NNA -nbsp; nbsp;The U.S. capital played host to a day of thought leadership and celebration, as two major events spotlighted Arab excellence in innovation, leadership, and cultural impact.
The day began at The Phillips Collection art museum with thenbsp;TAKmindsnbsp;Forumnbsp;organizednbsp;bynbsp;TAKREEM AMERICA Foundation. From 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., attendees engaged with global experts in politics, technology, culture, and business through dynamic panels, fireside chats, and one-on-one conversations. Topics ranged from artificial intelligence and cybersecurity to climate change and leadership.
The forum opened with remarks bynbsp;Nadianbsp;Bilbassy-Charters, Bureau Chief atnbsp;Al Arabiya News Channel. Featured speakers includednbsp;Tiffanynbsp;Saadenbsp;(Stanford University),nbsp;Prof.nbsp;Doaanbsp;Taha(Harrisburg University),nbsp;Samianbsp;Melhemnbsp;(World Bank Group),andnbsp;Nehmenbsp;Taouknbsp;(VALOORES),nbsp;Deborahnbsp;Sawafnbsp;(Thenbsp;Power ofWords Foundation),nbsp;Hazaminbsp;Barmadanbsp;(Social Innovator and Human Rights Advocate),nbsp;andnbsp;Nadianbsp;Daarnbsp;(Amnesty International USA)nbsp;amongnbsp;other distinguished voices from the public and private sectors.
That evening, the spotlight shifted tonbsp;The Ritz-Carltonnbsp;for thenbsp;TAKREEM AMERICA Awards Night and Fundraising Gala, an exclusive ceremony honoring outstanding Arab individuals and institutions in entrepreneurship, science, sustainability, corporate leadership, culture, and lifetime achievement. The honorees, selected through a rigorous months-long nomination and jury process, were announced during the eveningrsquo;s program.
Emceednbsp;by Miminbsp;Geerges, hostnbsp;atnbsp;C-SPAN Washington Journal, thenbsp;gala featured a fundraising segment to support TAKREEM AMERICA initiatives and was made possible through the generous support of thenbsp;Anthony R. Abraham Foundation,nbsp;Triple V Management LLC,nbsp;Fort Partners,nbsp;Cedarrsquo;s Food, as well asnbsp;thenbsp;Kuwait, UAE,nbsp;and KSA Embassies.
The event was attended by a large crowd from across the United States, led by National Security Advisornbsp;Mike Waltz.
This yearrsquo;s honorees included:nbsp;
bull;nbsp;Scientific and Technological Achievementnbsp;ndash;nbsp;Prof. Charbel Farhat, Vivian Church Hoff Professor of Aircraft Structures, Stanford University
bull;nbsp;Sustainability amp; Environmental Leadershipnbsp;ndash;nbsp;Prof. Rabinbsp;Mohtar, Adjunct Professor and former Dean, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut
bull;nbsp;Cultural Excellencenbsp;ndash;nbsp;Mrs. Reemnbsp;Acra, Renowned International Designer
bull;nbsp;Corporate Leadershipnbsp;ndash;nbsp;Mr. Josephnbsp;Geagea,nbsp;FormerChevron Executive
bull;nbsp;Lifetime Achievementnbsp;ndash;nbsp;Mrs.nbsp;Samianbsp;Farouki, Founder and Chairwoman, HII-Finance Corporation
bull;nbsp;Lifetime Achievementnbsp;ndash;nbsp;Dr. Richardnbsp;Westmark, Founder and Executive Chairman ofnbsp;Westmarknbsp;Enterprise;nbsp;Dr. Kayenbsp;Westmark, Clinical Assistant Professor of Radiology, University of Texas Health Science Center
bull;nbsp;Lifetime Achievementnbsp;ndash;nbsp;Mr. Michaelnbsp;Kardoush, Engineer, Entrepreneur, and Philanthropist;nbsp;Mrs.nbsp;Hodanbsp;Kardoush, Community Leader, Philanthropist, and Advocate for Arab Culture and Education
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