The Advisory Board of the Center for Arab American Philanthropy (CAAP) provides oversight on all CAAP activities, reviews and approves CAAP’s competitive grantmaking rounds, and remains very active through board committees, CAAP events, and any special projects that we undertake.

 

Executive Committee

Gheed Amara Itani
Advisory Board Chair

Boston, MA

Gheed has a degree in Architecture from the University of Houston, with special focus in urban design and renovation. She worked for Brown and Root for several years focusing on industrial design. Gheed has deep roots and interest in community building and empowerment, having served on the boards of Arab American Educational Foundation in Houston and the National Network for Arab American Communities, and serving as founding member and president for six years of Center for Arabic Culture in Boston. She is currently on the board of the Boston PCRF chapter and teaches ESL as a literacy volunteer.

Peter O. Farah

Cleveland, OH.

Peter is currently the Vice President, ESG, Deputy General Counsel, and Assistant Secretary of The J. M. Smucker Company, where he has primary responsibility within the Legal Department for mergers and acquisitions, securities, finance, and commercial contracts and he also leads the Company’s environmental, social, and governance efforts. Peter received his Juris Doctor from Boston College Law School in 2001, and his Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Boston College in 1997. Peter is a first generation Arab American, whose parents immigrated to the U.S. from Jerusalem shortly before he was born.

Jeanette Mansour

Flint, MI

Jeanette Mansour retired from the C.S. Mott Foundation after more than 30 years as the Director of Program Planning and Senior Program Officer. In June 2001, Jeanette received the Peacemaker/Peacebuilder award from the National Peace Foundation for her work in supporting conflict resolution/peacebuilding programs. She earned degrees in history, political science, international law and international relations from Marygrove College in Detroit, the Catholic University of America, the University of Michigan and the American University of Beirut. Jeanette formerly served as Board President of the Arab American Heritage Council in Flint.

 

Board Members

Brenda F. Abdelall

Washington, D.C. 

Brenda F. Abdelall is an accomplished lawyer and public policy senior executive with a proven track record in national security and domestic public policy. She currently is Founder and President of Bridge Strategies LLC, a consulting firm that provides counsel on public policy, national security, and other domestic matters. She served in the Biden Administration as Assistant Secretary for Partnership and Engagement at the Department of Homeland Security and as the Chief of Staff at the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties at the Department of Homeland Security. She served as Advisory Board Member of MOSAIC (Muslims in Federal Government), Board Member for the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC), Advisory Board Member of the Charity and Security Network (CSN) and the Virginia Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. Brenda resides in Northern Virginia with her husband and twin boys.

Ramsey Aljahmi

Sylvania, OH

Ramsey Aljahmi is the Senior Director of Operational Excellence of North America, Whirlpool Corporation. Prior to this he was the Plant Leader of 2,500 employees at Findlay Operations. Aljahmi received his Master’s degree in Business Administration and a second in Science of Operations Management from Lawrence Technological University. He also received his Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering Technology from LTU.   Aljahmi spends his time volunteering by mentoring US Veterans, coaching youths at the YMCA, raising funds/participating at the local Habitat for Humanities, raising funds for United Way Campaigns and participating at the Company Employee Resource Groups.  Ramsey and his wife Amy were born and raised in Dearborn MI and currently reside in Sylvania, OH with their three children.

Manal Fakhoury

Ocala, FL

Dr. Manal Fakhoury, CEO of Vestech Partners (Legacy Wealth), is known for her distinctive skillset of strategy, business acumen, and passion for community service.  She is also the President and CEO of Fakhoury Leadership International, and served as a clinical pharmacist for nearly 30 years.  She serves on many national and community boards including: Truist Bank board of directors, YMCA Executive Board, AHA , Rotary Member, ING Trustee, CAIR National Board Secretary, Toastmasters International Club President, Founder and President of Ollin Women International, and curator for TEDxOcala.  She earned her undergraduate and doctorate from the University of Southern California, and her clinical residency at Shands Hospital.  She also has an MBA from Webster University.

Reyad Fezzani

San Francisco, CA

Reyad is currently the Chairman and CEO of Regenerate Power, a developer, owner and operator of utility-scale renewable energy projects. Reyad has more than 20 years experience in energy and finance, previously serving as CEO of BP Solar and Chairman of Tata-BP Solar. In addition, Mr. Fezzani has served as Chairman of the Board of Bay Area Arabic School (BAAS) since May 2015. Mr. Fezzani was born in Libya and holds an ME in Chemical Engineering and Chemical Technology from Imperial College, London.

Naseem Haffar

New York, NY

Naseem Haffar is a retired Managing Director with over 30 years of experience in investment banking and real estate finance. Haffar started his career in the early 1980s at Irving Trust Company (now BNY Mellon) and then joined JP Morgan’s Loan Trading desk. Haffar was a member of the Whitney Museum photography acquisition committee. He is on the board of directors of the Arab American Democratic Action Fund and Noor Theater and is the current board chair of the Arab American Family Support Center. He has an MBA in Finance from Columbia University School of Business and a BS in Business and International Relations from the University of Minnesota. He’s fluent in English, Arabic, and conversational in French.

Amar Masri

Fort Wayne, IN

A businessman and entrepreneur, Amar Masri, was born in Nablus, Palestine where he lived until he and his family was forced to flee to Amman, Jordan in 1967. After completing high school in Jordan, Amar moved to the United States to attend Boston University. After graduating, Amar moved to Ft. Wayne, IN to work for Pepsi Co. and has called Ft. Wayne home since. In 1988 he co-founded the first retail store in Indiana to sell wireless telecommunication. Today he owns Image Cars, Nablus Investment Group and Masri LLC. Amar is passionate about philanthropy serving on the boards of Friends of Nablus where he serves as treasurer, Palestine Student Scholarship Funds and the Indiana Center for Mideast Peace. He’s also proud to be the co-founder of Arab Fest in Ft. Wayne. Amar is the proud father of three children and enjoys spending time with his four grandchildren.

Rabih Suki

Houston, TX

Dr. Rabih Suki is currently the Principal and CEO of HealthSpective, specializing in healthcare strategy, quality assurance, performance measurement, data analytics and healthcare outcomes management and measurement. Dr. Suki currently serves on the board of National Arab Orchestra, American Lebanese Medical Association, and American Lebanese Cultural Center. He has also been actively involved with the Arab Cultural and Community Center in Houston, Texas, as well as the American Druze Society, and the American University of Beirut Alumni Association – Houston Chapter. He has a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from American University of Beirut, and then completed his studies at the University of Texas, receiving a Master’s in Public Health and a Ph.D. in Biostatistics.

 

Honorary Member

Richard A. Abdoo

Milwaukee, WI

 

Past Board Chairs

Rasha S. Demashkieh

Port Huron, MI

Hussien Y. Shousher

Toledo, OH