Omar Ali

I’m a Japanese-born Egyptian American with aspirations to serve in the US diplomatic corps. While witnessing the events of the Egyptian revolution unfold in Tahrir Square in 2013, I realized I needed to be on the frontline of change making, tackling the great issues of the 21st century. Growing up across four continents presented me with the opportunity to develop understandings of people across cultural, political, economic, and linguistic barriers.

I joined the team of the THNK School of Creative Leadership in the Netherlands in July 2017, after completing my MA in International Relations at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. Focusing my studies on social movements, democratization, and humanitarian interventions, I spent long summers gaining practical experience in a few newsrooms in Europe and the Middle East. In 2015, I co-founded Ampersand Media and in 2016, I spearheaded the St Andrews Year of Interfaith Dialogue.

In my free time, I’m an avid traveler, photographer, and troublemaker.