Sara Minkara Headshot
Report a problem with this profile
[email protected]

Sara Minkara          

Former US Special Advisor on International Disability Rights; Founder, CEO of Sara Minkara LLC & Empowerment Through Integration

Sara Minkara’s ability to engage diverse audiences, challenge the status quo, and provide actionable insights makes her an invaluable asset to any organization. Whether you're looking to foster inclusivity, drive policy reform, or challenge traditional narratives, Minkara offers the expertise, experience, and leadership to make it happen.

Minkara is the senior-most expert on disability diplomacy; driving global disability rights policy and advocating forsystemic change. With over 100 keynotes delivered across major international forums, Minkara empowers leaders to break barriers, build inclusivity, and embrace adaptive leadership for sustainable progress.

Minkara was appointed by President Biden in November 2021 as the second-ever US Special Advisor on International Disability Rights. Minkara led U.S. foreign policy on disability rights, championing policies across sectors such as trade, emerging technologies, climate action, and peace. Fluent in Arabic and English, she advocates for inclusive, sustainable solutions through disability diplomacy.

Her work spans 70+ countries, influencing global poli through advocacy at the G7, ASEAN, APEC, and more. As a blind, Muslim, first-generation American, she brin authentic leadership that fosters difficult yet constructive conversations to bridge divides and build global partnerships.

Recognized as a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree as well as the Clinton Global Initiative, Vital Voices, and the United Nations, Minkara’s impact is profound. Her methodologies— such as the In the Dark Methodology—challenge societal narratives and offer frameworks for adaptive leadership and inclusive policymaking. Her keynote addresses have impacted global conversations, broken down systemic barriers, explored social entrepreneurship, and led to sustainable change.

Speech Topics


Disability Policy and Diplomacy

Sara will share her groundbreaking work in disability diplomacy, focusing on how disability rights intersect with global policy in sectors like trade, security, climate action, and technology.

Adaptive Leadership

Sara’s expertise in adaptive leadership helps organizations better navigate complex, ever-changing environments by fostering inclusivity, innovation, and resilience.

Fostering Authentic Dialogue

Drawing on her pioneering "In the Dark Methodology," Sara guides participants through conversations that challenge societal narratives, break down barriers, and build leadership.

Social Entrepreneurship and Systemic Change

Sara’s experience founding Empowerment Through Integration (ETI) and advocating for youth with disabilities in the MENA region provides valuable insights into driving social change through innovation and partnerships.

Global Policy Influence

With a track record of engaging policy stakeholders in over 70 countries, Sara will provide actionable frameworks for integrating disability perspectives into decision-making at all levels.

Related Speakers View all


More like Sara