A Donor and Recipient: Sawaya brings holistic approach to philanthropy
Paul Sawaya is no stranger to the conflicts of war. Born and raised in Lebanon, he attended school during the civil war from 1975 to 1990 with his twin brother Peter and younger sister Lynn. During the war, Paul and his family had to relocate on multiple occasions to safer areas of the country, transfer to various schools, and adapt to constant unpredictability.
But this did not dissuade him from pursuing his academic dreams. Paul studied law at the Saint Joseph University of Beirut and obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Law, before completing a Master’s in Management from Jean Moulin University, Lyon 3, a blended program between Lebanon and France. During the pandemic, Paul earned a Master’s in Development Studies and Diplomacy from UNITAR and the University for Peace. In 2023, the escalation of war once again interrupted his studies, which he put on hold to safely emigrate to Canada.
Paul has always been interested in negotiation, conflict management, and communications and has given university lectures on good governance, environmental law, freedom of expression, and democracy. Over the past 20 years, he has volunteered with and established numerous non-governmental organizations (NGOs), such as Dialogue for Citizenry and Peace Initiatives. Paul is fluent in English, French, and Arabic, with some basic language skills in Spanish and German.
Position
Development Officer, Philanthropy
Areas of Focus
Faculty of Arts, Child Trauma Research Centre (CTRC), and Psychology Training Clinic
What are some of your professional highlights leading up to this point in your career?
I worked for the past 12 years in the United Nations system, specifically with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees as a Government Liaison Officer covering Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan within the Syria Crisis Response, the largest refugee crisis in the world from 2011 to 2024.
I also worked for NGOs like Mercy Corps and Search for Common Ground as a Project Officer and Program Coordinator coordinating projects related to youth and education. Prior to that I worked for the Lebanese Association for Democratic Elections as a Coordinator and Liaison with the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities to help coordinate parliamentary elections.
I have always had some connection with philanthropy—as a donor myself and receiving donations. This explains the perspective I have for both.
What motivated you to choose this career path?
I have worked for a long time as a Relationship Manager in the private, non-profit, and intergovernmental sectors. Communication is the core of any successful team, and I always communicate with people, listen to their needs and problems, and try to solve them with empathy. Relationship management is an enriching experience that can forge very strong skills in not only business or day-to-day work but also in everyday life.
What are some of the key aspects of your role as a Development Officer?
The day-to-day work involves constant communication and follow-up with donors, taking appropriate action, and responding to queries. This requires a very good understanding of donor trends and giving history and, of course, understanding the needs of faculties, department heads, and research centers, and their needs and priorities for laboratories. It requires a holistic approach that brings both sides to the fore. The donors’ interests from one side and the faculty or department needs from the other. The role of the development officer is extremely important in catalyzing the priorities and channeling them adequately when possible. It is therefore very important that the development officer is continuously up to date on both partners’ priorities, does their research, understands the context and trends, and makes decisions accordingly.
What are some of your favourite hobbies and passions?
I am a passionate world traveler who has visited 35 countries around the world, taking in architecture and experiencing many different cultures. As well as being an outdoors enthusiast, I enjoy hiking, camping, cycling, skiing, and swimming in the sea. I always like to stay up to date with the latest outdoors equipment and clothing trends. When I first arrived in Canada, I immediately bought myself the necessary outdoors equipment, and explored the beautiful parks by hiking, cross-country skiing, and cycling. I am a member of the Nordic Ski Club Association, the Alpine Club of Canada, Regina Ski Club, and more. My goal is to become a professional wildlife photographer.
Want to find out more about the University Advancement team? Read past profiles: Trudy & Maria | Claudia Whitehawk.
Banner photo credit: Paul Sawaya