Barbara Ibrahim

Barbara Ibrahim is founding director of the John D. Gerhart Center for Philanthropy and Civic Engagement (2006-2014) at the American University in Cairo, and currently advisor to the President. She holds an MA from the American University of Beirut and a PhD in sociology from Indiana University. Her publications address philanthropy in the Arab region, youth activism in Egypt and challenges to civil society in the Arab transitions. She is currently writing on university civic education and...See more

Barbara Ibrahim is founding director of the John D. Gerhart Center for Philanthropy and Civic Engagement (2006-2014) at the American University in Cairo, and currently advisor to the President. She holds an MA from the American University of Beirut and a PhD in sociology from Indiana University. Her publications address philanthropy in the Arab region, youth activism in Egypt and challenges to civil society in the Arab transitions. She is currently writing on university civic education and serves on the board of directors of Worldwide Initiatives for Grantmaker Support (WINGS) and the International Center for Non-Profit Law. Heba Abou Shnief is currently a research advisor at the American University in Cairo's Gerhart Center for Philanthropy and Civic Engagement, where she leads work examining strategic philanthropic practices and philanthropy eco-systems. She has over 17 years of experience in development and policy-relevant research. Abou Shnief has designed and led research programs in regional, government and university affiliated think-tanks in the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region; she has also advised a number of intergovernmental bodies, international organizations, grant-making foundations and the private sector. In addition to authoring and co-authoring publications in the field of philanthropy, economic governance and political economy issues, Abou Shnief is a 2014 Senior International Fellow of the City University of New York's (CUNY's) Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society. See less