Founding partners
Sherif Mansour
An acclaimed Egyptian-American democracy and human rights advocate, Sherif brings over two decades of experience to Janoub. As the former Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Program Coordinator for the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), he managed an international team of researchers and advocates defending press freedom. He previously served as a Senior Program Officer with Freedom House, where he managed projects training democracy activists across the Arab world. His expertise in journalist safety, government censorship, and foreign policy is a cornerstone of our consultancy.
Ahmed Samih
A prominent Egyptian human rights activist, journalist, and media personality, Ahmed is the co-founder and General Director of the Andalus Institute for Tolerance and Anti-Violence Studies (AITAS). For years, he has been at the forefront of efforts to promote democratic values, fight discrimination, and amplify marginalized voices through media and advocacy. His experience includes founding Horytna Radio, the first online radio station of its kind in Egypt, and managing international programs on human rights education. Ahmed's deep connections with civil society across the region provide our clients with invaluable on-the-ground perspective.
Mozn Hassan
A renowned Egyptian feminist and human rights defender, Mozn is the founder of Nazra for Feminist Studies. She was a pivotal figure during the 2011 Egyptian revolution, where she and Nazra documented human rights violations and coordinated medical, psychological, and legal support for survivors of sexual violence in Tahrir Square. Her advocacy was instrumental in lobbying for the inclusion of women's rights in Egypt's 2014 Constitution and the passage of laws against sexual harassment. For her work, Mozn was awarded the Right Livelihood Award in 2016, often called the "Alternative Nobel Prize."
Hossam Mansour
With over 17 years of high-level project management experience, Hossam brings deep operational and strategic expertise to Janoub. He has a proven track record of driving complex IT, CRM, and knowledge management initiatives for major international organizations, including USAID, the World Food Programme, and the IMF. A Certified Scrum Product Owner, Hossam excels at leading cross-functional teams, implementing robust data governance, and aligning technology solutions with organizational strategy. He holds a Master's in International Affairs from Columbia University and is fluent in English, Arabic, and German, making him uniquely equipped to manage multi-faceted projects across the MENA region.