by redcrossnorcalstaff

Meet Mia Fahad, our Regional International Services volunteer. She has been accepted into the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Solferino Academy’s Limitless programs (Limitless LEAD and Limitless 2.0), an international professional development opportunity. Hundreds applied but only 10 spots are reserved for American Red Cross participants. The Limitless LEAD programs are for Red Crossers who are already active in the space of humanitarian innovation and seeking an opportunity to advance their skills in leadership and coaching. They will go on to support the mentorship of Limitless 2.0 participants in their innovation journey.

Learn more about Mia and what she looks forward to the most in participating in this unique program through an interview with Red Cross Communications volunteer, Anika Kurkut.

Q: How long have you been a Red Cross volunteer and what do you do within the Region?
A: I have been  part of the Red Cross volunteer community since 2021, during the pandemic. I was in grad school at the time and decided to become  part of the Red Cross club on campus. I took the lead in recruiting new members and hosting events. During this time, I tried many different volunteer roles within the Red Cross., one of which was organizing the online International Humanitarian Law (IHL) events. Additionally, I helped with job fairs and moderated social media groups for the Red Cross.

Q: What motivated you to apply to the Limitless program, considering you have a background in Climate Adaptation and your involvement in various projects?
A: My experience with the Red Cross has made me feel an admiration for their commitment to neutrality and their response to disasters, deploying volunteers to provide aid to those in need. Through both my work with the Red Cross and my job in international environmental policy, I’ve observed a gap in engaging with youth to foster innovation. I haven’t had the opportunity to interact with student volunteers in my current roles and I believe there is great significance in incorporating their perspectives. This realization has motivated me to step into this role as a mentor, offering guidance to youth in a space where their ideas can be heard. When I came across the Limitless program, its objectives resonated with me, including the focus on empowering youth to innovate in the climate field which motivated me to apply.

Q: How has your role as an International Services volunteer shaped your growth and prepared you for the leadership and coaching aspects of the Limitless LEAD program?
A: As part of my role as a Regional International Services volunteer, I have participatedin many IHL events and discussions. One aspect of these events is the opportunity to engage with guest speakers. Hearing from these diverse perspectives has been vital to my personal growth. Moreover, through my involvement with the Red Cross, I’ve been able to take on various leadership opportunities, allowing me to improve my skills and expand my capabilities.

Q: Being part of a pilot program on Climate Adaptation, what insights do you plan to bring into the Limitless programs, especially regarding humanitarian innovation?
A: My experiences in the climate program on Climate Adaptation, as well as other roles within the Red Cross, have allowed me to recognize the importance of inclusivity. Everyone has different experiences and ideas to solve a problem, and these ideas can bring the most equitable and effective aid solutions in humanitarian innovation.

Q: Can you share your thoughts on the significance of fostering innovators across the Red Cross/Red Crescent Network?
A: I believe that fostering innovators, especially across the international Red Cross-Red Crescent network, is crucial because they can bring new perspectives to solving issues around delivering humanitarian aid. Additionally, their creative ideas can make our efforts in providing aid more efficient, allowing us to better assist communities in need.

Q: What aspects of the Limitless LEAD program (such as innovation, leadership skills, and effective climate action) are you most excited to delve into?
A: I think there are so many aspects of this program that are novel to the field of humanitarian aid. I’m most excited for the opportunity to improve my leadership skills and guide youth to innovate and make an impact through their ideas.

Q: How do you think participating in the Limitless programs will enhance your ability to contribute to discussions on humanitarian innovation?
A: I think this program is very thought-provoking, since it requires you to lead a team of younger students. One thing I’ll be working on throughout the program is ensuring there is a safe space for youth to share their ideas. This approach will  allow me to tackle problem-solving through a different lens, especially working with younger individuals.

Q: What goals do you have for advancing your skills in leadership and coaching, and how do you plan to implement them in your mentorship of Limitless 2.0 participants?
A: I would like to encourage different perspectives, understand different backgrounds and advocate for underrepresented groups. One way I plan to achieve this is by creating a well –thought-out plan since this is a new experience, to allow everyone to learn and achieve the most out of this program.

Q: Can you share any insights or advice you may have for others who are considering working for similar opportunities in the field of humanitarian innovation?
A: Some advice I would provide is don’t be afraid to take up new jobs or opportunities, whether they are IHL-focused, climate-focused, environmental issues, etc., because they are all related to the overarching goal of helping people in need. Embracing diverse opportunities can allow you to learn in different ways and improve your skills. Also, there are many different Red Cross roles engaged in helping those in need, so taking in new opportunities to learn and build your skills can allow you to reach a position that you enjoy.

Q: What aspects of your work do you enjoy the most?
A: One of my favorite aspects of my volunteer work is listening to amazing guest speakers (during the Monthly IHL Discussions). I think it’s truly inspiring to hear from individuals who have dedicated themselves to humanitarian causes for many years, continuing to volunteer for something they believe in. Something I especially love about the Red Cross is their inclusive approach to volunteers. They foster a supportive environment that encourages people to contribute whenever they can, allowing individuals to make a meaningful difference in their communities.

Q: What do you do for fun?
A: In my free time, I enjoy being outdoors. My go-to activities are going to the beach and spending time seeing marine wildlife, like seals and otters. I also like to hike in the mountains!