Sarah Zaaimi is the deputy director for communications at the Atlantic Council’s Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs. She oversees the Center’s strategic communications, media relations, and social and digital marketing efforts.

Sarah is an award-winning journalist, communications strategist, and international development professional with two decades of extensive experience in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) in countries like Morocco, Egypt, and Iraq. Prior to joining the Atlantic Council, she managed projects and communications for organizations like the European Union’s Anna Lindh Foundation, World Wildlife Fund, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the International Organization for Migration.

She also worked in several US, UK, and MENA newsrooms as a reporter, producer, and news editor, including various pan-Arab media outlets like BBC Arabic, Asharq Al Aswat, the Middle East Broadcasting Networks’ Alhurra, and Al Araby TV. Sarah has an MSc in communications and international development from the London School of Economics and Political Science, an MA in communication management from l’Ecole Polytechnique of Paris, and a BA in journalism and media. She is also a United Nations Alliance of Civilization MENA fellow. Her research and writings focus on North Africa, transnational identity, Arab cultural studies, Arab diaspora, and community stabilization.