Naya Yazigi
I am an undergraduate student pursuing a double major in Journalism and Economics with a minor in Data Science at Northwestern University. I lived 19 years in Tartus, Syria, before relocating to Chicago. My previous experiences span across academic research on Syrian politics, writing for campus publications, working with the UNWTO as a youth ambassador on sustainable tourism, community organizing in Syria and the north of Chicago, and reporting that pairs data analysis with on-the-ground interviews.
My work at Karam Shaar Advisory involves tracking official sources and media coverage, conducting background research, fact-checking, and translating between Arabic and English, then organizing an structuring that material to support the team’s analytical work.
I am especially interested in the intersection of economics and geopolitics, particularly sanctions, conflict economics, and development in transitional societies. My broader interests include development economics, data science, and journalism as a tool for making complex systems legible. Outside of academia, I play guitar and harmonica, do photography, and love solving and collecting twisty puzzles.
Who Are We ?
Karam Shaar Advisory is a New Zealand-based limited-liability consulting company. We focus on Syria’s economy and politics, covering topics ranging from macroeconomics, monetary economics, energy, aid, conflict economics, actor mapping, and sanctions. Our services are tailored to meet the needs of international organizations, governments, NGOs, and the private sector.
Led by Dr. Karam Shaar, who has over a decade of experience in the field, the stellar team has in-depth and unparalleled knowledge of the Syrian context, with skills ranging from economic and political research to data analysis, field assessment, KYC, OSINT, programming, and AI-driven analytics.
We know how to influence policy and produce quality research recognized and published by world-leading think tanks and media outlets. With a team spanning various control areas within Syria, Türkiye, Lebanon, New Zealand, the United States, France, and Germany, we never lose the connection to the ground and know first-hand the needs of those trying to empower Syrians abroad.