Muqaddesa Yourish

She is a former deputy minister for commerce and industry of the previous government of Afghanistan. She joined the George Washington University community as the Elliott School of International Affairs’ new J.B. and Maurice C. Shapiro Professor of International Affairs in January 2022.

Ms. Yourish 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 the country director for Lapis, a top strategic communication firm of MOBY Group, giving her private sector experience. Her range of expertise across international trade and commerce, governance, economic development and reform, human capital, and strategic communications—all with a perspective from Afghanistan—will bring much to the Elliott School.