Brains & Beauty
Every Wednesday, I will share a resident of the South Bay contributing to making our community a better place.
Today’s #WCW title belongs to South Bay native, Jacqueline Raid Younis, 25, who is currently residing in Dubai as an Executive Administrative Coordinator for an Investment Company.
Younis grew up in the South Bay and graduated from South High School in Torrance. Upon graduating, she went to EL Camino College then Cal State University, Dominguez Hills. She majored in Health Sciences with an Emphasis in management.
Two weeks after graduating from CSUDH, Younis flew to Dubai in pursuit of finding a career while also finding herself. She explains that, “It was a dream of mine to work here. I told myself if I didn’t leave now, I never will.” She took a chance and flew to the foreign country and began immediately applying for jobs in the UAE.
Upon arrival, Younis connected with several women she calls, “great ladies” who referred her to open positions. With the help from these women, Younis began working for one of the biggest investment empires in the Dubai Investment Park region called AL Khayyat Investment Group.
Younis’ duties include managing logistics, purchasing, and contracts for over 50 franchised locations around the UAE and Gulf areas. “It’s a very tough, tedious position with a high turnover, but I didn’t come this far for anything easy. I wanted a company I can grow with and I learn something new every day I go to work,” she explains.
Although many miles away from “home,” Younis has been a wonderful contributor to her community in Los Angeles. She joined an organization called Mealsforsmiles that feeds homeless on skid row. In addition, she was an intern for an AIDS/HIV facility called AIDS project Los Angles.
While there, she participated as a case manager to help a needy group of AIDS/HIV patients that were disabled. Furthermore, she is really passionate about her heritage and country. During the war on Gaza, July 2014, she raised $5,000 to aid injured women and children. “I enjoy giving back to my community and my country any way I can,” she says.
Younis’ life goal is to be successful in anything she decides to pursue. In five years, she sees herself still working in Dubai, with the hopes of being promoted in her current position with Al Khayyat Investments.
Younis who is full Palestinian, was born and raised in the U.S. and some of her hobbies include shopping, running, cooking, and modeling. She is also passionate for her country, Palestine and her career. Younis’ favorite part of the south bay is the Redondo Beach Pier. “I miss the beaches very much,” she states.
One of her greatest passions is fashion which she says comes to her naturally. “I love styling, shopping and trying new trends. I never really applied for modeling jobs, people would approach me and offer me modeling gigs. I always took every opportunity that came my way. Modeling was more of a hobby for me. I enjoyed meeting new people and learning about new clothing lines,” she explains.
Her role model is Amal Alamuddin, who she describes as the epitome of brains and beauty. She also admires Victoria and David Beckam. When asked to define more of who she is, she simply replied,
“I’m a hardworking woman with a big heart and big dreams.”
Thank you Jacqueline for being an inspiring role model to your community and teaching others that you can reach your goals…no matter how big they are.