Rooted at AST, Working Worldwide: Marwane Zouaidi ’11

Full Name: Marwane Zouaidi

Class Year: 2011

Current City & Country: Washington DC, USA

Where is he now?

Marwane Zouaidi ’11 is currently based in Washington DC, where he works at the World Bank Headquarters as a Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist with the World Bank Group Academy. In his role, he assesses the impact of knowledge initiatives across global programs, helping measure how learning translates into real-world development outcomes.

Beyond his professional work, Marwane has cultivated a deep passion for storytelling through photography — a creative pursuit he has steadily developed over the years.

From early on, his goal was clear: to build a career that would take him to places he might never have otherwise experienced, and to meet people from different walks of life. Today, that ambition continues to shape both his professional and personal journey.

His journey since AST

After graduating from AST in 2011, Marwane pursued higher education in the United States:

• Clark University – Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Political Science, Class of 2015
• Penn State University – Master’s degree in Development Economics, Class of 2017

In 2018, he joined the World Bank and has remained with the organization ever since, contributing to international development through research, evaluation, and knowledge systems.

A moment at AST he’ll never forget

When asked about his most memorable moments at AST, Marwane shares three that stand out:

First, in elementary school, students were required to stand whenever an adult entered the classroom. At the time, he didn’t fully understand or appreciate the meaning behind the gesture. Looking back, he recognizes it as a reflection of the classical and traditional education that shaped his early years.

A close second would be high school French class dialogues. Acting out characters pushed students beyond their comfort zones. He credits Madame Dragolovich with having a bigger impact on his life than he may have realized at the time.

And of course, varsity basketball remains unforgettable — competing at a high level alongside a dedicated group of friends, rain or shine. Winning consistently certainly made it even more special.

How did AST shape him?

“AST gave me the ability to connect with anyone, anywhere, at any time — regardless of differences in background.”

That sense of adaptability and cultural fluency continues to define Marwane’s work and worldview.

What would he tell current AST students?

“Don’t sell yourself short. You are more valuable and capable than you think, and don’t let anyone convince you otherwise.”

A quote that reminds him of AST

“You can do whatever you want, as long as you are polite.”

One word that describes AST

Character

We are proud to count Marwane among our alumni and to see the meaningful impact he is making on a global scale. His journey reflects the values, character, and ambition nurtured at AST. We wish him continued success in his work at the World Bank and in all the paths he chooses to pursue — both professional and creative.