A Career Built at the Intersection of Law, Conflict, and Leadership
A Career Built at the Intersection of Conflict, Leadership, and Diplomacy
For most of my career, I have worked in environments where decisions carried consequences far beyond the boardroom.
Born in Cardiff, Wales, and raised in Benghazi, Libya, I developed an early understanding of how culture, politics, history, and identity shape the way people communicate, negotiate, and lead. That perspective would later shape every stage of my career.
I began my professional life in law, serving in Libya’s criminal courts and later teaching at the University of Benghazi. Over time, my work expanded into peacebuilding, conflict transformation, and diplomacy, driven by one central question:
What does it take to rebuild trust and stability when systems begin to fail?
Najla Mangoush
As a Fulbright Scholar, I continued my studies in the United States, earning advanced degrees in Conflict Transformation and Conflict Analysis & Resolution. My research focused on restorative justice, reconciliation, and the human dynamics that determine whether fragile systems recover or collapse.
In 2021, I was appointed Libya’s first female Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation since the country’s independence in 1951, and one of only a few women to hold the role across the Arab world.
During my tenure, I led diplomatic engagement at the highest levels of international government during one of the most complex periods in Libya’s modern history. The experience deepened my understanding of leadership under pressure, negotiation across divides, and what it truly takes to navigate uncertainty when the stakes are high.
Today, I work with business leaders and organizations operating in complex environments, helping them navigate risk, strengthen trust, and make decisions with greater clarity and contextual understanding.
My work combines academic rigor, diplomatic experience, and the practical realities of operating inside systems shaped by conflict, instability, and rapid change.
I did not just study conflict and risk. I lived it.
Now, I help leaders navigate complexity with the clarity, perspective, and understanding that traditional frameworks often miss.
Recognition & Leadership Experience
Najla Mangoush’s work in diplomacy, peacebuilding, and leadership has been recognized internationally for its impact in some of the world’s most complex environments.
International Women of
Courage Award
United States Department of State — 2022
Presented by the United States Department of State in recognition of extraordinary leadership, courage, and commitment to peacebuilding.
BBC 100 Women
British Broadcasting Corporation — 2021
Recognized by the BBC as one of 100 influential and inspiring women shaping global conversations and leadership.
Fulbright Scholarship
Awarded for academic excellence and advanced study in conflict transformation and peacebuilding in the United States.
Former Minister of Foreign
Affairs and International Cooperation of Libya
Libya’s first female foreign minister since independence and one of the few women to hold the role across the Arab world.
Former Advisor
& Peacebuilding Leadership Roles
Including leadership and advisory work with the United States Institute of Peace and George Mason University’s Center for World Religions, Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution.
Member of the Middle East Association in London
As a member of the Middle East Association, Najla contributes to a network of policymakers, business leaders, diplomats, and professionals committed to strengthening cooperation and understanding between the United Kingdom and the MENA region.
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