Daniel Druhora
Lecturer and Director of New Initiatives, USC Viterbi School of Engineering
Co-Founder and Executive Producer, Safe Passage Films (U.K.)
USC Coordinator, U.S. State Department Diplomacy Lab
M.F.A., Film & Television Production, USC School of Cinematic Arts
B.A., Social Sciences and International Relations, University of Washington
Daniel Druhora is an award-winning filmmaker, screenwriter, and educator working at the intersection of storytelling, innovation, and global impact. His work spans narrative and documentary film, immersive education, and humanitarian innovation.
Daniel’s Emmy-winning documentary Lives Not Grades, which follows the creation of an innovation course addressing urgent global challenges, aired on PBS and continues to be used in classrooms and policy discussions around the world. He has contributed to a wide range of international co-productions, most recently completing Cloudwalkers, a feature documentary on the pioneers of the internet and artificial intelligence now streaming on Amazon Prime. He is currently directing and producing Flowing Forward, a documentary series on water reuse and climate resilience in the U.S., and is currently in post-production on Frequency of Hope, a deeply personal story of recovery, community, and transformation set in Alaska’s opioid crisis.
In 2007, Daniel co-founded AgRenova, a biotech startup focused on sustainable agriculture in Europe. Now a professor at USC Viterbi and Resident Filmmaker at the ReWater Center, Daniel pursues a single, restless question: how can the act of storytelling—when fused with education and innovation—become not just a way to explain the world, but a way to reimagine it?
Daniel is an award-winning screenwriter and filmmaker. He has worked on the development and post-production of films for Warner Brothers Studios including a number of international co-productions. His Emmy-winning documentary “Lives Not Grades” about the journey of this course can be found on PBS. Daniel is directing and producing the feature length film “Cloudwalkers” about the history of the internet and the emergence of the Age of AI. He is also producing the highly anticipated documentary “Freischwimmer” for European networks ARD and ARTE. His screenplay “Climbers” about Rwanda’s first cycling team was optioned by Paris-based Forecast Features. He is currently writing “Miracles In War” about the fight to bring ISIS to justice for the genocide committed in Iraq. His screenplay “Marjan,” about a girl living through the Syrian civil war, was shortlisted for the 2017 Academy Nicholl Fellowship. In addition to filmmaking and teaching, Daniel has managed international logistics as an operations supervisor for UPS Supply Chain Solutions and has led humanitarian relief projects in partnership with several NGOs in several countries. In 2007, he co-founded AgRenova, a biotech startup in the agriculture space.
Brad Cracchiola
Lecturer, USC Viterbi School of Engineering
Associate Director, Global Program Management Designworks, a BMW Company
M.S., Mechanical Engineering, University of Southern California
B.S., Aerospace/Aeronautical Engineering, University of Southern California
Brad Cracchiola started his career with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and eventually transitioned into the product design/development industry with Richard Holbrook Design in Pasadena. In 2004 Brad joined BMW Designworks, a global creative consultancy, where he is currently an associate director overseeing global project management and leads technical projects. In his career, Brad has collaborated with clients including Microsoft, Disney, Herman Miller, HP as well as several startups. He has led the development of products across various industries including consumer electronics, wearable technology, medical devices, sporting equipment, furniture, and more. Brad also has experience developing software products. His “Green Genie” iPhone app was named a top 10 sustainability app by Techcrunch, Forbes among other publications, and Apple named it an “App Store Essential”. Brad also lead the team that designed the United States Paralympic racing wheelchair, which debuted at the Rio de Janerio 2016 Summer Paralympics, helped athletes win 7 medals, and is currently on display at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York City. Brad has been interviewed by NBC, USA Today, Wired, Fast Company, Popular Mechanics, Business Insider, and others.
Brad Cracchiola started his career with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and eventually transitioned into the product design/development industry with Richard Holbrook Design in Pasadena. In 2004 Brad joined BMW Designworks, a global creative consultancy, where he is currently an associate director overseeing global project management and leads technical projects. In his career, Brad has collaborated with clients including Microsoft, Disney, Herman Miller, HP as well as several startups. He has led the development of products across various industries including consumer electronics, wearable technology, medical devices, sporting equipment, furniture, and more. Brad also has experience developing software products. His “Green Genie” iPhone app was named a top 10 sustainability app by Techcrunch, Forbes among other publications, and Apple named it an “App Store Essential”. Brad also lead the team that designed the United States Paralympic racing wheelchair, which debuted at the Rio de Janerio 2016 Summer Paralympics, helped athletes win 7 medals, and is currently on display at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York City. Brad has been interviewed by NBC, USA Today, Wired, Fast Company, Popular Mechanics, Business Insider, and others.
David Gerber
Professor of Practice in Civil and Environmental Engineering and Architecture
Doctoral Degree, Harvard University
Master's Degree, Architectural Association DRL in London
Master's Degree, Harvard University
Bachelor's Degree, University of California - Berkeley
Dr. Gerber holds a joint appointment at USC’s Viterbi School of Engineering and the USC School of Architecture as an Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering Practice and of Architecture. Dr. Gerber is also the program Director for the Civil Engineering Building Science undergraduate program and the program Director for the Masters in Advanced Design and Construction Technology Program. He teaches in both the Viterbi School of Engineering and the School of Architecture.
Dr. Gerber’s professional experience includes working in architectural, engineering and technology practices in the United States, Europe, India and Asia for Zaha Hadid Architects in London; for Gehry Technologies in Los Angeles; for Moshe Safdie Architects in Massachusetts; The Steinberg Group Architects in California; and for Arup as the Global Research Manager. Dr. Gerber’s research has been industry, fellowship, and NSF funded and is focussed on the development of innovative systems, tools, methods for design of the built environment. He currently advises, and co advises PhD students from Architecture and Engineering on topics that integrate computer science, robotics, engineering, with architecture.
David Gerber received his undergraduate architectural education at the University of California Berkeley (Bachelor of Arts in Architecture, 1996). He completed his first professional degree at the Design Research Laboratory of the Architectural Association in London (Master of Architecture, 2000), his post professional research degree (Master of Design Studies, 2003) and his Doctoral studies (Doctor of Design, June 2007) at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design.
Dr. Gerber holds a joint appointment at USC’s Viterbi School of Engineering and the USC School of Architecture as an Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering Practice and of Architecture. Dr. Gerber is also the program Director for the Civil Engineering Building Science undergraduate program and the program Director for the Masters in Advanced Design and Construction Technology Program. He teaches in both the Viterbi School of Engineering and the School of Architecture.
Dr. Gerber’s professional experience includes working in architectural, engineering and technology practices in the United States, Europe, India and Asia for Zaha Hadid Architects in London; for Gehry Technologies in Los Angeles; for Moshe Safdie Architects in Massachusetts; The Steinberg Group Architects in California; and for Arup as the Global Research Manager. Dr. Gerber’s research has been industry, fellowship, and NSF funded and is focussed on the development of innovative systems, tools, methods for design of the built environment. He currently advises, and co advises PhD students from Architecture and Engineering on topics that integrate computer science, robotics, engineering, with architecture.
David Gerber received his undergraduate architectural education at the University of California Berkeley (Bachelor of Arts in Architecture, 1996). He completed his first professional degree at the Design Research Laboratory of the Architectural Association in London (Master of Architecture, 2000), his post professional research degree (Master of Design Studies, 2003) and his Doctoral studies (Doctor of Design, June 2007) at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design.
Tatiana Vaz
Entrepreneur-In-Residence
Associate, Corporate Innovation Disney Accelerator
Co-Founder, Good2Go
Tatiana Vaz is the current Entrepreneur in Residence for the USC Global Challenges Innovation Lab. A 2021 graduate of USC, she studied Economics, Mathematical Finance, and Entrepreneurship. During her time as a student, Tatiana co-founded Good2Go, a micro-volunteering platform that connected food pantries with volunteer drivers to make contact-free grocery deliveries to families facing food insecurity. The platform quickly gained momentum, partnering with local organizations and building a strong community of volunteers.
Following graduation, Tatiana joined Amazon Web Services in Seattle, where she worked in the Startups division, supporting ventures in healthcare and life sciences. She now works on Disney’s Corporate Innovation and Startup Accelerator team, where she helps connect internal leaders with cutting-edge startups and emerging technologies, driving strategic collaboration across the company.
Beyond her work in innovation, Tatiana is a passionate advocate for environmental protection. She serves as Vice Chair of the Surfrider Foundation’s Los Angeles Chapter, working to preserve ocean access and champion coastal conservation.
Tatiana Vaz is the current Entrepreneur in Residence for the USC Global Challenges Innovation Lab. A 2021 graduate of USC, she studied Economics, Mathematical Finance, and Entrepreneurship. During her time as a student, Tatiana co-founded Good2Go, a micro-volunteering platform that connected food pantries with volunteer drivers to make contact-free grocery deliveries to families facing food insecurity. The platform quickly gained momentum, partnering with local organizations and building a strong community of volunteers.
Following graduation, Tatiana joined Amazon Web Services in Seattle, where she worked in the Startups division, supporting ventures in healthcare and life sciences. She now works on Disney’s Corporate Innovation and Startup Accelerator team, where she helps connect internal leaders with cutting-edge startups and emerging technologies, driving strategic collaboration across the company.
Beyond her work in innovation, Tatiana is a passionate advocate for environmental protection. She serves as Vice Chair of the Surfrider Foundation’s Los Angeles Chapter, working to preserve ocean access and champion coastal conservation.
Kamila Fomin
B.A., International Relations
Co-Founder, Raise-A-Glass
Teaching Assistant
Kamila Fomin is a teaching assistant and co-founder of Raise a Glass, a storytelling startup that uses augmented reality to spotlight global crises—beginning with the war in Ukraine. By embedding narratives of civilian resistance into wine labels, the project allows consumers to engage with powerful stories through interactive QR codes, with proceeds supporting Ukrainians affected by the war.
Born and raised in Ukraine, Kamila studies International Relations at the University of Southern California, where she focuses on global humanitarian issues. She interned at the Nobel Peace Prize–winning Center for Civil Liberties in Kyiv, supporting its mission to advance human rights across Ukraine and beyond.
Kamila is also active in filmmaking. She worked on Mnemora, a short sci-fi film that explores memory and intelligent built environments, and contributes to Lives Not Grades: Faces of Courage, the second installment in the Emmy-winning documentary series that follows student teams addressing urgent global challenges.
Kamila Fomin is a teaching assistant and co-founder of Raise a Glass, a storytelling startup that uses augmented reality to spotlight global crises—beginning with the war in Ukraine. By embedding narratives of civilian resistance into wine labels, the project allows consumers to engage with powerful stories through interactive QR codes, with proceeds supporting Ukrainians affected by the war.
Born and raised in Ukraine, Kamila studies International Relations at the University of Southern California, where she focuses on global humanitarian issues. She interned at the Nobel Peace Prize–winning Center for Civil Liberties in Kyiv, supporting its mission to advance human rights across Ukraine and beyond.
Kamila is also active in filmmaking. She worked on Mnemora, a short sci-fi film that explores memory and intelligent built environments, and contributes to Lives Not Grades: Faces of Courage, the second installment in the Emmy-winning documentary series that follows student teams addressing urgent global challenges.
Burcin Becerik-Gerber
Dean’s Professor and Chair of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Doctor of Design, Harvard University
M.S., Engineering, University of California-Berkeley
Master’s Degree, Architecture, Istanbul Technical University
B.A., Architecture, Istanbul Technical University
Dr. Becerik-Gerber’s work is at the intersection of the built environment, machine intelligence, and systems thinking. Specifically, her work focuses on the acquisition, modeling, and analysis of the data needed for user-centered built environments, and the development of novel frameworks and visualization techniques to improve built-environment efficiency, while increasing user satisfaction. Her work, which has received support worth over 5 million dollars from a variety of sources, including the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, and Department of Transportation, brings together a variety of disciplines, such as engineering, design, computer science, psychology, and architecture. She is currently advising six Ph.D. students, several masters and undergraduate students in the Informatics for Intelligent Built Environments focus area. She is the recipient of MIT Technology Review’s TR35 Recognition (2012), NSF CAREER Award (2014), Viterbi Junior Research Award (2016), Mellon Mentoring Award (2017), Celebration of Engineering & Technology Innovation Award (CETI) from FIATECH (2018) and the Rutherford Visiting Fellowship at the Alan Turing Institute (2018).
Dr. Becerik-Gerber’s work is at the intersection of the built environment, machine intelligence, and systems thinking. Specifically, her work focuses on the acquisition, modeling, and analysis of the data needed for user-centered built environments, and the development of novel frameworks and visualization techniques to improve built-environment efficiency, while increasing user satisfaction. Her work, which has received support worth over 5 million dollars from a variety of sources, including the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, and Department of Transportation, brings together a variety of disciplines, such as engineering, design, computer science, psychology, and architecture. She is currently advising six Ph.D. students, several masters and undergraduate students in the Informatics for Intelligent Built Environments focus area. She is the recipient of MIT Technology Review’s TR35 Recognition (2012), NSF CAREER Award (2014), Viterbi Junior Research Award (2016), Mellon Mentoring Award (2017), Celebration of Engineering & Technology Innovation Award (CETI) from FIATECH (2018) and the Rutherford Visiting Fellowship at the Alan Turing Institute (2018).
Gisele Ragusa
Professor of Engineering Education Practice
Ph.D., Education, University of Southern California
M.S., Education, University of Southern California
B.A., Liberal Arts, University of Southern California
B.S., Business Administration, University of Southern California
Dr. Gisele Ragusa is a professor at the University of Southern California (USC) in the Viterbi School of Engineering’s Division of Engineering Education. She co-chairs and directs USC’s STEM Education Consortium. She serves in the School of Engineering’s Division of Engineering Education and is also on the University’s Academic Senate (faculty governance) as chair as the University’s Library Committee. She has led the Viterbi School of Engineering Dean’s Engaged Learning Initiative for three years.
Her research interests and areas of expertise include: STEM and in particular engineering education, engineering innovation and global preparedness, college access for first generation college students and students from diverse backgrounds, STEM PK-12 education and teacher education, STEM literacy education, as well as assessment and measurement in STEM. She teaches courses in applied research design, measurement theory, advanced statistical analyses, critical pedagogy in STEM and courses in learning and instructional theory. Dr. Ragusa extensive expertise in multimodal research design, assessment, psychometrics, advanced quantitative analyses, and impact focused pedagogy in STEM. She is active in many professional associations in the engineering and science education, teacher education, distance learning, program evaluation and special education fields. She has been principal investigator on more than 30 federal grants through the US Department of Education, the National Institute of Health, and the National Science Foundation. She has greater than 100 publications of varying types.
Dr. Gisele Ragusa is a professor at the University of Southern California (USC) in the Viterbi School of Engineering’s Division of Engineering Education. She co-chairs and directs USC’s STEM Education Consortium. She serves in the School of Engineering’s Division of Engineering Education and is also on the University’s Academic Senate (faculty governance) as chair as the University’s Library Committee. She has led the Viterbi School of Engineering Dean’s Engaged Learning Initiative for three years.
Her research interests and areas of expertise include: STEM and in particular engineering education, engineering innovation and global preparedness, college access for first generation college students and students from diverse backgrounds, STEM PK-12 education and teacher education, STEM literacy education, as well as assessment and measurement in STEM. She teaches courses in applied research design, measurement theory, advanced statistical analyses, critical pedagogy in STEM and courses in learning and instructional theory. Dr. Ragusa extensive expertise in multimodal research design, assessment, psychometrics, advanced quantitative analyses, and impact focused pedagogy in STEM. She is active in many professional associations in the engineering and science education, teacher education, distance learning, program evaluation and special education fields. She has been principal investigator on more than 30 federal grants through the US Department of Education, the National Institute of Health, and the National Science Foundation. She has greater than 100 publications of varying types.
Kelly Sanders
Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Ph.D., Civil, Architectural & Environmental Engineering, University of Texas – Austin
M.S., Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas – Austin
B.S.E., Bioengineering, Penn State University
Currently serving as a White House Sustainability Advisor
Dr. Kelly Sanders’s research aims to ease tensions between human and natural systems, with particular emphasis on reducing the environmental impacts of providing energy and water, analyzing tensions between climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies, and anticipating the effects of climate change on energy systems. She has authored more than two dozen publications and has given dozens of invited talks on topics at the intersection of engineering, science, and policy. Sanders has been recognized in Forbes’ 30 under 30: Today’s disruptors and tomorrow’s brightest stars and MIT Technology Review’s 35 Innovators Under 35 for her contributions to the energy field. In 2019, she was granted an NSF Early CAREER award.
Her research and commentary have been featured in media outlets such as The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, Foreign Affairs, WIRED magazine, Forbes, Bloomberg, The Wall Street Journal and Scientific American. Sanders received her B.S. in Bioengineering from the Pennsylvania State University, as well M.S.E and Ph.D. degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Environmental Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin, respectively. She teaches classes related to energy and the environment.
Dr. Kelly Sanders’s research aims to ease tensions between human and natural systems, with particular emphasis on reducing the environmental impacts of providing energy and water, analyzing tensions between climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies, and anticipating the effects of climate change on energy systems. She has authored more than two dozen publications and has given dozens of invited talks on topics at the intersection of engineering, science, and policy. Sanders has been recognized in Forbes’ 30 under 30: Today’s disruptors and tomorrow’s brightest stars and MIT Technology Review’s 35 Innovators Under 35 for her contributions to the energy field. In 2019, she was granted an NSF Early CAREER award.
Her research and commentary have been featured in media outlets such as The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, Foreign Affairs, WIRED magazine, Forbes, Bloomberg, The Wall Street Journal and Scientific American. Sanders received her B.S. in Bioengineering from the Pennsylvania State University, as well M.S.E and Ph.D. degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Environmental Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin, respectively. She teaches classes related to energy and the environment.
Najmedin Meshkati
Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Industrial Systems Engineering, and International Relations
Ph.D., Industrial Engineering, University of Southern California
M.S., Engineering Management, University of Southern California
B.S., Industrial Engineering, Sharif University Of Technology
B.S., International Relations and Political Economy, National University of Iran
Dr. Najmedin Meshkati is a Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Industrial & Systems Engineering; and International Relations at the University of Southern California (USC); an Associate (ex-Research Fellow) with the Project on Managing the Atom at Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard Kennedy School; and has been an Associate with the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government at Harvard (2018-2020).
He is a Commissioner of The Joint Commission and a member of the Board on Human-Systems Integration (BOHSI) of the National Academies (Sciences, Engineering and Medicine). Between 2009-2010, he was a Jefferson Science Fellow and a Senior Science and Engineering Advisor to the Office of the Science and Technology Adviser of the U.S. Secretary of State. His current interests include nuclear safety, environmental sustainability, and developing cooperative regional approaches to nuclear fuel cycle management.
For the past 30 years, Dr. Meshkati has been teaching and conducting research on human factors, safety culture, and risk reduction of complex, large-scale technological systems, including nuclear power, aviation, refining, and petrochemical industries. As an expert on systems engineering, human factors and safety culture, Meshkati was selected by the National Academies to be a member on two national panels investigating two recent catastrophic events at Fukushima and Deepwater Horizon. He has inspected many nuclear power plants around the world, including Chernobyl (1997), Fukushima Daiichi and Daini (2012).
Dr. Meshkati is a Fellow of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society and the 2015 recipient of the organization’s highest honor, the Arnold M. Small President’s Distinguished Service Award. He is also a certified professional ergonomist.
Dr. Najmedin Meshkati is a Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Industrial & Systems Engineering; and International Relations at the University of Southern California (USC); an Associate (ex-Research Fellow) with the Project on Managing the Atom at Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard Kennedy School; and has been an Associate with the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government at Harvard (2018-2020).
He is a Commissioner of The Joint Commission and a member of the Board on Human-Systems Integration (BOHSI) of the National Academies (Sciences, Engineering and Medicine). Between 2009-2010, he was a Jefferson Science Fellow and a Senior Science and Engineering Advisor to the Office of the Science and Technology Adviser of the U.S. Secretary of State. His current interests include nuclear safety, environmental sustainability, and developing cooperative regional approaches to nuclear fuel cycle management.
For the past 30 years, Dr. Meshkati has been teaching and conducting research on human factors, safety culture, and risk reduction of complex, large-scale technological systems, including nuclear power, aviation, refining, and petrochemical industries. As an expert on systems engineering, human factors and safety culture, Meshkati was selected by the National Academies to be a member on two national panels investigating two recent catastrophic events at Fukushima and Deepwater Horizon. He has inspected many nuclear power plants around the world, including Chernobyl (1997), Fukushima Daiichi and Daini (2012).
Dr. Meshkati is a Fellow of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society and the 2015 recipient of the organization’s highest honor, the Arnold M. Small President’s Distinguished Service Award. He is also a certified professional ergonomist.
Ryan Ray
Chief Executive Officer, 61Sixty, LLC
L.S.S.M.B.B., Villanova University
B.A., Psychology, University of Alaska-Anchorage
M.P.A., Public Administration, University of Southern California
D.S.W., Social Innovation, University of Southern California
Dr. Ryan Ray is an accomplished social innovator and systems thinking evangelist. He began his career serving eight and a half years as a Combat Medic and Mental Health Specialist in the U.S. Army and Army Reserves. He received multiple commendations for his service. Dr. Ray spent twenty-two years working in the public and nonprofit sectors and served in leadership positions in both the Executive and Legislative Branches of the Alaska State Government. During this time, he acquired and managed over $225 million in publicly funded projects and $14 million in applied health research funding. Dr. Ray also facilitated the strategic planning effort to retain Eielson Air Force Base and enhance Alaska’s $5 billion military industry.
As a social entrepreneur, his ventures include founding the highly acclaimed nonprofit addiction treatment provider, Set Free Alaska. The treatment center is internationally acknowledged for its innovation and has been named one of the “Best Workplaces in Alaska” by the Alaska Business Magazine. As an experienced speaker, Dr. Ray regularly presents his work on national and international stages and has been recognized by the Alaska Journal of Commerce as a “Top Forty under 40” award recipient. Dr. Ray maintains a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt certification from Villanova University; a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Alaska-Anchorage; a Master of Public Administration degree and a Doctor of Social Work in Social Innovation degree, both from the University of Southern California.
Dr. Ryan Ray is an accomplished social innovator and systems thinking evangelist. He began his career serving eight and a half years as a Combat Medic and Mental Health Specialist in the U.S. Army and Army Reserves. He received multiple commendations for his service. Dr. Ray spent twenty-two years working in the public and nonprofit sectors and served in leadership positions in both the Executive and Legislative Branches of the Alaska State Government. During this time, he acquired and managed over $225 million in publicly funded projects and $14 million in applied health research funding. Dr. Ray also facilitated the strategic planning effort to retain Eielson Air Force Base and enhance Alaska’s $5 billion military industry.
As a social entrepreneur, his ventures include founding the highly acclaimed nonprofit addiction treatment provider, Set Free Alaska. The treatment center is internationally acknowledged for its innovation and has been named one of the “Best Workplaces in Alaska” by the Alaska Business Magazine. As an experienced speaker, Dr. Ray regularly presents his work on national and international stages and has been recognized by the Alaska Journal of Commerce as a “Top Forty under 40” award recipient. Dr. Ray maintains a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt certification from Villanova University; a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Alaska-Anchorage; a Master of Public Administration degree and a Doctor of Social Work in Social Innovation degree, both from the University of Southern California.
Yusra Mardini
Founder, Yusra Mardini Foundation
UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador
Olympian
'26 B.A. USC School of Cinematic Arts
Yusra Mardini is a Syrian-born former competitive swimmer who gained international recognition for her extraordinary journey from fleeing war to competing in the Olympics. Mardini and her sister fled Syria in 2015, surviving a harrowing journey across the Aegean Sea by swimming for hours to save fellow refugees after their boat began to sink. Once settled in Germany, she resumed her swimming career and became a symbol of hope by competing as part of the Refugee Olympic Team at the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games. In 2023, she was named one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People in the World, recognized as a global advocate for refugees and the power of sport to uplift and unite. Beyond her athletic achievements, Mardini serves as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador and launched the Yusra Mardini Foundation to empower refugees through sports and education. Her inspiring story was brought to life in the Netflix film The Swimmers, capturing her journey of resilience and determination.
Yusra Mardini is a Syrian-born former competitive swimmer who gained international recognition for her extraordinary journey from fleeing war to competing in the Olympics. Mardini and her sister fled Syria in 2015, surviving a harrowing journey across the Aegean Sea by swimming for hours to save fellow refugees after their boat began to sink. Once settled in Germany, she resumed her swimming career and became a symbol of hope by competing as part of the Refugee Olympic Team at the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games. In 2023, she was named one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People in the World, recognized as a global advocate for refugees and the power of sport to uplift and unite. Beyond her athletic achievements, Mardini serves as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador and launched the Yusra Mardini Foundation to empower refugees through sports and education. Her inspiring story was brought to life in the Netflix film The Swimmers, capturing her journey of resilience and determination.