Marie-Hélène Rousseau
Marie-Hélène brings an international perspective to her work and is deeply committed to creating storytelling strategies that are anchored in accountability, sensitivity and empathy.
Marie-Hélène has over ten years of experience at the intersection of writing, advocacy, fundraising, journalism and communications. Originally Egyptian-American, and born in Jordan, she grew up mostly in the Middle East/North Africa, and has worked on projects in Greece, Morocco, Jordan, Lebanon and Egypt. For the past seven years, Marie-Hélène has had a particular focus on the impacts of conflict and forced displacement.
Her areas of expertise include:
- Writing and editing
- Photography and videography
- Strategic communications
- Mental health and psychosocial support
- Forced migration
- Human rights
Experience
Most recently, Marie-Hélène directed communications, advocacy and fundraising at Lighthouse Relief, an NGO in Greece providing emergency and psychosocial relief to refugees and asylum seekers. While there, she worked on Lesvos in Athens, and at Ritsona Refugee Camp on the Greek mainland.
In addition, she has also spearheaded communications efforts with the Syrian American Medical Society, raising awareness of attacks on health care in Syria, and challenges facing refugees in the surrounding countries, often traveling to countries in the region as part of this work.
In 2019, she completed a master’s degree in Human Rights & Humanitarian Action, with a focus on migration, at The Paris Institute of Political Studies (Sciences Po).
In Community
Marie-Hélène volunteers with Roots for Life, a Washington, D.C., nonprofit working to eradicate food insecurity in the District; and with the Washington English Center as a writing tutor. She is also on the Board Nomination Committee of Lighthouse Relief.
A big fan of aimless walks in new cities, Marie-Hélène’s other interests include visiting bookstores, cafés, painting and paintings, and hiking as far up a mountain as she can go. She spends as much time as possible with loved ones, which include several strong-willed cats, and a very fluffy pup.