When the Waves of Alexandria Break the Chains of Challenges… Marwa Hafez Abdo… A Pioneer Leading Change in the World of Community Service

From the bride of the Mediterranean, Alexandria, shines the story of a woman who defied stagnant waves to dock her ship in the harbors of success and excellence. Marwa Hafez, a name that has illuminated the skies of Alexandria Governorate, long monopolized by the dominance of traditions, announces the birth of a new dawn led by ambitious Egyptian women. An inspiring journey that began with a passion for knowledge and deepened with perseverance, to form a unique model that combines professional leadership and social responsibility, leaving indelible marks in every field her feet have trod. So, to the pages of this exceptional story, where the power of will and the impact of giving manifest. 

In the heart of the enchanting city of Alexandria, and on the shores of its Mediterranean Sea, Marwa Hafez was born to forge her path towards success and excellence in fields rarely ventured into by women, leaving a clear mark in supporting Egyptian women and community work.

Marwa's journey, filled with challenges, ambitions, and achievements, is an inspiring story worth telling, to be a beacon for every woman seeking to achieve herself and serve her community.

Marwa's academic journey began in 2000 with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, specializing in Information Management and E-Marketing. However, this was only the initial spark for her passion for research and knowledge. This passion led her on a deeper intellectual adventure, as she pursues a Master's degree in International Transport and Logistics from Middlesex University in London, thus affirming her firm belief in the importance of this vital sector and its pivotal role in shaping the future of the Egyptian economy.

But Marwa's ambitions did not stop there. Her deep belief in the power of leadership and management in achieving visions propelled her towards new horizons. She obtained a postgraduate diploma in Strategic Management and National Security from the prestigious Nasser Higher Military Academy, thus gaining insightful awareness of the strategic challenges facing the nation, and combining the depth of specialization with the comprehensiveness of vision.

With a firm belief in the pivotal role of women and the power of their empowerment, Marwa embarked on her path towards leadership. With determination and perseverance, she successfully completed the "Women Lead in Egyptian Governorates" program, one of the presidential programs for the qualification of Egyptian women at the National Training Academy. She has become, in turn, a role model and a source of inspiration for other women.

Marwa's achievements did not stop at the borders of the nation. Through her sincere efforts and valuable contributions to the world of community service and entrepreneurship, her star shone regionally and internationally. She was indeed the only Egyptian to receive a high honor from the Minister of Equipment and Water (Transport) in the Kingdom of Morocco and the British Ministry of Transport within a delegation of members of the Arab Women in Maritime Transport Association, in recognition of her exceptional contributions and inspiring impact in this vital field.

In recognition of her distinguished and inspiring efforts in the fields of women and society, she was honored with the Golden Woman Award in Alexandria Governorate among a group of inspiring women nominated by the African Center for Women's Health in Alexandria.

But fate had a different path in store for Marwa. In 2007, she took her first steps in the maritime transport sector, a field that was and still is seen as a male preserve. Marwa did not pay attention to this stereotype; rather, she welcomed the challenge with a heart full of determination and unwavering resolve. Her star quickly rose, proving with merit that competence knows no gender.

After that, she was the originator of the idea of establishing the "Ana Masreya" (I am Egyptian) Foundation, and she is the Chairperson of its Board of Trustees. She solely founded this institution in 2016 to serve Egyptian society in various fields.

Her deep belief in the importance of the role of youth led her to establish the "Come, Let's Teach Our Children the Meaning of Loyalty" initiative under the auspices of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, believing that instilling national values in the younger generation is the foundation for building a bright future and striving for the stability of national security in the Egyptian street.

Marwa's efforts were not limited to the professional and community levels but extended to her nomination as an influential figure in public and political work. She was an active member of the National Council for Women, Alexandria Branch, from 2019 to 2024, where she worked to support women's issues and empower them in various fields.

She was also included as a member of the Arab Women Working in Maritime Transport Association in 2020 and was also nominated to join the Maritime Salon.

She was also assigned to head the Committee for Women and Sustainable Development at the Arab Federation for E-Commerce - Council of Economic Unity, affirming her belief in the vital role of women in achieving comprehensive and sustainable development.

Marwa did not settle for mere success; rather, the roots of her influence extended to touch the heart of the nation. As the Assistant Secretary-General of the Homeland Protectors Party in Alexandria, her nomination was a precious trust and honor. Before that, as the Secretary of Women in Alexandria Governorate for the Egypt October Party, she was a resounding voice in the arena of political action. Her role was not limited to that; she was an active member of the steering committee of the official campaign for candidate Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in the 2024 elections, and the assignment was an honor she considered a tribute and privilege to bear the name of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, thus affirming her firm commitment to serving her country from every position and a testament to her deep belief in the importance of active participation in building a better future.

Realizing the importance of knowledge and continuous development, she participated in specialized workshops in the field of maritime transport, logistics, and combating corruption, including a workshop on the impact of climate change on seaports and the logistics cycle of supply chains in 2022 at the Port Training Institute of the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport.

Marwa also attended many specialized training courses, including a course on Governance and Strategic Planning from the National Planning Institute, a course on Governance of Combating Corruption from the Security Institute for Human Development of the Administrative and Security Sciences Training Center of the Ministry of Interior, and a course on Skills in Dealing with Digital Media from the Cabinet, Information and Decision Support Center, in addition to advanced educational courses in Strategic Studies, National Security, and Crisis Management from Nasser Higher Military Academy for Graduate Studies in 2023.

Marwa did not stop there; she also obtained a diploma in the Future Opportunities and Hopes for Ports and Container Ships from the Port Training Institute in cooperation with the Shanghai International Maritime Institute.

Marwa did not hesitate to explore new horizons, obtaining a diploma in Artificial Intelligence from the Security Institute of the Ministry of Interior, realizing the importance of modern technology in developing various sectors, and a leadership preparation course at the Military College for Administrative Sciences.

Marwa Hafez's story is not just a narration of personal achievements and a biography; rather, it is a living testament to the power of will, determination, ambition, and dedication to work. It is the story of an Egyptian woman who was able to break into traditional fields, leave her mark clearly, and be an inspiring role model for future generations of women.

It is a living testament that dreams know no bounds, and that sincere determination is capable of turning challenges into opportunities and reaching peaks that were unimaginable. 

Her journey affirms that success knows no gender or limits, and that with perseverance and diligence, dreams can be achieved, challenges can be overcome, and society and the nation can be served with all sincerity and dedication.

May Marwa's story be a motivation for all of us to believe in our abilities, to strive diligently towards achieving our goals, and to leave a positive mark that serves our societies and nations, following her inspiring example in combining success.