I have some news to share with you. I'm stepping down as Lingua Manager effectively at the end of the year. I will be joining IFEX in the capacity of Network Engagement Specialist starting January 10. It was not an easy decision to make, I’m still processing it myself, but it is about time. Stepping down usually means leaving an organization, in my case though it is more of a scale back after working full time for ten years. It is time for a fresh pair of eyes to oversee Lingua, with a fresh stream of ideas. While it feels difficult, almost like a break-up, I consider this is a healthy moment.

As many of you know, I joined GV as a volunteer in 2009 while I was still a college student, translating from English into Arabic, moving up the ranks to Arabic Lingua Translation Manager, Lingua Coordinator, and finally Lingua Manager. Meeting many of you around the world. It was quite a journey. I developed a lot, personally and professionally, learning from each one of you! I learned how to accept and embrace people's differences. I also learned to connect through the similarities; in culture, language, kindness, and vulnerable moments. Being in GV greatly satisfied, and will continue so, my need to belong to a community where I feel comfortable and safe.

My journey with GV is not going to stop. I'm still going to be representing you on the board as long as I can. I'm also going to be actively back to the Arabic Lingua management team after some time off. My door is still open for any question, remark, and catching up. You know where to find me!

Thanking is due for a lot of people in the community. My fellow core team members, for realizing my potential when they approached me to help manage Lingua. The Lingua Translation Managers will always have a special place in my heart, making Lingua possible along with the larger Lingua community and increasing horizontally in size and vertically in languages over the years. You make Lingua one of a kind! There is nothing like you anywhere else, not now, not in the past. In Advox, I got to know many people and learned a lot of experiences building upon being an old blogger with a Human Rights focus. Rising Voices, where I learned that so much is happening globally, realizing the vast disparity in power dynamics we endure every day, where solidarity is key through understanding, all while pursuing to know what we don't know and help telling it to the world.

It has been an honor and pleasure working with you all over the years. Thank you so much!