UNRWA USA Announces Laila Mokhiber’s Next Chapter After 12.5 Years of Transformative Leadership and Service
November 10, 2025 — UNRWA USA National Committee (UNRWA USA) announces that Laila Mokhiber will depart her role as Senior Director of Communications at the start of 2026, following 12 and a half years of visionary leadership, creative excellence, and steadfast service.
If you’ve ever participated in a Gaza 5K, you’ve likely seen Laila on stage, mic in hand, energizing the crowd. Beyond the stage, she has been the architect of UNRWA USA’s voice, brand, and community, shaping how Americans understand the plight of Palestine refugees.
Laila joined UNRWA USA in July 2013 as the organization’s first Communications Officer, when the team numbered just three. Within weeks, she initiated and led a bold rebrand from American Friends of UNRWA to UNRWA USA, establishing the organization’s enduring name, voice, and visual identity. Since then, she has helped shepherd its transformation from a small startup nonprofit into a nationwide organization with multimillion-dollar impact.
Over her tenure, Laila has served as a storyteller, strategist, fundraiser, host, emcee, mentor, and, at a critical juncture in 2018, Acting Executive Director. She steered the organization’s communications through historic challenges, from the US government’s defunding of UNRWA to the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, ensuring UNRWA USA’s message remained principled, human-centered, and clear.
Under her leadership, the Gaza 5K grew from a modest local charity run into a beloved national tradition, uniting thousands annually in movement, solidarity, and mental health healing. She helped build a nationwide community of partners and hundreds of thousands of Americans who care about Palestine refugees, transforming creative advocacy into a hallmark of UNRWA USA’s identity.
Through art, food, music, and storytelling, Laila and team brought people closer to Palestine and produced some of UNRWA USA’s most defining campaigns. Campaigns such as the Relay Run for Refugees in 2019, the virtual Gaza 5Ks during the pandemic (2020 and 2021), and the ongoing UNRWA is still in Gaza campaign, which is countering disinformation and reaffirms UNRWA as the backbone of the humanitarian operation in Gaza, where 12,000 Palestinian staff —the experienced teachers, doctors, nurses, medical staff, and project managers—continue to service their communities and will be central to rebuilding Gaza again.
At the heart of Laila’s work has been narrative transformation, shifting how Americans perceive UNRWA and Palestine refugees, while expanding the circle of care, partners, and allies. In doing so, she has consistently celebrated the creative brilliance of the Palestinian diaspora.
In August 2023, Laila personally raised funds to replace a broken camera lens for the young Palestinian photographer, Motaz Azaiza, who was producing content for UNRWA USA in Gaza. His images went on to capture the world’s attention and helped people everywhere see Gaza and the genocide through Palestinian eyes. She later co-produced a nationwide Gaza Through My Lens tour across more than ten US cities, helping raise millions for Gaza relief and deepen American understanding through art and testimony.
Laila also helped forge many high-profile collaborations with artists including Macklemore, Anees, and MC Abdul, whose charity track “Hind’s Hall 2,” one of three songs Macklemore has dedicated to UNRWA USA, directs 100% of streaming royalties to support Palestine refugees.
Her contributions have been recognized beyond the organization, earning her two 40 Under 40 awards and other accolades.
“Even in some of the darkest moments of the last two years of atrocities, Laila has brought light and joy to everyone who has been lucky enough to work with her,” said Mara Kronenfeld, Executive Director of UNRWA USA. “Her generosity of spirit and creative genius has been integral in making the UNRWA USA brand what it is today — joyful and dignified in the face of adversity and attack; clear, concise, and above politics in a crowded and cynical media landscape; and filled with pride in the community we embrace and that has come to embrace us. The foundation Laila has laid will be the basis from which the next generation of communications talent will lead UNRWA USA as we expand our trademark Gaza 5K events and continue with transformative nationwide events that uplift and celebrate the life and dignity of Palestine refugees.“
“It’s impossible to overstate Laila’s role in building awareness and support for UNRWA and the needs of Palestinians,” added Dr. Rajaie Batniji, UNRWA USA Board Chairperson. “The bridges Laila has built with diverse communities across the United States — over 12 years — will endure as essential supports for Palestinian life and dignity.”
Reflecting on her time with UNRWA USA, Laila shared:
“As a Palestinian American in diaspora, this work has never been just a job. It’s been a way of staying connected to home, of honoring my mother’s family’s story and the sumud (steadfastness) of millions of Palestine refugees. Getting to uplift Palestinian voices and show that people here in the US do care has been the greatest privilege of my life. I’ve made friends everywhere through this work. I’ll be forever grateful to my UNRWA colleagues in the Middle East and to the refugees who inspire everything we do. This isn’t an ending, just a new beginning. I’ll always be part of this mission, cheering for UNRWA USA and what comes next.”
As UNRWA USA prepares for this transition, the organization is recruiting a Director of Strategic Communications (apply here) to build on the strong foundation Laila and team have established.
UNRWA USA extends its deepest gratitude to Laila Mokhiber for her years of service, mentorship, and dedication. Her impact and legacy will live on in every Gaza 5K, every campaign, and every act of solidarity, reminding Palestine refugees that Americans care.