Samar Alshorafa is the Founding CEO of She is Arab, a social business with a vision to help increase Arab women’s participation in the workforce and in leadership through economic autonomy in the region and beyond. Before that, Samar spent over 15 years working in the field of international development and consulting in MENA with organizations such as IFC – World Bank Group, European Commission’s Industrial Modernization Program for Egypt, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation and Education for Employment.
An advocate for women’s economic inclusion and social impact, Samar is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Social Business & Entrepreneurship at the London School of Economics (LSE). Samar was recognized as one of ’50 global women leaders driving a business with social impact’ by being awarded the prestigious ‘Vital Voices Grow Fellowship 2021.’ She was also recognized as one of ’50 Inspiring Female Business Leaders 2022′ and on the ‘Arab Power List 2021’ among 100 business leaders who have had a significant impact on life in MENA, both by Arabian Business.
She is a General Assembly member of Taawon NGO and an International Ambassador to the GCC for LSE Generate, the school’s home for entrepreneurship program focusing on socially-driven ventures.