1. Tell us about yourself.
I'm Nisreen Qatamish, Director General and CEO of the King Hussein Cancer Foundation (KHCF)—Jordan's foremost community-based institution committed to cancer prevention, treatment, and public awareness. Over the years, KHCF has become a national success story and a regional model, built on the principle of "business with a heart"—where operational excellence goes hand in hand with deep compassion for people.
In 2016, I was honored to be appointed by HRH Princess Ghida Talal, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, to lead KHCF. Since then, I've worked alongside a dedicated and talented team to drive meaningful growth in both resources and impact. Together, we've launched the first national cancer endowment (Waqf), doubled the number of Cancer Care Insurance subscribers, and laid a foundation for long-term sustainability in cancer care. We've also worked to amplify Jordan's role in global cancer advocacy.
Before this role, I served as Executive Director of the Jordan Breast Cancer Program, where I led the national push for early detection through a holistic strategy. That work helped raise early detection rates from 30% to over 65% saving thousands of Jordanian women lives.
Still, my journey didn't begin there. It started at the University of Jordan, where I discovered my voice through student leadership and volunteerism. Those formative years shaped my values and instilled a belief I still carry: that true leadership is rooted in service. Since then, my career has taken me across public health, social policy, and humanitarian development. But my purpose remains the same—to help people live healthier, more dignified lives, and to ensure that care is never out of reach for those who need it most
2. What is your fondest memory from your time at the University of Jordan?
One moment stands out as a turning point. I had just begun university feeling unsure of my direction. But everything changed the day I walked into the Student Affairs Deanship. What I found was a vibrant hub of civic activity, student-led initiatives, and community-focused projects.
I became deeply involved in the Student Council and the Community Service Office. That space became a second home—a place where I didn't just learn about leadership, I lived it. Whether it was planning national events, welcoming new students, or coordinating outreach to underserved areas, every interaction became a lesson in empathy, purpose, and possibility. It was where I truly discovered the power of young people to drive change.
3. In one word, how would you describe the University of Jordan?
Empowerment through authenticity.
UJ never asked me to fit a mold. Instead, it encouraged me to grow into my values, to lead as I am, and to pursue change in a way that felt both natural and impactful. It gave me the room to build both skills and self-awareness—a gift that continues to serve me today.
4. How did your experiences at UJ shape you as a leader?
My time at UJ laid the foundation for everything that followed. Through involvement in the Student Council, the Community Service Office, and various national youth initiatives, I discovered how to lead not from above, but from within. I learned that leadership isn't granted—it's practiced with responsibility and intention.
Volunteering taught me how to manage projects, design field-based and community-centered work with realism and adaptability, and appreciate the power of teamwork and diverse perspectives. I also learned that innovation and thinking outside the box are essential when addressing real-world challenges.
Fieldwork revealed an important truth: there are no one-size-fits-all solutions. Every community has its own identity, and any initiative must be shaped by a deep understanding of its cultural and social context to succeed.
Through service, I got to know Jordan in its entirety—from its northern villages to its southern deserts, refugee camps, and underserved areas. I didn't just learn how to serve—I learned how to listen, how to understand people's real needs, and how to respond with empathy.
That experience gave me a strong foundation I continue to build on in my professional life. I came to understand that meaningful work doesn't begin in offices—it begins in the field. And that leadership always starts with service.
Those university years were a real school of life—and the first building block in everything I do today.
5. What drew you to your course of study?
I studied Environmental and Resource Management, initially unsure of where it would take me. But I was drawn to the concept of sustainability and systems thinking—of managing what we have in a way that serves the greater good.
What fascinated me most was how these ideas could be applied beyond theory. As I became more involved in volunteer work and social programs, I saw the connection between technical knowledge and human outcomes. That link became central in my later work—whether it was designing national cancer strategies, advocating for early detection, or embedding behavioral change into public health communication.
6. What advice would you give to students about to enter the workforce?
See university as your Launchpad, not your finish line. Your degree will open doors, but your actions, values, and relationships will determine how far you go.
My advice is to engage deeply—not just in academics, but in life. Volunteer. Serve. Ask questions. Get involved in causes that stir your conscience. Some of the most defining experiences of your life may come from moments you don't plan. The world doesn't need perfection; it needs people who care, who listen, and who are willing to do the work. Begin there.
7. What do you wish you had known as a student?
I wish I had understood earlier that clarity doesn't come all at once. I spent part of my university life searching for "the right answer" to what I should do with my life. What I learned is that direction often comes from doing—from being engaged, exploring new paths, and learning through action.
Uncertainty isn't something to fear. It's something to walk through. And it's often in those uncertain spaces where we become who we are meant to be.
8. Who has had the greatest influence on your career?
It was never just one person—it has always been a network of support and inspiration.
My family has been the foundation. My father and mother instilled in me, from a young age, the values of integrity, hard work, and responsibility to my community and my country. Their quiet, unwavering support gave me the confidence to pursue every challenge with purpose.
My life partner and husband, Raed Kharabsheh, has been my biggest supporter throughout every stage of my journey. His constant belief in me, his unconditional encouragement, and his presence as both a partner and a friend have been essential to my resilience and balance.
I also owe a great deal to my fellow student leaders, with whom I shared passion, ideas, and the dream of building a better future. My professors expanded my thinking, challenged my assumptions, and opened doors I hadn't seen before.
And I will always be grateful to the leaders of the Student Affairs Deanship and the Community Service Office, who didn't treat us as mere students, but as future change makers. They trusted us, gave us room to lead, and taught us that impact doesn't require authority—only vision and commitment.
This circle of mentors, peers, and loved ones helped shape who I am. Their influence still guides every role I take on, every decision I make, and every effort I pursue to promote health and human dignity.