Areas of Expertise
Project Management
Proposal Writing
Training & Workshops
Areas of Expertise (Other)
Non Profit Management
Short Bio
Sarah Al Charif has been the Lebanon Director of Ruwwad Al Tanmeya since its inception in 2012, leading the community development organization in Tripoli’s conflict-prone Tebbaneh and Jabal Mohsen areas. She drives positive change through youth education, child development, economic empowerment, civic engagement, social entrepreneurship, and peacebuilding.
In addition to her work in community development, Sarah has played a leadership role in crisis and emergency response, resource mobilization, relief coordination, and stakeholder engagement in her city, Tripoli.
Her deep commitment to women’s advancement led her to establish Atayeb Tarablos Community Kitchen and Beit El Mina Social Restaurant, two social ventures that empower financially distressed women by providing them with a steady income and support youth education through their proceeds.
Recognized as a young leader and influencer, Sarah participated in the European Union Visitors Program (EUVP) in 2023 and was named a Future Leader (Personnalité d’Avenir) by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs in 2021. She represented Lebanon at the World Economic Forum’s Annual Summit in Davos (2018) and was among the first cohort of young graduates from Lebanese universities selected for the Partnership for Lebanon program, where she was awarded a fellowship at Cisco in the United States in 2007.
She is an alumna of prestigious international programs, including the INSEAD Social Impact Entrepreneurship Program, THNK School of Creative Leadership, and the Swedish Institute’s She Entrepreneurs Program.
Sarah is an active member of the Women’s Peacebuilding Network in Lebanon (WPNL), supported by the Swiss Embassy and organized by UN Women. She holds an MBA from the American University of Beirut (AUB) and a Bachelor’s degree in Business from the Lebanese University. Additionally, she is a Social Entrepreneur, Leadership Development Trainer, and Accredited Coach.
In addition to her work in community development, Sarah has played a leadership role in crisis and emergency response, resource mobilization, relief coordination, and stakeholder engagement in her city, Tripoli.
Her deep commitment to women’s advancement led her to establish Atayeb Tarablos Community Kitchen and Beit El Mina Social Restaurant, two social ventures that empower financially distressed women by providing them with a steady income and support youth education through their proceeds.
Recognized as a young leader and influencer, Sarah participated in the European Union Visitors Program (EUVP) in 2023 and was named a Future Leader (Personnalité d’Avenir) by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs in 2021. She represented Lebanon at the World Economic Forum’s Annual Summit in Davos (2018) and was among the first cohort of young graduates from Lebanese universities selected for the Partnership for Lebanon program, where she was awarded a fellowship at Cisco in the United States in 2007.
She is an alumna of prestigious international programs, including the INSEAD Social Impact Entrepreneurship Program, THNK School of Creative Leadership, and the Swedish Institute’s She Entrepreneurs Program.
Sarah is an active member of the Women’s Peacebuilding Network in Lebanon (WPNL), supported by the Swiss Embassy and organized by UN Women. She holds an MBA from the American University of Beirut (AUB) and a Bachelor’s degree in Business from the Lebanese University. Additionally, she is a Social Entrepreneur, Leadership Development Trainer, and Accredited Coach.
Experience with the Civil Society
I have 18 years of extensive experience working with civil society, particularly in the fields of community development, social entrepreneurship, youth and women empowerment, and civic engagement. As the Founding Country Director of Ruwwad Al Tanmeya in Lebanon, I led the establishment and expansion of a flagship community center in Tripoli, strategically located on the conflict line between Tebbaneh and Jabal Mohsen. The center became a safe and transformative space for youth, women, and children, providing educational support, civic engagement opportunities, and grassroots leadership training.
Throughout my career, I have collaborated with a wide range of civil society actors including NGOs, community-based organizations, grassroots movements, advocacy groups, academic institutions, and social enterprises. I designed and implemented participatory development programs, built local alliances, supported youth volunteerism, and engaged in cross-sector partnerships to amplify the impact of civil society efforts.
Moreover, I have delivered numerous trainings and capacity-building workshops for civil society actors on topics such as leadership, conflict resolution, organizational development, project management, and strategic planning. My work has consistently aimed at empowering communities to lead their own change and strengthening civil society as a critical pillar for inclusive and sustainable development.
Throughout my career, I have collaborated with a wide range of civil society actors including NGOs, community-based organizations, grassroots movements, advocacy groups, academic institutions, and social enterprises. I designed and implemented participatory development programs, built local alliances, supported youth volunteerism, and engaged in cross-sector partnerships to amplify the impact of civil society efforts.
Moreover, I have delivered numerous trainings and capacity-building workshops for civil society actors on topics such as leadership, conflict resolution, organizational development, project management, and strategic planning. My work has consistently aimed at empowering communities to lead their own change and strengthening civil society as a critical pillar for inclusive and sustainable development.
Education
Date
Degree Type
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Degree
Business Administration Degree
University
American University of Beirut (AUB)
Date
Degree Type
Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
Degree
Business Degree
University
Lebanese University
Language Proficiency
Language
Arabic
Proficiency
Fluent
Language
English
Proficiency
Fluent
Language
French
Proficiency
Very Good
Civil society actor(s) you've collaborated with (Please list at least 2)
Contact Email
sarah.alcharif@gmail.com
Contact Phone Number
009613198516
Resume/CV
sarah_al_charif_-_cv_.pdf
(285.34 KB)