About us
HISTORY
Sawiris Foundation for Social Development (SFSD) is one of the first donor foundations in Egypt. It was established by the Sawiris family in 2001 to philanthropically support innovative solutions that target comprehensive and sustainable development in Egypt. Over the last 23 years, SFSD has addressed the most pressing issues facing marginalized Egyptians, such as poverty, unemployment, and limited access to quality education, by funding the delivery of developmental programs in partnership with government, private sectors as well as civil society, in 24 Egyptian governorates, with focus on the most remote villages and in-need communities.
VISION
MISSION
OUR PHILOSOPHY
At Sawiris Foundation, we believe in moving beyond traditional charity to embrace a data-driven approach to philanthropy. We recognize that good intentions alone are not enough; impactful philanthropy requires calculated decisions and strategic investments to ensure the best allocation of resources.
Our altruistic philosophy is guided by science and evidence-based practices, enabling us to continually improve towards “Doing Good Better.” To maximize our impact, we invest in rigorous evaluations, robust monitoring systems, and collaborative learning.
By partnering with policymakers, civil society, the private sector, and academia, we develop context-specific solutions and support the most effective initiatives, ultimately fostering lasting positive change in Egyptian society.
OUR STRATEGY
With increasing global and national challenges, Sawiris Foundation developed its strategic directions while keeping in mind finding the most cost-effective and impactful ways to support marginalized communities as well as those trying to further positive social change in Egypt. In its recently launched 2023- 2028 strategy, Sawiris Foundation focuses on reducing multidimensional poverty and empowering agents of change. Sawiris Foundation also commits to full transparency in its strategy on the grounds of accountability, openness, and continuous learning.
Goal I: Reducing Multidimensional Poverty
Families living in multidimensional poverty are increasingly able to sustain themselves to cover more than 80% of their basic needs and have access to quality education.
Economic Empowerment
Outcome
20,000
Poor Households Increase Their Income To Cover Their Basic Needs
Education
Outcome
40,000
Students’ Learning Outcomes Get Improved For Poor and Extreme-Poor Children Aged From Two Years Old To 22 Years Old.
Goal II: Empowering Agents of Change
Individuals and organizations who have demonstrated or have shown the potential for impactful positive social change are further empowered to achieve their highest potential in their communities.
Sawiris Cultural Award
Outcome
140
High-Impact Writers Are Recognized For Their Contributions To Enriching Egyptian Literary Culture
NGOs Capacity Building
Outcome
200
Implementing Partners Get Intensive Training & Capacity Building To Deliver Effective Programs Within Vulnerable Communities
Founders & Board of Trustees
Mr. Hazem Hassan
SECOND VICE-CHAIRMAN
Eng. Naguib Sawiris
VICE-CHAIRMAN
Mrs. Yousriya Loza-Sawiris
CHAIRWOMAN
Mrs. Hala Hashem
TREASURER
Ms. Taya Samih Sawiris
SECRETARY-GENERAL
Dr. Nadia Makram Ebeid
Executive Director of CEDARE
Dr. Ismail Serageldin
Founding Director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina
Eng. Samih Sawiris
Entrepreneur and Founder of Orascom Development Holding (ODH)
Mr. Nassef Sawiris
Honorary Chairman, Orascom Construction PLC, Chief Executive Officer of Orascom Construction Industries (OCI N.V)
Eng. Osama Bishai
Chief Executive Officer of Orascom Construction Limited
Ms. Mona Zulficar
Senior Partner of Zulficar & Partner Law Firm
OUR TEAM
Laila Hosny
Executive Director
Mays Abou Hegab
Deputy Executive Director
Rania Ramses
Senior Office Manager
Social Empowerment Sector
Nahed Yousry
Social Empowerment Director
Ali Abdel Mohsen
Social Empowerment Programs Manager
Rasha Salem
Social Empowerment Programs Manager
Hanan Khayal
Principal Social Empowerment Programs Officer
Yousra Idris
Senior Social Empowerment Programs Officer
Mohamed Gaber
Senior Social Empowerment Programs Officer
Economic Empowerment Sector
Samy Abdel Rehim
Economic Empowerment Director
Rehab Moghazy
Principal Economic Empowerment Programs Officer
Ahmed Salmoun
Senior Economic Empowerment Program Officer
Education & Scholarships Sector
Mohamed Shawky
Education Programs Manager & Acting as Education & Scholarship Director
Mina Magdy
TVET Programs Manager
Heba Elwy
Senior Education Programs Officer
Hadeer Othman
Scholarship Programs Officer
Learning & Strategy Sector
TBC
Learning & Strategy Director
Mohamed Omar
Monitoring Manager
Nora Ghobrial
Principal Strategy Officer
Ahmed Hamdy
Principal Learning & Innovation Officer
Moustafa Hakeem
Principal MIS Officer
Adham Hamdy
Senior Learning & Innovation Officer
Nourhan Soliman
Evaluation Officer
Mohamed Abdel Kader
MIS Officer
Yasmine Ibrahim
Strategy Assistant
Partnerships Sector
Rosa L. Abdel Malek
Partnerships Director
Mohamed Lotfy
Principal Partnerships Officer
Nadine Reda
Principal Partnerships Officer
Waguih Wahba
Senior Partnerships Officer
Public Relations & Communications Sector
Wessam Ragab
Public Relations & Communications Director
Ahmed Gad
Principal PR, Media & Comms. Officer
Khaled Fathy
Principal Graphic Designer
Financial Audit Sector
Ahmed Abdel Salam
Financial Audit Sector Director
Osama William
Manager at the Financial Audit on Programs Sector
Hossam Ali
Principal Auditor
Belal Yassin
Principal Auditor
Sherif Arafa
Principal Auditor
Finance Sector
George Fekry
Finance Director
Bahaa Wagih
Principal Accountant
Mariam Alfred
Accountant
Human Resources & Administrations Sector
TBC
Human Resources & Administrations Director
Nermine Rashed
HR & Admin. Manager
Mena Nabil
IT Manager
Marina Sabry
HR & Admin. Officer
Mario Nassef
Admin. Assistant
Khaled Salah
Admin. Assistant
Ahmed Magdy
IT Help Desk
Supportive Team
Abdel Karim Gad
Hussein Mostafa
Mahdi Shams Eldin
Mohamed Osman
George Milad
Khaled Samir
