Morocco

Ahmed Chanouni has organized and participated in several community projects, including humanitarian caravans, youth leadership initiatives, and sustainable projects. Currently, he works as a finance officer at an international NGO, where he combines data-driven approaches with a passion for driving change in remote areas of southern Morocco. He is an enthusiastic person who always brings dynamism and a smile to those around him. He holds a master’s degree from the National School of Business and Management, where he studied finance and accounting management. 

Anas is a cultural actor from Oujda city, with an MA in Moroccan American studies at Hassan II University. He is a project coordinator with the Olive Writers and founder of Artwave Initiative, and an intern at Casamemoire. In parallel, he collaborates with the American Space Oujda and the American Arts Center and has worked in different projects related to cultural programming, youth engagement, and community-based initiatives that aim to strengthen dialogue through arts and culture. He is also an alumnus of NIMAR’s School of Democracy.

Mouad Bouchhra is from Salé, Morocco. His academic journey began with significant challenges, as he dropped out of school at the age of 13. After briefly attending a vocational program in aluminum work, he joined a local development association in his neighborhood, which played a crucial role in helping him reintegrate into the education system. Through a year of non-formal education, he successfully transitioned back into formal schooling.

Mouad’s academic path then took a remarkable turn. He earned a bachelor’s degree in film and audiovisual production management and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in film and television. Alongside his studies, he remains an active member of the same association that supported him, dedicating his time to civic engagement initiatives. Notably, he founded “Yes You Can,” a project that supports university students in rural areas and prevents school dropout through English and soft skills workshops.

Mouad's Global UGRAD experience strengthened his academic and interpersonal skills, deepen his understanding on the rich American cultural aspects while serving as cultural ambassador and deepened his commitment to community service.

Otmane Ikinou is a CPGE (Classes Préparatoires aux Grandes Écoles) instructor from Morocco, where he focuses on developing students’ analytical thinking, intellectual curiosity, and problem-solving skills. His teaching approach emphasizes clarity, structure, and active engagement with complex ideas.

His experience as a Global UGRAD alumnus in the United States had a lasting impact on him. It broadened his perspective, strengthened his belief in cultural exchange, and deepened his commitment to civic engagement and community involvement.

He is especially interested in how education can nurture democratic values and, alongside technology, strengthen critical thinking and shape the next generation of leaders.

Otmane is excited to connect with fellow alumni, share experiences, and collaborate on ideas that bring people together and create positive impact in our communities. He looks forward to engaging in conversations that celebrate and promote dialogue and reflect the spirit of the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence.

Walid Taleb has a background in business development, community engagement, and program coordination across Europe and North Africa. He has been actively involved in non-profit and youth leadership initiatives, notably through AIESEC, where he served as National Head of Business Development in Morocco, coordinating programs across 12 local offices and working closely with partners to support youth development and cross-cultural exchange.

Throughout his journey, Walid has contributed to designing and delivering programs that focus on leadership development, community impact, and stakeholder engagement, managing large-scale participant interactions and fostering collaboration across diverse cultural contexts. His experience spans working with international teams, supporting youth empowerment initiatives, and contributing to projects that create meaningful social and educational impact.

He is passionate about building inclusive, scalable programs that empower individuals and communities, and continues to stay engaged in initiatives that promote global cooperation and leadership development.