OUR TEAM
Over the years, MECI widened its scope and diversified its programs to reach the different segments of Middle Eastern communities impacted by conflict. Throughout our journey, one thing has stayed the same: the dedication and perseverance embodied by both our leadership and on-ground teams.
Coming from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds, everyone at MECI believes they have a role to play in driving impactful positive change for children scarred by poverty, conflict and violence.
Lola Nashashibi Grace
Founder & Executive Chair
Venture philanthropist Lola Nashashibi Grace founded the Middle East Children’s Institute (MECI) in 2005 to bring hope and healing into the war-torn lives of women and children in the Middle East.
Lola began her career in investment banking and asset management before moving into investment management and financial advisory businesses, all the while taking leadership roles in philanthropic and community causes.
Lola currently serves on the Advisory Board of Citi Private Bank EMEA. She is Honorary Trustee of the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, a genetic and cancer research institute. Lola founded the Women in Science project for the Center for Integrated Genetics at the University of Lausanne and is co-founder of Impact Cancer Foundation.
Lola holds BA, MA, and MBA degrees from Stanford University, speaks four languages and has 5 children. She is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, Women Moving Millions and has been awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.
Lina Farouqi
Regional Director
- Jordan
Prior to joining MECI, Lina spent over 30 years in management roles within Jordan’s educational and nonprofit sectors. As Assistant Country Director at AMIDEAST, Lina played an active role in the organization’s national activities before taking on management and directorship positions at the Arab Academy of Banking and Finance, where she oversaw multi-million dollar operations for the Academy Training Center.
Lara Bouchedid
Director of Operations and Marketing
– Switzerland
Having experienced war while growing up in Lebanon, Lara is dedicated to and passionate about giving back to Middle Eastern communities. She is a strong believer in the power of education and women’s empowerment to heal and restore hope in the future. Prior to joining MECI, Lara complemented her extensive experience in FMCG and pharma multinationals with volunteer work at Medair, a Swiss-based charity.
Salah Daraghmeh
Program Director
- Palestine
Salah has a distinguished twenty-years experience in leadership roles within the international Humanitarian sectors in Palestine and other regions – MENA , South and Central Asia and in North and East Africa. His latest missions were with "Médecins Sans Frontières” in the West Bank, Sudan - North Darfur and South Syria. As a former teacher with a background in education, he is passionate about women's empowerment and overall child development. He also holds an MBA and has a diploma in accounting and financial management.