Home 2025 HLC Session Summary: Day 1 Opening Session

The 2025 Humanitarian Leadership Conference, held in partnership with the Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies, took place from April 8-9, 2025 in Doha, Qatar.

The opening session of the HLC featured a welcome from the Conference Co-Convenors, Dr Ghassan Elkahlout, Director, CHS and Associate Professor Mary McGlasson, Director, CHL. Delegates also heard from Professor Simon Tormey, Executive Dean Arts and Education, Deakin University, and Performance Poet, Dana Dajani.

This was followed by a Keynote Presentation from Her Excellency Mrs Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al-Misnad, Minister of State for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Qatar.

The opening remarks were then followed by a plenary panel discussion, ‘Rethinking Humanitarian Leadership through Partnerships: Voices from Philanthropy’ which focused on the critical importance of cross-sector partnerships in addressing global humanitarian challenges. The panel was convened by the Clinton Global Initiative, and Moderated by Cheyenne Ellis, Deputy Director, Humanitarian Response, at the Clinton Foundation.

Panelists:

  • Pilar Pacheco, Gates Foundation
  • Maya Ghosn Bichara, Bridge Builders Collaborative
  • Abdulla Al-Fehani, Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy

"Philanthropy needs to rethink the archaic models of giving. Trustbased philanthropy, giving broader support with longer-term perspectives, is crucial, especially in humanitarian crises."

Maya Ghosn Bichara, Operating Partner, Bridge Builders Collaborative

Watch the Rethinking Humanitarian Leadership panel discussion:

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  • 2025 HLC Session Summary Day 1 Opening