Nada Aswad

Nada Aswad is a prominent professional with over 14 years of experience in facilitation, mediation, peacebuilding, women’s empowerment, and good governance. She has worked with numerous international and local organisations in Syria and Turkey, contributing significantly to developing initiatives focused on strengthening the political and social participation of women and marginalised groups. Nada has held distinguished leadership roles, including serving as a member of the Women’s Advisory Board at the Office of the UN Special Envoy to Syria, and as co-founder and lead facilitator of the Syrian Civic Space Initiative and the Syrian Women Mediators Network. These roles have given her deep expertise in mediation, political dialogue, and forging partnerships with institutions such as the European Union and the United Nations.
Nada currently serves as the Executive Director of Smile of Hope Organisation, which focuses on empowering Syrian girls and young women through entrepreneurship, small business development, and political leadership in southern Turkey and northwest Syria. She has also contributed through research and policy initiatives on women’s political participation, governance in liberated areas, and the challenges faced by Syrian refugees. Nada has been an active participant in major international conferences, including the Geneva talks and European dialogue forums, offering strategic insights into sustainable political solutions. Combining a strong academic foundation (Master’s in Orthodontics) with extensive field experience, Nada stands out as an influential figure in advancing women’s empowerment, peacebuilding, and conflict resolution.