PEACE & DEVELOPMENT

our staff

SUDAN

Saif Mohamed Mukhtar

Country Director

Saif Mohamed Mukhtar serves as the Country Director of the Darfur Peace and Development Organization (DPDO), bringing more than a decade of experience in information technology, humanitarian operations, and organizational management. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering and has built a distinguished career combining technical expertise with leadership in the humanitarian and development sectors.
... Read More Mr. Mukhtar began his professional career as an Information Technology Specialist within a government institution in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where he gained extensive experience in information systems, digital infrastructure, and technology management. He later joined RAF Foundation (Qatar Charity Association) in Sudan, where he served for five years, providing technical and operational support to humanitarian and development programs implemented across conflict-affected communities. In 2021, Mr. Mukhtar joined the Darfur Peace and Development Organization (DPDO), where his commitment, leadership, and operational excellence quickly distinguished him as a key member of the organization. He was subsequently appointed Country Director, leading DPDO's operations and overseeing the implementation of education, peacebuilding, humanitarian assistance, health, and community resilience programs throughout Sudan. As Country Director, Mr. Mukhtar is responsible for strategic program management, institutional coordination, donor engagement, staff supervision, and partnership development. His strong background in information technology and humanitarian operations has contributed significantly to strengthening DPDO's organizational systems, improving program delivery, and expanding the organization's impact in communities affected by conflict and displacement. Mr. Mukhtar is committed to advancing DPDO's mission of promoting sustainable peace, human development, and community resilience through innovation, accountability, and collaborative leadership.

Dr. Hawa Suliman Ali

Technical Medical Advisor

Dr. Hawa Suliman Ali serves as the Technical Medical Advisor for the Darfur Peace and Development Organization (DPDO). She is a highly experienced nursing professional who graduated from the University of Khartoum and has dedicated her career to advancing healthcare services, clinical excellence, and medical capacity building in Sudan.
... Read More Dr. Ali has practiced in several leading hospitals in Khartoum and Darfur, where she gained extensive clinical experience in patient care, hospital administration, and community health. Her distinguished professional career also includes service with the African Union–United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID), where she contributed to the delivery of healthcare services in a complex humanitarian and peacekeeping environment. At DPDO, Dr. Ali provides technical leadership for the organization's health programs, ensuring that medical interventions are delivered in accordance with international standards and best practices. She leads the design and implementation of medical training and capacity-building initiatives for healthcare professionals, community health workers, and frontline service providers, while supporting the development of public health, maternal and child health, and humanitarian health programs. With her extensive clinical expertise and commitment to improving health outcomes in conflict-affected communities, Dr. Ali plays a vital role in strengthening DPDO's health programming and advancing the organization's mission to improve access to quality healthcare and build resilient health systems across Sudan.

Abdalla Juma Younis

Advisor for Strategic Partnerships and External Relations

Abdalla Juma Younis brings more than three decades of professional experience to the Darfur Peace and Development Organization (DPDO). Throughout his distinguished career as a businessman, he has established an extensive network of relationships with government institutions, the private sector, and community leaders across Sudan.
... Read More Drawing on his broad experience and strong professional connections, Mr. Younis has played an important role in strengthening DPDO's institutional partnerships and supporting the organization's humanitarian, peacebuilding, and development initiatives. His ability to engage key stakeholders and foster collaborative relationships has contributed to expanding DPDO's reach and enhancing its operational effectiveness. As Advisor for Strategic Partnerships and External Relations, Mr. Younis provides strategic guidance on partnership development, stakeholder engagement, and institutional cooperation. He leverages his extensive experience and trusted relationships to facilitate collaboration with government agencies, local institutions, and private sector partners in support of DPDO's mission. His commitment to community development and sustainable partnerships continues to strengthen DPDO's efforts to deliver impactful education, humanitarian assistance, health, and peacebuilding programs for conflict-affected communities across Sudan.

Esra Abdalla Abdullatif

Finance and Administration Manager

Esra Abdalla Abdullatif serves as the Finance and Administration Manager at the Darfur Peace and Development Organization (DPDO). She holds a bachelor's degree from Omdurman Islamic University and brings extensive experience in financial management, administration, and public sector operations.
... Read More Prior to joining DPDO, Ms. Abdullatif served in several government departments in North Darfur State, where she developed comprehensive expertise in financial administration, budgeting, accounting, procurement, and organizational operations. Her years of public service provided her with a strong understanding of financial governance, regulatory compliance, and the effective management of administrative systems. Ms. Abdullatif joined DPDO as the Finance and Administration Manager, where she oversees the organization's financial management, budgeting, accounting, financial reporting, grants administration, and administrative operations. She plays a critical role in ensuring financial accountability, transparency, and compliance with donor and organizational policies while strengthening DPDO's institutional capacity and operational effectiveness. With her strong background in public financial management and organizational administration, Ms. Abdullatif contributes significantly to DPDO's mission by ensuring that resources are managed efficiently and responsibly, enabling the organization to deliver high-quality humanitarian, peacebuilding, education, and development programs across Sudan.

Islam Ibrahim Abdulrahman

Programs Coordinator – Sudan

Islam Ibrahim Abdulrahman serves as the Programs Coordinator for the Darfur Peace and Development Organization (DPDO) in Sudan. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Information Technology from Sub-Saharan University College (SSUC), Sudan, where she demonstrated a strong commitment to academic excellence and community service.
... Read More While pursuing her university education, Ms. Abdulrahman gained valuable professional experience working with the State Radio and Television, where she developed strong communication, media, and public engagement skills. She also worked with several charitable organizations, contributing to humanitarian and community development initiatives across Sudan. Driven by a passion for serving vulnerable communities, Ms. Abdulrahman founded and led her own volunteer initiative, mobilizing young volunteers to provide medical outreach, psychosocial counseling, and emergency relief assistance to communities affected by conflict and displacement. Her leadership and dedication to volunteerism have made a meaningful contribution to strengthening community resilience and promoting humanitarian action. Ms. Abdulrahman joined DPDO as Programs Coordinator, where she supports the planning, coordination, implementation, and monitoring of the organization's education, humanitarian assistance, health, peacebuilding, and community development programs. She works closely with field teams, local partners, and community stakeholders to ensure that DPDO's interventions are responsive, effective, and aligned with the needs of conflict-affected populations. Her combination of technical expertise, humanitarian experience, and commitment to community service enables her to play an important role in advancing DPDO's mission of promoting sustainable peace, human development, and resilient communities throughout Sudan.

Education Coordination Team

The Education Coordination Team serves as DPDO's consultative and advisory body for its education programs. The team is composed of representatives from all schools supported by DPDO across Sudan, creating a collaborative platform for coordination, planning, and continuous improvement.
... Read More Meeting twice each academic year—at the beginning of the school year and following the completion of final examinations—the team reviews educational performance, evaluates student achievement, and assesses the overall effectiveness of DPDO's education initiatives. These meetings provide an opportunity to identify operational challenges, exchange experiences and best practices, and develop practical solutions to improve the quality of education and student outcomes. Through this collaborative approach, the Education Coordination Team strengthens communication between DPDO and its partner schools, supports evidence-based decision-making, and ensures that educational programs remain responsive to the needs of students, teachers, and local communities.

Dr. Sabah Al-Shabebi (UAE)

Board Member

Dr. Sabah holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from Sanaa University, Republic of Yemen. She is a certified obstetrician and gynecologist by the Jordanian Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the Arab Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Prior to her current role as Deputy Director of the Modern Medicine Center, she served as an Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialist at the Dubai Health Authority, Director General of Sharjah City Medical Center, and Medical Director of the National Center of Modern Medicine. Dr. Sabah is a member of the Emirates Medical Association and currently serves as the Chairman of the Supreme Council of Consulting and Training Group (Five and One Training Centre) within Mohammed bin Rashid’s projects – Government of Dubai. Additionally, she is the Chairman of KENZEL FACILITY MANAGEMENT within Mohammed bin Rashid’s projects – Government of Dubai. Dr. Sabah’s extensive experience and leadership in the medical industry make her a valuable asset to our DPDO organization.

Shiri Kalai

Assistant of programs

Shiri Kalai is an MSPH student in the Social and Behavioral Interventions program for International Health at the Bloomberg School of Public Health. She is completing her practicum with HEAL. In addition to joining the HEAL team, Shiri works with Key Point Health Services helping children in Baltimore City and County with their mental health symptom and behavioral management. She is anative Spanish speaker and is excited to work with Darfur Peace and Development to provide humanitarian relief to those in need!

Maisoon Ateem

Deputy Director of Health Program

Maisoon Ateem, Deputy Director of Health Program Maisoon has over 10 years of experience working in the field of public and global health. She graduated from Johns Hopkins Master of Applied Science (MAS) in Global Health Planning and Management and studied as an undergraduate in Sudan. Upon her graduation with a BA in Medical Science from Sudan University of Science and Technology, she worked for the United Nations–African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) among other UN agencies and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in Sudan and the USA. Her focus was conflict-affected populations in particular women and Internally Displaced People (IDPs) with special attention on survivors of sexual violence and people living with HIV/AIDs. She has been involved in all stages of emergency and reproductive health design and implementation and dedicates her career to bridging access to quality healthcare at the community and individual levels. A strong advocate for education, Maisoon works to integrate various aspects of her practical and personal experience into helping to make the world a better place for all.

Susan Burgess-lent

Vice President & Director of Operation

Ms. Burgess-Lent began her career in humanitarian relief and development in 1994 and has worked extensively in East Africa. She is the former Program Director of Darfur Peace and Development Organization (DPDO), responsible for the funding and operation of Kassab Women’s Center, the model on which WCI’s work is based. She previously served as a consultant to the African Immigrant and Refugee Foundation (AIF), InterAction, CEPDA, and on staff at the American Red Cross International Services. In 2019, she published the non-fiction book Trouble Ahead: Dangerous Missions with Desperate People, about her work in Africa. She has presented speeches for many organizations about the impact of war and poverty on women, and solutions that can be implemented for their benefit.

Dr. Sabah Al-Shabebi

Board Member

Dr. Sabah holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from Sanaa University, Republic of Yemen. She is a certified obstetrician and gynecologist by the Jordanian Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the Arab Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Prior to her current role as Deputy Director of the Modern Medicine Center, she served as an Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialist at the Dubai Health Authority, Director General of Sharjah City Medical Center, and Medical Director of the National Center of Modern Medicine. Dr. Sabah is a member of the Emirates Medical Association and currently serves as the Chairman of the Supreme Council of Consulting and Training Group (Five and One Training Centre) within Mohammed bin Rashid’s projects – Government of Dubai. Additionally, she is the Chairman of KENZEL FACILITY MANAGEMENT within Mohammed bin Rashid’s projects – Government of Dubai. Dr. Sabah’s extensive experience and leadership in the medical industry make her a valuable asset to our DPDO organization.

Cindy Castano

Treasure - Board of Directors

Cindy Castano is the president of Alpha Management Group, Inc. (AMG), which is an organization that focuses on business development, management and documentary film production. She has 30 years’ experience in client relations, sales and business development and has been a licensed investment advisor. Prior to founding AMG, amongst several positions in sales/marketing, Cindy has worked in the investment/financial markets of USA, London, England and Geneva, Switzerland, specializing in high value, multi-million dollar accounts. Documentary film production is one of the primary elements of AMG’s business and is structured under AMG Media, a division of Alpha Management Group. Ms. Castano is currently acting as writer, editor, and producer for a documentary entitled “MY SLAVE, MY INFIDEL,” which is in production. The film focuses on the slave trade in Southern Sudan and has expanded filming as events continue to unfold Darfur, Sudan. AMG also has a documentary in negotiations which will focus specifically on the genocidal conflict in Darfur.

Dr. Suliman A. Giddo

President ,Board Member

Dr. Suliman A. Giddo is a highly accomplished expert with over twenty years of intensive and comprehensive experience in leadership, international relations, strategic planning, conflict resolution and disaster and emergency management; having successfully created strategic plans for governments and private institutions in the Middle East, Africa, and the United States. He is also a renowned academic and researcher at George Mason University, with a proven track record of excellence in teaching at American universities including the School of Business at Indiana, and serving in senior positions for several international organizations, including the prestigious American Red Cross, Management System International and Qatar Foundation. Dr. Giddo’s extensive experience includes serving as a consultant for the UA-UN joint mission. He also served as a board member for several institutions and organizations.

Dr.Giddo is the dynamic founder and president of Sub-Saharan University, which offers eight programs in diverse fields such as medicine and general surgery, nursing, medical lab, business administration, information technology, computer network, and banking and finance, with over 2000 enrolled students mostly from Internal Displaced Persons.

Dr. Giddo earned his Ph.D. in Peace Studies and Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University in the United States, where he demonstrated exceptional academic prowess. He also completed postgraduate studies in Humanitarian Assistance from Fordham University in New York, a Master of Science in Business Administration/Accounting from Strayer University in Virginia, where he was an outstanding alumni (2008), and post-graduate studies in Strategic Planning and Project Management from the prestigious Stanford University in California. Dr. Giddo obtained his B.Sc. in Business Administration from the University of Khartoum.