Mara joined IYF in 2008 as a partnerships specialist for Middle East/North Africa (MENA) programs. Mara has worked on projects in and related to the MENA region for over eight years. Before joining IYF, Mara worked at AMIDEAST, both in their Business Development department--coordinating corporate, foundation, and individual fund-raising efforts--and as a manager of the Fulbright scholarship program for students from the MENA region. Mara was a U.S. Fulbright grantee to Syria herself in 2001 and while in Syria, managed a U.S. State Department funded teacher training project and UNRWA’s English Language Club for Palestinian vocational students. She has also worked for the American University in Cairo.  Mara brings Arabic language skills and a deep knowledge of the MENA region to IYF.  Mara holds a Masters Degree in Near Eastern Studies from New York University and a Bachelors Degree in Anthropology from Stanford University.