Samia M. Melhem
About Samia M. Melhem
Samia M. Melhem is a part-time faculty member with extensive experience in digital development and education. She currently serves as a Global Lead on Digital Capabilities at The World Bank and as an advisor at the Elliott School of International Affairs.
Current Role at The George Washington University
Samia M. Melhem serves as a Part Time Faculty member at The George Washington University since 2022. In this role, she contributes to the academic environment by sharing her expertise in various subjects related to business and technology. Her involvement in higher education reflects her commitment to fostering knowledge and skills among students in Washington, District of Columbia.
Work at The World Bank
Samia M. Melhem has been working at The World Bank as the Global Lead on Digital Capabilities within the Digital Development Global Practice since 2018. In this capacity, she focuses on enhancing digital capabilities across various sectors, contributing to the World Bank's mission of reducing poverty and promoting sustainable development. Her extensive experience in digital development informs her leadership in this role.
Education and Expertise
Samia M. Melhem has a strong educational background with multiple degrees. She earned a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) from The George Washington University, where she studied Finance from 2002 to 2005. Additionally, she holds a Master's degree in Computer Science from The George Washington University, completed between 1986 and 1988. She also studied Engineering at the American University of Beirut, obtaining a BSEE from 1980 to 1985, and completed the MIT Sloan Executive Education program in Artificial Intelligence in 2020.
Professional Background
Samia M. Melhem has a diverse professional background. She worked at The World Bank in various capacities, including as a Lead Digital Development Policy Specialist from 2012 to 2018 and as a Gender and ICT Researcher & STEM Champion from 2007 to 2011. She also served as a Senior Operations Officer at the International Finance Corporation, InfoDev, and the World Bank ICT Policy Unit from 1998 to 2010. Earlier in her career, she worked as a Developer at The George Washington University from 1986 to 1989.
Advisory Roles and Contributions
In addition to her primary roles, Samia M. Melhem serves as a Board Member and Advisor at the Elliott School of International Affairs since 2020. She is also an Advisory Board member for the Cambridge University Press Data and Policy initiative and participates in the GSMA Digital Skills Task Force. Furthermore, she contributes to the European Union's Master on AI for Public Services, known as AI4GOV, and chairs the Washington DC Chapter for Lebanese International Finance Executives (LIFE).