Aalaa Abuzaakouk is the deputy director of the Millennium Leadership Program at the Atlantic Council. In this role, she oversees team operations and manages international leadership programs, including the Millennium Fellowship and the European Leadership Accelerator. 

Abuzaakouk has extensive international experience working in nongovernmental organizations and the education sector. Before joining the Atlantic Council, she managed the Student Leaders Program at Georgetown University, where she worked with youth from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) committed to improving their communities. Abuzaakouk worked on MENA civil-society and governance programs at the National Endowment for Democracy and at Freedom House. She has written for Freedom House’s “Freedom in the World”, “Freedom of the Press”, and “Voices in the Streets” reports. At Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service in Doha, Qatar, Abuzaakouk developed community service projects, leadership programs, and international educational trips centered on conflict resolution and peacebuilding. 

Abuzaakouk holds a BS in international political economy with a minor in justice and peace studies and an MA in Arab studies, with a focus on economic and youth development, both from Georgetown University. Abuzaakouk also completed the Project Management Professional certification as well as certifications in diversity, equity, and inclusion and social impact consulting.