New York, NY — The Board of Directors of the Humpty Dumpty Institute announced today that Dr. AI Khalafalla had been appointed unanimously as the organization's next Chairman. He will begin his tenure on October 28, 2015.
"I would like to congratulate Dr. Khalafalla" said William J. Rouhana Jr., outgoing Chairman of the Humpty Dumpty Institute. "While there were a number of highly qualified candidates, Dr. Khalafalla stood out for his proven leadership in public policy and his experience in leading non-profit organizations. His record of achievement, personal history and values set him apart as the clear choice to carry on the ideals that I and earlier Chairs of this organization have tried to weave into the fabric of this institution."
"I am deeply honored to be appointed as the new Chairman of HDI. I envision a future that sustains HDI's distinct mission in an ever changing environment and that continues to respond to the needs of the international community." said Dr. Khalafalla. He continued, "I especially want to thank Bill Rouhana for guiding HDI over the past six years and for turning the Institute into a truly global organization known throughout the world for its original and innovative humanitarian work, its educational work here in the United States and abroad, and its unrelenting efforts to improve the effectiveness of the United Nations by strengthening the UN's relationships with many different constituencies including the U.S. Congress."
Dr. Khalafalla is uniquely qualified by his experience, education, and values to guide HDI's overall mission of initiating innovative solutions to difficult global problems through the establishment of public/private partnerships. Dr. Khalafalla has a strong record of public service in areas such as immigrants' education and integration, interfaith dialogue, and public policies that impact immigrants. He has been an active Board Director of HDI for the past four years and has taken the lead on many of HDI's most popular programs
Prior to joining HDI, Dr. Khalafalla held a number of leadership and Board positions including President of the Board of Directors of the Virginia Institute of Peace and the IBN Cultural Center, and Vice Chair of A More Perfect Union at the University of Richmond. In addition, he served/serves on a number of Boards of Trustees of educational institutions in Virginia. He is currently the President of the American Global Institute (AGI).
Directly in line with the goals of HDI, Dr. Khalafalla has also been recognized not only as a leader in public policy and cross-cultural dialogue, but also as a strong advocate for international peace and humanity. He received the prestigious Humanitarian Award from the Governor of Virginia in 2009. He has also received other awards for his humanitarian and interfaith initiatives, including from the University of Louisiana, the Virginia Commonwealth University, the University of Bahrain, and the University of Richmond. In 2012, Dr. Khalafalla was recognized by the U.S. Congress for organizing a number of successful Congressional Delegations to various countries in the Middle East.
He regularly appears in the media and has delivered keynote addresses before the Middle East International Symposium, the International Law and Religion Symposium, and to diverse audiences across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. His opinion pieces have been published in the Daily Caller, Washington Times, Fox News, the Tribune, and Alayam, among others. Additionally, Dr. Khalafalla frequently comments on Africa and the Middle East for Alhurra, NBC, and Al-Jazeera.
Ralph L. Cwerman, President and CEO of HDI, said "I am thrilled and excited to welcome Dr. Khalafalla to the Institute's top position as we move forward with our programming. There is so much work to be done, a man with Dr. Khalafalla's background and experience can be immensely helpful. He understands the values we are trying to instill in youth everywhere through our Global Education Program and why it is so important to continue building bridges between the U.S. Congress and the United Nations - two of HDI's fundamental programs. Dr. Khalafalla has worked with many Members of Congress in the past. These relationships will further enhance HDI’s already strong presence on Capitol Hill represented by our 33-Member bipartisan Congressional Advisory Board."
Dr. Khalafalla earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Louisiana, an MBA from the University of Maryland, and a PhD in Public Policy and Administration from the Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. Khalafalla is author and co-author of a number of studies and articles on immigration, the Middle East and international relations, and interfaith dialogue and religious tolerance.
Cwerman continued, "I also want to thank Bill Rouhana for six years of selfless service as Chairman of the Humpty Dumpty Institute. Bill has gone beyond the call of duty to professionalize the way in which the Humpty Dumpty Institute carries out it important mission and has uncovered many new opportunities for the organization as it moves forward under new leadership. Bill will continue to add depth to the organization and will continue to serve as a productive member of our Board of Directors."
