. He participated in Injaz Palestine’s Project of Life, during which he received business administration training and successfully completed a carpentry project. In 2018, Baker joined the UPA team and now works at UPA’s office in Gaza.

Basma holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Al-Aqsa University. After graduating, she joined the Gaza Community Mental Health Program, where obtain a higher diploma in community mental health in cooperation with the Islamic University. She then worked at Aisha Association for Women and Child Protection in various capacities including providing psychological support, managing cases, and phone counseling.

Aya AlSaqqa holds BA degree in psychology from Al-Azhar University in Gaza. She completed multiple training courses on the role of mental health in the development of preschool children. She also worked as a trainer for Al-Amal Institute for Orphans and as a researcher for the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics. Aya gained additional statistical experience through her work in the field of international clinical research. In 2018, Aya joined UPA as an intern for the Healing Through Feeling program, and in 2019, she was promoted as an assistant mental health practitioner.

After working as a trainee for United Palestinian Appeal, Yasmine Ayyoub began working as an assistant mental health practitioner for the Healing Through Feeling program in 2019. Yasmine had worked before at the Norwegian Refugees Council (NRC) as a counselor at primary schools, an activator at Al-Qattan Foundation for Children, an activator at al Ahli Hospital, and a psychological first aid volunteer for The Palestine Red Crescent Society. Ms. Ayyoub has a BA degree in psychological counselling and educational guidance from the Islamic University of Gaza.

Eman holds a master’s degree in Community Mental Health, and two different bachelor’s degrees in medical technology and clinical Psychology. With eight years of experience in the mental health field, she has worked with different populations in different age groups, trained both mental health and medical staff, and occupied various positions at local and international NGOs in both ordinary and emergency settings.

Eman holds a BA degree in psychology from Al-Azhar University in Gaza and volunteered at Alwedad Society for Community Rehabilitation of two years doing human rights and community service work. Eman has done extensive training in this field and has done various workshops and community activities.

She also worked as a psychologist for two years in Al-Shifa Hospital and Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital on integrating mental health in hospitals implemented by MDM France and the Ministry of Health.

Mariam holds two BA degrees in social studies and psychology from the Islamic University in Gaza, focusing on counseling and educational guidance. She previously worked at many organizations supporting children’s mental health.

Naheel holds a BA degree in psychological counselling and guidance from the Faculty of Education at the Islamic University of Gaza. She brings experience working with children at several organizations such as The Norwegian Refugees Council (NRC) and MAAN Development Center.

Mohammed started his career in 2009 in several areas that were directly related to supporting the most vulnerable children and working to provide specialized services for cases. He worked at Save the Children as a life skills facilitator and then as a case manager at Tamer Foundation for Community Education for 6 years. Throughout his experience, he received a series of trainings, such as psychological first aid and standardized work procedures, which directly serve the case management system.

Ahmad Hudaib has a bachelor’s degree in physiotherapy from the Jordan University of Science and Technology, more than 14 years of experience in humanitarian work, and 8 years of experience as a Physiotherapist with the Center for Victims of Torture and the Community Based Rehabilitation project for persons with disabilities.

Ahmad also has 8 years of experience running health, livelihood, and basic needs projects in ICMC, World Vision, IRC, and IMC. He is looking forward to continuing working in the humanitarian field to support highly vulnerable people, improve their life quality through participating in building programs that match their needs, and advocate for their rights.

Hanna Tannous serves as the Logistic Coordinator for UPA in Jordan. He has significant experience is several fields: starting in 1984 Hanna worked for 7 years in his family’s construction business, and worked as a supervisor for two construction companies for an additional 4 years. He has also worked in the restaurant business in Palestine for 10 years, owned a restaurant in Jordan, and worked at Operation Mercy in Jordan for four years. Hanna moved from Palestine to Jordan in 2005, married in 2006, and has one daughter.

Iman holds a B.A. in Chartered Nursing from Jerash University and is a registered nurse with over 4 years of experience. She began her career as a staff nurse at Islamic Hospital, where she assisted physicians and healthcare teams in delivering comprehensive patient care services. She has also provided nursing care in acute and critical care units, conducting tests, recording vital signs, and administering medications. In her spare time, Eman enjoys spending time with his family and friends, hiking, and traveling.

Mohammad holds a B.A. in Nursing from Philadelphia University and has over six years of experience in the healthcare sector, including as a staff nurse in the emergency department of al-Saf’a Speciality Hospital in Jerash, and as a clinical instructor at Jerash University. Mohammad also worked with the International Medical Corps in al-Mafraq, during which time he performed patient care during the Covid crisis in al-Za’atari refugee camp. He is skilled in a variety of nursing competencies and is deeply committed to patient care.

Throughout my career, I have actively contributed to various NGOs in Jordan and Saudi Arabia, fostering a deep understanding of community development and the significant impact that NGOs can have on individuals and societies. My expertise lies in delivering tailored training programs aimed at empowering individuals with essential life skills and leadership capabilities

As a qualified trainer in multiple academic fields, I have successfully facilitated workshops, seminars, and training sessions, focusing on topics such as entrepreneurship, critical thinking, conflict resolution, and effective communication.

Haneen Nazzal is an accomplished professional with a strong background in graphic design, animation, and instructional design, specializing in the humanitarian sector since 2017. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Graphics and Animation from Princess Sumaya University, where she honed her passion for visual storytelling.

Katia comes equipped with three years of valuable experience as an administrative assistant in a contracting office company. Additionally, she devoted nine months to completing courses in Business Administration, Secretarial, and Office Management at YWCA. Katia demonstrates outstanding abilities in typing, multitasking, and organizational management

Bahija Mayasi is a Palestinian health professional currently based in Beirut, Lebanon. She holds a B.Sc. degree in Public Health from the American University of Beirut, with an emphasis on Environmental Health. Prior to joining UPA, she served as Executive Director at Health Care Society (HCS) for 18 years. Bahija has extensive experience in designing and managing health projects, conducting needs assessment, as well as evaluating and monitoring projects. She has experience working with patients with chronic diseases like kidney failure. Bahija attended numerous international workshops and conferences focusing on health management and public health in conflict zones. Before working at HCS, Bahija initiated and managed a project for women empowerment at the Jerash refugee camp in Jordan. She was also engaged in curriculum evaluation at Amman Baccalaureate School. Bahija also brings an extensive experience fundraising for health projects.

Khalid Shihabi is the Social Media Specialist at United Palestinian Appeal. With over five years of experience in digital marketing and an in-depth knowledge of Palestinian culture, he plays a crucial role in expanding the organization’s outreach and impact.