The Author

Nora Alzahid is a public diplomacy professional with extensive experience in international affairs, cultural exchange, and global policy engagement. With a Master’s degree in Public Diplomacy from the University of Southern California, Nora has cultivated expertise in strategic communication, international cooperation, and the role of diplomacy in shaping global narratives.

Currently serving at the United Nations, Nora has been actively involved in fostering cross-cultural dialogue and policy collaboration on an international scale. Her experience includes serving as part of the selection committee for the Mandela Fellowship , one of the State Department's flagship exchange programs, contributing to the selection of emerging global leaders, and working with the Los Angeles City Council to support initiatives in public engagement, policy, and governance. As an active member of the Pacific Council Policy Center and International Citizen Diplomacy of Los Angeles (ICDLA), she engaged in high-level discussions on international relations, diplomacy, and policy strategy.

Nora also served as the Co-Editor-in-Chief of Public Diplomacy Magazine, where she oversaw editorial direction and led the publication of an edition centered on Public Diplomacy in the Muslim World. This issue explored the intersection of diplomacy, culture, and international relations within Muslim-majority countries and the global Muslim diaspora, highlighting key public diplomacy strategies and challenges.

In addition, she served as the Director of Public Diplomacy Professional Relations for the Society of Public Diplomats, where she worked to strengthen professional networks, foster collaborations among public diplomacy practitioners, and support emerging voices in the field.

Beyond institutional roles, Nora has hosted diplomatic delegations, facilitating meaningful exchanges between policymakers, academics, and civil society leaders. Her deep understanding of historical and contemporary public diplomacy informs her contributions to Beyond the Sword, where she analyzes how nations have leveraged public diplomacy rom historical cultural exchanges to modern digital diplomacy to shape their global influence and strategic positioning.