BOARD OF DIRECTORS

TAKREEM AMERICA’s Board of Directors governs the Foundation’s work. Its members help promote the goals and mission of TAKREEM, thus helping it spread its message of hope, change, and a different Arab World. The Board draws the Foundation’s path and monitors the performance of the organization. It formally meets twice a year as well as between the regular meetings as needed to conduct the Foundation’s business.

Razmig Boladian

Razmig Boladian is an entrepreneur and private equity executive with extensive Middle East expertise. He co-founded Rubicon Point Partners (RPP), a San Francisco-based real estate private equity firm investing in commercial real estate on behalf of institutional investors. He also co-founded Bliss Capital, an investment management firm in the MENA region, focusing on direct secondary and cross-border investments. Additionally, Razmig serves as an Executive Board Member at Al-Nahr Solutions, a system integrator in Saudi Arabia. Previously, he co-founded Roland Berger Strategy Consultants’ Middle East practice, serving as Partner and Saudi Arabian Country Manager, playing a pivotal role in the firm’s regional expansion. Razmig’s affiliations include Harvard University, where he has contributed to the KSG Board of Admission and the alumni board in Lebanon.

Nadine Chakar

Nadine Chakar is a financial services veteran with over 30 years of global experience, specializing in capital markets, operations, and technology. She recently served as the executive vice president and head of State Street Digital, a division focused on digital assets. Prior to that, she led State Street Global Markets and held key roles at Manulife and BNY Mellon. Known for strategic thinking and team leadership, she also champions sustainability initiatives. Nadine has received multiple industry honors, including being named one of American Banker’s Most Powerful Women in Finance and Forbes 50 over 50 in Finance. She holds a BA from Boston University and serves on the Boston Medical Center’s Board.

Diana Elmas

Born and raised in Lebanon, Diana Elmas co-founded Diamony International in 1979, initially wholesaling multi-designer swimwear and lingerie in the Middle East. In the ’90s, Diamony ventured into retail, pioneering multi-brand boutiques. Diana further expanded, establishing a chain of luxury boutiques named “Fifth Avenue,” featuring sought-after women’s evening dresses. In addition, Diana serves on the board of Medistar Investment Corporation, dedicated on the development of general, surgical and rehabilitation hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and medical office buildings. A true philanthropist and a mother of three daughters, she divides her time between Beirut and Houston.

Emile Haddad

Emile Haddad is Founder and Chairman Emeritus of FivePoint Holdings, a leading developer in coastal California. With over 30 years of experience, he’s active in his community, chairing USC’s Lusk Center for Real Estate and advising USC’s Price Planning Program. He is also the Immediate Past Chair of UC Irvine’s Board of Trustees and serves on UC Berkeley’s Real Estate Advisory Boards. Emile has earned accolades like the Boy Scouts of America Construction Industry Good Scout Award, UCI Center for Real Estate Lifetime Achievement Award, and American Diabetes Association Father of the Year Award. In May 2017, he received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.

Richard Westmark

Richard Westmark is the Founder and Executive Chairman of Westmark Enterprise, Ltd., a global family office and multi-asset manager. He also serves as Managing Partner and CIO of Triple V Management, LLC, an alternative investment advisor. Richard is a Global Board Member and Texas Regional Director of the Hedge Fund Association. A prolific author, he has contributed to peer-reviewed scientific literature and renowned neurosurgery textbooks. He conducted groundbreaking spinal cord injury research at the University of California, San Francisco, and recently published a book for non-medical readers titled “My Back Hurts!” Richard is a highly sought-after lecturer and honored guest at universities and forums worldwide.

Shihab Kuran

Shihab Kuran is a seasoned executive and serial entrepreneur in the semiconductor, power, and cleantech industries. He founded Petra Solar, launching the world’s largest solar electric project in 2009, and currently serves as President and CEO of Power Edison and Executive Chairman of EV Edison. Both companies focus on energy storage and electric vehicle charging solutions. Dr. Kuran has been recognized as a leader in Smart Grid technology and was named NJ Green Tech Entrepreneur of the Year in 2010. He holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from CUNY and completed executive education at Harvard Business School. He serves on multiple boards with a focus on ESG and energy transition.

Yasmina Moukarzel

Yasmina Moukarzel, an art advisor, and interior architect, resides in Philadelphia and Avalon, New Jersey. She holds a BA in Art History from Washington College and an Architecture Master’s from Drexel University. Yasmina also possesses a Master’s in Art Business and Contemporary Art from Sotheby’s New York and currently pursuing a Master’s in Architecture at the Academy of Art. She offers strategic guidance to collectors and collaborates with international artists, designers, and gallerists, seamlessly integrating art into architectural projects and institutions. Yasmina’s notable projects encompass Philadelphia’s Reading Terminal Market and Paine’s Park. Additionally, she actively contributes to organizations like the Barnes Foundation and Museum, the Legacy Foundation of the Union League of Philadelphia, and the Union League’s Scholarship Committee.

Adah Al Mutairi

Adah Almutairi is a renowned scholar, inventor, and entrepreneur, specializing in nanomedicine, nanotechnology, chemistry, and polymer science. She is the Founder of eLux Medical, a UC San Diego Professor of Nanoengineering and Pharmaceutical Sciences, and a recipient of the NIH New Innovator Award in 2009. With 13 issued patents and numerous pending ones, she’s a pioneer in developing nanoparticles that respond to inflammation, offering innovative disease treatment precision. Dr. Almutairi co-directs the Center for Excellence in Nano-Medicine and Engineering (CNME) and has been recognized as one of Forbes’ “Most Influential Women in Engineering in the World.” Her work was praised by NIH director Francis Collins and featured in top scientific media outlets.

Micheline Nader

Micheline Nader BSN, MPH, DESS, is a best-selling author, healthcare entrepreneur, and President of Jesra Impact, specializing in transformative content, education, and networks. With extensive expertise in hospital administration and healthcare management, she authored the bestseller “The Dolphin’s Dance,” Discover Your True Self through a Powerful 5-Step Journey into Conscious Awareness, bridging conventional healthcare with complementary medicine. After a successful career in hospital administration, Micheline founded the Blue Dolphin Healthcare Group, a significant nursing home chain later sold. She serves on the Rothman Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship’s advisory board, continually empowering individuals through innovative content as a writer, speaker, and coach.

Oscar Seikaly

Oscar Seikaly, CEO of NSI Insurance Group, leads a major private insurance firm serving families and businesses across the USA and 70+ countries. With numerous industry awards, he has been on AIG’s Producer Advisory Council and currently is a member of the Advisory Board of Vault Reciprocal Exchange, a subsidiary of Allied World. Oscar sits on the University of Miami Law School’s RPD program Advisory Board and supports arts, serving the Perez Art Museum, Bass Museum of Art, and sponsoring Miami City Ballet. Actively engaged in civic and charity work, he contributes to organizations like the Institute of Contemporary Art Miami, Pompidou Foundation, Renee Mouawad Foundation, Doctors Without Borders, and the American Task Force for Lebanon.

Nabil Taleb

Nabil Taleb, an accomplished serial entrepreneur, heads the Infiniux group as Co-Founder, Chairman, and CEO, driving infrastructure for the smart economy. The group comprises Nexius, a telecom infrastructure leader and Supplier of the Year awardee. Infiniux excels in merging software, engineering, and field services to empower individuals with life-changing technology. Their technical academy, MyndCo, aims to nurture the next generation of smart technicians. In 2010, Infiniux successfully sold a software analytics division to a publicly listed firm, highlighting their innovation. Nabil, an E&Y Entrepreneur of the Year awardee, actively supports startups and serves on charity boards, making a significant impact in both entrepreneurship and philanthropy.

Tony Tannoury

Tony Tannoury, Chief of Orthopedic Spine Surgery at Boston Medical Center and Boston University School of Medicine, is a renowned international figure. He is internationally recognized for pioneering Minimal Invasive (MIS) techniques and implants, including Johnson & Johnson’s MIS Spine Portfolio. With extensive teaching experience, he educates surgeons, residents, and students globally. Tony excels in diagnosing and treating complex spinal deformities, chairing the Workerscomp care group, a leading expert consortium on work injury management. He is also an author of two books and over 500 scientific presentations. Since 2008, he presides the International Musculoskeletal Society, solidifying his global influence in spine surgery.

Souraya Eid

Souraya, a venture capital investor and entrepreneur in New York, hails from Beirut. She earned a bachelor’s in computer engineering from AUB and a Master’s in Finance with honors. Starting with sustainable innovation for refugees, she moved into venture capital with a CFA charter and ESG certification. In New York, she founded a consultancy in venture capital and co-founded a tech startup empowering women entrepreneurs globally, where she serves as CFO. Additionally, she’s the treasurer for TAKREEM AMERICA. Souraya’s journey showcases her commitment to innovation, investment, and empowering women in entrepreneurship, bridging her expertise from tech to finance seamlessly.

Youmna Ziade

Youmna Ziade is a highly accomplished professional with a Master’s in Law from Saint-Joseph University in Beirut and a degree in Political Sciences and International Relations from Sciences-Po Paris. She began her career at Société Générale de Banque au Liban in 2003, specializing in corporate banking, then joined BLC Bank in Beirut, Lebanon, with a history of various managerial roles, including leading CSR efforts. Youmna is also an entrepreneur, known for founding one of Lebanon’s first organic farms and co-founding Kitchenlab, an innovative concept in food and beverage. She represents the National Heritage Foundation in the Beirut Heritage Initiative, dedicated to restoring Beirut’s cultural heritage post the August 4, 2020, Blast.

Andrea Makhlouf

Andrea, a New York City-based digital Product Designer and Strategist with roots in Beirut, Lebanon, merges strategy, design, and management expertise from Parsons School of Design. She excels in applying design thinking to enhance digital interfaces, aiding companies in innovation and scaling through improved user experiences. As an advocate for storytelling, she hosts podcasts like “Change That Podcast,” amplifying global change-makers’ voices. Recently, Andrea joined the Takreem Foundation, hosting “Tak on the Pod” to showcase untold success stories from the MENA region, fostering cross-cultural understanding and inspiring curiosity about its essence and values.

Ricardo Karam

Ricardo Karam, a veteran talk-show host, television presenter, producer, author, public speaker, and advocate for promoting social causes. He has interviewed global influencers, inspiring Arabs to embrace innovation through dialogue. His interviews transcend contemporary topics, delving into the profound thoughts and sentiments shaping world events. In 2010, Karam elevated storytelling’s impact, founding TAKREEM. Rooted in his belief in community empowerment and tradition preservation, it unites those he has collaborated with over the years. TAKminds emerged as a natural progression, fostering change by uniting the TAKREEM community through thought-provoking events, talks, and activities. A decade later, TAKREEM AMERICA extended its reach, furthering the foundation’s global impact.