Our Board Members
our board members
Nancy Ashamalla
CEO and FounderNancy Ashamalla is the CEO and Founder of Light for All, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting children, women, and the elderly through education, healthcare, and community empowerment. Since establishing the organization in 2007, Nancy has guided its transformation from a small initiative in Upper Egypt into a global mission reaching nearly 600 villages across Egypt, Africa, and Asia.
Her vision began with a simple yet powerful dream: to give vulnerable children and underserved communities the opportunity to learn, grow, and live with dignity. Today, Light for All runs 26 active programs and engages youth volunteers from around the world, delivering lasting impact through education and sustainable family support.
Manal El Masry
Executive DirectorManal El Masry was born and raised in Cairo, Egypt. She holds a B.A. in English Literature and Translation from Ain Shams University, along with a Diploma in Marketing and Business Administration from the American University in Cairo. She later earned a Master Diploma in Professional Life Coach from the United States and is now a Certified Life Coach.
With a career span of over 25 years, Manal has developed a diverse background in marketing, business development, event planning and management, and customized training for both youth and adults. She previously held senior positions at the U.S. Embassies in Egypt and the UAE, where she excelled in marketing strategy, event execution, sponsorship acquisition, and promotional activities. Her portfolio includes organizing national and international conferences, trade shows, trade missions, training workshops, health awareness campaigns, and sports events. Her dedication and excellence have earned her multiple honorary and monetary awards.
In August 2019, Manal transitioned into entrepreneurship by founding Ideate Project Management Services in both the UAE and the United States. Her consultancy spans several industries, including franchising, education, healthcare, and training. From 2023 to 2024, she served as a board member for Girls for Engineering, Math, and Science Camp, a nonprofit organization that encourages girls to pursue careers in STEM.
In her current role as Executive Director at Light for All (since April 2025), Manal leads the organization’s efforts to empower underserved communities and sets the strategic direction for its growth and expansion. She also serves as Head of Training and Capacity Building at Tagmoa UAE, a franchise association supporting franchisors and franchisees across the GCC and Middle East markets.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Manal is a passionate volunteer with a strong belief in education as a catalyst for poverty alleviation and economic development. She actively supports nonprofit organizations by delivering virtual training, designing strategic initiatives, and leading awareness campaigns. She has spearheaded youth and leadership development initiatives across Egypt, Kenya, Iraq, the Philippines, the U.S., and the UAE. Her areas of expertise include “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Families, and Teens,” leadership development, soft skills, financial wellness, design thinking, and parental empowerment.
Yasser Abdel Malak
IT DirectorYasser Abdelmalek was born and raised in Cairo, Egypt, and emigrated to the United
States 40 years ago. With a long and accomplished career spanning
telecommunications and financial multimedia industries, Yasser has most recently
specialized in Financial Information Exchange (FIX) infrastructure engineering and
Business Intelligence (BI) development using Qlik technologies.
Married with two children, Yasser has been an active member of Light for All USA nearly
since its inception. He has participated in most of the organization’s events and played
a key role in organizing several fundraising initiatives. His passion for supporting
orphans is rooted in a deep personal belief that giving primarily benefits the giver, a
powerful reminder to appreciate the blessings we often take for granted.
Gihan Asaad
TreasurerGihan Asaad is a passionate leader who possess a unique blend of business acumen, and dedication to mental health advocacy. With over two decades of experience, she has built a dynamic career spanning business development, real estate, financial management, and strategic planning—while championing emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being in underserved communities.
Gihan holds a Master’s degree in Pastoral Mental Health Counseling from Fordham University (2023), an MBA in Finance from the University of Connecticut (1999), and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Cairo University (1989). As a seasoned entrepreneur, she has founded and managed multiple businesses, led real estate development projects, and executed growth- oriented strategies across diverse sectors.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Gihan has a longstanding commitment to community service and education. She served as Executive Vice President and Committee Chair of the Ossining School District PTA from 2000 to 2007. For over 20 years, she has served as a Sunday School teacher at Virgin Mary & St. Pachomius Coptic Orthodox Church in Stony Point, NY, including a term as Head of Sunday School (2014–2017) and as a church board member (2019–2023).
Gihan’s heart for service has led her to organize and lead transformative mission trips to Egypt and Bolivia, empowering youth to serve in vulnerable communities. She has also developed and facilitated women’s spiritual retreats, promoting personal growth, reflection, and connection.Her areas of expertise include strategic planning, business development, mental health counseling, program development, fundraising, and community engagement. She is also fluent in Arabic, English, German, and French.
Phoebe Ashamalla
CRM SpecialistPhoebe Ashamalla is a strategy and transformation leader with a finance background from Santa Clara University. With a career rooted in management consulting, strategy, and operations, she currently serves as Manager of Strategy and Transformation at a Fortune 500 company.
Passionate about empowering youth – particularly young girls – to develop confidence and a healthy body image, Phoebe brings both heart and strategic insight to her role on the board of Light for All. She supports the organization’s CRM strategies and its broader mission to uplift underserved communities.
Jessica Younan
Legal AdvisorJessica Younan is a passionate advocate and aspiring legal professional, currently entering her final year of law school in Boston. With a strong foundation in public interest law and a deep commitment to social justice, she brings a thoughtful and empathetic perspective to her role as a board member at Light for All.
Jessica is particularly focused on advancing mental health support for young women and children, guided by the belief that communities should not merely survive – but thrive. At Light for All, she contributes to policy development and community outreach strategies, helping ensure that the organization’s mission is both legally sound and socially impactful.
