Board of Directors

  • Samer Naoum is a political professional and educator based in Washington, D.C. He is the founder and CEO of the Washington Political International Institute (WPII), a political education institute focused on fostering international collaboration and providing networking opportunities, workshops, and seminars for political students and aspiring leaders. With experience in lobbying and advocacy within the U.S. Congress, Samer has developed a strong understanding of the legislative process and political strategy. He is an active member of the American Political Science Association (APSA).

    Samer holds a Master’s in Political Management from The George Washington University, a Master’s in Political Science from Liberty University, and a Master’s in Global Security Studies with a concentration in Strategic Studies (Military and Terrorism) from Johns Hopkins University. He also holds a Bachelor's in Business Administration from Notre Dame University. He is dedicated to shaping the future of political education, with a strong focus on combating child radicalization and terrorism. 

Management

  • Aline Geagea is a distinguished communication strategist and designer with a proven ability to craft compelling narratives that drive engagement and deliver results. Armed with a Master’s degree in Advertising with an Emphasis in Art Direction from ALBA (Académie Libanaise des Beaux-Arts), Beirut, Aline merges strategic insight with creative excellence to develop impactful branding and advertising solutions. Her expertise lies in creating integrated campaigns and cohesive communication strategies for institutions, banks, and architectural organizations across Beirut and beyond.

    Aline is currently a lecturer at esteemed institutions, including Académie Libanaise des Beaux-Arts, Notre Dame University, the American University of Science and Technology, and the Lebanese American University. In these roles, she empowers aspiring professionals to think strategically, tackle complex challenges, and master the art of visual storytelling. Her dedication to fostering creativity and design thinking has inspired countless students to push boundaries and innovate within the communication and design fields.

  • Hanadi Chidiac is a strategic thinker with strong business development skills, grounded in both legal training and corporate experience. She graduated from The George Washington University Law School, where she focused on public interest law with an emphasis on health rights and immigration advocacy.

    Hanadi also holds a bachelor's degree in French with minors in Political Science and Arabic from The Ohio State University, where she completed the Pre-Med track. Guided by a deep belief in the power of knowledge, she is passionate about equipping individuals with the tools and information they need to advocate for themselves and their communities.

    Before attending law school, Hanadi worked as a technical product manager at a Fortune 10 company, where she led cross-functional teams, launched innovative products, and developed scalable frameworks that drove measurable business growth. Her ability to navigate complex stakeholder needs and align product strategy with business objectives continues to define her professional approach.

    She has also contributed to the nonprofit sector, supporting field operations across the Middle East and beyond with Spirit of America. Hanadi’s diverse background enables her to operate effectively at the intersection of law, business, and impact—bringing a unique, interdisciplinary perspective to every challenge.

Legal

  • Mathilda El Hachem is a highly accomplished immigration and corporate lawyer, licensed by the Supreme Court of Texas and based in the United States. She holds an LL.M. in International Law from the University of Houston, bringing a deep understanding of both U.S. and international legal systems.

    Her career is shaped by global experience and a strong focus on the American legal landscape. She also holds a law degree from the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik.

    In addition to her legal practice, Attorney El Hachem has a background in alternative dispute resolution and experience in advocacy and public policy. She serves on the boards of several prominent organizations and is an active member of professional associations, including the State Bar of Texas, the American Immigration Lawyers Association, the American Bar Association, and the World Affairs Council.

Speakers and Professors

  • Desiree Kennedy is a policy and political professional based in Raleigh, NC. In February 2025, Desiree was appointed to serve Governor Josh Stein as a Program Officer in the Governor’s Recovery Office for Western North Carolina, overseeing the Housing, Children and Families, and Economic Recovery portfolios. Prior to her current role, Desiree served in senior leadership, operations, and strategy roles on national Presidential campaigns, as Deputy Chief of Staff to a Member of the United States House of Representatives, and a leader in the Corporate and Government Affairs department of a global medical device manufacturer specializing in cancer care.  

     

    Desiree received a B.S. in legal studies and a B.A. in political science from Nova Southeastern University, a Master’s Degree specializing in Political Management from The George Washington University, and a certificate in Health Care Economics from Harvard Business School Online. 

  • Dr. Al-Hindy's expertise is intricately woven around the management of diversity, both in the political and cultural spheres. This specialized knowledge encompasses the nuanced influences of primary affiliations such as religion and ethnicity on the political conduct of diverse populations. On one hand, this expertise is linked to accommodative power-sharing political systems, inter-religious dialogue, and peacebuilding. On the other hand, it extends to countering violent extremism, addressing the weaponization of religion and security concerns, and effective conflict management.

    His research pursuits explore a range of topics, including Minorities and Identity Politics, Consociational Democracy, Inclusive Citizenship, Lebanese & Middle Eastern Studies, Electoral Engineering, Human Rights, Civil Society, Youth Participation, Religion and Politics, as well as Social Cohesion and Peace Education.

    Within the academic domain, Dr. Al-Hindy has held significant roles, serving as both Associate and Assistant Professor of Government and International Relations at Notre Dame University Louaize. Further contributing to the academic landscape, he served as a Scholar in Residence at Dayton University, Ohio, and shared his expertise as a Tutor of International Relations and Global Politics at the University of Sydney and Macquarie University.

    His academic journey culminated in a Ph.D. in Government and International Relations from the University of Sydney in 2009, with a thesis focused on "The Right of Self-Determination for Minorities."

    In the administrative and professional arena, Dr. Al-Hindy has showcased leadership through roles such as the Executive Director of the Adyan Foundation, Director of the Middle East Institute for Research and Strategic Studies, and Chairperson of the Department of Government & International Relations at Notre Dame University Louaize. Additionally, he co-founded and presided over ALEF act for Human Rights and served as a Project Officer at the International Management and Training Institute in YMCA.

    Dr. Al-Hindy's affiliations are extensive, including his role as a Senior Expert at Adyan Foundation, Co-Founder & Board member of ALEF – act for human rights, Co-Founder & Board member of the International and Transitional Justice Resource Center, Board member of Dialogue for Life & Reconciliation, and participation in the Political Mentor Program for young political leaders with the Eduardo Frei Foundation - Robert Schuman Institute. He is also recognized as an alumnus of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) by the U.S. Department of State for the years 2021 and 2022.