Rana Abu Ghazaleh (MUP ’08)
Rana Abu Ghazaleh during the IPPF Governing Council meeting last November which she chairs as part of her duties as President.
By Tyler Madell (MUP ' 20)
Published March 4, 2019 This content is archived.
In addition to serving as capital projects manager for the City of Alexandria, Va., a major community outside Washington DC, Rana Abu Ghazaleh is a global advocate for social justice and equality for women.
An image from Rana Abu Ghazaleh's recognition as a 40 under 40 Honoree by the City of Alexandria Chamber of Commerce in 2018. Credit: “The Zebra”
The 2008 Master of Urban Planning graduate was recently elected president of the International Planned Parenthood Federation, a volunteer position that allows her to oversee policy making for the global organization (her three-year term concludes in 2020). Ghazaleh's service to the IPPF dates back 15 years. Prior to her election as president she was the IPPF Arab World Youth Representative.
She has spoken at several global platforms on international development and urban planning issues.
During her time at UB, Ghazaleh was a Fulbright scholar and specialized her MUP studies on community and international economic development. Ghazaleh earned her bachelor's degree in architectural engineering from Birzeit University in the West Bank, outside Ramallah.
Ghazaleh’s understanding of the intricacies of urban forces, and her passion for women and social complexities, demonstrates the wide sphere of influence for urban planning professionals.
Meanwhile, Ghazaleh is a successful planning professional. Since joining the City of Alexandria in 2011, she has supported the City’s Strategic Facility Plan and the Gleaning (Food Rescue) project at the city's Old Town Farmers Market. The effort salvaged 4,000 pounds of food in four months, all donated to local food pantries and shelters serving the city's low-income and at-risk population.
In 2018, she was selected for the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce's "40 under 40" award.