Muqaddesa Yourish

Muqaddesa Yourish is a former deputy minister for commerce and industry of the previous government of Afghanistan. She currently serves as a professor at the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University. She is a compelling advocate for women, girls and young citizens of Afghanistan. Her writing has appeared in both national and international media outlets including the New York Times.

Muqaddesa has broad government experience, including service as a commissioner on Afghanistan’s national civil service reform commission, and prior to that, as human resources director of the Municipality of Kabul. She was also country director for Lapis, a top strategic communication firm of MOBY Group, giving her private sector experience. She has a range of expertise across international trade and commerce, governance, economic development and reform, human capital and strategic communications.