Founder & Leadership
Safe Space Sudan is led by its Founder and Executive Director, who brings strategic vision, professional expertise, and community commitment. The organization has a founding Board of Directors and is in the process of appointing its full Board, alongside a growing network of advisors and subject-matter experts.
Founder
Amal A. Bakhit
Founder & Executive Director
Amal A. Bakhit is a Sudanese-American professional and the founder of Safe Space Sudan. She established the organization with a long-standing vision to expand access to culturally responsive and professional mental health support for Sudanese communities.
Safe Space Sudan reflects a vision she has carried for many years, inspired by witnessing the growing mental health needs among Sudanese individuals and the significant gaps in accessible, trusted, and professional mental health services.
Amal believes that mental health is a fundamental human right and that every individual deserves access to safe, ethical, and high-quality mental health care.
Through Safe Space Sudan, she works to advance mental health awareness, services, and systems in ways that are rooted in compassion, cultural understanding, and international professional standards.
With experience in strategic management, program development, research, and monitoring and evaluation, Amal focuses on building sustainable and community-centered approaches that address the full spectrum of mental health needs while responding to the psychological impacts of conflict, displacement, and social challenges.
Founder’s Statement
“Mental health is a fundamental human right. Safe Space Sudan was founded to ensure that Sudanese communities can access safe, compassionate, and professional mental health support wherever they are.”
Governance & Advisory Leadership
Safe Space Sudan is building a governance structure that combines strategic oversight with technical expertise.
A founding Board of Directors oversees the organization’s legal and governance responsibilities. A full Board of Directors will be appointed soon to provide ongoing governance and strategic guidance, ensuring the organization remains aligned with its mission, values, and professional standards.
In addition, Safe Space Sudan plans to collaborate with advisors and subject-matter experts who can contribute expertise in areas such as:
• Mental health and psychiatry
• Psychological care and therapy
• Research and knowledge development
• Humanitarian response
• Community development and social services
This governance structure will help strengthen the organization’s programs, partnerships, and long-term impact.
Board of Directors
Safe Space Sudan has a founding Board of Directors in place and is now appointing its full Board, composed of professionals who bring expertise in mental health, research, humanitarian response, and nonprofit leadership.
The Board provides strategic guidance, oversight, and accountability to support the organization’s mission and ensure alignment with professional and ethical standards.
Advisory Network
In addition to its Board of Directors, Safe Space Sudan is building a network of advisors and collaborators who will contribute their expertise to the development of programs, partnerships, and research initiatives.
This collaborative model will strengthen Safe Space Sudan’s ability to develop effective and community-centered mental health initiatives.
Join Our Leadership Network
Safe Space Sudan welcomes collaboration with professionals and organizations who share our commitment to strengthening mental health systems and expanding access to mental health support for Sudanese communities.