Zaha joined the IIJ as a Communications Assistant in 2024, where she supports the Institute’s strategic communications and public engagement initiatives. In her role, she develops and manages public-facing communications, contributes to outreach campaigns, oversees digital content, and helps strengthen the Institute’s engagement with partners, stakeholders, and wider audiences.

She holds a BA in Product Design from Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti in Milan, Italy, and is currently pursuing an MA in Public Policy Leadership, reflecting her commitment to advancing effective governance and evidence-informed public policy. Her academic and professional interests focus on good governance, institutional resilience, and the role of strategic communications in promoting transparency, public trust, and civic engagement. Prior to joining the IIJ, Zaha worked across Italy and the Middle East in design, communications, and community management, bringing a multidisciplinary and user-centered perspective to public affairs and stakeholder engagement.

Kyra joined the IIJ team as a Human Resources Officer in October 2022. Prior to joining the IIJ, Kyra worked as a Senior Manager of Human Resources, Training, and Administration within a government entity forming part of the Office of the Prime Minister in Malta. Prior to that, Kyra held the role of HR, Logistics, and Purchasing Manager within the manufacturing industry. Kyra holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Malta and is currently reading for a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management and Training from the University of Leicester.

Gulmira McHale joined the IIJ in August 2024 as the Resource Mobilisation Manager. She brings more than twenty years of experience as a senior officer at the United Nations and the Bretton Woods Institutions (World Bank and International Monetary Fund). Gulmira has provided policy advice on legal and regulatory reform, innovative financing and investment lending, prepared capacity development programs for governments across Sub-Saharan Africa, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, South and East Asia. She has facilitated fundraising and strategic dialogue with sovereign and non-sovereign donors, managed externally funded facilities and trust funds and she led replenishment and partnerships teams, respectively.

Prior to her career at the United Nations, World Bank and IMF, Gulmira spent seven years working as a Senior Attorney with US and UK law firms and as a Senior Counsel with the European Union and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). She is a member of the New York Bar and holds a JD, LLM, and Ph.D. in Law.