Maysa Jalbout stands at the forefront of education advocacy and philanthropy in the Arab world. As the CEO of the Abdullah Al Ghurair Foundation, she leads the largest privately funded foundation dedicated to education in the region. With a career spanning across philanthropy, development programs, and education, Jalbout has made it her mission to empower the most vulnerable communities, including refugees.
Having experienced displacement herself as a former refugee, Jalbout is deeply committed to supporting refugees and advocating for their rights. Her work extends beyond conventional approaches, as she champions campaigns and organizations that challenge the status quo and set higher standards for achievement. Through her leadership, she actively channels aid to education goals, promotes gender equity policies, and develops programs for hard-to-reach communities, particularly those in conflict zones.
Jalbout’s journey in education and development began with her tenure in Ottawa, Canada, where she served in various roles within the Government of Canada. Her experience includes positions at the Canadian International Development Agency and Human Resources Development Canada, where she focused on social policy and youth employment. Prior to her government roles, Jalbout started her career with AIESEC, an international youth leadership organization promoting cultural understanding through exchanges.
In addition to her work in Canada, Jalbout spent five years in Jordan, where she played pivotal roles as the Founding CEO of the Queen Rania Foundation and the Vice-Chair of the Jordan River Foundation. Her diverse experiences have equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of the complex challenges facing education and development in the MENA region.
Jalbout’s current areas of research encompass philanthropy in education, the future of jobs in the MENA region, technology in education, and the impact of conflict on children. As a Non-Resident Fellow of the Centre for Universal Education at the Brookings Institution and a board member of the International Baccalaureate Organization, she continues to drive forward-thinking initiatives to shape the future of education.
With her unwavering dedication and visionary leadership, Maysa Jalbout exemplifies the transformative power of education and philanthropy in creating a brighter future for communities across the Arab world and beyond.
