Mehdi Hasan

Founder and editor-in-chief of Zeteo

Recipient of the 2025 KTH Path of Truth Award.

Mehdi Hasan is an award-winning British-American journalist, broadcaster, and author. He is the founder, CEO and editor-in-chief of the new media company Zeteo. Mehdi is also a Guardian columnist, host of ‘Head-to-Head’ on Al Jazeera English and the best-selling author of ‘Win Every Argument: The Art of Debating, Persuading, and Public Speaking’. He previously worked as an anchor at MSNBC and columnist for The Intercept.”

Dr. Hanan Ashrawi

Chair, Board of Trustees, Birzeit University
Keynote Speaker

Dr. Ashrawi holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from the American University of Beirut and a PhD in comparative and medieval literature from the University of Virginia, USA. She served as Dean of the Faculty of Arts at Birzeit University, where she continued to teach until 1995. She also established and headed Birzeit University’s Legal Aid Committee. She served as Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research from 1996-1998.

Dr. Ashrawi is a member of the Palestinian National Council and she was elected to the Palestinian Legislative Council in 2006. In 2009 she was elected as member of the PLO Executive Committee and heads the Department of Culture and Information. She founded a number of bodies and institutions, most importantly the Independent Commission for Human Rights (ICHR), the Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy- MIFTAH and the Coalition for Accountability and Integrity-AMAN. Dr. Ashrawi is also a member of advisory bodies for several institutions, including the Institute for Palestine Studies and the International Human Rights Commission. Dr. Ashrawi holds many honorary degrees, including local and international awards in the field of women’s issues, peacemaking, international affairs, human rights, and higher education. She has authored poems, short stories, papers, and articles on culture, literature, and Palestinian politics.

Khalil E. Jahshan

Executive Director, Arab Center Washington DC

Khalil E. Jahshan is a Palestinian American political analyst and media commentator. He serves as Executive Director of Arab Center Washington DC. Between 2004 and 2013, he was a Lecturer in International Studies and Languages at Pepperdine University and Executive Director of Pepperdine’s Seaver College Washington DC Internship Program. Previously, Jahshan served as Executive Vice President of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) and Director of its government affairs affiliate, National Association of Arab Americans (NAAA)-ADC.
Throughout his career, he held numerous leadership positions in Arab American organizations, including Vice President of the American Committee on Jerusalem, President of the National Association of Arab Americans, National Director of the Association of Arab-American University Graduates, Assistant Director of the Palestine Research and Educational Center, and Lecturer in Arabic at the University of Chicago Extension and at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. Jahshan also served on boards of directors and advisory boards of several Middle East-oriented organizations including ANERA, MIFTAH, and Search for Common Ground. He appears regularly as a political commentator on Arab and American media outlets.

H.E. Ambassador Afif Safieh

Former Palestinian Diplomat

H.E. Ambassador Afif Safieh is a distinguished Palestinian diplomat and political analyst who has represented Palestine in several key global capitals, including London, Washington, Moscow, and the Vatican. Over the course of his career, he served as Ambassador to the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, the Holy See, the United States, and the Russian Federation.

Born in Jerusalem to a Roman Catholic family, Safieh pursued his higher education in political science and international relations at the Catholic University of Louvain and Sciences Po in Paris. Early in his career, he was active in the General Union of Palestinian Students, later holding senior positions within the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Fatah, including his current role as Deputy Commissioner for International Relations.

He is the author of “Self-Determination” and “The Peace Process: From Breakthrough to Breakdown”. In 2014, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by Bethlehem University in recognition of his contributions to diplomacy and advocacy for Palestine.

Ambassador Safieh is married to Christ’l Leclercq, with whom he co-authored his first book,
and they have two daughters.

Delegate Sam Rasoul

Member of Virginia House of Delegates

Delegate Sam Rasoul became Virginia’s first Muslim elected when he was elected to the General Assembly in 2014. The proud son of immigrants from Palestine, Sam grew up in Roanoke, VA where his family operated a corner store. As a religious and ethnic minority in Appalachia, Sam learned the value of building bridges wherever he could find them. In his time in the General Assembly, Sam has consistently prioritized everyday Virginians and the future of our planet in the legislation that he has supported. He serves as Chairman of the House Education Committee and as a member of the Appropriations and Public Safety Committees. Sam also serves as a consultant in organizational development, helping firms build strategic plans for the future. Sam leads with his values of Truth, Love, and Grit.

Ziad Anabtawi

Business Leader | Founder & CEO, AlArd Group | Championing Palestinian Excellence Globally

Ziad Anabtawi is a visionary entrepreneur, philanthropist, and respected industry leader. As Founder and CEO of AlArd Group, he has made it a pioneering force in bringing Palestinian products and expertise to the global stage. With a strong commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability, he leads strategic ventures that empower local communities, open international markets, and highlight the best of Palestinian agriculture and food production.

Passionate about building bridges and breaking barriers, Anabtawi works to position Palestinian excellence as a trusted mark in the global food sector and beyond.

He holds a degree in Electrical Engineering and a Master’s in Engineering Management. A founding member of the Palestinian Businessmen Association (PBA), he has played a key role in creating joint business councils with several countries, expanding trade opportunities and strengthening Palestine’s international economic presence.

Dr. Hanna Hanania

American Federation of Ramallah, Palestine (AFRP)

Palestinian American Leader | Advocate for Justice and Community Empowerment

Dr. Hanna Hanania is a respected family dentist based in Virginia and a prominent leader in the Palestinian and Arab American communities. A lifelong advocate for social justice and civic engagement, Dr. Hanania has dedicated decades to advancing the rights and representation of Palestinian Americans and the broader Arab American diaspora.

He is the founder and former chair of the Network of Arab American Professionals (NAAP), a national organization that fosters professional development and community empowerment. He currently serves on the boards of the Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation (HCEF) and the New Dominion Political Action Committee (NDPAC), both of which promote civic advocacy and support for Arab American communities.

Dr. Hanania is also the former president of the American Federation of Ramallah, Palestine (AFRP)—the largest Palestinian American organization in the United States—where he continues to serve on the board and co-chairs the Government Affairs Committee, helping to shape national advocacy efforts for Palestinian causes.

His leadership, commitment, and bridge-building efforts have made him a vital force in connecting Palestinian Americans with their heritage, advancing dialogue, and promoting a just and inclusive society.

Josh Paul

 Co-Founder & Director, A New Policy

Josh Paul is co-founder of A New Policy. He resigned from the State Department in October, 2023 due to his disagreement with the Biden Administration’s decision to rush lethal military assistance to Israel in the context of its war on Gaza. He had previously spent over 11 years working as a Director in the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, which is responsible for U.S. defense diplomacy, security assistance, and arms transfers. He previously worked on security sector reform in both Iraq and the West Bank, with additional roles in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, U.S. Army Staff, and as a Military Legislative Assistant for a Member of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee. Josh grew up between London and New York, and holds Masters degrees from the Universities of Georgetown and St Andrews, Scotland. He is a recipient of the 2023 Callaway Award for Civic Courage and 2024 MedGlobal Award for Courage.

Ala Alaeddin

CEO, InterTech Company and Vice Chairman, Palestine TechnoPark

Mr. Alaeddin is  the vice chairperson and one of the founders of the Palestine Technopark, a national science and technology park established in 2016. He also helped establish the Palestine IT Association (PITA) in 1999, the Palestinian National Naming Authority (PNINA) in 2003, and the Palestine ICT Incubator (PICTI) in 2004.

Ala Alaeddin is the CEO and founder of InterTech Company for Innovative Technologies Development. InterTech was founded in 1999 and has become one of the largest Web development Companies in Palestine. Since 2004, Alaeddin founded and chaired many startup companies including Nmotion for Multimedia and Animation, and Digital Plus.

From 2007 until 2011, Mr. Alaeddin served as the Board’s Chairman for PITA and the Palestine ICT Incubator (PICTI). He also served as a board member at many national organizations including PNINA, the Palestine Investment Promotion Agency (PIPA), the Palestine Private Sector Coordination Council (PPSC), the QIF Project, and the Scientific Research Counsel at the Ministry of Higher Education and Palestine Education Initiative (PEI).

Mr. Ala Alaeddin holds a Master’s Degree in Computer Science and a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering from NJIT in the US. He has over 25 years of experience in IT Management and Leadership, Consultation, Training, Strategic Planning, Business Development, Technology Innovation, and Management Information Systems.

Laila Elhaddad

Independent Media Professional and Writer

Laila El-Haddad is a James Beard Award–winning Palestinian writer, author, and lecturer from Gaza whose work blends journalism, storytelling, and political analysis to provide nuanced insight into Palestinian life. She is the co-author of the critically acclaimed ethnographic cookbook The Gaza Kitchen: A Palestinian Culinary Journey, which weaves together traditional recipes, personal narratives, and political commentary. She also co-edited Gaza Unsilenced, a compelling anthology compiled with the late Refaat Alareer.

Her writing has been featured in The Nation, The Washington Post, Eater, The Economist, Saveur, and other major outlets. She is a frequent guest on NPR, CNN, and Al Jazeera. In 2013, she appeared on CNN’s Parts Unknown with Anthony Bourdain, offering audiences a rare, humanizing glimpse into daily life in Gaza.

Laila holds degrees from Duke University and the Harvard Kennedy School. Her work focuses on the intersection of food, identity, and politics. She serves as a policy adviser with Al-Shabaka and collaborates with the Institute for Middle East Understanding (IMEU) on media advocacy.

Most recently, she became a plaintiff in a landmark lawsuit against President Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, holding them accountable for their role in Israel’s unfolding genocide against her family and the 2.2 million Palestinians in Gaza.

She currently resides in Clarksville, Maryland, with her husband and their four children.

Hani Almadhoun

Senior Director of Philanthropy at UNRWA USA

Hani Almadhoun is the Senior Director of Philanthropy at UNRWA USA, where he leads efforts to ensure continued support for Palestine refugees. A seasoned fundraiser and advocate, Hani has held leadership roles at ANERA and Muslim Advocates, advancing civil rights, humanitarian relief, and social justice causes.

Born into a family of educators and shaped by his father’s role at an UNRWA school, Hani earned degrees in Public Administration and International Studies from Brigham Young University. Based in Washington, D.C., he has been a powerful voice for Gaza, engaging with the White House, Congress, and major media outlets including CNN, MSNBC, and BBC.

He is also the co-founder of the Gaza Soup Kitchen, a grassroots initiative providing direct aid to families in need.

George R. Salem, Esq.

Strategic Advisor to DLA Piper

George R. Salem serves as Strategic Advisor to DLA Piper, where he is focused on the development of the firm’s Middle East and US Department of Labor practices.

From 1985-89 Mr. Salem served as Solicitor of Labor, the U.S. Department of Labor’s chief legal officer, where he headed a staff of 850 lawyers. He is the first Palestinian Arab American to have been nominated by a President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

In 2022 Mr. Salem was appointed by the Biden Administration’s USAID Administrator as the inaugural Board Chair of the Partnership for Peace Fund (PPF) Advisory Board, a bipartisan board established by Congress pursuant to the Middle East Partnership for Peace Act (MEPPA).

Mr. Salem is listed in Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in American Law, Who’s Who in American Politics, Who’s Who in Finance and Industry, The International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers, The International Who’s Who of Management Labour and Employment Lawyers, Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Washington Super Lawyers and Corporate Counsel Super
Lawyers, and The Best Lawyers in America. In addition, he was named by The National Law Journal as one of the top 26 labor lawyers in the United States. He is a fellow of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Sir Rateb Y. Rabie, KCHS

President/CEO of the Know Thy Heritage (KTH)

Sir Rateb Y. Rabie, KCHS, is an accomplished Social Entrepreneur. He is dedicated to peace and justice for Palestinians, and to creating a new type of transformational leadership that addresses critical social needs and advances innovation, equality, and societal wellbeing.

Sir Rabie is founder and www.kthps.org, and founder and President/CEO of the Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation (HCEF) https://hcef.org/, Chairman of MENA Health https://menahealth.org/, Co-founder and Formar chairman of Jerusalem Peace Institute (JPI) www.jerusalem-pi.org. Born in Amman, Jordan to Palestinian parents, he is Chairman of the U.S. Muslim Christian Coalition, co-founder and past national president of the Birzeit Society. He is also a Knight Commander of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher an honor from the Vatican. Rateb is recipient of the Faith and Tolerance Award from the Arab American Anti-Discrimination Committee. He is committed to peace and justice in Palestine and to strengthening the identity of Palestinians in the Diaspora.

Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon

The Executive Director, Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP)

Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon is the Executive Director of Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP), as well as an author, speaker, advocate, and academic historian deeply committed to supporting people living under oppression, war, and violence. She earned a doctorate in American History from the University of California, Davis, focusing on the history of the American Protestant church in Israel and Palestine, and a Doctorate in Ministry in Spiritual Formation from Northern Theological Seminary, exploring the spiritually transformative process of learning to love one’s enemy.

Dr. Cannon also holds an M.B.A. from North Park University, an M.A. in Bioethics from Trinity International University, and an M.Div. from North Park Theological Seminary. She is the author and editor of several books, including Abortion Abolition: Beyond Pro-Life vs. Pro-Choice Politics (Cascade, 2025), Beyond Hashtag Activism: Comprehensive Justice in a Complicated Age (IVP, 2020), and A Land Full of God: Christian Perspectives on the Holy Land (Cascade, 2017), which offers diverse Christian perspectives on the theology, spirituality, history, and politics of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.

Her work has been featured in major international media outlets, including the New York Times, Washington Post, Newsweek, and Haaretz.

Dr. Manal Fakhoury

Chair of the Board of Directors
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)

Dr. Manal Fakhoury is CAIR Board Chair, & President and CEO of Fakhoury Leadership International, a Palestinian leader, activist, and influential advocate for Palestine. She serves on the boards of several Palestinian and allied organizations, dedicating her efforts to advancing Palestinian causes.

Renowned for her expertise in strategy, leadership, and fundraising, Dr. Fakhoury has over 30 years of nonprofit and leadership experience, managing multi-million-dollar budgets and driving impactful initiatives. She also serves on numerous national and community boards, including Truist Bank, YMCA, AHA, Rotary, and TEDxOcala.

Dr. Fakhoury is also a consultant pharmacist, speaker, coach, and mentor. Passionate about peace and empowerment, she summited Mt. Kilimanjaro in 2014 and continues to inspire change through her work.

A graduate of USC (Doctorate) and Webster University (MBA), she has earned numerous accolades, including Businesswoman of the Year and Webster’s Distinguished Alumni Award. A Leadership Florida graduate, she has pioneered personal development programs for the Florida Department of Corrections (FDOC).

Marwan Ahmad

President of Arabesque Media

Marwan Ahmad is a seasoned marketing and event management professional with over 15 years of experience. He is the President of Arabesque Media, a Virginia-based marketing and event planning firm, and the founder of the American Halal Council, a nonprofit organization dedicated to halal education, advocacy, and research. Since 2018, he has organized the annual Halal Expo & Summit, a premier event that brings together key stakeholders in the halal industry.

Marwan previously served as Executive Director of the Palestinian American Medical Association (PAMA), where he led strategic communications, fundraising, outreach, and program development to support healthcare initiatives in Palestine.

He holds a background in Computer Information Systems and has completed additional training in digital marketing and nonprofit management. His contributions have been recognized by organizations such as CAIR and ADC, as well as by the State of Arizona with a Community Service Award.

Dr. Shukri Makhlouf, MD, FACP

Founder, CEO & Chief Medical Officer, Sugarloaf Medical

Dr. Shukri Makhlouf is an Internal Medicine physician and Fellow of the American College of Physicians (FACP) who has served as the Founder, Owner, CEO, and Chief Medical Officer of Sugarloaf Medical since 2008. What began as a vision for compassionate, patient-centered care has under his leadership grown into a thriving multi-provider practice, serving a diverse patient community throughout Georgia, particularly in Duluth and Gwinnett County. Dr. Makhlouf’s dedication to excellence in clinical care has earned him recognition as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor for multiple consecutive years.

In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Makhlouf was elected to the Emory Healthcare Network (EHN) Board of Managers and has served as an Adjunct Professor of Medicine at Emory University School of Medicine. He actively trains medical students at Emory and other institutions, sharing his expertise and commitment to patient-centered care.

A leader in the Arab American medical community, Dr. Makhlouf served as President of the Georgia chapter of the National Arab American Medical Association (NAAMA), where he remains an engaged member. NAAMA connects Arab American physicians across the U.S., promoting medical excellence, professional development, and community health initiatives.

Dr. Makhlouf also served on the board of Georgia’s Alif Institute for six years, including a term as Vice President. The institute fosters cultural understanding and promotes Arab culture and education within the community.

Beyond medicine and organizational leadership, Dr. Makhlouf is a passionate advocate for Palestinian rights, actively engaging in advocacy at the state and congressional levels in Georgia. He continues to work with legislators and community organizations to raise awareness and influence policy in support of justice for Palestine and its people.

Zaha Hassan

Senior Fellow, Middle East Program
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Zaha Hassan is a human rights lawyer and a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Her research focus is on Palestine-Israel peace, the use of international legal mechanisms by political movements, and U.S. foreign policy in the region. Previously, she was the coordinator and senior legal advisor to the Palestinian negotiating team during Palestine’s bid for UN membership and was a member of the Palestinian delegation to Quartet-sponsored exploratory talks between 2011 and 2012.

Zaha is the co-author and co-editor of Suppressing Dissent: Shrinking Civic Space, Transnational Repression, and Palestine–Israel. She is actively engaged in Track II peace efforts and contributes regularly to The Hill and Haaretz. Her commentaries and analysis have also been featured in leading outlets including The New York Times, Salon, Al Jazeera English, CNN, and others.

Khaled Elgindy

Adjunct professor at Georgetown University

Khaled Elgindy is a visiting scholar and adjunct professor at Georgetown University’s Center for Contemporary Arab Studies. He is the author of Blind Spot: America and the Palestinians, from Balfour to Trump (Brookings Institution Press, 2019). From 2020 to 2025, he directed the Program on Palestine and Palestinian-Israeli Affairs at the Middle East Institute. Previously, he served as a resident scholar in the Foreign Policy program at the Brookings Institution (2010–2018). Between 2004 and 2009, Elgindy was an adviser to the Palestinian leadership in Ramallah on permanent status negotiations with Israel and played a key role in the 2007–08 Annapolis negotiations.

Dr. Faten Shelbayeh

Vice President, Know Thy Heritage (KTH) | Behavior Counselor (BCaBA) | Certified Life Coach

Faten Shelbayeh is a passionate Palestinian activist, human rights advocate, and community leader dedicated to youth empowerment, women’s leadership, and social justice. She serves as a Human Rights Counselor with the US Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights (USIDHR) and is the founder of the American Women Empowerment Foundation, where she advances women’s rights, grassroots initiatives, and community engagement.

Recognized for her activism, Faten was featured in the Palestinian Women Leaders Encyclopedia for her work in amplifying the voices of Palestinian women worldwide. She also serves on the City of Malden Human Rights and Fair Housing Commission, where she continues to champion dignity, equality, and justice.

Her professional background as a Behavior Counselor (BCaBA) and certified life coach further strengthens her commitment to guiding individuals and communities toward growth and empowerment. Tireless in her advocacy for human rights, youth safety, and social equity, Faten is a powerful voice for change and an inspiration to her community.

Bader Hamdan

Founder & CEO, PartneringX , Visionary Tech Executive

Bader Hamdan is a visionary Muslim Palestinian tech executive renowned for cultivating ecosystem strategies & co-innovation partnerships and recognized as the industry’s “Most Inspiring Partner Leader.”

With over 20 years of shaping and leading global B2B growth, Bader is the Founder & CEO of PartneringX—a specialized strategic advisory empowering Startups, VCs and PortCos to chart new routes to market and unlock growth and scale through value co-creation partnerships. He’s held pivotal executive leadership roles across business development, go-to-market, and ecosystem strategy, serving as Ecosystem Chief of Partnerships, Corporate Development & Ventures at Vectara, and as Vice President of Partnerships at global tech giants Twilio, Google, and Cisco.

Bader’s passion for orchestrating partnering success, co-creating mutual value, and humanizing partnerships is embodied throughout his career and unwavering commitment collective success. He holds a B.S. in Computer Engineering from NC State University, and pursued advanced studies in Leadership and Entrepreneurship at Harvard Business School.

Rooted in identity and purpose, Bader is deeply committed to co-building a cohesive, empowered, and thriving Palestinian Ecosystem—driving change through human elevation, impactful partnerships, and collective advancement. He actively serves as an advisor, mentor, and speaker within the Palestinian tech and innovation landscape.

Jihan ELHussaini

Founder and CEO of Haya Washington
Journalist & Palestinian Media Leader

Jehan Farouk AlHusaini is a Palestinian journalist based in Washington, D.C., with over 26 years of experience in political and investigative journalism. Born in Cairo to Palestinian parents, she holds a B.A. in Political Science and Administrative Sciences, specializing in Palestinian affairs.
Jehan began her journalism career in 1991 at Al-Watan Al-Arabi in Paris and later worked with Al-Hayat International and Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, conducting high-profile interviews and covering global events. She was accredited as a journalist by the Egyptian Presidency for 17 years and was honored with the Best Interview Award (1996) by the Ali and Hisham Hafiz Journalism Foundation.
Her deep commitment to the Palestinian cause began in her youth through volunteer work with the Palestinian Red Crescent and participation in Palestinian National Council meetings since 1978. In 2014, she relocated to the U.S. as a Washington correspondent for Al-Hayat International, where she continues to shed light on the struggles of the Palestinian people, expose legal violations, and highlight success stories of Palestinian resilience.
Jehan is the Founder and CEO of Haya Washington, is a Non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the well-being of Palestinian displaced people in Gaza, and Hayat Washington an independent media organization committed to truth and neutrality in global reporting. Having traveled to over 30 countries, she brings a global perspective to her work. She is a dedicated advocate for Palestinian justice and freedom, believing in the power of media to drive awareness and change.

Amina Shams

Cofounder & Director, BLOOM Charity

Amina Shams, Cofounder & Director, BLOOM Charity | Public Health Consultant | Social Entrepreneur | Senior Healthcare Strategist | Population Health Data Analyst | CHNA Author | Health Equity Champion

Amina Shams is a global public health professional with over 20 years of experience advocating social and health equity. As a founder and Director of BLOOM Charity, she leads initiatives supporting underserved communities, including the Palestinian people in Gaza.

Amina brings a unique blend of expertise across the public, private, and social sectors, delivering data-driven strategies, program management, and innovative solutions with enterprise impact. She is a skilled communicator, adept at translating complex data into actionable insights for diverse audiences and has led Community Health Needs Assessments (CHNAs) focused on improving outcomes for underrepresented populations in the United States.

Her leadership portfolio spans public health equity initiatives, strategic partnerships, and technology-driven healthcare projects, all aimed at promoting wellness and opportunity for marginalized communities.

Amina holds a Master of Public Health with dual concentration in Maternal & Child Health and Health Education & Communication from Tulane University, and a dual Bachelors of Arts degree in Health Administration & Public Policy and Management Information Systems from University of Maryland Baltimore County. Amina also holds an Equitable Community Change Certification from Cornell University.

Hakeem Abunada

Co-Founder & CEO
Damascus Gate Foundation (DGF)

Hakeem Abunada is a Palestinian-American entrepreneur, investor, and civic innovator. Raised in Chicago by parents from East Jerusalem, he graduated from DePaul University and has built his career at the intersection of technology, civic engagement, and community empowerment.

He is the Co-founder and CEO of the Damascus Gate Foundation, leading nation-building projects that strengthen Palestinian institutions, industries, and infrastructure for a self-reliant future. Hakeem also founded the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund of Florida and Electo, a civic technology platform that helps people understand legislation and influence policy. He currently lives in Tampa, Florida, with his wife.

Ray Milhem

CEO & Founder, MILHEM DTL, LLC

Ray Milhem is the CEO and Founder of MILHEM DTL, LLC, a Pittsburgh-based consultancy specializing in Digital Transformation, Business Development, and M&A. With over 38 years of global leadership experience in the US, Canada, Dubai, and Kuwait, he has held senior roles at ANSYS, Synopsys, Boeing Defense, Motorola, Nokia, Cisco, Extreme Networks, and AT&T. At ANSYS, he led the launch of its first cloud solutions in partnership with AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud, and pioneered the company’s first elastic (pay-per-use) licensing model.

Ray’s expertise spans cloud computing, SaaS, IoT (two pending patents), data centers, enterprise software, and cybersecurity. In addition to corporate leadership, he is a startup mentor and investor, having coached over 150 startups globally, including through MIT Sandbox and MIT UM6P (Morocco). He co-founded TechWadi, serves on the board of Hasoub, and is currently President of AAAEA-Capital. He is also a frequent guest lecturer at Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh.

Souher Fakhoury Gonzales

President and Founder of Watermelon Sisters

Souher Fakhoury Gonzales is born to a Palestinian mother and a Jordanian father, and founder of Watermelon Sisters, a nonprofit providing humanitarian aid to Gaza. With over 20 years in the nonprofit sector, she is known for uniting global volunteers to support urgent relief and long-term healing. Souher developed a three-part mental health program in Gaza, including virtual therapy, art therapy for women and girls, and trauma-focused interventions that empower young women to cope with the ongoing crisis.

Her humanitarian work also includes supporting Syrian refugees, deepening her expertise in addressing displacement, trauma, and resilience. Through her leadership, Watermelon Sisters has built a worldwide network of volunteers and supporters, inspiring collective action and fostering solidarity across borders. Souher’s dedication continues to bring life-saving relief and hope to some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.

Nada Al-Hassan

Director & Founder, tetaslegacy

Nada Al-Hassan, Director & Founder of tetaslegacy, lovingly called “Nadawe” by her late grandmother, she blends healthcare IT, entrepreneurship and cultural preservation in her life’s work. Raised in the Middle East and later moving to the U.S., she has long sought to honor her Palestinian roots. In 2024, she founded tetaslegacy, a social enterprise dedicated to preserving thobes and tatreez through research, exhibits, and artisan partnerships.

Her work not only safeguards ancestral traditions but also empowers Palestinian women by commissioning them to recreate pre 1950s thobes creating sustainable income in rural West Bank villages including but not limited to Bethlehem and Al-Khalil. Today, tetaslegacy has expanded to promote other Palestinian handmade crafts, connecting heritage with new generations and audiences worldwide.

Dr. Walid Zayed, Esq.

Director of Political Education

Palestinian Confederation in Latin America (COPLAC)

Dr. Walid Zayed, Esq is a Palestinian scholar, author, and community leader in Latin America. He holds a Doctorate in Law and Political Sciences as well as credentials in Diplomacy and International Relations. Born in Colombia, he has served as Professor of International Law at the University of Panama and is widely recognized as an expert on the Palestinian conflict.

Dr. Zayed has lectured at major universities and conferences across Latin America and has been featured in leading newspapers, television programs, and media outlets throughout the region and the Middle East. As COPLAC’s Director of Political Education, his work focuses on empowering youth, strengthening national identity, fostering diaspora–homeland connections, and advancing the Palestinian cause in Latin America.

Ruwa Jabr

Chief Executive Officer, Palestine Trade Center (PalTrade)

Ruwa Jabr is the Chief Executive Officer of the Palestine Trade Center (PalTrade), the national body driving Palestinian export development and facilitating global market access. With over 15 years of experience in trade promotion and export development, she has held senior positions with leading international organizations, including Oxfam, where she managed programs that empowered small and medium-sized enterprises and strengthened export-oriented value chains.

She holds an MBA from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (USA) and is currently pursuing a PhD in Strategic Business Management, focusing on growth models for SMEs in emerging economies.

Her career combines strategic vision with hands-on executive leadership, grounded in a steadfast commitment to enhancing the competitiveness of the Palestinian private sector on the global stage.

Feras Nasr

Improving Market Access Program Manager

A Technology Management Professional with experience working in North America and the Middle East in a diverse background of various industries, including banking, freight, non-profits, data centers, software development, Internet Service Providers and more. Experience includes implementing ecosystem development and support, data-driven systems, digital transformation projects, and maintaining mission-critical environments.

As Program Manager at TechStart, he leads activities to stimulate global demand by raising awareness of the Palestinian IT sector, creating international market linkages for the Palestinian IT firms, and the promotion and facilitation of FDI in the Palestinian ecosystem.

Hasan AlAref

TechStart Project Director

Hasan AlAref has over 19 years of experience in project management and IT consulting, navigating both the US federal government sector and the ICT sector of Palestine. Working with the leaders of both sectors in his early career, Hasan gathered a wealth of knowledge that equipped him with a unique understanding of both private and public sector IT needs. As Project Director for TechStart, he leads a $30M funded project that focuses on the IT Sector in Palestine to boost its capabilities and extend its reach in regional and international markets.

Alan El-Kadhi

Director Gaza Sky Geeks (Mercy Corps)

Alan El-Kadhi is the Director of Gaza Sky Geeks (GSG), Palestine’s leading tech hub powered by Mercy Corps. Under his leadership, GSG empowers Palestinian individuals and companies to earn income from international markets, channeling vital revenue into the Palestinian economy. Each year, GSG equips thousands of Palestinians with high-demand digital skills and supports dozens of tech companies, connecting them to global opportunities for internships, employment, freelancing, and outsourcing contracts.

Before joining GSG, Alan built a distinguished career spanning the UK, USA, Australia, and Southeast Asia, where he specialized in scaling technology companies. He founded a successful UK-based company later acquired by a leading U.S. market player, and went on to hold senior roles in global tech firms, venture-backed startups, university IP commercialization, and venture capital.
Alan holds a BSc from the University of Wales and an MBA from Trinity College Dublin.

Dr. Josh Ruebner

Policy Director
Institute for Middle East Understanding (IMEU)

Dr. Josh Ruebner is Policy Director at the Institute for Middle East Understanding Policy Project (IMEU Policy Project). He is also an adjunct lecturer in Justice and Peace Studies at Georgetown University. Prior to joining IMEU Policy Project, Ruebner worked at Americans for Justice in Palestine Action and the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights after a stint as an Analyst in Middle East Policy for Congressional Research Service. He is the author of Shattered Hopes: Obama’s Failure to Broker Israeli-Palestinian Peace and Israel: Democracy or Apartheid State? His upcoming book is entitled A Tragedy of Catastrophic Proportions: The US and the Palestinian Nakba, 1947-1950.

Dr. Nagham Abu Halima

fifth-year medical Student, Gaza
Co-founder, Palhumanity

Dr. Nagham Sulaiman Abu Halima is a fifth-year medical student Al-Quds University (Al-Azhar Branch, Gaza), and social entrepreneur dedicated to youth empowerment and humanitarian development. She was honored by her people with an honorary doctorate in recognition of her tireless commitment to saving lives during the last two years of the war on Gaza.

She is the Co-founder of Palhumanity, a global initiative promoting solidarity and service, and serves as Project Coordinator at the Al-Jaleel Foundation. Dr. Nagham also directs a school under the Save Youth Future Society and partners with Operation Olive Branch to advance global humanitarian advocacy. By combining her medical training with leadership roles in education and development, she strives to empower youth, strengthen communities, and uphold justice and dignity worldwide.