Yomna Gaafar was assistant director for the Atlantic Council’s Freedom and Prosperity Center. She has a wide range of international expertise with organizations such as the World Bank, the United Nations, the Egyptian Ministry of International Cooperation, and Endeavor Global.

Prior to joining the Atlantic Council, Gaafar concluded her two master’s degrees from Columbia University and the London School of Economics, specializing in public administration in economic policy and data analytics. Her thesis, presented to the World Bank, has received the Isaac Anderson Rauch Award for Excellence. Gaafar has also been awarded the Women Achievement Award from McKinsey and the Blocker Endowment Scholarship from Columbia University. Gaafar’s passion is to transform economic systems in developing countries and shape their policy agendas. Her hope is that one day, she will be able to change the narrative for women and empower young aspiring female leaders as she has been empowered.