Basma Alawee

Basma Alawee
Senior Advisor for Policy and Advocacy

Basma Alawee is the Senior Advisor for Policy & Advocacy at Refugee Congress, where she leads strategic policy and advocacy efforts, working with refugee leaders, government agencies, civil society, philanthropy, and international partners to advance refugee rights, protection, and meaningful participation in decision-making.

As a former refugee from Iraq with more than 15 years of experience advancing refugee protection, inclusion, and community-led solutions across the United States and globally, Basma draws on both lived and professional experience to strengthen refugee leadership and influence policy at the local, national, and international levels.

Prior to her work with Refugee Congress, Basma held executive leadership roles with Community Sponsorship Hub, the National Partnership for New Americans, and WeaveTales, a refugee-led nonprofit she founded that later merged with Refugee Congress. Basma is a co-founder of the US Refugee Advisory Board and currently serves on the Board of Directors of Refugee Council USA. She has represented refugee communities across a broad range of spaces, including the White House, United Nations, and other global policy forums.