Kamal Akaya
Morocco
Morocco
Kamal Akaya has an international development background with extensive experience in program management, civic engagement, and cross-cultural communication. Currently serving as the Morocco Country Director for the Center for International Private Enterprise since September 2023, Kamal oversees strategic program implementation, financial operations, and business development initiatives throughout Morocco. His professional background includes roles as Program Manager at CIPE, Project Manager at SimSim Participation Citoyenne, and various leadership positions with international organizations focused on youth empowerment, environmental advocacy, and civic education.
A multilingual professional fluent in English, French, Arabic, and Tamazight, Kamal’s educational background includes a BA in Linguistics from Cadi Ayad University in Marrakech. His extensive international training includes participation in prestigious programs such as the Professional Fellow Program funded by the US State Department, the Middle East and Mediterranean Summer School in Switzerland, and conflict resolution training with the Goethe Institute in Germany. Throughout his career, Kamal has demonstrated exceptional skills in developing partnerships, managing cross-cultural teams, and implementing impactful community development projects across Morocco and the broader MENA region.
Nidal Azhary
Morocco
Morocco
Strategist and Public Policy expert with over a decade of experience in Lobbying, Law, Business and Governance across North Africa, the Pan-African region, and the Mediterranean. Currently serving as Executive Director of L’Union Féministe Libre (UFL), leading efforts to adress gender-based violence and driving Institutional and Policy advocacy initiatives.
Extensive experience working with International Institutions, the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), and the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights, engaging governments, political stakeholders, and the private sector to advance policy reforms and corporate accountability. Collaborated with Deutsche Bank and international NGOs to develop corporate human rights frameworks, in addition to learnings from the Corporate Equality Index.
An alumna of several regional and international leadership programs, serving on the boards of three regional initiatives and advising a fund supporting 400+ NGOs. Academic background includes a Law degree specializing in International Humanitarian Law, with additional studies in political science, governance, business, and international intelligence.
Karima Rhanem
Morocco
Morocco
Karima Rhanem is the president of the International Center for Diplomacy and CEO of Africa My Home.
She is also senior managing editor at the New Africa Magazine.
She is a gender and youth policy expert.
She previously worked as a communication expert for international development programs at the USAID/US embassy in Rabat, and Policy Advocacy Specialist at Counterpart International.
She was also managing editor at Morocco Times newspaper.
Karima is a multi-award winner with over 36 awards at the African level.
She has been nominated since 2017 among Trop 30, 50, and 100 most influential young leaders, exceptional woman, and CEO in Africa.
She has also been named humanitarian Ambassador in Africa.
Tom Vizel
Israel
Israel
Tom Vizel is the founder and CEO of 4MENA Network, a pioneering transnational organization fostering cross-cultural partnerships in the Middle East and North Africa. Inspired by the European Erasmus program, 4MENA unites like-minded institutions to build a more inclusive and interconnected future. Additionally, Tom leads the Educational Department of NOAL, one of the largest youth movements in Israel, which engages over 90,000 members across 350 locations in Israel, including 55 Arab towns. NOAL’s diverse programs promote unity among the various communities within Israeli society. Tom’s leadership is dedicated to peace and cross-cultural understanding.
Aissa Christophe Agostini
Morocco
Morocco
Founder & CEO of Prosper Atlas, a strategy consulting firm specializing in investment, business development, and international partnerships. President of the Regional Commission for Investment & International Partnerships at CGEM Marrakech-Safi, fostering economic growth and cross-border collaborations. Former CEO of multiple companies in finance, consulting, and industry. Advisor to top executives in strategic decision-making. Also a contemporary artist, with works in painting, photography, and sculpture. Holds a background in economics and has a deep interest in AI, innovation, and sustainable development.
Wisam Ziadeh
Palestine
Palestine
Wisam Ziadeh was born and raised in Shu’fat, a Palestinian Arab neighborhood in East Jerusalem. She studied English Literature and Journalism at Bethlehem University. A mother of two, she holds an Israeli ID, while her husband and children have Israeli passports, navigating the complexities of identity and mobility in the region.
For over a decade, Wisam has been dedicated to peace-building and cross-border initiatives. In 2010, she worked at the Peace Works Foundation as the Project Manager of the International Education Program in the West Bank. She is a leader and advocate for social justice, peace, and gender equity, with expertise in program development, management, peace-building, and gender programs.
Wisam is an alumna of the U.S. Consulate’s exchange program, having participated in Women’s Role in Peace and Security program in the United States in 2019. She has developed several programs focused on women’s empowerment and community development and has represented Palestine in numerous international conferences on women’s rights and empowerment. In 2015, she led Women’s Empowerment Projects, contributing to joint efforts to promote peace and end the conflict both locally and internationally.
In 2022, she founded Takadom for Peace, where she serves as CEO. Through Takadom, Wisam focuses on youth and women’s empowerment, advocating for a just and comprehensive peace. The organization equips young leaders with practical and scientific skills, fosters dialogue and critical thinking, and enables them to represent themselves and their communities effectively. Takadom prioritizes societal change, particularly for marginalized groups, by expanding awareness and promoting the role of women in social transformation.
Being a Palestinian woman and mother comes with significant societal restrictions, limiting mobility and access to opportunities. Despite these challenges, Wisam continues to push for change, ensuring that Palestinian voices—especially those of women and youth—are heard. Her passion for peace-building has also influenced her daughter, who has participated in international peace programs alongside Palestinian and Israeli students. Facing similar societal pressures, her daughter remains committed to advocating for a peaceful and just future.
Through her work, Wisam remains dedicated to fostering hope, constructive dialogue, and a better future for the next generation.
Sara Alshorman
Jordan
Jordan
Sara Alshorman is an MA student in English Studies at the University of Southern Denmark, specializing in cultural diplomacy and literary studies. A language and culture student who believes that communication and understanding are key to solving complicated issues and making a difference, she is passionate about fostering cross-cultural dialogue. Her research explores Cold War-era propaganda, focusing on the aesthetic and political dimensions of magazines. With a deep interest in Middle Eastern studies, she is currently developing a literary platform to promote mutual awareness between Arabs and Israelis. This initiative seeks to bridge cultural gaps through literature, music, language, and personal storytelling in a neutral, inclusive space. Sara is also involved in organizing academic conferences and cultural initiatives that promote global feminist perspectives.
Eman Safady
Israel
Israel
Eman holds a BA in Communications and Journalism and a master’s degree in National Security Maritime Strategy from the University of Haifa. She works as a Press Liaison at the Jerusalem Press Club, a private club that offers journalists everything they need: access to Israeli decision-makers and experts, briefings, and networking. With over 17 years of extensive journalistic experience, she has worked in various fields, including political communications, investigative reporting, and the production of television and radio programs. In 2019, Eman was selected to participate in the U.S. Department of State’s prestigious International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). An expert in the Lebanon-Israel maritime agreement, Israel’s gas agreements with Arab countries, and the Palestine-Gaza marine gas field, she possesses deep knowledge of Middle Eastern politics, economics, and culture, with a focus on Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
A lecturer in political communication, Israeli politics, and the Arab world, she is fluent in Arabic, Hebrew, and English, with a profound understanding of Israeli society. She is a member of the Devorah Forum, a non-partisan, non-profit NGO with an active network of professional women in an array of fields relating to Israel’s national security and foreign policy. She enjoys creating connections and collaborations and empowering and supporting young women.
Thaer Abed
Palestine, USA
Palestine, USA
Thaer Abed is an American – Palestinian Born in Richmond, Virgina and grew up during both intifada in the West Bank. Mr. Abed currently holds a position of a field engineer based in southern Iraq (Um Qassir) in which he overlooks the training program for the iraqi navy. For the past 13 years Mr.Abed has worked directly with the Iraqi navy on several programs such as training crew members on 35m and 60m USA made boats, renewing the legacy of the Arabian gulf academy for Maritime studies, C41S that links the Iraqi oil platforms with command center to insure the safely and sovereignty of Iraq’s most oil reserve Mr. Abed is also the owner of health investment warehouse drug store in the West Bank.
Dr. Nigel Meir، Member of The Board of Directors
UK
Special Representative in London
UK
Nigel studied Medicine at Oxford University (St John’s College) and worked as a hospital physician and then army battalion doctor. He was then recruited into the foreign service before, more than 30 years ago, embarking on a career in investment management having also completed an M.Phil in Middle East Studies at Oxford University (St Antony’s College). He is a member of the Development Board and the Finance & Estates Committee of St John’s College, Oxford and was for a decade a member of the Investment Committee of the Endowment of St Antony’s College, Oxford where he also funded a post-doctoral research fellowship for Palestinian Israelis. He was a Director of a healthcare charity operating in Africa. He was CEO / Founder of a private equity fund manager in the sustainability, cleantech and renewable energy sectors and is personally a direct private-equity and venture investor: healthcare & life sciences; artificial intelligence; cyber security / intelligence; financial services / fintech; cleantech; digital assets / blockchain. He is a Venture Partner and Limited Partner, Awz Ventures, Canadian cyber-security / intelligence fund manager and a direct investor in several AI-based cyber-security companies. He was Head of UK Pioneer Global Asset Management and Vice Chairman of its alternatives company. He was an investor and previously Director of STX Group, a Dutch brokerage firm of “green” financial instruments and commodities eg carbon credits and biofuels. He is committed to a belief that the MENA region, across all of its diverse countries, can become a bloc and even a union characterized by peace, cooperation and shared objectives.