Mahmoud Asaad

Chief Executive Officer

Mahmoud Asaad is the Chief Executive Officer of Fouadi, a role he has held since the organization’s founding in 2010. With more than two decades of experience in humanitarian and development work, Mahmoud is a trusted and strategic leader known for driving inclusive impact and building resilient institutions.

Prior to establishing Fouadi, Mahmoud served as a Deputy Project Director with UNDP from 2000 to 2008, where he was the Microfinance Specialist at the Jabal Al Hoss Project in rural Aleppo. There, he led the design and implementation of community-based microfinance systems, developed sustainable outreach strategies, and coordinated with national and international partners.

As CEO of Fouadi, Mahmoud has overseen the foundation’s strategic growth and impact across multiple sectors including child protection, education, health, livelihoods, and emergency response. He is responsible for setting the foundation’s strategy, ensuring effective operations, staff performance, and interdepartmental alignment. He also plays a key role in external relations, donor engagement, and resource mobilization.

His strategic leadership directly supports over 400 staff and volunteers, ensuring that Fouadi remains committed to transparency, accountability, and grassroots inclusion.

Mahmoud holds a Master’s degree in Economics and Finance and is a certified accountant accredited by the Association of Syrian Certified Accountants. His academic and professional credentials have grounded his leadership in accountability, evidence-based planning, and financial stewardship.

"True humanitarian work is not just about providing aid, but about restoring dignity and building futures. That is what drives every effort we make at Fouadi." 

– Mahmoud Asaad

Through his vision, Mahmoud continues to shape Fouadi as a leading humanitarian actor in northern Syria, committed to empowering communities through effective, transparent, and locally rooted solutions.

Muhammad Kadah Saleem

Financial Officer

Muhammad Kadah is the Financial Officer of Fouadi, a role he has held since 2014. With over a decade of hands-on experience in nonprofit financial management, Muhammad plays a central role in ensuring the foundation’s fiscal integrity, efficiency, and compliance with international donor standards.

He holds a university degree in Management and Accounting in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises from the Faculty of Economics, University of Aleppo, and is highly skilled in financial analysis, budgeting, reporting, and project accounting across humanitarian sectors.

In his role, Muhammad is responsible for providing a wide range of specialized finance functions, including:

►  Ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant financial processing in line with international financial rules and regulations.

►  Verifying, approving, and processing invoices—especially those related to logistics services—to ensure all figures match contractual terms and actual bank deposits.

►  Overseeing the alignment of financial documents with Partnership Cooperation Agreements (PCAs), and ensuring proper authorization before payments are issued.

►  Managing monthly reconciliations, budget control, financial audits, and the preparation of institutional financial reports.

Muhammad has supported the financial implementation of over 19 major humanitarian and development projects, including child-friendly spaces, WASH, education, livelihood programs, and infrastructure rehabilitation across rural Aleppo, in partnership with UNICEF, UNDP, WFP, and OCHA.

He is proficient in a range of financial software systems including Al-Ameen, Al-Manara, and Al-Bazaar, and holds certifications in ICDL, early recovery financial management, and ISO 26000 for social responsibility.

“Transparent financial systems are the foundation of accountable humanitarian action. My work ensures every resource serves the communities we’re here to support.”

– Muhammad Kadah Saleem