Personal Statement

I have been working across the private, public, non-profit, and academic sectors to promote conflict management and coexistence through, good governance, education and participatory planning in Iraq and Iraqi Kurdistan with over 30 years of experience in humanitarian relief and development, my focus has been on public policy, leadership, and management.

From a large family of nine children, I am the only daughter. Throughout my schooling in Iraq I excelled despite political constraints. As a woman in a patriarchal-dominant society, I have been asserting myself and served at the highest levels in the public arena with distinction.

Against the odds, I gained admission to Harvard University and excelled at earning a graduate degree in political economics as applied to public policy and management. I attained senior leadership positions in Iraq with the United Nations and at top, ministerial level in both regional and national governments. In a highly potent – and threatening – political environment, I have been a public service professional who applied practice and undertook relevant research in Iraq. My endeavors had particular reference to conflict resolution, women’s issues, community development, and management of public resources. I have been known for my integrity, energy and enthusiasm, initiative, and effectiveness.

Following service with IOM as my first professional work, I began serving with UNIRCU, the coordinating agency for the UN humanitarian program in Iraq. UNIRCU primarily focused on reconstruction and resettlement of more than 4,000 communities destroyed by the regime of Saddam Hussein. These communities included small villages and towns of more than 30,000 people. Construction of family shelters, water systems, schools, health centers, and access roads were the main activities. My professional background and successful involvement in the field with families and local leaders demonstrated admirable personal qualities and leadership abilities. With the commencement of the exceedingly well-funded oil-for-food program, I assumed management and fiscal responsibility of a UN-Habitat field office, the first local staff member to head a UN office in Iraq. In this position, I further successfully demonstrated my leadership and management capabilities.

Aspiring to positions of higher public service responsibility, I earned admission as a Mason Fellow to the mid-career master in public administration program at the Harvard Kennedy School. As the youngest member at 30 years in my class of about 200 where the average age was 38, with the minimum 7 years of public service experience when the average was 15 years, without previous experience away from my home, in a very foreign environment, I rose to the challenge and did very well. Notably, I rapidly adjusted to case study courses requiring intense preparation and class participation that was very unfamiliar compared to my past academic experience of military-like instruction that neglected the development of critical thinking skills.

Upon successful completion of my Harvard experience, including additional training for senior managers in government, I was appointed KRG Minister of Reconstruction & Development, a cabinet ministerial position responsible for policy development for the reconstruction and resettlement of destroyed communities in two of the three provinces of the Kurdistan Region, an area of two million people. For four years, in negotiations with UN-Habitat and UNICEF, and international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), I led the regional government’s program to improve the quality of life for thousands of rural families who were forcibly displaced, suffered the destruction of their homes and communities, and led disrupted lives for many years until they were able to return following the 1991 war and the establishment of a safe haven protected by US led coalition forces.

Following the overthrow of the regime of Saddam Hussein in 2003, I was appointed as the only woman to the first interim Iraqi government in Baghdad as Cabinet Minister of Municipalities & Public Works responsible for water and sanitation services, municipal roads and buildings, gardens and parks, and urban planning throughout the country.

This was an extraordinarily difficult experience during a period of national transition and turmoil, leading a 45,000-member ministry that was in disarray. I continued over a period of thirty-three months through two additional interim governments, replete with serious political confrontations and life-threatening incidents.

During this period I conducted myself with professionalism and poise with senior foreign representatives including ambassadors, ministers, prime ministers, and heads of state. I led national delegations to senior level foreign conferences and participated in major international forums, including the World Economic Forum at Davos.

While facing formidable challenges, despite very threatening conditions, I moved highly problematic situations toward resolution. For my public service I received international recognition and awards. My dignified character and impeccable integrity have been absolutely above reproach, attributes that have especially endeared me to those who assigned me to the leadership positions I held, and which have earned me the abiding support of colleagues and friends.

With the United Nations, the Kurdistan Regional Government, and with the Government of Iraq, I have grown, developed, performed, and distinguished myself as a leading woman in public service. Following my strong experience at the local, regional, and national levels I intended to deepen my knowledge and understanding of the politics of development through participation in a PhD program related to my past training and extensive experience. My senior level positions to date have been an introduction to the challenges and opportunities I would face in the future.

I believe I bring a unique understanding and in-depth experience of the region during these critical times. As a native of the MENA Region who was born, grew up, and schooled in Baghdad, fluent in Arabic, Kurdish and English, and notably as a woman, I bring unique observations and insights of potential interest and use to leaders and others.