Meet the Fellows

Athina Zaag Marmorat
France
http://www.esf-france.org

Athina works with Entrepreneur Sans Frontières (ESF), a non-profit organization that supports social entrepreneurs by reinforcing the idea that young people have the power to drive both business and social change. She is also working to create a program to empower French Muslim women.

Athina comes from a corporate background. Before joining ESF, she worked in marketing and commercial departments of international companies like France Telecom and Ferrero. She has a management degree and speaks French, English and Arabic. Athina is currently training on systemic coaching, creativity and facilitation.

Eve Gani
France
http://www.aiu.org/

Eve grew up in Morocco. She has experience developing trainings for various educational institutions and programs, internationally. Eve has successfully developed training programs for international institutions in Geneva, the United Arab Emirates, the USA and Brazil.

At the time of her application to the ADR program in 2008, Eve was working as a project manager for the Jewish educational institution Alliance Israélite Universelle, protecting and managing Jewish education, within the French speaking area.

Faiza Zaoui
France
www.avicenne.asso.fr

Faïza is the founder of Avicenne, a non-profit organisation that promotes intercultural Euro Mediterranean cooperation. It focuses on enhancing the Euro Mediterranean cultures through youth exchanges, study visits, international conferences and workshops. Since 2003, Avicenne has built a European network that covers 15 countries.

Faiza has extensive experience in intercultural and youth related fields. She holds a Masters in social and urban development engineering with a specialization in European and Mediterranean areas.

Sandrine Mayen:
France
http://www.saphirnews.com/

Sandrine Mayen is the Project Manager of Saphir Media and is in charge of international relations, logistic and business development. Saphir Media, the largest Muslim press group in France, aims to break Muslim stereotypes and promote a positive view of Muslims in France through its different press publications; notably Saphirnews.com.

Sandrine has a degree in International Business. She is currently pursuing a graduate degree in management at the EM-Lyon Business School, with a focus on entrepreneurship, ethics and governance. Her past experiences include working as business development manager for a UK based company, Muslim Green Pages.

Véronique Harari
France
http://www.consistoiredefrance.fr/

Véronique has undertaken an exploratory mission to seek out alternative and innovative sources of funding for the Consistoire Central de France. This institution is in charge of every aspect of Jewish religious life in France.

She is a lawyer by training and practiced law for 15 years in Paris. She has worked in a volunteer capacity for the Jewish community primarily in fund raising capacity and has been a leader in the PTA sector in France.

Abdellah Aboulharjan
France
http://lanouvellepme.fr/

Abdellah is the founder of "la nouvelle PME", a social network for entrepreneurs coming from disadvantaged areas and from the minorities. La Nouvelle PME supports these entrepreneurs by providing them with trainings.

Abdellah graduated from Paris 8 in Hypermedias. He also founded, Young Entrepreneurs of France (JEF), an organization that helps young people in the suburbs to start their own business. Previously, he was the chairman of Business Angels of Cities, a capital risk fund dedicated to entrepreneurs in the suburbs. He also served as vice president of Respect Magazine.

Estelle Bathelemy
France
http://www.mozaikrh.com/

Estelle is a co-founder of Mozaïk HR. Mozaïk HR, a non-profit organization, is a recruitment and HR consultancy agency, specialized in the promotion of diversity among public and private companies. Mozaik. It also provides consulting and diversity trainings for managers and employees in companies, to help reduce discrimination in the work force.

Chloe Gelin
France
http://www.ares-services.com

Chloé is a Project Manager for ARES, a reintegration association which aims to help marginalized people find permanent jobs. ARES offers its beneficiaries, personalized help in finding accommodation and resolving financial, medical and psychological problems. She is currently setting up a new ARES activity, an eco-friendly hand carwash called SINEO.

Before joining ARES, Chloé worked with Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, Darfur, Niger and at Paris headquarters. She remains active within MSF and attends administration committees and general assemblies

She is a graduate of the ESCP Business School and speaks French and English.

Faty Tanriverdi
France
http://www.adive.fr/

Faty Tanriverdi is a project manager at Agence pour la Diversité Entrepreneuriale (ADIVE), a non-profit organization, which works on implementing the Supplier Diversity program in France (called "Achats & Diversité"). Part of Faty's job is to identify entrepreneurs and help them to present their company to buyers from large corporations.

She obtained her masters in business law in 2001, a masters in management of cultural events on 2003 in Paris, and has a degree in international law from Cambridge. Faty speaks French, English, Turkish and Kurdish.

Ruth Friedman
UK
www.ceji.org

Ruth Friedman is the Dialogue coordinator at CEJI – A Jewish Contribution to an Inclusive Europe. CEJI works to promote a diverse and inclusive Europe. Ruth coordinates the European Platform for Jewish Muslim Cooperation within CEJI as well as CEJI's Religious Diversity education programme amongst other things.

Ruth speaks English and French fluently,

Lori Katz
USA
http://www.careofhotels.com/

Lori works for "care of Hotels" which aims at educating hotel guests about the importance of environment and a balanced life.

Lori holds an undergraduate degree in international relations from Tufts University and a law degree from George Washington University. Her legal positions have ranged from a judicial clerkship to the role of managing attorney on a class action lawsuit related to disputed World War II bank accounts.

Sahar Ullah
USA
The Hijabi Monologues

Sahar is a founder and writer for the Hijabi Monologues, a grassroots project that seeks to break stereotypes about Muslim women through sharing stories.
She is a graduate of the University of Chicago.

Saafir Raab
USA
Managing opportunity

Saafir Rabb is the founder and CEO of Managing Opportunity, Inc. (MO)—a strategic planning and development consulting firm that operates in the U.S and internationally to provide business solutions to socially oriented organizations and enterprises. Before starting MO., Saafir served as COO of I Can't We Can (ICWC), a unique community development and drug-rehabilitation organization. Under his guidance, ICWC and other community based entities purchased and rehabilitated low- to moderate-income housing.

He has also spoken on relations between global and local dynamics of Islam at various institutions like the Aspen Institute, the Mosque Cares Muslim community in Chicago etc. Saafir holds a BA in Political Science from the University of Maryland and an MBA from Johns Hopkins University and speaks Arabic.

Ronit Avni
USA
www.justvision.org

Ronit Avni is the Founder and Executive Director of Just Vision, a non-profit that researches, documents and creates media about Palestinian and Israeli civilian-led efforts to resolve the conflict non-violently. Ronit directed and produced the documentary film, Encounter Point, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. Ronit received the 2005 Auburn Seminary's 'Lives of Commitment' Award.

Prior to launching Just Vision, Ronit worked for Peter Gabriel's human rights organization, WITNESS, where she trained non-governmental organizations from Afghanistan to the Gambia to produce videos to deter further human rights abuses.

In 2009, Ronit was named a "Young Global Leader" by a committee, chaired by Queen Rania, comprising 31 eminent international media leaders. Ronit speaks English, Hebrew and French.

Darya Shaik
USA
http://peaceworks.net/

Darya is the Executive Director & COO of PeaceWorks Foundation-OneVoice Movement. As a multi-national, grassroots movement working to empower Israelis and Palestinians, OneVoice works through citizen negotiations, youth leadership development and public awareness campaigns, to prime the people to take ownership over the process and demand action towards a viable, lasting Two State Solution.

She received her B.A in Political Science and Middle Eastern Studies at the McGill University in Montreal, Quebec.

Sam Adelsberg
USA
LendforPeace.org 

Sam helped found LendforPeace.org to help foster change in the Middle East through innovative and economics based tools.

He previously worked at the William Jefferson Clinton Foundation as well as the Office of Senator Joseph I. Lieberman (ID-CT). Sam has also consulted and conducted research for various microfinance related institutions in Israel, Egypt and the United States. Most recently, he developed and implemented a financial literacy curriculum and microfinance program for Sudanese refugees residing in Egypt, while studying Arabic. Before that, he was the Senior Program Director at PlaNet Finance US, an internationally renowned microfinance organization based out of Paris.

Sam Adelsberg is an undergraduate at the University of Pennsylvania. He has been nominated by Penn to be a Goldman Sachs Global Leader and Ashoka Entrepreneur and also sits on the Steering Committee of the Fox Leadership Program, the board of PRISM, the Leadership Committee for Penn Hillel and the board of Big Brothers Big Sisters at Penn.

Shawn Landres
USA
http://jewishjumpstart.org/

He is the founder of Jumpstart, an incubator, catalyst, and think tank based in Los Angeles, Jumpstart is helping to shape the Jewish community of the 21st century. Jumpstart's mission is to develop, strengthen, and learn from emerging Jewish organizations that build community at the nexus of spirituality, learning, social activism, and culture.

Shawn Landres has extensive experience in academic and non-profit leadership, peer network development, and grant management. A respected teacher, writer and editor (including four books), Shawn chairs the Advisory Board of Jewish Mosaic: The National Jewish Centre for Sexual & Gender Diversity.

Salman Ravala
USA
http://www.muslimscholarship.org

Salman Ravala is the Founding Director of Dollar-A-Day Scholarship Fund, Inc. ("DAD"). DAD seeks to strengthen communities by advancing higher education, professional development, leadership, and public service amongst Muslim-American students.

Salman graduated with a B.S. in Finance from Florida Atlantic University and received his law doctorate from Syracuse Law School. He also has a M.A. in Economics from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University. Salman is a recipient of the President's Service Award and the American Red Cross Distinguished Service Award. He formerly served as a law clerk to the Attorney General for Pakistan and is currently an active member of Future Leaders of Pakistan, a non-partisan organization providing the youth with leadership opportunities through training on advocacy, mentoring, entrepreneurship, project management, and writing. He has also served as a Visiting Legal Scholar to the U.N. Office of Legal Affairs.

Akil Vohra
USA
http://www.muslimadvocates.org/

Akil Vohra is a full-time staff attorney leading the Muslim Charity Works Campaign at Muslim Advocates.

Prior to joining Muslim Advocates, Mr. Vohra was an associate with Hume & Associates in Washington, DC, where he specialized in international trade litigation and regulatory work and developed considerable skills and experience interfacing with federal agency officials. He also brings legal expertise with federal regulatory agencies, including federal regulations relating to non-profit organizations.

Mr. Vohra earned his J.D. from The George Washington University Law School in 2002, where he received the Michael Dillon Cooley Award for service to the law school community, and his B.A. with honors from the University of California at Irvine in 1998. He has also completed a program in international human rights and immigration law at Oxford University (U.K.).

Abigail Morris
UK

Abigail is the founder of Responsibility. This association promotes ethical thinking and action in the Jewish community. It is a cross-communal initiative that seeks to link Jewish ethical thinking with contemporary secular issues. It aims to work with other faiths to strengthen links, improve dialogue and effect positive social change together.

Abigail graduated from social & political science and history at Cambridge University. She also holds a diploma in French language and civilization from La Sorbonne in Paris. She is the founder and artistic director of trouble and strife theatre.

Norma Raynes
UK
http://www.intergen.org.uk/

Norma is the founder of Intergen CIC. Intergen's vision is a society in which schools, and older people come together in local communities in a partnership for their mutual benefit, promoting community cohesion as well as learning opportunities for every one. Intergen wants to Create and sustain robust partnerships between schools, pupils and older people in local communities throughout the UK.

She has a BA in sociology and economics from LSE, and a graduate degree in economics from Manchester University and a PhD from the University of London.

Shaista Gohir
UK
http://www.mwnuk.co.uk/

Shaista Gohir is the Executive Director of Muslim Women's Network UK, a national network that provides a platform for sharing knowledge and experiences and ensures Muslim women's voices reach government. She is also the founder and Director of Muslim Voice UK, an online polling organisation that aims to enhance Muslim participation in the decision making process.

Shaista is also a member of the National Muslim Women's Advisory Group, as well as an accredited specialist peer for the Improvement and Development Agency - a role that involves developing and sharing best practice with local authorities to prevent violent extremism Shaista is a mentor for Mosaic, a network of Muslim professionals established by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales.

In recognition of her work, she was awarded the MBE honour in the Queen's birthday honours list in 2008. Shaista has also been included in the Muslim Women Power list 2009, which names the 50 most influential Muslim women in Britain.

Athol Halle
UK
http://www.groundswell.org.uk/index.php

Athol Hallé is the Chief Executive of Groundswell, a social enterprise working with homeless people across the UK. It specialises in client involvement and peer research. He tries to enable homeless people to set up and run their own projects through the organisation of events to bring people together to create solutions.

Athol is a graduate of Leeds University where he studied Philosophy & Politics and of the School for Social Entrepreneurs. He has worked for Groundswell for the last 6 years, with his previous employers including Cardboard Citizens and Amnesty International UK.

Richard Levene
UK
The invisible Man

Richard is the founder of the Invisible Man that aims to support the vocational development of the youths on real projects. They design projects that can support the vocational development of young people

His endeavour to invigorate impoverished urban landscapes by empowering youth and using social enterprise to engage marginalised communities draws on his professional design experience and a passion to make change happen.

Daniel Silverstein
UK

Daniel is the founder of Psychosemitic. His goal is to facilitate transformative interaction between Muslim, Jewish and Middle Eastern individuals and communities in the UK.—especially in schools and universities. He organises Muslim-Jewish educational, cultural and social action activities, cultural events, programmes in schools and social actions.

Daniel has a certificate from The Centre for the Study of Muslim-Jewish Relations, Cambridge and a MA from the University of Warwick. He also holds a BA from the University of Cambridge.

Daniel Silverton
UK
www.bashcreations.com

Daniel is the creative director of bash, an ethical creative agency and eco-entertainment company focused on providing and implementing ecologically responsible and socially aware business practices to the cultural sectors. Bash strives to create and sustain positive and long-lasting changes via progressive initiatives such as eco-club nights, ethical fashion shows, and sustainable art exhibitions.

His main work centres on the creation of smart solutions to environmental and social problems through design and aesthetics.

Steven Longden
UK
http://www.bmhc.org.uk/

Steven works for the British Muslim Heritage Centre. It serves as a focus for Muslim heritage and identity in Britain. It provides a national and International interface for understanding, integration and harmonious relations with British society at large.

He is a graduate of Leeds University—Joint Honours in Modern Arabic and Religious Studies. He is a qualified teacher and currently the Diversity & Equality Policy Manager for Stockport Council and National Health Service. Steven was seconded to the national Christian Muslim Forum in 2007/08 to act as their Muslim Programmes Director. 

During his career Steven has also been the Country Director for Islamic Relief Worldwide in Bangladesh and Programmes Manager at Medical Aid for Palestinians.  In a voluntary capacity Steven is currently The Publicity Officer for the Muslim Jewish Forum of Greater Manchester, a facilitator for a dialogue initiative for young Jewish and Muslim people in Altrincham, Manchester, a community Cohesion Advisor for the British Muslim Heritage Centre and, and attend the Chair of Trustees in the Forum for Discussion of Palestine and Israel.

Mohammed Raheel
UK
www.maslaha.org

Raheel leads on the web-based Maslaha project, providing a greater understanding of Islam to Muslims and non-Muslims. The website aims to open up new creative spaces to ask questions and share knowledge, as well as addressing significant social issues in areas such as health and education. He has been profiled in The Guardian Newspaper, in a supplement focusing on social pioneers. He was selected for the Muslim Leaders of Tomorrow Conference in Doha, as well as speaking on a number of issues: at the Royal Geographical Society about global citizenship and democracy; and at the 2008 NHS London conference—'Innovating for a World City'. He is also an advisor on the Dialogue Café, a new initiative supported by the UN Alliance for Civilisations and the Gulbenkian Foundation. He also helped set up and was the Assistant Director at the Offscreen Education Programme, advising on and initiating education programmes designed to raise awareness of Middle East and Muslim cultures through art in partnership with organisations such as the British Museum and City Hall. His background is in journalism, and he was awarded the CRE Race in the Media award for an article for Time Out magazine.

Mobeen Butt
UK
http://www.asianyouthalliance.co.uk/aya/

Mobeen works for Asian Youth Alliance (AYA)/ Young Ventures. AYA is a multi-ethnic interfaith organisation, which works with young people of Anglo-Indian, African, Bangladeshi, Indian, Middle Eastern, Pakistani, Sri Lankan and West Indian heritage.

Young Ventures is being set up to help fill the gap left by a National Curriculum that does not recognised that some (young) people want to start and run their own businesses and see it as a valid career path. It will help participants develop the practical skills required to start their own enterprises in a hands-on way, whilst having a long term commitment and a risk and reward element