Rafif Jouejati
Co-founder and Director
Rafif Jouejati is the co-founder and Director of FREE-Syria. A management consultant by profession, she joined the Syrian revolution in 2011 and has been involved with several organizations, such as the Local Coordination Committees in Syria (LCC), Baytna, The Day After, Ahrar-the Syrian Liberal Party, and Nonviolence International. Rafif is also active in the Syrian women’s movement and advanced a charter demanding 50% representation of women in every aspect of Syria’s governance. She upholds a commitment to women’s equality as an integral part of human rights
Source: Ahmed Akacha, Pexels
“Is there a people more resilient than Syrians? They have faced chemical weapons attacks, barrel bombs, massacres, unspeakable torture, starvation sieges, and more…yet at every opportunity, they declare their loyalty to the revolution for freedom, dignity, and equality.”
— Rafif Jouejati
Salwa Dakheel
Co-founder
Born and raised in Damascus, Syria, Salwa Dakheel is the business administrator of a large, multi-specialty medical practice in the Washington, DC area. Her background is in health care administration.
Salwa has a deep conviction in the importance of charity, volunteerism, and advocating for people in need. She has worked with local hospitals and charitable foundations to organizing numerous successful fundraising events.
From supporting Kosovar refugees secure food, housing, and clothing, to providing temporary shelters and medical supplies for Haitian earthquake victims, Salwa lives her convictions. In 2011, Salwa turned her attention to her beloved country, Syria, and has been involved in numerous humanitarian and development projects with a special focus on women’s and children’s rights. When Syrian refugees arrived in the Washington, DC area, Salwa ramped up FREE-Syria’s efforts to include helping families acclimate and integrate. She drove our fundraising efforts to help Syrian refugee families eventually find jobs and purchase homes and cars. Through Salwa’s leadership and tremendous effort, FREE-Syria was able to support a significant number of Syrian families in the Washington, DC area.
Source: Ahmed Akacha, Pexels
“The love of my family, country, and charity bring beauty and meaning to my life. I will continue to do what I do for as long as I can.”
— Salwa Dakheel
Talal Barazi
Talal is a social science researcher with a passion for helping vulnerable populations through healing and capacity building. He believes in giving people the skills to build the lives they want for themselves in a sustainable way.
Between 2013 and 2015, Talal volunteered for FREE-Syria and managed multiple projects, most notable the Freedom Charter, as well as the day-to-day operations of the foundation.
Since then, Talal has been working as an international and UX social science researcher for international development projects and technology companies.
Talal is excited to be back on the FREE-Syria team in this unique opportunity to help rebuild and equitable Syria.
Source: Mohamad Alshaekh Yosef, Pexels
“I hope we can rebuild Syrian society so that it’s prosperous and equitable for all, regardless of race, gender, socioeconomic status, or religion.”
— Talal Barazi
Hadi Madwar
Raised in Damascus, Syria, Hadi Madwar is a freelance visual designer based in Toronto, Canada. His work ranges from designing and visualizing residential projects to editorial illustration. As a university student, he was actively engaged in conference organization and academic work focused on contemporary Middle Eastern issues. He has worked in Canada and Switzerland in diverse design disciplines and wants to channel his professional skills towards the reconstruction process in a post-Assad Syria. Hadi strongly believes that education and collaborative professional development will be central to rebuilding Syria.
Source: Ahmed Akacha, Pexels
“I’ve been watching the Syrian revolution evolve since 2011. I am beyond impressed by the Syrian people - who were so oppressed by a regime, yet who emerged from savage war so ready to rebuild their country.”
— Wayne Wallace
Wayne Wallace
Wayne Wallace has supported FREE-Syria since its inception. As a partner in a management consulting firm, he brings skills and expertise that have helped FREE-Syria with administration, grants management, and operations. He supports the organization’s commitment to women’s equality as an integral part of human rights. Wayne is excited to be a part of this post-Assad chapter as FREE-Syria refocuses on restoring civil society and equality.
