A highly qualified team

Sahar joined The Shaikh Group (TSG) in July 2022 to lead the Group's Syria program; she is based in Istanbul. Prior to joining TSG, Sahar was the Senior Advocate for the Middle East at Refugees International (RI) in Washington DC, where she covered the region's political, humanitarian and refugee crises, with particular focus on Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, and Yemen. Her work was distinguished by a focus on the underlying causes of these crises and strong partnerships with national and local organizations on the frontlines of relief efforts.

Sahar previously served as the Senior Advocacy Officer at the Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS) in Washington DC, where she led research and advocacy efforts related to Syria policy and humanitarian issues. Prior to SAMS, Sahar was previously a Senior Analyst at the International Crisis Group's Middle East and North Africa Program. Her reports and articles served as the foundation of direct international advocacy and media engagement. Sahar worked for the United Nations in Lebanon between 2007 and 2008,

 coordinating post-conflict relief and reconstruction efforts in the Nahr el-Bared refugee camp. She also worked on conflict resolution, socioeconomic development, and governance issues with a number of Lebanese and international non-governmental organizations. Sahar holds two Post Master's degrees in Political Science and in Journalism. She speaks Arabic, English, and French.