Staff
Megan Kelly
Position: Director
Megan Kelly, a journalism graduate from University of Oregon, has been dedicated to youth empowerment and civil society programming in Iraq and Kurdistan since 2015. Before starting Youth Speak, Megan worked with Mercy Corps and New York University in-country, supporting peacebuilding, civic engagement, and youth empowerment programming. Before that, Megan worked with the Iraqi refugee community in the U.S., assisting young individuals in adapting to new educational environments. Her past experience also includes a tenure in Palestine, focusing on psychosocial programming for youth.
At Youth Speak, Megan's role is multifaceted. She oversees programmatic and operational aspects, ensuring a smooth and efficient workflow. In addition, she spearheads coordination with donors and potential partners, extending Youth Speak's reach. Her contributions to the organization center on bolstering team abilities and equipping them for expanded roles, ultimately creating a path for them to assume full operations at Youth Speak.
In her spare time, Megan explores her creativity through watercolor painting, stays active with yoga, and enjoys delving into podcasts.
Martina Behnan
Position: Accountant
Martina Behnan is a graduate of the Finance and Banking department at Duhok University. She began her professional journey as an accountant at a real estate company, where she discovered her passion for helping others. This motivated her to volunteer with a local group called “Stay For Them,” and started her journey toward self-improvement, which provided her with the opportunity to gain practical experiences and skills in interacting with people from diverse backgrounds.
At Youth Speak, she is responsible for accurate data entry of receipts and deposits, manages the expenses of the organization, prepares transportation fees for participants in activities, and takes care of the organization’s taxes and bank accounts.
In her spare time, she loves spending time watching TV shows, specifically anime, as well as drawing and catching up with friends.
Mihemed Şakir
Position: Program Manager
Mihemed Şakir, originally from Syria, has been dedicated to youth work since his teenage years. His journey began with activism during the Syrian revolution, followed by pivotal roles with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Red Cross, and the Youth Peer Education Network. This varied experience, ranging from community training in refugee camps to officer roles, shapes his work at Youth Speak.
At Youth Speak, Mihemed ensures projects align with planned objectives and fosters a bridge of communication between youth and the team. His tasks include report writing and facilitating the youth advisory board. His work is instrumental in keeping our operations efficient and impact-focused.
In his spare time, Mihemed enjoys making friends, participating in sports, and pursuing his interest in journalism.
Sheelan Faisal
Position: Project Manager
Sheelan Faisal, a civil engineering graduate from Duhok Polytechnic University, began her journey working with internally displaced Iraqis. Her volunteering experiences in camps involved facilitating and data collection. These experiences sparked a passion for youth work as she observed the incredible potential of young individuals and recognized their need for support.
In her role at Youth Speak, Sheelan is vital in team coordination. She ensures activities and projects align with the organization's objectives through planning and consistent communication with the team and the community.
In her spare time, Sheelan cherishes spending time with her family, delving into books, and drinking coffee.
Message: "We have great youth in our community, but they need support."
Ahmad Ali
Position: Logistics Manager
Ahmad Ali brings diverse skills to the Youth Speak team. With a background in production, metalwork, and computer skills, Ahmad's versatility greatly enriches our operations. His talents also extend to the creative realm, as he is skilled in photography, video editing, and cooking.
At Youth Speak, Ahmad applies his multifaceted abilities in various ways. Ahmad is a key player in our daily operations, from managing our biogas project and garden to providing logistical support for activities. His technical skills come to the forefront in maintaining our office and resolving issues. Additionally, Ahmad's creative touch is seen in the photos and videos he produces and edits from our events.
In his spare time, Ahmad enjoys recycling, creating art, watching movies, and listening to music.
Ramazan Manaf
Position: Operations Coordinator
Ramazan brings a strong background in youth engagement, peace-building work, and coordination to Youth Speak. Born and raised in Duhok, he started his career journey by volunteering in different fields and organizations, he has been involved in several community-based initiatives focused on peace-building, education, and cultural development.
Ramazan also has experience in the cinema field, having worked on various film projects and international festival. He strongly believes in the power of storytelling through visual media and creative expression as tools for change.
At Youth Speak, Ramazan serves as Operations Coordinator, where he oversees the day-to-day operations of the organization. He ensures internal systems run smoothly, supports cross-team coordination, and assists with logistics, administration, and reporting. His role helps strengthen the organizational infrastructure so that projects and programs can thrive.
In his spare time, Ramazan enjoys writing, listening to music, and feeding stray animals.
Message: “Youth already hold the ideas and energy for change—our role is to help bring them to life through strong support, clear communication, and collaborative spirit.”