With experience across international organizations, U.S. government agencies, and the business sector, our team combines regional expertise with professionalism and innovation.

Fazil Kurdi
Executive Director
(202) 390-5957 

[email protected]

Fazil Kurdi is founder and Executive Director of Kurdistan Aid (KAID) and a co-founder of the Kurdistan Community Organization (KCDC) in Washington, DC.

Mr. Kurdi has over 25 years of professional experience in international humanitarian relief, peacekeeping operations and development sector project management. He has supervised community development initiatives for public-and private-sector organizations, providing senior-level oversight at headquarters and in the field.

Mr. Kurdi has worked with international organizations including a number of United Nation agencies, such as UNHCR and UNICEF’s Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO). Mr. Kurdi has also worked with U.S. government organizations, including the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Department of State (DoS), and the Department of Defense (DoD).

He has successfully facilitated and managed projects in conflict and post-conflict environments across Eastern and South-Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Middle East and North Africa.

Currently, Mr. Kurdi is a lecturer and manages a pre-deployment training for the U.S. Department of State and Department of Defense.

Aram Mahmoud, Director of Grants and Operations

Mr. Mahmoud is an assistant lecturer at Komar University for science and technology and adjunct lecturer at American University in Iraq Sulimani and a Fulbright alumni scholar. He was born and grew up in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. He holds a BS in Economics from the University of Sulaimani. His interest in policy, politics, and economy had led him to pursue higher education at the Oregon State University, USA, where he was awarded the International Cultural Services Scholarship and finished a post-baccalaureate degree in Managerial Economics. After this, Aram continued his enrollment in OSU and completed his MA in Interdisciplinary Studies. While at OSU, he focused on three areas of concentrations: political science, applied economics, and sociology.

Upon his return to KRI, he worked at Zhin Organization for Refugee services as a research consultant, where he conducted market demand analysis for the UNDP-funded project “Increasing Accesses to livelihood opportunities for displaced populations and affected communities in Erbil Governorate-KRI”. He also worked side-by-side with the Handicap International as a part time project officer in their community-based rehabilitation projects.

Mr. Mahmoud worked as junior research fellow at Middle East Research Institutes. He also worked as project manager for IMPACT Iraq and managed two GIZ and UNDP funded livelihood projects (Empowering People) $500.000 and (Increasing opportunity for IDP’s and local people through vocational training programs and job placement) $950,000. He was a part-time research consultant in Erbil Chamber of Commerce at 2017 and he is a Fulbright visiting scholar alumni.

Kaleab Elias, Grant/Proposal Writer

Dlshad Othman

Governance, Freedom of Speech, and Counter-Radicalism

Dr. Abbas Kadhim

Dr. Abbas Kadhim is the Director of the Atlantic Council’s Iraq Initiative and a Resident Senior Fellow with its  Middle East Program. He served as a consultant for various government agencies and private businesses in the U.S. and abroad. He has trained U.S. diplomats serving in Iraq from 2014 until the present. His research interests focus on Iraq, Iran, and Gulf Arab States.

He earned a Ph.D. in Near Eastern Studies from the University of California, Berkeley in 2006. Between 2005 and 2013 Dr. Kadhim was an Assistant Professor of National Security Affairs/Middle East Studies at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, and a Visiting Scholar at Stanford University. He previously held a Senior Government Affairs position at the Iraqi Embassy in Washington, DC. Dr. Kadhim is frequent contributor to televised and print Western and Middle East media. His work appeared in Foreign Affairs, The National Interest, and the Huffington Post.

Kamal Chomani
Europe Representative
[email protected]

Kamal Chomani is an independent journalist and political analyst with over 9 years of experience writing for local and international media on Kurdish affairs in Iraq, Syria, Turkey, Iran and worldwide.

Mr. Chomani has professional expertise in international relations, human rights and civil society. He focuses on topics such as defending children and women’s rights, addressing the Kurdish issue in Turkey, Iran and Rojava, covering political issues in Kurdistan and Iraq, and reporting on Kurdish diplomacy and international relations.

Mr. Chomani is currently a fellow at the Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy where he supports increasing public understanding of events in the Middle East.

Niyazi Hamid Braim

Canada Representative
[email protected]

Niyazi Hamid is a political writer, analyst and activist. Mr. Hamid worked with the Kurdistan Reconstruction and Development Society and later as a Technical General Director in the KRG. Mr. Hamid has been working with NGOs to assist displaced people in Sinjar and Kobani. He is also a founding member of Kurdistan Human Rights Organization in the United States.

Aso Jabar Ahmed
[email protected]

Aso Jabar Ahmed has over 15 years of experience working for NGOs and public networks. He is a human rights activist, a volunteer, and an active member of the Defense of Journalists Network, the Federation of Civil Society Organizations, PEN International, and the Metro Organization for Defense of Writing and Free Speech.

Mr. Ahmed is a journalist who has written over ten books on community, culture, immigration and multicultural groups.

Mr. Ahmed has also led workshop discussions on community development, culture, human rights, and education. In this capacity, he works to enhance university education on democracy and civil society, community development, conflict resolutions, global terrorism, peaceful development, multi-cultural groups, and open society.

Meghan Bodette
MENA Representative

Meghan Bodette is the Director of Research at the Kurdish Peace Institute. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University, where she concentrated in international law, institutions, and ethics. Her research focuses on Kurdish issues, with a focus on human rights, peace and democracy; women’s rights; and Turkey’s cross-border military operations in Iraqi Kurdistan and northern Syria. She has briefed officials from governments and international institutions on her findings, and has been interviewed by national media including NPR and NowThis for her expertise.

Zareena Younis, MENA Program

Ms. Younis is the Director of the Centre for Intensive English at Komar University of Science and Technology in Suleymaniyah, Iraq. She is  dedicated and enthusiastic professional combining a strong academic background with extensive community, administrative and client service experience.  

Winthrop Rodgers

[email protected]

Winthrop Rodgers is a freelance journalist with over 5 years of research and writing experience. He writes on political issues in Kurdistan, Europe and the United States with a focus on peacebuilding, foreign policy, foreign relations and development.

Currently, Mr. Rodgers supports NRT News organization producing content on breaking news and opinion pieces with a focus on Kurdistan, Iraq and the Middle East.

Mr. Rodgers received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Government from Bates College. He holds a Master of Arts in International Relations from Queens University Belfast.

Brwa Kakahama
[email protected]

During his career, Brwa Kakahama worked as a consular assistant and cultural advisor at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and later at the U.S. Consulate General in Erbil. Previously, he supported several NGOs in Kurdistan focusing on civil society, democracy and women’s political participation.

Dlawar Ghafour Kareem
[email protected]

Dlawar Ghafour Kareem has over 8 years of experience working with urban communities on social impact and infrastructure development. He has experience editing news-related articles in Kurdish and conducting media and journalism trainings across Iraq.

As a Community Development Coordinator at ACDI/VOCA, Mr. Kareem supported communities in Sulaymaniyah and conducted various trainings for Community Action Groups (CAGs). During this time, he received his certification in Management and Leadership from American University. Mr. Kareem worked with UNHCR where he implemented livelihood projects for Syrian refugees in Arbet and Ashty camps and in urban areas across Sulaymaniyah.

Mr. Kareem currently works for Travisa where he provides visa and passport services. He received his Bachelor of Arts in English from Koya University.

Women’s Affairs, Human Trafficking and PTSD

Ruken Isik, Gender Advisor

[email protected]

Ruken Isik is a PhD Candidate focusing on Gender and Women’s Studies at the University of Maryland. She holds a Post-Graduate Certificate in Gender and Women’s Studies, as well as a M.S. in Women’s and Gender Studies, International Track, from Towson University. 

She provides analysis and strategic advice to KAID on current gender issues and opportunities to support the inclusive engagement of women in the development and humanitarian assistance, and advises and supports KAID in forging strategic partnerships in the USA and at the local level in Northern Syria and Iraq in order to promote gender equality, women’s advancement, and women’s representation.

Lynn Holland
[email protected]

Lynn Holland began her peacekeeping career in Haiti on behalf of the U.S. Department of Justice’s International Criminal Investigative Training and Assistance Program (ICITAP). Ms. Holland worked extensively in Bosnia, Kosovo, Albania and Macedonia. She also worked on a project to create the new Liberian Police Department. She has served as a city, county, and state law enforcement officer in Oklahoma and Texas.

Ms. Holland currently serves as a senior post-conflict reconstruction subject matter expert for the U.S. Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C.

Ms. Holland is a Bush Fellow from the George H. Bush School of Government & Public Service, Texas A&M, where she earned her Master’s Degree. She is a founding member of the International Chiefs of Police (IACP), International Managers of Police Academy, and College Training (IMPACT) Section.

Naren Briar
[email protected]

Naren Briar is an undergraduate student at Boston College. Ms. Briar grew up in Dallas, Texas with her mother, father and older sister. Most, if not all, of her motives can be traced back to her parents and their incredible story of seeking refuge here from Kurdistan. Because of this, she takes pride in being Kurdish and has geared her career towards doing what she can to improve conditions in Kurdistan.

In her free time, she enjoys debating and writing which has led her to draft her first novel about her parent’s encounters while fleeing the Ba’ath regime.

Outreach, Communications and Fundraising

Sam Kurdi
[email protected]

Sam Kurdi is a student at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. He has contributed to his community by organizing seminars and volunteer sessions and by starting a club dedicated to bettering his local community.

In an effort to raise awareness of global issues, and to provide others a chance to give back to their community, Mr. Kurdi has partnered with local and international organizations, including Americans for Prosperity and the Optimist Club of Central Fairfax.

Mr. Kurdi is Kurdish-American and is highly politically motivated. He joined KAID as a volunteer and currently supports the organization as a youth organizer by engaging and promoting youth participation.

Nashmin Behrouzi

Nashmin Behrouzi is a second-year graduate student at American University, studying Public Administration with a concentration in state and local management.

Ms. Behrouzi has experience working with NGOs, particularly focusing on humanitarian aid. Her long-term career aspiration is to work for an organization that focuses on immigration and refugee policy.

Nakshin Behrouzi

Nakshin Behrouzi is a first-year graduate student at George Mason University, pursuing her Master of Science in Social Work.

Ms. Behrouzi has experience working with diverse populations in the areas of mental health and education. Her long-term career aspiration is to start her own mental health practice to diagnose and work with underprivileged populations who suffer from mental health illnesses.

Vanessa Powell

Vanessa Powell is a communications professional and educator who has worked across the public and private sectors. She writes for both local and international media, with professional interests in women’s rights, education, and the promotion of a culture of human rights. She has qualifications in the arts and in media. Her Bachelor of Arts in Social Justice and Public Advocacy is from Edith Cowan University and her Master’s degree is in Media Practice. She has been based between her native Australia and the Middle East for a number of years. She has enjoyed visiting and living in Egypt, Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, Iraq and East Timor. She is currently pursuing private consultancy work.

KAID Board of Directors

Lawrence Cohen
Board Chair
[email protected]

During his career with the U.S. Department of State, Lawrence Cohen served in Mexico, Honduras, India, Hungary, Nigeria, Brazil, and at Provincial Reconstruction Teams in Bamiyan and Herat, Afghanistan. He also worked on State Department assignments in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region; Tunisia; and the Yemen Affairs Unit in Saudi Arabia.  Mr. Cohen created and led the Foreign Service Institute’s Afghanistan familiarization training program. He also developed and delivered diplomatic trade-craft training for the South Sudanese Foreign Ministry.

Mr. Cohen received his Bachelor of Arts in history and Mideast Studies from Dickinson College and a Master of Arts in International Relations, specializing in Middle East Affairs, from the University of Chicago. He served two years on the Governing Board of the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) as Retiree Vice President.

Skip Rohde
Vice chair
[email protected]

E. “Skip” Rohde was a Navy Officer for 22 years. During this time, he commanded an overseas field site, led teams of sailors at sea, managed classified programs and projects ashore, and served on small and large staffs. He was deployed to Desert Shield and Desert Storm, peacekeeping operations in Bosnia, and to real-world and exercise operations at sea over many years.

After retiring from the Navy, Mr. Rohde spent 18 months managing reconstruction programs in Iraq and 12 months as a governance advisor in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan. He is the principal of Metis21, a consulting firm providing businesses with support in training and proposal preparation. He is also a professional artist whose work has been exhibited in museums, galleries, universities, and other venues across the United States.

Bom Hoe Huh
Treasurer
[email protected]

Bom Hoe Huh provides accounting and consulting services to the Korean Community Service Center and the Korea-US Science Cooperation Center. He has worked with the Korean American Scholarship Foundation, the Virginia Korean American Disabled People’s Association (KADPA) and various other non-profit organizations.

Mr. Huh received his Bachelor of Arts from Yonsei University in Korea and holds a Master of Arts from George Washington University.

Michelle Quinn
Secretary
[email protected]

Michelle Quinn has three decades of experience providing international stability, security, and training around the world for the Department of State and other organizations. In her work, Ms. Quinn supported critical USG stabilization and peace-keeping missions.  Ms. Quinn worked for several years on Capitol Hill, supporting various House Congressional Committees, and at the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

Ms. Quinn holds a Bachelor of Arts from The College of William and Mary and a Master in Business Administration from the University of Mary Washington. She serves on the Board of Directors of the International Stability Operations Association (ISOA) and is a member of Women in International Security and the Advisory Board of Harvard Business Review.

Michael Delaney
Board Member
[email protected]

Michael Delaney served as Assistant US Trade Representative (USTR) for South Asia from 2008 until 2017. In this position, he was responsible for development of trade with South Asian countries, including India, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Mr. Delaney was a Senior Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of State where much of his career has been devoted to the development of US trade.  Prior to his appointment at USTR, Mr. Delaney served as US Political Advisor to the NATO Southern Regional Command in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

Mr. Delaney received his Bachelor of Arts from Emory University and a Master’s Degree from the University of Chicago.

Kani Xulam
Board Member
[email protected]

Kani Xulam is Director of the American Kurdish Information Network (AKIN), an advocacy office dedicated to fostering Kurdish-American understanding and friendship. As the Director of AKIN, Mr. Xulam works closely with members of the U.S. Congress to seek the freedom of Kurdish parliamentarians imprisoned in Turkey.  Mr. Xulam is an occasional commentator on the plight of the Kurds and Kurdistan on the pages of Rudaw, an online multilingual daily with headquarters in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan.

Mr. Xulam received a Bachelor of Arts in history from the University of California Santa Barbara and an Master of Arts from the School of International Service at American University.

Woria Karadaghy
Board Member
[email protected]

During his two-decade career with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Woria Karadaghy designed and supervised development programs in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Afghanistan, East Timor, Sri Lanka and Kyrgyzstan. He also has served in various consultancy assignments in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Swaziland, Egypt, Guinea Conakry, Vietnam, Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, India, Pakistan, Cyprus, Kosovo, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Qatar, Kuwait, UAE, Iran, and Iraq.

Maryam Farajzadeh Dehkordi

Web Developer

Maryam Farajzadeh Dehkordi is a PhD student in Electrical engineering at George Mason University. She holds Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in this field from Tehran Polytechnic and Shahrekord University, respectively. She has 3-year experience working with different programming languages, interested to wide her knowledge in languages essential for web developing. Aim to ensure that the website is visually appealing and easy to navigate and to improve the website’s performance, She recently joined KAID as a volunteer.