Former Minister of Tourism and Antiquities and award-winning journalist, Suzanne Afanah earned her Bachelor's degree in English Language, and Literature from the University of Jordan (UJ) in 1991.

 

Suzanne has over 26 years of professional experience in media, television, and mass communications.

 

During her 12 years at television, Afanah assumed different positions including producer, political correspondent, anchorwoman, and Chief Editor at Jordan Television.

 

Suzanne Afanah has also worked at major networks including Middle East Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) and Cable News Network (CNN).

 

Afanah won the “Best Political Story Award 2000” for her contribution in CNN’s Emmy Award winning show “The World Report”.
She also served as Managing Director of Jordan’s Satellite Channel, and later as Vice Chairman of Jordan Radio and Television Corporation (JRTVC).

 

Afanah was appointed by Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah to the executive committee of the Arab Women’s Summit. During this tenure, she led efforts to create the Arab Media Network and launched an award-winning media campaign to empower Arab women broadcasted to nearly 100 million viewers, winning the MENA Cristal Award.

 

Further, Afanah lead communications, branding, and social responsibility at Zain Jordan, one of the leading telecommunication providers in the Middle East and Africa.

 

In 2010, she was asked to join the government, assuming the portfolio of Minister of Tourism and Antiquities.

 

Currently, Suzanne is a managing partner at Advvise, one of the leading strategic communications and Public Relations agencies in Jordan. She also serves on the boards of a number of national institutions and foundations, including the King Hussein Cancer Foundation, Jordan Media Institute, Jordan River Foundation, Center for Defending the Freedom of Journalists, International Women’s Forum, The Children’s Museum Jordan, and JRTVC.
 
As a successful alumna, Afanah lives by the principle of life-long learning and embracing change as an opportunity. She believes that her change of career paths throughout her professional life has added to her skills and abilities. Moving from being a TV journalist, to a leading marketing executive to running her own successful business, she has never been afraid to start over again and take on new challenges.

Her motto is “When life throws you lemons, make lemonade”.