Author - Saoussen Ben Cheikh

Saoussen Ben Cheikh, an Impact Entrepreneur Correspondent, has spent over a decade working at the intersection of research and practice, championing human rights and leading development initiatives across the MENA region, particularly in the most challenging contexts of conflict and extreme poverty.

As a program designer, trainer and community builder, Saoussen has led numerous capacity-building programs that nurture leadership, spark innovation, and drive community-centered change.

Her rich field experience inspired her to found MENA-Can, an initiative dedicated to empowering changemakers through tailored training, incubation and the creation of social impact ecosystems — transforming pressing challenges into sustainable opportunities for growth and resilience.

She was previously a PhD researcher on State and Conflict in the MENA region at the University of Nice (France) where she deepened her understanding of systemic drivers of instability and hope.

Alongside her fieldwork, Saoussen is a committed writer and thought leader on human rights, media, social entrepreneurship, and social justice. Her work blends rigorous research, bold advocacy, and practical action — always with a clear goal in mind: to foster lasting, systemic change and inspire the next generation of changemakers.