Under the Patronage of Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah   2008 Middle East Conference Promoting a Contemporary Arab Image May 24, 2008 Amman, Jordan   Please download the Conference Program and Program Addendum to read more about the speakers and panels that were featured in the 2008 3rd Annual Middle East Conference.   Keynote address to be delivered by H.E. ZAID AL-RIFA'I Harvard College Class of 1957 President of the Senate Former Prime Minister of Jordan   Panel Descriptions Panel 1: International Finance Entering the World Stage: The Global Integration of MENA’s Finance The region, awash with oil money is gaining central stage in global finance. This panel addressed the evolving role of MENA's finance industry as it plays financier and strategic investor to global institutions in addition to actively searching for diversification and growth as it paves the old silk route, flooding emerging markets in the East. What are the challenges and opportunities of investing outside of MENA; where is capital being allocated, by whom and why? East vs. West, public vs. private? The rise of protectionism and nationalism in developed economies, the myths/realities of sovereign wealth funds? Emerging cross-border investment trends within MENA; is there an over abundance of liquidity locally? The rise of regionalization within private equity? What is the next hot investment thesis? The evolution and internationalization of the national exchanges; the rise and fall of the retail investor? The emergence of hedge funds and sophisticated trading strategies? Panelists: HE Mr. Samir Al-Rifa'i: CEO, Jordan Dubai Capital Mr. Abdalla El Ebiary: Principal, Citadel Capital Mr. Omar Lodhi: Executive Director, Abraaj Capital Mr. Hashem Montasser: Managing Director and Head of Asset Management, EFG Hermes Mr. Ahmed Tantash: Chairman/CEO, Jordan Investment Trust - Jordinvest   Moderator: Mr. Nashat Masri: Partner, Foursan Group     Panel 2: Private Sector Diagnosing the Vitality of MENA Corporations This panel sought to examine the extent to which MENA multinationals are participating in this trend of increased sophistication and global influence. In particular, during the course of this panel, we examined the following questions: How successful are MENA corporations when compared against their peers in other emerging markets? Which sectors and specific firms in the MENA region have shown particular success? How have the business models of MENA corporations been evolving over time? To what extent have local companies been moving into more complex segments of the value chain over time? How much innovation are MENA corporations doing? What are the factors contributing to the increased sophistication and success of MENA corporations? What are the factors that are hindering the performance of these firms? In particular, what are the trends surrounding corporate governance, research and development, and capital market sophistication? Panelists: Mr. Haytham K. Dahleh: CEO and General Manager, United Arab Investors Company Mr. Omar El Hamamsy: Partner, McKinsey & Company Mr. Alex Ghiso: Managing Director, Ripplewood Holdings Mr. Luis Leon : Group Strategy Director, Zain   Moderator: Dr. Safwan Masri: Professor and former Vice Dean, Columbia University Graduate School of Business     Panel 3: Civic Engagement Panel Jordan as a showcase for social responsibility in the Middle East Civic engagement is the process of active giving to promote the well being of the community. The region is seeing the rise of Arab philanthropy and the involvement of the private and public sectors to create economic opportunity for society at large. This panel explored the extent to which Jordan and the wider Middle East address the significance of civic engagement as a bedrock for progressive communities. What is the social and economic impact on society at large? What is the difference between charity and active civic engagement? Take initiative! What opportunities exist in Jordan and the wider Middle East to give back and make a difference? Where and how can we inspire young minds, change lives, promote entrepreneurial thinking and empower underserved communities? How active has Jordan been in terms of growing its own foundations and launching its civic engagement initiatives? Panelists: Mr. Omar Al Hmoud: Deputy Country Director, Mercy Corps Jordan Ms. Valentina Qussisiya: Director General, Jordan River Foundation Ms. Samar Dudin: Founder, Takween Mr. Dennis Walto: CEO, Save the Children, Jordan Chapter     Panel 4: Art in the Middle East Local Voices and Global Networks There is a tangible change in the art scene in the Middle East today and an unprecedented engagement with the international art community. "Middle Eastern" art is now competing with Indian art and other developing markets (like Chinese art) whether at Chrisities, Sotherby's or other renown auction houses. This explosion of growth in the art scene includes art producers, art consumers, art "consultants", fairs, galleries and museums.   For example, the most recent Gulf Art Fair held in Dubai in Feb 2008 attracted over 400 exhibitors from all over the world, including Tokyo, Sydney, Sao Paulo, India. Western brand names such as Andy Warhol and Damien Hirst stood side by side with contemporary Middle Eastern artists such as Adel El-Siwi and Shirin Nashat.   This panel sought to examine the evolving nature of the art scene in the Arab world. In particular, during the course of this panel, we examined the following questions: Are we witnessing a revival of art and cultural production in the Middle East? How is all of this changing the "image" of the Arab world vis-a-vis the international community? How are indigenous cultures being represented in such transnational interactions? Are there regional intra-Arab differences in the way that art is being produced and consumed and if so, what effects might that have on the construction of a pan-Arab image of sorts? Are we seeing a new role for the Arab artist? and what are some examples of innovative ways of engaging with critical political and economic issues through art? Panelists: Ms. Yasmin Alireza: Trustee, Al Madad Foundation Mr. Bashar Alshroogi: Managing Partner, Cuadro Fine Art Gallery Ms. Antonia Carver: Editor, Bidoun Magazine Ms. Maneli Keykavoussi: Head of Middle Eastern Markets, The Fine Art Fund Group Mr. Zain Mustafa: CEO and Creative Director, Untitled Interiors       Speakers     Omar Al Hmoud Mr. Al Hmoud holds a Master's degree from the University of Nottingham in Social Policy and Administration and has over 11 years' experience overseeing community development programs in Jordan in the non-governmental, governmental, and private philanthropic sectors. He started his career at a leading Jordanian non-governmental organization managing its local development programs, then joined the Ministry of Planning where he oversaw the progressive Enhanced Productivity Program, an effort to promote sustainable rural economies in partnership with an array of international civil society organizations working in local communities across Jordan. He later joined Her Majesty Queen Rania's Office to manage local development initiatives and to help endorse Her Majesty's vision for social change.   Mr. Al Hmoud currently serves as Deputy Country Director for Mercy Corps Jordan, overseeing a diverse portfolio of development and relief initiatives. Mercy Corps is noted across the Middle East for fostering innovative partnerships for development with local communities and businesses, international corporations and private philanthropies, as well as traditional institutional donors.               Samir Al-Rifa'i HE Samir Z. Al-Rifa'i is the CEO of Jordan Dubai Capital (JD Capital), one of the major Arab investors to recently enter the Jordanian market. Al-Rifai, who has nearly two decades of varied experience in public service and management, will steer JD Capital towards achieving its goals benefiting both the investors and the national economy. Under Al-Rifai's leadership, JD Capital will pursue an investment strategy that aims at capitalizing on the robust growth of the Jordanian economy and the increasing number of solid investment opportunities.   Based on the belief that service in the public and private sectors compliment each other, Al-Rifa'i decided in October 2005 to accept the position of CEO at JD Capital - an affiliate of Dubai International Capital which is the investment arm of the giant group Dubai Holding.   Al-Rifa'i started his career in the office of HRH the Crown Prince. In 1999 he was appointed Secretary General of the Royal Hashemite Court where he was credited with implementing a major programme of administrative and financial restructuring of the entire Royal Court. Al-Rifa'i also led His Majesty's Press Office and Communications Department. In 2003 His Majesty King Abdullah II promoted Al-Rifai to the position of Minister of the Royal Hashemite Court to act as the main link between His Majesty and the Government. On April 2005 Al-Rifa'i was appointed advisor to His Majesty the King, a position he held until he accepted the position of CEO JD Capital on November 6 2005.   Al-Rifa'i is currently a Board Director of the Housing Bank for Trade and Finance; a Member of the Board of King's Academy; Chairman of the Central Electricity Generating Company PLC; Chairman of JD Properties PLC; Chairman of Jordan Dubai Energy Company; Chairman of Energy Arabia Company (Enara), Chairman of Kingdom Electricity Company; Board Member of Energy Management Services Company (EMS); Board Member of Inwan Mortgage Finance PLC; Member of the Board of Saraya Aqaba.   Al-Rifa'i formerly served as Chairman of the Royal Committee to promote Investment; Chairman of The Amman Message Preparatory Committee; Member of the Committee on Interfaith; Member of the Higher Steering Committee for the Peace Process; and Member of the Board of The King Abdullah Award for Excellence and Transparency in the Public Sector.   Al-Rifai was decorated with the Grand Cordon of the Order of Al-Kawkab Al Urduni; Grand Cordon of the Order of Al-Istiqlal (Independence); he also carries several Foreign Decorations.   Public service has been engrained in Samir Al-Rifa'i since childhood. He is the third generation of a prominent Jordanian family whose members have served in senior political positions and dedicated their lives to the service of King and country.   Born in 1966, Al-Rifa'i obtained his Bachelors degree in Middle East Studies from Harvard University, then went on to attain a Masters degree in International Relations from Cambridge University in the UK.       His Excellency Mr. Zaid Al-Rifai, President of the Senate His Excellency Mr. Zaid Al-Rifai was born in Amman, Jordan in 1936 and has enjoyed a highly decorated career in public service. His Excellency joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and served in the embassies of Jordan in Cairo, Beirut, London and the United Nations. His Excellency was transferred to the Royal Hashemite Court in 1964 where he successfully occupied the posts of Chief of the Royal Protocol; Secretary General of the Royal Court; Private Secretary to His Majesty the King; and Chief of the Royal Hashemite Court. In 1972, His Excellency was appointed as Political Advisor to His Majesty the King. His Excellency formed his Cabinet in 1973 and held the portfolios of Foreign Affairs and Defense in addition to the Prime Ministry. His Excellency formed his second cabinet in 1985 and held the portfolio of Defense in addition to the Prime Ministry. His Excellency was appointed to the Senate several times and has been serving as President of the Senate since June 8, 1997.   His Excellency has received numerous Jordanian and international decorations. In Jordan, he was the recipient of the following decorations: The Arab Renaissance (Al-Nahda), the Kawkab, and The Independence (Istiklal). His Excellency has also received decorations from Syria, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Lebanon, the Sultanate of Oman, France, the U.K., China, Turkey, Pakistan and Romania.   His Excellency received his B.A. in Political Science from Harvard University in 1957 and an M.A. in Law and International Relations from Columbia University in 1958.       Yasmin Alireza Yasmin Alireza is a Director of Rezayat Europe Ltd and co-founder and Director of Blossom Mother and Child Limited; a luxury brand focused on expectant women and children. Her previous experience includes work in development and project finance at Bechtel Enterprises (BEn). Yasmin Alireza is also a trustee of the Al-Madad Foundation; a UK registered charity organization focused on bettering the lives of people throughout the world through multi-media projects. She is also a director of Soliya; a web based media project that promotes intercultural understanding. Yasmin received her BA from Harvard. She currently lives in UK.             Antonia Carver Based in Dubai, Antonia Carver is an editor of Bidoun magazine (www.bidoun.com), and managing editor of the imprint Bidoun Books. She is the Middle East correspondent for Screen International and the Art Newspaper, and contributes regularly to exhibition catalogues, books, magazines and newspapers on contemporary art and film in the region.   Publications include With/Without: Spatial Products, Practices and Politics in the Middle East (co-editor, with Shumon Basar and Markus Miessen, Dubai, 2007) and BLINK (editor, London, 2001). Antonia is a member of the programming team for the Edinburgh International Film Festival.             Haytham K. Dahleh   Haytham Dahleh is the CEO and General Manager of United Arab Investors Company. His past experiences include, Partner and General Manager of Jordan American Food Co., Jordan Global Food Distribution Co., and Al Madinah Group. He was the Chairman of the Arab Real Estate Development Co. and served on the Boards of Taameer, United Arab Investors, Union bank, and Darkom. Haytham received his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from The University of South Alabama in 1999.             Samar Dudin   Samar Dudin is an independent theatre director and an educational drama specialist since 1995. She is the founding director of Takween Open Spaces for Enlightenment & Creativity in Amman-Jordan. Samar's work focuses mainly on creating experiential learning contexts to engage youth and children in exploring pluralism and diversity as the means and meaning for a better world. Her method is based on integrating research, co authorship, theatre & the arts as healing learning mediums. Samar is a regional youth trainer in the area of "Personal Mastery and Values", her work in progress explores youth identity and cultural diversity in the city of Amman .She is a cultural activist who has 20 years experience in leading and creating multidisciplinary programs with a sociopolitical & cultural change agenda.   Takween is a non profit company founded in 2006 to disseminate enlightenment content through the mediums of theatre & the arts to the children & youth of Jordan & the Arab World. The core of Takween's products & programs revolve around " The Missing Content" which aims to engage children & youth in the pursuit of an alternative kind of knowledge that embraces self knowledge and self responsibility , pluralism & interfaith dialogue as key and transformative mediums in young people's lives .Takween 's child track has an outreach of 3000 children majority are from the underserved public primary schools. It youth's programs focuses on Cultural diversity participation and self reflection in the context of the developing urban landscape of the city of Amman.               Abdalla El Ebiary Prior to joining Citadel Capital in March 2006 as Principal, Abdalla was with Merrill Lynch in New York in the Investment Banking Group, where he was responsible for numerous landmark investment banking transactions in the Media and Telecom industries. Before joining Merrill Lynch, he was Business Analysis Manager at Meadwestvaco in New York (2002-2004), a global leader in packaging and paper manufacturing. Abdalla focused on M&A transactions, including the divestiture of the paper division for $2.3 bn, investor relations activities and communications and strategy development. Prior to that Abdalla spent 5 years at Procter & Gamble in the finance group (1994-1999). His last position was Finance Group Manager, managing internal controls for P&G-Egypt, Lebanon and East Africa . Abdalla holds a master in Business Administration from Colombia Business School and is certified in Management Accounting (CMA).             Omar El Hamamsy Omar El Hamamsy is a Partner in McKinsey & Company. He is currently based in the Middle East Office and was previously in McKinsey’s Belgium office. Omar serves clients in the Middle East, Europe and the US. He works in several industries and covers a broad set of functions including strategy, marketing, sales, operations, organization, and finance. He has a particular interest in growth strategies and performance management. Prior to joining McKinsey he worked for 6 years in Bell Labs (AT&T and then Lucent Technologies) in the US where he held management positions and was the recipient of the prestigious Bell Labs President’s cup for his ground-breaking work in advanced wireless communications systems.   Omar holds a Masters of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University, California. He holds a Bachelor Degree in Electrical Engineering from McGill University in Canada. During his academic life, Omar was the recipient of multiple awards and scholarships for academic excellence. He also has a keen interest in learning languages including Arabic, French, English, Spanish, German and Mandarin.   Omar returned back to the Middle East with McKinsey because of his conviction that he and others from the Middle East can have real lasting impact on the region and its people. In his free time, Omar is a private pilot and an avid sportsman.             Alexander Ghiso Alexander Ghiso is a Managing Director of Ripplewood Holdings L.L.C. He has primary responsibility for Ripplewood's investment in Commercial International Bank in Egypt, and focuses on financial and business services as well as investment opportunities across the MENA region. Prior to joining Ripplewood, Mr. Ghiso was an Executive Director in Mergers and Acquisitions with Morgan Stanley. During his tenure at Morgan Stanley, Mr. Ghiso executed transactions totaling over $27 billion in enterprise value across a broad range of industries including advertising, automotive, consumer, financial services, health care, paper and forest products, printing and transportation. Mr. Ghiso began his career in the Health Care Group with First Boston. He earned a J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School and a B.S., with high distinction, in Mathematics and Political Science from the University of Michigan. Mr. Ghiso is a member of the Illinois Bar Association and founder and president of a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting compassionate medical care.             Luis E. Leon Luis is the Group Strategy Director for Zain, a pioneer of mobile telecommunications in the Middle East and now a major player on the African continent. Prior to joining Zain, Luis was an investment banker/corporate finance with HSBC Hong Kong in the telecom, technology, and media sector. He provided strategic acquisition and fund raising consultation to mobile operators in the Asia Pacific region. Before that, he served as Director of Business Development with British Telecom where he created synergy within their Asia Pacific mobile joint ventures through secondary acquisition and joint ventures. Luis advised the operating companies' board members on the growth strategies and cross market leverages in the Asia Pacific region.   Earlier, Luis was with Motorola in their mobile joint venture group where he provided technology and services platform advisement on new investment initiatives. He managed the strategic and investment potential of emerging wireless technologies and new wireless spectrum allocations. Prior, he served in various management capacities within AT&T's regional operating company that included wireless and data service offerings.   Luis received a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology and a master's degree in business administration from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business.             Ms. Maneli Keykavoussi Ms. Maneli Keykavoussi is the Head of Middle Eastern Markets, of The Fine Art Fund Group and handles the Group's operations in the Middle East from London and Dubai. The Fine Art Fund Group, is a global investment group with London based management which invest in fine art, and is the first global manager of investment vehicles of this kind. The funds invest in fine art from Old Masters, Impressionist, Modern, Contemporary, Contemporary Chinese and Contemporary Indian art. The Group is now launching a Middle Eastern Fine Art Fund, investing in Modern and Contemporary Arab and Iranian Art. Ms. Keykavoussi was raised in an artist and collector family, and was trained as a lawyer. She has an M.A. (DEA) in International Relations with a focus on Public International Law and International Political Economy of Art from Hautes Études Internationales in Geneva. She was later educated at Harvard Law School where she earned a Master of Laws. She also has an M.A. in Intellectual Property Rights. She is a member of the New York State Bar and has practiced law in New York and Dubai before joining the Fine Art Fund Group.             Mr. Omar Lodhi Mr. Omar Lodhi has over 13 years of private equity and investment banking experience gained in Middle East, Asia and Europe. Prior to joining Abraaj, Mr. Lodhi was with Citigroup where he was responsible for the firm's Islamic Finance business in Asia Pacific focusing on primary capital market fund raisings as well as structuring and distribution of alternative investments. Between 1994-1999, Mr. Lodhi worked with UBS in Hong Kong in the areas of Infrastructure Advisory and later Telecom Investment Banking. During this period, he advised various international sponsors on mergers and acquisitions, privatization and capital market fund raising opportunities within the Asian power, oil & gas and telecom sectors. Following a two year interval during which he pursued academic interests, he rejoined UBS in London in 2001 focusing primarily on buyout and restructuring opportunities within the European telecom sector. Mr. Lodhi started his career with Bank of America in Pakistan in 1991 in the Corporate and Investment Banking Department.   Mr. Lodhi is a graduate of the London School of Economics with an Honours degree in International Trade and Development and also holds a Masters degree in Business Administration from the Harvard Business School.           Nashat Masri Nashat T. Masri is a partner at Foursan Group, a leading Middle East private equity fund. Prior to founding Foursan, Nashat worked at J.P. Morgan in New York and London, where he was a Vice President in the Investment Banking Group with a focus on financial institutions. His experience includes mergers and acquisitions in the US, Europe and Latin America. Nashat is a Director of the Jordan Fund, Cairo Amman Bank, XPress Telecom, Arab Orient Insurance, Al-Isra Education & Investment Plc., the Aqaba Development Corporation, Estarta Solutions, the Palestine Securities Exchange, and the Jordan Investment Board. Nashat received a Masters of Public Policy from the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University and a Bachelors of Arts in Economics from Harvard University.             Dr. Safwan Masri Safwan Masri received a B.S. (1982) and an M.S. (1984) from Purdue University and a Ph.D. (1988) from Stanford University. He is a professor and a former vice dean of the Columbia University Graduate School of Business - where he has taught since 1988 - in addition to being Director of the Columbia University Middle East Research Center. Dr. Masri studies general areas of operations management, supply chain management and international business and has focused his research and consulting on process re-engineering in the financial services industry, with an emphasis on the role of technology in attaining back-office productivity gains. He is Advisor to Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah, Founding Chairman of the Board of Trustees of King's Academy, and a trustee of International College. Additionally, he serves, or has served, on a number of corporate and non-profit boards.   Dr. Masri received the Singhvi Professor of the Year for Scholarship in the Classroom Award (1990), the Robert W. Lear Service Award (1998), and the Dean's Award for Teaching Excellence in a Core Course (2000). He is the 2003 recipient of the Arab American Anti-Discrimination Committee Award for American Service. Dr. Masri was a visiting professor at INSEAD in 1990 and 1991. He has also held teaching positions at Stanford University and Santa Clara University.           Zain Mustafa Mr. Zain Mustafa is CEO and Creative Director of Untitled Interiors, a Dubai -based interior design company specializing in hotels, F&B outlets, palaces, residences, offices, galleries, spas and salons. Mr. Mustafa is an interior designer armed with an erudite background in a diverse range of design media from environmental design, to architecture, interiors to fashion, web design and installation art. He is working towards creating an interior design vocabulary unique to Dubai, not borrowed from an imported source, but inspired by global influences within the UAE making it the most harmonious, balanced, lyrical, diverse and an evolving design vocabulary. Mr. Mustafa received a BFA in Architecture and Environmental Design from Parsons School of Design (NYC) and an MA in Architectural Education from Columbia University (NYC).           Hashem Montasser Hashem Montasser heads the Asset Management Team at EFG-Hermes out of Dubai, UAE, overlooking all MENA and GCC dedicated funds and portfolios. Mr. Montasser is responsible for the overall implementation of Asset Management Team's investment strategy and chairs its investment committee.   Previously, he worked at JPMorgan & Co in London where he had coverage responsibilities for Middle East financial institutions and central banks focusing on fixed income derivatives as well as alternative investment products. Prior to that, he worked at Merrill Lynch & Co in New York where he covered corporate and sovereign clients as part of the Emerging Markets Capital Markets Group. He also spent a short stint as Director of Business Development for New York-based internet start-up Kozmo.com.   Montasser graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University with a dual concentration in Economics and Near Eastern Languages and Civilization and obtained his Maters of Business Administration from Harvard Business School.     Ms. Valentina Qussisiya Ms. Qussisiya possesses 16 years of professional experience in the corporate and NGO sectors. Of major significance is her extensive experience with JRF in various aspects of strategic management and planning, budgeting, resource development, communication and integration of private sector into community development. Ms. Qussisiya holds a masters degree in management studies with a focus on applying business process re-engineering on income-generating projects.   Prior to heading the Jordan River Foundation, Ms. Qussisiya headed the resource development department that lead the Jordan River Foundation's fundraising efforts among individual donors, seeks sponsorships from major corporations and funding institutions for programs, manages volunteers and organizes fundraising events, official launches and cornerstone activities pertaining to JRF's project needs on local, regional and international levels. Additionally, this department implemented media campaigns to effectively position the Foundation in the minds of local communities and other stakeholders as a leading force empowering society and protecting children. Two major campaigns on child abuse and empowering generations were implemented by Ms. Qussisiya over the past three years.               Ahmad Tantash Ahmad Tantash is founder, partner, chairman, and board member of several enterprises and has managed to establish his name in the business circle over the last ten years.   Venturing into the financial sector, Tantash is currently the Chairman and CEO of Jordan Investment Trust- Jordinvest, the first Jordanian public shareholding company to offer a variety of integrated investment banking solution in both the local and regional markets.   Tantash entered the world of financial services after working at UBS/ Zurich for some time in 2003. Upon his return, he founded imcan for Financial Services in June 2003.   The two-year old company, which specializes in brokerage and trading services as well as market research, was able to clinch eighth place in terms of JD trading value among brokerage houses operating at the Amman Stock Exchange in 2004.   Diversifying his investments, Tantash entered the hospitality sector, establishing Jana for Restaurant Management in mid 2003. The company obtained its first franchise from Cinnabon International, introducing the world's most famous cinnamon rolls to Jordan.   Tantash also chairs Tantash Group, an investment and management company incorporating Turn Key Information Solutions (TIS), which he established in 1993, Jana for Restaurant Management, and imcan for Financial Services.   In addition, Tantash sits on the boards of Arab Life & Accidents Insurance Co. (P.S.C) and Jordan Investment and Finance Bank. He is also the Vice Chairman of the National Shipping Lines and the Medical Clinics.   Mr. Tantash graduated in 1992 from George Washington University, Washington DC with a M.Sc. in Information Systems Technology.           Dennis Walto With more than 20 years of experience in working with impoverished communities, Dennis Walto is a dedicated advocate for children and families in need around the world. Since joining Save the Children in January 2000, Dennis has directed Save the Children programs in the Republic of Georgia, Ethiopia (including Somaliland and Djibouti) and now Jordan where he heads programming in Jordan, Lebanon and Yemen. In this capacity, Dennis has overseen a ten-fold growth in the Jordan program portfolio including establishing new corporate partnerships with more than twenty national and international private sector companies.   In addition to his work for Save the Children overseas, Dennis has held the position of Associate Vice President in Save the Children's Fundraising Office. In this capacity, Dennis helped launch the agencies first Capital Campaign that resulted in a dramatic increase in privately raised funds.   Prior to joining Save the Children, Dennis worked throughout Africa and was involved in the international communities' emergency response efforts in Angola, Burundi, Kenya, Namibia, Rwanda, Somalia and Southern Sudan. Before working overseas, Dennis developed and managed poverty reduction programs in the United States in such diverse places as the inner cities of New York and Dallas, and the rural poverty pockets of the Mississippi River Delta, and the Appalachia Mountain region.   Dennis lives in Amman, Jordan with his wife and family. His wife, Donnette, is a certified yoga instructor and their children attend international schools.         Please contact sena@harvardarabalumni.org with any questions.