In 2011, I had been forced out of Syria at the height of the crackdown of its peaceful revolution. I have yet to visit the country again, and may never be able to return to my home there.

As part of their celebration of the 20th Anniversary, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors had the chance to catch up with IRIS leaders: Cara Mertes, the Founding Director of IRIS, Graciela Selaimen, Regional Lead for IRIS work in Latin America, and Laila Hourani, Regional Lead, MENA.