National Board of Directors

Tarek is an Electrical Engineer with over 10 years of experience. Tarek got his degree from The University of Michigan-Dearborn, and started his career as an Controls Engineer in the Automotive industry, where he performed electrical design and PLC programming of various automotive assembly lines, for companies that included Ford, GM, Chrysler, Mercedes and many others.

Tarek also worked for Motorola as a Lead System Integration Engineer and Engineering Program Manager in the Cable TV group.

He currently works as a Technical Program Manager for Amazon Robotics (AR), an Amazon company, where he manages the various programs and projects responsible for automated testing and system simulation of the AR Systems automated warehouse solutions.

Tarek became a member of the NAAP-Boston Board of Directors in 2008, and currently serves as the NAAP-Boston Board President, as well as a member of the NAAP-National Board of Directors in 2011, where he has worked on a number of national initiatives, such as the website redesign.

Shaymaa is an Egyptian American working in the field of International Relations and Media. A Fordham University Alumni, Shaymaa received her BA in International Studies with a minor in Communications and her MA in Public Communications.

Born and raised in New York, Shaymaa eventually followed in her father’s footsteps and started working at the United Nations in 2008. Since that time she has worked for the United Nation’s Department of Public Information, focusing on issues related to human rights and Palestine. She hopes to further establish her career as a communications professional and looks forward to her continued work as an international civil servant. Prior to this, Shaymaa was employed with an NYC law firm specializing in Shariaa compliance law.

Shaymaa also loves teaching and was an adjunct Arabic professor at Fordham University for two years. She continues to fulfill her love for teaching on the weekends, teaching Arabic and Islamic Studies at the Islamic Society of Central Jersey (ISCJ). Shaymaa has been teaching on a voluntary basis at the ISCJ since 1999 and says that being with her first and fourth graders for a few hours every Saturday afternoon is always a rewarding highlight for her weekends. Shaymaa has been part of the NAAP-NY network for a few years, and looks forward to looking with her fellow NAAP National Board members.

Emery Younes is a Community Development officer for the Greater Los Angeles region at Wells Fargo Bank. He is responsible for mobilizing human and financial resources to foster sustainable solutions for critical community needs, chiefly in low- and moderate-income areas. Younes supports communities within the region in ways that help them create vibrant, sustainable, and prosperous places to live and work.

Prior to joining Wells Fargo’s Community Development team, Younes worked as a Business Development Consultant for the bank, where he helped high net-worth small businesses find the best ways to fulfill their banking and finance needs. Prior to that, Younes worked for the Arab American Institute in Washington D.C. as the Community Outreach Coordinator for national field operations. Additionally, he manages sales and marketing operations for Trans Mid-East, a privately held importer and distributor of Middle Eastern foods.

Younes is active in the Southern California community, serving on the boards of NAAP-LA; the Long Beach Communty Action Partnership; and Habitat for Humanity of the San Gabriel Valley. At the national level, he serves on the National Advisory Board of the Arab American National Museum. In the past, Younes has served and supported a host of other organizations, most notably Access California Services for more than half a decade.

Younes earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and economics from Kean University, and continues his education at Pepperdine University, where he completed the Business Management Certificate Program.

Younes resides in the San Gabriel Valley with his family.

Safia Ghanim is a professional in the international field with a unique background. She has a Master’s degree in International Education Ploicy/International Development from the George Washington University in Washington, DC and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Minor in Modern Language and Linguistics and Education from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. She has worked for many international organizations, univerisities as well as pucblic and private schools. Some of her recent international experience includes working for the Abu Dhabi Education Council in the Abu Dhabi Public School System in the United Arab Emirates. She is currently a manager and auditor for the USA Halal Chamber of Commerce, Inc. where she oversees the Halal certification of a diverse range of international companies. Working with the USA Hala Chamber of Commerce, Inc. allows her to work with members of the Muslim and non Muslim community from all over the world.

Safia has traveled to almost 30 countries in Africa, Asia, North America and Europe. During her travels she has participated in international camps, conferences, amongst other travel experiences. While a graduate student, she presented her research at the Women As Global Leaders Conferences in the UAE for the first international student leadership conference ever held in the part of the Middle East. The conference had internationally renowned speakers, over 150 papers and workshops, and a rich variety of cultural diversity, the conference was a milestone event in leadership education and the history of the region.

Helping the development of the Arab community is very important to her. Safia has been a board member of NAAP-DC for over 2 years, and in that time has helped NAAP with various programs, events and charity initiatives. She is very excited to serve as Secretary and is looking forward to helping NAAP on the National level.

Sarab is a seasoned marketing professional with over a decade of experience solving business and communication challenges on behalf of numerous Fortune 500 clients. He currently is an Account Director at a Global Advertising Agency.

Sarab is also an organizer within the Arab-American community with over a decade of experience building national networks aimed at empowering the Arab-American community from the ground up.

He is a co-founder of NAAP-NY and as an active board member is heavily involved in coalition building, community outreach and developing organizational relationships on both local and national levels. Sarab is also a key driver in strategic community development and capacity building efforts across the NAAP national network and sits on the national executive board.

He is also an active board member of the Arab American Association of NY, a social service organization in Brooklyn, NY which serves the growing Arab-American immigrant community and active with organizational development efforts. Sarab also sits on the Advisory Board of the National Network of Arab American Communities (NNAAC). Most recently, Sarab is a founding member of the National Alliance for Syria.

Joanna is a Palestinian-American, bord and raised in the Chicagoland area. Sher served on the NAAP-DC board form 2013-2015. As a first-generation college graduate, Joanna is very passionate about education, with her professional background varying from elementary education to adult learners. Joanna has found her niche in higher education, where she currently works for 2U, Inc., an educational technology company in Washington, D.C.

She spent her undergraduate years at Saint Xavier University in Chicago. Joanna majored in Communications Sciences and Disorders, with a minor in Middle Eastern Studies. While at Saint Xavier University, Joanna was proud to be the recipient of the Sister Paulita Morris Award for Service and Leadership, as well as the Saint Catherine Medal Award for Service and Leadership. She founded a chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine on campus and was a member of Residence Life, Campus Life, Campus Ministry and the diversity Action Teamn. Joanna chose to continue her education at National Louis University. There she received a Master of Arts in Psychology. Combining her passion of psychology in the Arab community, Joanna’s thesis focused on Arab-American mothers of children with disabilities.

Joanna has taught elementary school and children with special needs. Joanna is very passionate about raising awareness and acceptance for individuals with disabilities, specifically in the Arab community. She put together team Arabs Walk Now for Autism Speaks and the team has fundraised over $20,000 for autism research in three years.

Said Durrah is Palestinian Jordanian Muslim American that has served as the Washington DC Chapter President for 2012. Although Said’s background has been mostly marketing and finance, he is now known mostly as an internationally recognized entertainer as well as proprietor of SaidsWorld Entertainment which is an event management company. Said possesses a unique knowledge of sales, marketing, finance, event management, and promotional skills.

Ridah is an Arab-American of Syrian descent, born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. He currently resides in the Washington, DC area, working as an engineer and consultant to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Ridah strongly believes in the importance of volunteerism, community organizing, and civic engagement. While a university student, he was active in the leadership of several student organizations including Engineers Without Borders, Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society, and Students for Justice in Palestine. Following graduation, Ridah worked for the Obama for America presidential campaign in 2008 and joined the NAAP-DC board in 2009. He then served as the NAAP-DC Chapter President in 2010.

He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of California in Davis and a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of California in Santa Barbara. He is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and a Certified Energy Manager (CEM).

President: Sarab Al-Jijakli
Vice President: Eman Ahmed-Fakhry
Secretary: Ridah Sabouni
Treasurer: Tarek Abu-Jbarah
Board Member: Shaymaa El-Ansary
Board Member: Said Durrah
Board Member: Lara Shbeyr-Maxey
Board Member: Safia Ghanim
Board Member: Rashad Al-Dabbagh
Board Member: Joanna Beituni
Board Member: Shukry Cattan

President: Sarab Al-Jijakli
Vice President: Elaine Asal
Secretary: Eman Ahmed-Fakhry
Treasurer: Tarek Abu-Jbarah
Board Member: Said Durran
Board Member: Shaymaa El-Ansary
Boad Member: Ridah Sabouni
Board Member: Lara Shbeyr-Maxey
Board Member: Fatima Ahmed
Board Member: Rashad Al-Dabbagh

President: Sarab Al-Jijakli
Vice President: Elaine Asal
Secretary: Eman Ahmed-Fakhry
Treasurer: Tarek Abu-Jbarah
Board Member: Said Durrah
Board Member: Shaymaa El-Ansary
Board Member: Abed Ayoub
Board Member: Fatima Ahmed (@tima262)
Board Member: Omar Shishakly (@OmarShishakly)