Safa Zherae

Safa is the Executive Assistant to the Chief Programme Officer (CPO). She supports the CPO to successfully implement the Foundation’s programmatic strategy. Safa also supports the CPO to manage a globally decentralised team based in Brazil, India, Israel, Jordan and the Netherlands.  

Before joining the Foundation, Safa worked as an Executive Assistant to the CEO of the Catholic Charities of Central New Mexico. There she managed several programmes to support newly arrived refugee families, such as affordable housing, adult education, and community integration. Safa’s responsibilities included educational programmes with the families’ children; witnessing its impact on their lives and communities is how her passion to support children took shape. 

Safa holds a Bachelor’s in English Literature from the University of Mustansirya.  

Originally from Iraq, Safa is hugely passionate about exploring new cultures, which is why she decided to move to the Netherlands after living in the United States for several years. In her free time, Safa practices her favourite hobby: baking cakes and pastries.