Maryam Muayad began her academic journey at the American University of Iraq, Sulaimani (AUIS), where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 2022. Driven by a growing interest in finance and its role in shaping development, she continued her path at the American University in Cairo (AUC), where she is now pursuing a Master’s in Economics in International Development.

Beyond academics, Maryam has taken on leadership roles that allowed her to apply her knowledge in impactful ways. As the Head of the Fundraising and Finance Committee for the AUC Symposium 2025, she played a key role in managing the event’s financial operations. From working with her team to secure internal and external sponsors to managing budgets and expenditures in line with AUC’s financial procedures, her strategic coordination helped lay the foundation for the symposium’s success.

This year’s AUC Symposium was organized around five thematic pillars, one of which was the Student Leaders Summit—a platform that brought together young leaders from across the region.

AUIS was officially invited to participate in this summit, strengthening cross-campus dialogue and collaboration. In recognition of AUIS’s involvement, Maryam proudly accepted the AUIS Award of Participation on behalf of her alma mater, further reinforcing her role as a bridge between the AUIS and AUC communities.

Maryam’s journey from engineering to economics reflects her adaptability, ambition, and commitment to leadership. As she approaches graduation, she is eager to apply her academic training and hands-on experience to make a meaningful impact in the field of finance and development consultancy.