The YES Alumni Professional Development Event on November 9th, 2024 brought together a community of Moroccan YES alumni for a day of growth, networking, and collaboration. The day began with a welcome session where participants connected over refreshments before opening remarks by Amideast/Morocco’s country director Mr. Chris Shinn and the U.S. Embassy Cultural Affairs Officer Mr. Muhamed Shahabaz. The event’s centerpiece was the “Voices of Experience” panel, featuring YES alumni Imane Majid ‘15, Fatima-Ezzahra Outznit ‘12, and Soufiane Guelida ‘10, along with American Professional Fellows Program participants Nishant Dixit, Kerry Duggan, and Ruben Cantu. Each speaker shared valuable insights from their personal journeys, inspiring attendees with practical advice on self-discovery, resilience, and professional success.

Following this impactful panel, attendees engaged in a networking break, fostering meaningful connections and dialogue around the themes discussed. This was followed by an interactive session led by YES alumna Oumaima Elghazali ‘10, who facilitated a reflective activity on overcoming challenges and self-growth. The program continued with the announcement of the YES Alumni Mini Grant recipients. The awardees’ projects ranged from educational initiatives in remote areas to mental health support for engineering students, underscoring the alumni's commitment to community service and social impact. Each winner presented their project’s mission, emphasizing the transformative power of grassroots initiatives.

The day concluded with a Moroccan YES Alumni Association proposal presented by Mohamed El Ghamry ‘20 and Abdellah Abboudi ‘18. Mohamed and Abdellah invited their fellow alumni to contribute to a formal network of changemakers dedicated to fostering cross-cultural understanding. They also introduced the “YES Alumni Future Engagement Suggestion Box” to collect ideas for future alumni initiatives. The evening wrapped up with a gala dinner, celebrating the day’s success.

The following morning, co-organizers Alae Farissi ‘24, Ilyass Ajoughlal ‘24, and Mohamed El Ghamry ‘20 facilitated a discussion session to synthesize feedback, helping to chart a concrete vision for future initiatives and collaboration. The event marked a significant step towards building a stronger, more connected alumni community focused on growth and service.

Imane Majid (YES 2014-2015, Morocco, placed by ASSE in College Station, TX)

Fatima-Ezzahra Outznit (YES 2011-2012, Morocco, placed by AFS-USA in Chesterland, OH)

Oumaima El Ghazali (YES 2009-2010, Morocco, placed by YFU in Virginia Beach, VA)

Soufiane Guelida (YES 2009-2010, Morocco, placed by Ayusa in Denmark, WI)

Mohamed El Ghamry (YES 2019-2020, Morocco, placed by AFS-USA in Chicago, IL)

Abdellah Abboudi (YES 2017-2018, Morocco, placed by ASSE in Golden City, MO)

Alae Farissi (YES 2023-2024, Morocco, placed by PAX in Fort Wayne, IN)

Ilyass Ajoughlal (YES 2023-2024, Morocco, placed by American Councils in Sacramento, CA)