Myrna Atalla

Executive Director

Myrna Atalla is Alfanar's Executive Director. Since 2010, Myrna Atalla has overseen the growth and expansion of Alfanar’s impact strategy and operations. Atalla has led efforts to bring together over 2,000 engaged philanthropists, individual donors and institutional partners to drive sustainable, scalable change through the ambitious social enterprises Alfanar supports with patient funding, non-financial support and impact management. Alfanar has grown its team and active presence across Egypt, to Lebanon, Jordan, refugee communities and soon Palestine. Under Atalla’s leadership, Alfanar has delivered training and management support to over 100 impact enterprises, over £6 million in grants and zero-interest repayable grants to 48 social enterprises and its first equity investment. As part of Alfanar’s growth strategy, it is also working to launch an independent, but affiliated, impact investment vehicle for the Arab region, which would extend the financing and impact management support cycle for investment-ready social enterprises.  

In 2022, Atalla was listed by NatWest WISE100 as one of the UK’s top 100 women in social enterprise and impact investment.

Prior to Alfanar, Atalla worked for the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) in Beirut, managing its civil society strengthening work and supporting the training of women and youth candidates. Atalla also contributed to regional initiatives, including international election observation missions to Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco and Yemen. 

Atalla holds a BA in International Relations from Brown University and a dual degree Masters in Public Administration (MPA) from Columbia University and the London School of Economics.