The Emerging Leader Award is presented to those alumni who have made a significant impact in their profession or community at large since graduation. This award honors alumni who graduated from 2011 to 2021.
2023 Honoree
Rayana Elgrabli ('20 B.A.)
Rayana Elgrabli embarked on her academic journey at SLU-Madrid, earning a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations with a Minor in Communications. During her time at SLU, Rayana actively engaged in campus life, serving as a librarian and campus ambassador, as well as vice president and interim president of the Student Government Association.
Beyond the campus, Rayana co-founded the Libyan NGO "Libyans Beyond Borders," which is dedicated to youth empowerment in Tripoli and remains active in Libya. After graduation, she returned home to intern with the United Nations Development Programme, focusing on the Local Elections Project. Rayana continued her career remotely with MENA Network Management for Aflatoun International in Amsterdam.
Currently, Rayana holds the position of activity coordinator for the United States Institution of Peace, where she is involved in a mission sponsored by the US Congress to strengthen police capacities for community engagement in Libya. Her role involves close collaboration with the Libyan Ministry of Interior and local NGOs to advocate for preventing election violence and advancing democratic elections in Libya.