Founder & Moderator
Driven by my deep connections to the region and decades of leadership experience, I am motivated to create the Simurgh Leadership Academy to empower the next generation of leaders from diverse backgrounds. With millions of refugees and migrants in Turkey, I see an opportunity to harness their potential and develop leaders who can foster peace, democracy, and freedom in the Middle East and Central Asia. My passion for building bridges between cultures and promoting value-driven leadership has led me to create an institution that not only nurtures individual growth but also cultivates collective experiences in the pursuit of enlightenment and unity. By taking the initiative for the Simurgh Leadership Academy, I hope to leave a lasting impact on future leaders and contribute to a more inclusive and sustainable world.
Farah Karimi
Farah Karimi is a highly accomplished politician and civil society leader with more than 8 years of experience as a member of the Second Chamber in the Netherlands, followed by over 10 years as CEO of OxfamNovib in the Netherlands. Currently, she is an active member of the Senate and a non-executive director of several organizations, including a large high education institute (NHLStenden) and a number of NGO’s like PAX for Peace.
With extensive international experience working for organizations such as the UNDP and Oxfam, Farah is an inspirational public speaker, coach, and moderator for executive leadership programs like Comenius Executive Programs. In 2022 Farah became Special Representative on Youth Engagement for the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). She has also published several books on international affairs.
Throughout her career, Farah has remained committed to promoting human rights, equality, and justice. Her dedication and expertise have made her a highly respected and influential leader in her field, both in the Netherlands and internationally.