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Mia Ožegović is a strategy and policy expert at the UAE Ministry of Community Empowerment, where she advises H.E. Shamma Al Mazrui on national priorities in education, social development, and the third sector. She currently leads the development of the UAE’s first Third Sector Strategy, focused on strengthening nonprofit ecosystems and expanding programs that drive social impact.
Previously, Mia led research and youth empowerment initiatives at the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation and contributed to national education reform at the UAE Ministry of Education and the Education and Human Resources Council. Her work is rooted in education, policy innovation, and systems change.
A former refugee from Sarajevo, Bosnia, Mia’s perspective has been shaped by her experience with organizations including UNICEF, Humanity in Action, and Teach for America. She graduated summa cum laude from Emory University and holds a Master’s in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School.
Updated January 2026