Biography
Dr. Nojus Saad is a pioneering digital health entrepreneur and medical doctor dedicated to advancing healthcare and gender equality. As President & CEO of the Youth For Women Foundation, he has transformed the lives of over 6,100 women and youth in 70 underserved communities across Iraq, India, and France. Dr. Saad focuses on leveraging digital technologies to enhance sexual, reproductive, and mental healthcare for women and LGBTQIA+ youth in the Global South.
Early Life
Growing up in rural Iraq, Dr. Saad witnessed firsthand the harsh realities of gender-based violence and inadequate healthcare. A pivotal experience at age 11, when he witnessed his neighbor’s husband assaulting his wife, profoundly impacted him and fueled his determination to address these widespread struggles faced by women. These early challenges shaped his lifelong commitment to fiercely advancing gender equality, healthcare access, and digital innovations, leading him to establish the Youth For Women Foundation.
Career
As the multidisciplinary President & Chief Executive Officer at Youth For Women Foundation, Nojus specializes in making major corporate decisions, developing key operational initiatives to drive and maintain institutional growth, overseeing the implementation of social enterprises, and maintaining communication with key national and international stakeholders. Under his leadership, the foundation has launched transformative projects such as the Domestic Violence National Campaign and the Digital Literacy Program in Iraq.
n his role as a regional digital health researcher and youth advocate at the Digital Transformation for Health Lab, Dr. Saad is at the forefront of advancing AI and digital health innovations. He also co-chairs the Youth Leadership Council at the Global Fund for Children, where he plays a key role in shaping the organization’s global research and innovation strategy.
Previously, Dr. Saad served as Vice Chair of the PMNCH Adolescents and Youth Constituency at the World Health Organization and as an advisor to Bond UK, contributing to global health policy development and guiding digital health investments in the MENA region. He has represented these institutions at major international forums, including the WHO’s Global Conference on Health Promotion, the UN Commission on the Status of Women, and the International AIDS Conference.
Dr. Saad's contributions to global digital governance are also noteworthy, having served as a United Nations ambassador for the Internet Governance Forum and as a Digital Policy Fellow at ICANN’s public forums. He currently holds the position of United Nations Youth Champion for Disarmament, where he explores the intersection of technology, health, and disarmament, seeking opportunities for innovation and collaboration for our worls's peace and security.
Dr. Saad is an entrepreneur by heart, with extensive expertise in the business industry; since he has mastered project management, HR, and entrepreneurial skills through his CEO responsibilities and his previous internships with local companies.
He holds a medical degree (MBChB), along with specialized degrees, including an Executive Program in Global Health Diplomacy from Karolinska Institute and Stockholm School of Economics, and a Fellowship in Social Entrepreneurship from the University of Virginia.
His expertise in the industries of digital healthcare, business, and social entrepreneurship are key to his immeasurable impacts as the youngest president of the France-based INGO, Youth For Women Foundation
Recognition & Awards
