Board of Trustees
BDF Board of Trustees is comprised of highly reputable and knowledgeable individuals who are responsible for overseeing the management of the foundation.
Samer is highly involved in business, social and educational activities in the US, the Middle East and Europe focusing on Engineering Innovation, Sustainability, Economic Collaborative Development, Peace and Conflict Resolution Dialogues, Youth Empowerment, Knowledge Societies and Social Enterprise Philanthropies.
He holds a BSc in Civil Engineering from California State University in Chico and an MBA from the University of Southern California.
Dr. Ashrawi is a member of the Palestinian National Council and she was elected to the Palestinian Legislative Council in 2006. She founded a number of bodies and institutions, most importantly the Independent Commission for Human Rights (ICHR), the Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy- MIFTAH and the Coalition for Accountability and Integrity-AMAN. Dr. Ashrawi is also a member of advisory bodies for several institutions, including the Institute for Palestine Studies and the International Human Rights Commission.
Dr. Ashrawi holds many honorary degrees, including local and international awards in the field of women’s issues, peacemaking, international affairs, human rights, and higher education. She has authored poems, short stories, papers, and articles on culture, literature, and Palestinian politics.
Ashrawi received her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees from the American University of Beirut and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Medieval and Comparative Literature from the University of Virginia. In addition, she is the recipient of eleven honorary doctorates from universities in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and the Middle East.
Dr. Aghabekian is the Manager of Capacity and Institution Building at the office of the President, Executive Director of Al Quds Capital of Arab Culture 2009, Director of Research & Planning at the Welfare Association, Associate Professor at Al-Quds University (1988-2008) as well as Dean of Health professions 95-98 and Dean of graduate studies (1998-2000).
Dr. Aghabekian directed several national studies including the Multisector Review and Strategic plan for East Jerusalem, the National Plan for Human Resource Development and Education in Health. She is a member of the committee which drafted the strategic plan on maintaining Christian presence in the Holy Land.
Dr. Aghabekian is a member of the Presidential Committee for the restoration of the Church of Nativity and advisory committee member for the Presidential committee on Church Affairs. She is active on human rights issues and the author of several studies, manuals and national reports on Jerusalem, education, youth, women and management.
Dr. Aghabekian holds a Ph.D. is in Administrative & Policy Studies-Education from the University of Pittsburgh/USA and a M.Sc. from Indiana University/Purdue University /USA. Currently, with the Negotiations Support project and free-lance management and policy consultant.