Leena Ghrici joined the City of Boston as a Summer Intern in 2024, after graduating from the University of Massachusetts in 2024 with a BA in Economics. Originally from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, she was raised by Burmese and Algerian-Amazigh immigrants, and is a polyglot fluent in five languages: English, Malay, Arabic, Bahasa Indonesia, and Burmese. She moved to Boston in 2022, and now lives in Beacon Hill. 

Before her freshman year of college, Leena took a gap year to live and volunteer in Yangon, Myanmar. There, she taught English, math, and life skills to Rohingya orphans affected by the violence of the Rohingya genocide, forging lasting connections and strengthening her commitment to social justice & human rights. This formative experience continues to inspire her work creating opportunities for all.

Now serving as a Program Coordinator for the Office of Youth Engagement and Advancement (OYEA), Leena is passionate about empowering youth through civic engagement, participatory budgeting, and fostering equity and inclusion in Boston. In her role, she serves as a critical bridge between the youth council and city departments, neighborhoods, and community organizations, ensuring seamless collaboration and amplifying the voices of Boston’s young leaders in municipal decision-making. Leena manages the facilitation and support of all Mayor’s Youth Council meetings, spearheads outreach and engagement initiatives, and works to build meaningful partnerships with neighborhoods, youth, community organizations, and city departments. She is committed to guiding Mayor’s Youth council members as they develop impactful projects and initiatives that reflect their vision for Boston’s future.

Her past experience includes serving as a Research Assistant at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, where she managed data for econometric models and climate research, and as a Renewable Energy Intern at New Paradigm Energy, where she sourced financing for renewable energy technology and created environmental impact assessment tools. Leena also worked at Sotheby's from 2019 to 2021, where she forecasted sales for finished pieces and precious stones, analyzed inventory data, and participated in jewelry expos in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Kuala Lumpur. 

In her free time Leena enjoys practicing yoga and pilates at Boston’s many studios, reading, and experimenting with new recipes in her kitchen. She also holds a 2nd Dan black belt in Taekwondo.