Ms. Leslie Nucho has served as Vice President for Programs at Amideast since 1995. She oversees the organization’s activity in the areas of English language, workplace/employability and professional skills training, educational exchange (including education abroad), and institutional strengthening, as well as its communications and monitoring and evaluation functions. Her role encompasses project design, proposal and budget review and approval, financial monitoring, staff supervision and guidance, and performance and reporting compliance.  

Mr. James T. Grabowski serves as Amideast's Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. In this capacity, he is responsible overseeing and optimizing Amideast’s day-to-day operations and for leading technology-driven efficiency, growth, and profitability. He devises strategies for Amideast’s growth and success and turns them into actionable plans and initiatives.

Mr. Vincent V. DeSomma serves as Amideast’s Vice President of Development and External Engagement, overseeing a dedicated new business team and Amideast’s strategic communications, advancement, and disability inclusion operations. He works closely with Amideast’s other executives and senior managers to develop new programs and pursue opportunities with U.S. Government agencies as well as private funders and multilateral donors. As a member of Amideast’s Senior Leadership Team, Mr. DeSomma applies his experience leading strategies for effective programming with the U.S.

Ms. Debby Blazquez has served as the Vice President of Finance, and Chief Financial Officer since 2018. She currently manages the following teams: Accounting and Finance, Contracts and Grants, Information Technology, Financial Planning and Analysis, Internal Audit, and Risk Management, Assets and Facilities.

Ambassador (ret.) Greta C. Holtz joined Amideast in August 2023, following 35 years as a career diplomat with extensive experience in the Middle East and North Africa. She served as the U.S. Ambassador to Oman from 2012 to 2015, the Chargé d'affaires in Qatar from 2020-2021, and the Minister-Counselor for Provincial Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad from 2009 to 2010.

As the Director of Communications, Ms. Betsy Laun Maalouf works closely with HQ program staff and our 11 field offices to manage Amideast’s branding and public outreach via publications, social media, the website, and special events and activities. 

She covered business, energy, and development news for publications focused on the Middle East and North Africa for nearly 25 years.  Since joining Amideast in 2005, she has discovered the rewards of managing communications for a mission-driven nonprofit organization focused on the MENA region.