Our
Luay Abu-Ghazaleh
Chairman of EFE-Jordan
Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh leverages an extensive communication and development background. Currently he is the chairman of EFE-Jordan, and the CEO and Managing Partner of Abu-Ghazaleh Intellectual Property, and the Vice President of Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization. Alongside serving as a member of several associations worldwide, he is a Board Member of the Queen Rania Award for Excellence. He was appointed as Chair of the Young Presidents’ Organization in Jordan between 2006 and 2007; MENA Regional Chair between 2007 and 2009; and YPO International Board Member between 2008 and 2011. He also served as a member of the Board of Trustees of Yarmouk University.
Samir Murad
Board Member
H.E. Samir Murad
Business and Social Entrepreneur dedicated to youth development, education, employability, responsible citizenship and public service.
Currently serves as:
Chairman of Electricity Distribution Company, Vice-Chairman of MedGulf Insurance Company, Board Member of Societe General Bank of Jordan, Board Member of Zara Investment Holdings, Member of Jordan Strategy Forum, and Board Member of Generations for Peace Organization.
Formerly Served:
Member of the Jordan Senate, Minister of Labor (2011-2010) and (2018-2019), Chairman of Social Security Corporation, Chairman of Vocational Training Corporation, Chairman of Employment – Technical & Vocational Education and Training Fund, Chairman of National Company for Employment & Training Chairman of Jordan Post, Member of National Committee on Human Resource Development and Secretary General of the Jordan Scouts and Guides Organization.
Has previously served on the boards of several profit and non-profit organizations such as Capital Bank, Optimiza, Energy Management Services, Jordan Economic Council, INJAZ Organization, EDAMA Association, and was formerly the Co-Founder of Arab Foundation for Sustainable Development (RUWWAD), as well as Chairman of Amman Baccalaureate School Endowment Fund.
Isam Salfiti
Board Member
Mr. Isam Salfiti is the chairman of the Etihad bank, and Jordan Hotels and Tourism Company. He is also a board member for Zara Investment Holding Company and the King Hussain Foundation, and a board of trustee for Amman’s Baccalaureate School.
Taima Khoury Kawar
Board Member
Mrs. Taima Kawar worked as a Financial Controller for Private Investments of the Khoury Family from 1990 until 2002, and she serves on the board for the King Hussein Cancer Foundation and the Royal Art Gallery. She is also a member of the Board of Trustees on the Jordan River Foundation and the Welfare Association. Additionally, She is the President of the Jordan Education for Women Empowerment and Learning Society (JEWELS). Furthermore, Mrs. Taima Kawar served for two years on the Education Committee for the Young President’s Organization and was on the board of directors of the American Medical Clinics.
Mohammed Bataineh
Board Member
Mr. Mohammad Bataineh is the CEO of BADR Developments and Agri-Jordan, and the Chairman of Agri-Jordan, the American Chamber of Commerce in Jordan (AmCham Jordan), the Jordan American Business Association (JABA) and the Al-Al-Awj center for Autism. In 1982, Mr. Bataineh founded his own company, and then 2000, he was part of a team assembled by his majesty King Abdullah II, which formed the bases of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone (ASEZ). Additionally, he is a principal in the Yatagan Consortium, responsible for producing projects focused on critical nexus for sustainable food and energy in Jordan and the region.
Additionally, as the Chairman and CEO of AgriJordan, Mr. Bataineh leads initiatives that pioneer new applications for the agriculture sector in Jordan by focusing on creating quality and sustainable products that contribute to the local economy in Jordan.
Haifa Al Khraisha
Board Member
Haifa AlKhraisha- Irsheid’s policy centric career spans nearly two decades and includes milestone honors such as serving as the first woman policy advisor to His Majesty King Abdullah II, the first woman to head the political department, as well the first woman to head the international affairs unit within His Majesty’s office. Prior to her joining the Royal Court, Haifa was based out of Paris in her capacity as regional advisor on the MENA region for the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). While she is well versed in international and domestic affairs, her passion has always been development work and the impact of policy and civil service on youth and employment.
Prof. Rowaida Al-Maaitah
Board Member
A Professor at Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST), member of the Higher Council of the National Centre for Curriculum Development and advisor for Her Royal Highness Princess Muna El–Hussein for Health and Social Development.
Al Maaitah earned her master’s and doctoral degrees in Public Health from Tulane University in 1982 and 1989, respectively. She was also a post-doctoral fellow in Administration at Louisiana State University in 1989, and attended Senior Executive leadership courses at Harvard Kennedy School.
Al Maaitah is a recipient of the Order of the State Centennial and the Order of the Star of Jordan (Wisam al-Kawkab al-Urdani) of the First Order.
Al Maaitah was the first woman in the region to take over the portfolio of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, to serve as a university president (The Hashemite University) and Chairperson of the Executive Council of the Arab Women Organization at the Arab League. She was also the first woman in Jordan to serve as Vice-President of a university (JUST), and Director General of King Abdullah University teaching Hospital at JUST. Al Maaitah is the recipient of Abdul Hameed Shoman Medical Sciences Award for Young Arab Scientists in 1996. She is also an Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI).
Al Maaitah has contributed significantly to the movements of education, health and social reforms in Jordan. She has held numerous political and academic key positions: Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, President of the Hashemite University, Chairperson of The Higher Education Council, Senator in the Upper House of the Jordanian Parliament, Minister of State for Government Performance, Minister of Social Development, Director General of King Abdullah University Teaching Hospital at JUST, Dean of Nursing, Founder and Director of the WHO collaborating Center, Vice President and Secretary General of the National Council for Family Affairs; and Chairperson of the National Agenda Technical Committee on Poverty, Health and Social Security.
Al Maaitah is currently a member of the Regional Technical Advisory Committee to the World Health Organization Eastern Mediterranean Region, member of the Policy Advisory Group for the World Report on Social Determinants of Health Equity, Board Member of the Global Advisory Board of Anna Lindh Foundation, Board Member of the global Nursing Now Campaign, Board Member of the Health Care Accreditation Council, and Board Member of the Jordanian Nursing Council.
Ronald Bruder
Founder and Chairman of EFE-Global
Mr. Ronald Bruder was honored by TIME Magazine as one of the 100 Most Influential People for his nonprofit work with EFE. Prior to EFE, Mr. Bruder worked as an entrepreneur in real estate, travel, pharmaceuticals, and energy. In 1977, he founded The Brookhill Group, which owns and manages properties throughout the US – with a focus on creating investment partnerships to develop or redevelop shopping centers, office buildings, and multi-family homes.
In 2012, Mr. Bruder was named a Schwab Foundation Global Social Entrepreneur for his work in founding EFE. Additionally, he served as a delegate of the Council on Foreign Relations to the Jeddah Economic Forum and a contributor to the US-Islamic World Forum in Doha, Qatar, in addition to his frequent participation at international conferences and forums to discuss EFE’s best practices.
Andrew Baird
President and CEO of EFE-Global
Mr. Andrew Baird is a workforce development and youth employment expert with more than 25 years of experience in advancing private-sector-led strategies to create opportunities for dignified and quality employment and livelihoods around the world. In his role as CEO of EFE-Global he provides support and strategic direction across the EFE Network. Prior to his role as President and CEO of EFE-Global, Mr. Baird was the Program Area Director of the workforce and economic development group at RTI International, where he provided leadership, and technical support in workforce development, entrepreneurship, and youth programming. He also held various leadership positions at multiple organizations within the field and home offices of RTI International, Making Cents International, Chemonics International, and Peace Corps, and co-founded the Global Center for Youth Employment, a membership-based organization dedicated to developing collective solutions to youth employment.
Saad Darwazeh
Managing Partner and a Board Member at the Palestinian Trading Company
Saad is the Managing Partner and a Board Member at the Palestinian Trading Company, a family business established in 1950
Salma Jaouni
CEO of the Health Care Accreditation Council/Jordan
CEO of the Health Care Accreditation Council/Jordan since 2012, Former Senior Advisor to Jordan’s Prime Minister and Founding Manager of Jordan’s National Breast Cancer Program