Ms. Elisabeth Dahl joined Amideast in 2006. In her current role as Senior Director of Business Development, she leads the proposal development process for Amideast’s HQ and field offices. In this role, she leads Amideast’s Business Development efforts and processes across Headquarters and Amideast’s eleven field offices.  

Previously she served in Business Development roles at Amideast and CARANA Corporation, K&M Engineering, and PADCO, Inc., focusing on United States government, donor, and private sector work. 

Dr. Elena Corbett serves as Amideast’s Senior Director of Academic Engagements and has oversight of Amideast’s Education Abroad department, which develops and implements all aspects of academic and experiential programming and support for US students and educators seeking opportunities to learn in the MENA region. She leads the team responsible for Amideast’s programming, customized and faculty-led programming for institutional clients, and implementation of the US State Department’s National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) and Kennedy-Lugar YES Abroad programs. Dr.

Mr. Hussam Abu Issa has distinguished himself in a variety of fields, including entrepreneurship, business, finance, philanthropy, and intercultural relations. His interests lie in promoting higher education, research on health issues, and inter-Arab trade and investment. He is a regular attendee of various international forums and council meetings.

Ms. Erica Pelletreau is a Philanthropic Consultant, researching and building dynamic playbook for foundations and NGOs to leverage AI to advance communications outcomes. She leads inquiries and designs strategic campaigns to build bridges and reduce polarization. Ms. Pelletreau chairs Amideast’s governance and nominating committee and the board of The Communications Network. Previously she led social justice communications for the Empire State Pride Agenda, PolicyLink, Physicians for Reproductive Health, and the ACLU. Ms.

Dr. Hanine Salem is a senior strategist and established public sector expert with over 20 years of executive level working experience in the field of education, higher education and human capital development. Throughout her career, she has been advising heads of states, prime ministers, ministers and public sector officials in areas related to her field of expertise.

Professor Safwan M. Masri is Dean of Georgetown University in Qatar and Distinguished Professor of the Practice at Georgetown’s Walsh School of Foreign Service. Before joining Georgetown in October 2022, Professor Masri was Executive Vice President for Global Centers and Global Development at Columbia University, and a Senior Research Scholar at Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs.

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.

Ambassador (ret.) Michael Pelletier was appointed as the founding Executive Director of the Aspire Initiative Endowed Institute for Global Engagement at the University of Houston on August 1, 2021. 

Mr. Amjad Ahmad is a Managing Partner and Emerging Market Advisor at 500 Global, a venture capital firm that invests in founders building fast-growing technology companies. He is also an instructor for 500 Global’s Venture Education, training the next generation of venture capitalists and angel investors in various markets. Mr. Ahmad serves on the board of directors of Amideast, Homzmart, Koita Foods, and Tapal Tea. 

Ambassador (ret.) Greta C. Holtz joined Amideast in August 2023, following 35 years as a career diplomat. She served as the U.S. Ambassador to Oman from 2012 to 2015, the Chargé d'affaires in Qatar from 2020-2021, and ran the Provincial Reconstruction Team program in Iraq.

Additional postings included Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Tunisia, Syria, and Turkey,