Abdel-Rahman Y. El-Mahdi, (President/Chairperson) - Was educated in Khartoum and at the American University in Cairo where he earned his degree in Physics. Following his return to Sudan, he managed his own private businesses in agriculture and the service sector. Later he worked briefly with the Near East Foundation (NEF) in Khartoum, a US-based Foundation providing development services in Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean region. In 1995, Abdel-Rahman returned to Cairo where he was employed as Assistant to the Eastern Mediterranean Regional Director for the Near East Foundation. While with the EMR-Regional office, he took a special interest in Sudanese affairs and was active in work with Sudanese displaced to Egypt (estimated at the time at over 2,000,000). His efforts with the Sudanese in the Diaspora led to the founding of the Sudanese Development Initiative Abroad, better known as SUDIA. The organization has since established itself in Sudan and transformed itself into a national Sudanese organization.
Abdel-Rahman brings with him over 12 years of experience working in grass-roots and international development. He has solid experience and expertise that covers Organizational Development, Project Management, Research, Financial and Human Resource management, and proven fundraising skills. Since founding and establishing SUDIA in late 1995, he has been at the forefront of the development and growth of the organization.
Abdelatie A. Eid (Vice President) - currently serving as Coordinator of the Sudan Campaign to Ban Landmines and as Chairperson of ROOTS, a Sudanese NGO specializing in rural development work in Abu Hamad Province, River Nile State of Northern Sudan. Mr. Abdel Aati specializes in the academic and professional fields of agriculture, education, health and community development and has extensive experience in the development and management of local community organizations and associations. Previously, he has served as Executive Director of the Sudan Council of Voluntary Associations (SCOVA). Mr. Eid holds a M.Sc. in Rural Development from Omdurman Islamic University.
Contact Info: Abdel Aati A. Eid - Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC), P.O.Box 11925, Khartoum, Sudan - Tel: ++249-9 12393599, Fax: ++249-183 562253, E-mail: abdelatie@hotmail.com
Abdel-Hafeez Abbas (Secretary) - graduated in 1989 from Zagazeeg University in Egypt. He went on to obtain his Masters Degree in General Law from Khartoum University in 2006. He then went on to play an active role in politics where he spent a great deal of time advocating for issues related to human rights, good governance and freedoms. His background in law and his well grounded knowledge of the intra-political challenges facing the country place him as one of the core members of the Executive Office at SUDIA.
Since joining SUDIA, Abbas continues to help the organization understand and navigate the political and legal hurdles of running a NGO in Sudan. As Secretary to the Executive Office he takes on numerous duties which are detrimental to the continued success of SUDIA in the field.
Contact Info: Abdel Hafeez Abbas - Sennar Organization Bldg., Khartoum 3, Khartoum, Sudan - Tel: ++249-9 12366742, Fax: ++249-183 497356, E-mail: almack65@hotmail.com
Izzeldien Abdel Hamied (Director) – is a graduate of the University of Khartoum, Faculty of Economics and Social Studies, with a MSc in Development Planning; in addition to a PhD in Social Anthropology and Sociology, from the University of Khartoum.
In 1987, Dr. Izzeldin was employed by the Ministry of Local Government as an Administrative Officer in South Kordofan. After two years of taught field work in Kadugli District South Kordofan, he was sent by the Local Government (Ministry of Planning) to study for a Postgraduate Diploma in Development Studies at the University of Khartoum. In 1995 Dr. Izzeldien joined the University of Khartoum academic staff, as registrar, where he also completed his MSc and obtained his PhD.
Dr.Hamied’s multidisciplinary education is combined with diverse experience in the fields of administration and management, teaching and short courses training, research and others consultations services. Dr. Izzeldien is interested in Conflict Analysis and Socioeconomics, and Poverty Alleviation Studies; he worked as Socio economic Analyst and consultant for the public sector and national / international organizations including SUDIA.
Nathalie Bittar (Director) - Prior to returning to Sudan, Nathalie worked in New York for American Express where she began as a marketing analyst and later became Director of International Marketing. During her time at American Express she introduced and managed one of the most successful and innovative new credit cards in recent American Express, called Blue Sky. With a passion for cross cultural marketing she also helped to launch transformational marketing programs that delivered premium value to International customers.
While life in New York presented endless opportunities for growth, having drunk the waters of the Nile, the calling to return to Khartoum remained at the forefront of her thoughts. In 2009 she decided to return to learn the intricate details of working for a small family business in a developing country. With this understanding, she is enthusiastic about joining SUDIA and proving that with small amounts of philanthropic capital, and large amounts of business acumen, we can build thriving enterprises that serve and empower vast number of Sudanese citizens.
Nathalie completed her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science at the American University of Beirut, and her Master’s degree in Integrated Marketing and Communications. She had a particular interest in the interactive space and completed a Web Program Management certificate.
Sadig Babo Nimir (Director) - was born in South Kordofan and raised by his father the famous ‘Nazir’ of the Messiriya Tribe in South Kordofan – Babo Nimir. He was educated in the United Kingdom and is a Fellow of Queen Elizabeth House-Oxford University, Political Science, Economics, and Refugees Studies. In 1986, he helped establish the first Relief and Rehabilitation Commission to counter the effects of the famine that struck Sudan as well as other countries in the Horn of Africa, and also served as its Executive Director. Of particular significance was his role and contribution in setting up Operation Lifeline Sudan (OLS) which established safe corridors and enabled relief and humanitarian assistance to flow to war-affected communities during the civil conflict in Southern Sudan.
Mr. Babo brings with him a strong network of links and relations with the UN, NGO and Foreign Diplomats sector and his comprehensive knowledge of the socio-political climate in Sudan with particular strength in the region of the Dinka/Messirya tribes in Abyei will contribute to the organizations efforts of developing well-informed and effective interventions in that region of the country.