IATF Speakers
Fellowship

Khitam Abu Bader

Program Development, Ma’oz South Initiative

Khitam is a member of the team establishing Ma’oz Darom South. She’s responsible for developing and implementing strategic initiatives aimed at fostering regional development in the Negev. Her role includes collaborating with local leaders, identifying key opportunities for growth, and driving projects that empower communities and promote sustainable development in the region.

She is the former Director of the Raidat Leadership Program for Women at Desert Stars, a nonprofit organization for Bedouin leadership. Over the last decade, Khitam has held various positions in the informal education field. Khitam’s work included promoting youth leadership in Negev Bedouin society; directing the Youth and Young Adult Department at the Rahat Community Center; and developing and running leadership and social action programs for youth in Rahat. She founded and directed the Arab sector activities of Krembo Wings, a youth movement for children and youth with and without disabilities.

Khitam holds a B.A. in Humanities and Social Sciences from Sapir Academic College and is a graduate of the Mandel Institute leadership program. She lives in the town of Lakiya in Southern Israel.

Saja Kabaha

Program Manager and Arab Tech Sector Lead, British Embassy Tel Aviv

Saja Kabaha is a program manager and Arab tech sector lead at the British Embassy in Tel Aviv. In her role, she focuses on fostering collaboration and promoting innovation, while amplifying the Arab tech sector’s influence on a global stage. Saja is passionate about championing diverse talent in the Israeli tech scene and is committed to creating opportunities for underrepresented groups.

Saja’s journey in the tech world began with her tenure at Intel. As Chief of Staff under the CEO of the Jerusalem campus, she spearheaded numerous campus-wide projects and managed diversity and inclusion efforts. Prior to this role, Saja managed Intel’s external and community outreach programs, where she supported the company’s CSR efforts and built strong connections with the community. Her contributions to Intel were recognized in 2021 when she was awarded the Global Diversity, Inclusion, and Impact Award, celebrating her impact on the company.

Beyond her professional achievements, Saja is deeply committed to economic prosperity and tech diversity through her volunteer roles. She has led initiatives for the World Economic Forum in Jerusalem, contributing to the city’s development and the tech ecosystem. Additionally, Saja is the founder and host of Seeratech, the first-of-its-kind Arab-speaking, women-led podcast tailored for Arabs interested in the hi-tech and innovation industry. Through Seeratech, she provides a platform for discussing important issues and sharing inspiring stories from the Arab tech community.

Saja earned her BA from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and lives in Barta’a, a small village in the Triangle area where she grew up. She is also a devoted cat person, sharing her home with her two beloved cats.

Nour Dassouky

Program Associate, Inter-Agency Task Force on Israeli Arab Issues

Nour joined the Inter-Agency Task Force on Israeli Arab Issues as Program Associate in 2023. She comes from the social entrepreneurship eco-system where she founded and managed two education-related ventures, Al Hakavati and Baladi. Al Hakavati is a social venture focused on reviving Arab storytelling culture by empowering community members to tell their unique stories stemming from the Arab folklore and culture. Baladi is a social venture leveraging street stunts to
promote youth at risk. Born in Jaffa, Nour completed her education at the Academic College of Tel Aviv–Yaffo, and holds a B.A. in Government and Society and an M.A. Family Studies.

Hasan Haj

Educator, Mazmichim and Beit HaGefen

Hasan is an educator at Matzmichim, the Israeli Violence Reduction Organization. In this role, he delivers courses for teachers and runs workshops to make the classroom a more comfortable place for everyone. Hasan also works as an educational program partner, guest speaker, and guide for Beit HaGefen, a Jewish-Arab multicultural center in Haifa. He guides and mentors teenagers, educators and visitors, including workshops on living together, art, and tours of Haifa. As a mental
performance coach for athletes, he lectures at a certifying mental performance course for the Arabic society and train athletes on the mental aspects to improving performance.

Previously Hasan worked as a financial data analyst at Thomson Reuters and has 12 years of experience in the financial world. Hasan graduated from Haifa University with a BA in psychology and statistics. He holds an MA in educational leadership from UCLAN University in Cyprus and an MA in Blockchain and Digital currencies from University of Nicosia. Hasan was born and raised in Nahef village in the northern Galilee and for the last 3 years he is married and living in Haifa.