Rashad Elmahdi is a Sudanese civic activist, storyteller, and development advocate with over 25 years of experience bridging business, culture, and social impact. A graduate of the University of Khartoum with an MBA and BBA, Rashad began his journey as a student activist, organizing cultural forums and community development projects amid political repression.

He co-founded Sudanese Development Call (NIDAA), an NGO that has delivered more than 150 community-led initiatives across Sudan and Uganda. At DAL Group, Sudan’s largest conglomerate, he led corporate communications and CSR programs, contributing to the launch of the DAL Cultural Forum, the Khartoum Oud Music Festival, and Bridges magazine—a bilingual publication celebrating Sudanese innovation and heritage. His earlier roles at Shell in Sudan and East Africa combined strategic growth with a commitment to sustainability and partnership-building.

A native Arabic speaker, Rashad’s academic interests at Georgetown’s MAAS program focus on cultural policy, civic resilience, and inclusive governance in the Arab world. He looks forward to contributing to Georgetown’s vibrant intellectual community and exploring Washington, D.C.’s rich cultural landscape.