Walaa M. Ahmed
Director
Walaa Musheer Ahmed, born in 1991 in Duhok, began her community work as a volunteer at the age of 17. In 2014, she joined humanitarian response efforts supporting internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Iraq, and in 2017 founded the Better World Organization for Community Development (BWOCD). In 2018, she represented Iraq/Kurdistan as a MENA Fellow of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and was recognized as an Influential Alumna of the University of Duhok. Walaa is a One Young World Ambassador and 2023 Summit speaker, and in 2024 was selected for the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) of the U.S. Department of State. She continues to lead BWOCD’s work on youth empowerment, women’s rights, and community resilience.
Kawther M. Saeed M. Ali
Deputy Director / Program Manager
Kawther Mohammed Saeed is a member of the Executive Management Team at Better World Organization for Community Development, serving as Deputy Director. In this role, she provides strategic and operational leadership, oversees multi-sectoral programs, and contributes to strengthening organizational systems and management. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature from the University of Duhok and has over eight years of experience in civil society, with a strong focus on protection, mental health and psychosocial support, women’s empowerment, climate action, and youth engagement. Kawther is an alumna of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) and has participated in other international leadership and capacity-building programs, gaining exposure to global best practices in community development, civic engagement, and organizational leadership. She has extensive experience supervising project teams, coordinating with local and international partners, and supporting the design and implementation of impactful, community-based initiatives.
Payman J. Hassan
Operations Manager
Payman Jameel Hassan is a member of the Executive Management Team of the Better World Organization and serves as Operations Manager. She graduated from the Department of Finance and Banking at the University of Duhok and holds a Master’s degree in Finance from IIUM University in Malaysia. Payman has five years of experience in financial management and two years of experience in operations management, where she manages the finance, logistics/procurement, and HR departments. One of the main areas Payman focuses on and contributes to at BWOCD is the development of policies and systems for the operations departments.
Hidra Y. Yaqoob
MEAL Manager
Hidra Yalda Yaqoob is a member of the Executive Management Team at Better World Organization, where she serves as the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) Manager. She is a graduate of the University of Duhok, College of Law and Politics, and brings over 11 years of experience in the humanitarian sector, having held various leadership roles in management and supervision. In her current role, Hidra leads the development and strengthening of the MEAL function, ensuring that organizational policies, systems, and practices promote transparency, accountability, learning, and the delivery of high-quality programs across BWOCD.
