Hussein to deliver USI Romain College of Business Commencement Address

The speaker for the Romain College of Business Ceremony is Shan Sherwan Hussein, a 2014 Bachelor of Science in Economics and 2015 Master of Business Administration graduate. She also holds a bachelor's degree in engineering from the University of Sulaymaniyah and will earn a master's degree in public administration from Harvard University in May 2024.

Currently serving as the Women's Protection and Empowerment Coordinator-Emergency Roster for the International Rescue Committee, Hussein plays a pivotal role in establishing gender-based violence programming in conflict-affected regions globally. Her responsibilities extend to hiring and training staff on humanitarian principles, ensuring effective management of gender-based violence programming.
In parallel, Hussein serves as a Women7 Advisor to Germany and Italy, engaging in advocacy and formulating policy recommendations to support women and girls during conflict, post-conflict and within the development nexus. This role underscores her unwavering dedication to
global gender equality.

Hussein's impactful contributions further stretched to Ukraine, where she served as the Gender-Based Violence Program Coordinator for International Medical Corps. In this capacity, she played a crucial role in developing strategies to address the needs and gaps in gender-based violence services. Collaborating with grassroots organizations and service providers, Hussein ensured holistic support for survivors in conflict-affected areas.

Beyond her academic and professional achievements, Hussein has enriched her skills through various training programs. Noteworthy among them are the Gender-Based Violence Case Management Training of Trainer by UNICEF, the Women in Conflict 1325 Fellowship Programme by Beyond Borders Scotland and the Compass Program by Harvard Business Publishing.

During her time at USI, Hussein demonstrated leadership and commitment by co-founding KESHO (Kesho means "tomorrow" in Swahili), a student organization dedicated to raising awareness about global issues. In Iraq, she established Educate to Empower, a local organization focused on supporting and empowering women through non-formal education. Her diverse roles also included serving as a Graduate Assistant Career Advisor and a Student Assistant with USI Photography and Multimedia.

From coordinating gender-based violence subclusters in Iraq to managing economic empowerment initiatives for Women for Women International, Hussein has consistently exhibited a commitment to advocacy, program quality enhancement and active participation in emergency responses. Her work is a testament to her strong belief in the transformative power of education, economic empowerment and strategic partnerships to bring about positive change in the lives of those affected by conflict.