About Us

Our Mission

The Friends of the American University of Afghanistan (FAUAF) supports specific charitable, scientific and educational purposes activities conducted by academic institutions in Afghanistan, including but not limited to The American University of Afghanistan (AUAF), both by supporting the programs and facilities of such academic institutions within Afghanistan and its associated community in locations outside Afghanistan and by increasing awareness and understanding of such academic institutions in communities outside Afghanistan.

Our Story

2003

U.S. and Afghan Entities Collaborate on AUAF Framework

U.S. First Lady Laura Bush announced support for educational initiatives in Afghanistan.

U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan begins work with Afghan Ministry of Higher Education, Office of President of Afghanistan, other Afghan organizations, and group of private citizens to develop an AUAF.

Afghan Ministry of Higher Education grants charter to AUAF. Coordinating Council of Intl. Universities conducts a feasibility study for an institutional framework for AUAF.

AUAF Board of Trustees elects former Afghan Minister of Higher Education, Dr. Sharif Fayez as President Pro Tempore.

2004-2005

U.S. First Lady Laura Bush Visits Site of AUAF Campus

U.S. First Lady Laura Bush visits site of new university in March and announces $22 million grant from USAID to The Asia Foundation for the establishment of AUAF.

U.S. Sec. of Education, Margaret Spellings, signs MOU with Afghan Ministry of Higher Education committing governments of U.S. and Afghanistan to establish and support AUAF. U.S.G. pledges to provide funding and Afghan government commits to provide land for AUAF.

Afghan Council of Ministers and President Hamid Karzai grant AUAF the right for 99 years to operate on two parcels of land in Kabul- 5-acres west side of Darulaman Road and 70-acre tract of land east of Darulaman Road.

2006-2008

AUAF Admits First Class of Students (50 Men & 1 Woman)

AUAF admits first class of 51 (50 men and 1 woman) to Foundation Studies Program, designed to strengthen students’ English language and study skills. First credit-bearing undergraduate courses offered, along with first adult professional-level programs.

AUAF Board of Trustees elects Dr. Thomas Stauffer as the University’s first President/Chief Executive Officer. University implements first academic plan and becomes fully operational.

U.S. First Lady Laura Bush announces $42 million in USAID funding for 5 years.

USAID and AUAF sign 5-year Cooperative Agreement for comprehensive support.

2009

FAUAF Awarded 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Status by IRS

AUAF (in conjunction with AUCA), receives $5-million grant from USAID, for state-of-the-art e-learning facility to enable students to collaborate with other universities worldwide.

Campus gymnasium and auditorium on AUAF West Campus renovated with support from philanthropist Dr. Ehsan Bayat’s Foundation.

AUAF launches legal studies program in partnership with Stanford Law School under U.S. State Department grant, Afghan Legal Education Project (ALEP).

AUAF opens Professional Development Institute (PDI) to provide professional certificate training in areas important to Afghanistan’s development, such as English language instruction and computer technology.

2010

AUAF Holds First Undergraduate Graduation Ceremony

AUAF UG enrollment increases to 550 students.

New degree programs—Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Bachelor of Arts in Political Science & Public Administration—approved by Board of Trustees.

With support of USAID, design completed for modern new campus on parcel east of Darulaman Road.

FAUAF hosts successful fundraising event in Washington to support Laura Bush Women’s Resource Center at AUAF.

AUAF opens newly constructed faculty office building on West campus.

2011

AUAF Introduces First Master of Business Program

AUAF enrollment rises to 789 students- 21% female.

AUAF holds second graduation ceremony and conducts ground-breaking ceremonies for faculty and staff housing on AUAF International Campus.

New faculty office building on AUAF West Campus is completed.

AUAF introduces to Afghanistan first Master of Business Administration program. Select cohort of 30 students admitted out of hundreds of applicants.

2012

AUAF Establishes Business Innovation Hub

Eleven AUAF 2011 graduates awarded Fulbright scholarships. 150 new students admitted to AUAF (a total of 879 students) and AUAF PDI admits more than 800 students.

AUAF breaks ground on $5-million Int’l. Center for Afghan Women’s Economic Development, funded by grant to FAUAF from U.S. Dept. of Defense and IT building funded by the Bayat Foundation.

AUAF establishes Business Innovation Hub, funded by FAUAF and U.S. Dept. of Defense, to provide business management and leadership to Afghan companies.

AUAF receives Cooperative Agreement of $2.8 million from U.S. Dept. of State for five-year scholarships for two cohorts of Afghan women.

2013

AUAF International Center for Women’s Economic Development Opens

AUAF receives new 5-year Cooperative Agreement ($42 million) from USAID.

AUAF law certificate program expands to full 5-year law degree program under Stanford University (ALEP) as part of $7.2 million grant to Stanford from the U.S. Dept. of State.

AUAF and FAUAF open Int’l. Center for Afghan Women’s Economic Development- first building completed on AUAF International Campus.

AUAF enrolls 958 full-time students and graduates 23 students, including first cohort of MBA students.

2014

Over Half of Incoming Freshman Class are Female

2,000 students enrolled in all UG, graduate and PDI programs. 52% of incoming class is female. 32% of entire student body is female. 80% of all students receive some form of financial aid. 50% of faculty hold PhD’s. AUAF has a total 29 Fulbright Scholars.

AUAF, via World Bank grant and Ministry of Education, delivered a master’s in education to over 300 teacher trainers from Afghan provinces.

2015

AUAF Breaks Ground of USAID-Funded Female Dorm

Board of Trustees elects Dr. Mark English as AUAF President.

Over 28,000 books in AUAF Laura Bush Library.

Samira Abrar elected as first female Student Government Association (SGA) President.

AUAF graduates first cohort of law students. AUAF graduates receiving Fulbright scholarships increases to 35.

AUAF presents Doctorate of Humane Letters honorary degree to Mrs. Laura Bush at FAUAF event in Dallas in recognition of her contribution to establish AUAF.

 

2016

Complex Terrorist Attack on AUAF Kills 15 and Injures Hundreds

August 7, two AUAF PDI English instructors kidnapped after leaving campus. Taliban demand U.S. and Afghan governments exchange brother of Taliban/Haqqani leader.

August 24, Taliban attack AUAF West Campus killing 15, wounding over 200, including AUAF students, staff, and professors. University closes temporarily.

AUAF Board member David Sedney to assist in AUAF crisis and becomes AUAF Acting President.

October, AUAF, under special permission from the Afghan Ministry of Higher Education, offers Fall 2016 courses online.

Afghan President Dr. Ashraf Ghani and Afghan CEO Dr. Abdullah host event for AUAF community at the Presidential Palace. Dr. Ghani calls AUAF the “soul of Afghanistan.”

2017

AUAF Reopens with More Students Than Prior to 2016 Attack

AUAF receives additional USAID Cooperative Agreement funding of over $19 million for security improvements.

February, AUAF breaks ground on cafeteria funded by grant from USAID’s ASHA to FAUAF

March, AUAF re-opens International Campus with more students than prior to the 2016 attack.

June, AUAF Board of Trustees elects Dr. Kenneth Holland as AUAF President.

AUAF presents the Doctorate of Humane Letters honorary degree to Mr. Sedney and posthumous degrees to the martyred of the August attack.

2018

AUAF Launches Academy Program for High School Graduates

AUAF is first Afghan university to receive five-year accreditation status from Afghan Ministry of Higher Education’s revised accreditation program.

989 students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs; increase of 41% from Fall 2017.

AUAF launches Academy Program; one year of preparation for high school graduates for entry to AUAF undergraduate program.

Bayat IT and Science Building opens with state-of-the-art scientific, research equipment, technology, and computer labs.

DI has trained over 22,000 students since 2009.

2019

Dr. Sharif Fayez, AUAF’s First President Passes Away

Dr. Sharif Fayez passes away after long and distinguished career as educator and scholar, dedicating the last two decades of his life to higher education in Afghanistan.

989 U.G., Graduate and Academy students enrolled in Spring 2019 semester.

Over 60 student clubs including computer science, speech, chess, debate, journalism, music, languages, photography, track, and more.

AUAF begins mosque construction on campus, funded by private donor, Mr. Nasiri.

AUAF opens renovated athletic fields, funded by KBR.

2020

Classes Move Online Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic

Due to COVID-19 pandemic, AUAF closes campus and shifts to online instruction. AUAF provides data packages to students to assist in remote learning.

World Bank funds 25 master’s degrees in Education and Law Enforcement awarded to Afghan police instructors.

AUAF receives grant, via EU, of $430,000 from Swedish Intl. Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) for the Preparing for Peace program in conjunction with the Afghan Institute of War and Peace Studies.

AUAF receives, via FAUAF, a $286,000 grant from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation to expand delivery of IT education.

AUAF initiates discussions with the government of Qatar to establish a Hub in Doha.

2021

Afghan Government Collapses & AUAF Evacuates Campus

Dr. Ian Bickford becomes AUAF President.

Government of Afghanistan falls on August 15, 2021. AUAF initiated emergency evacuation and relocation programs for international staff and faculty.

AUAF works with partner universities around the world to facilitate AUAF students’ continued studies.

Fall 2021, classes resume remotely and on time for AUAF students in-country and around the world.

October, AUAF holds annual fundraising event; former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton receives honorary degree and delivers speech stressing the need for AUAF.

Ambassador of Qatar announces government of Qatar will provide space at Education City, Doha for AUAF students and faculty.

2022

AUAF Enrolls Largest Incoming Class in University History

Agreement is formalized between AUAF and Qatar Fund for Development and Qatar Foundation to locate operations at a temporary Hub in Education City, Doha. Expected to have 19 faculty, staff, their families, and 200 AUAF students for a two-year period.

Fall 2022 Semester, AUAF enrolls largest incoming class in history; 200 women and 100 men, with 50% female student body. Total of 916 UG and MBA students: 600 in Afghanistan, 80 in Doha, 236 at partner universities around the world.

FAUAF awarded grants from Activision Blizzard, Inc. and Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to facilitate relocation and ensure AUAF students can safely continue their education.
AUAF held first online STEM & IT Bootcamps for female high school students in Afghanistan.

2023

Almost 600 Students Enrolled Online in Afghanistan

Spring 2023, AUAF has 905 students enrolled worldwide in undergraduate, graduate, and Bridge Academy: 590 in Afghanistan (58% female), 93 in Education City (65% female), 13 at AUCA (34% female), 22 at AUIS (64% female), and 187 in other locations (53% female).

STEM & IT Bootcamps for Afghan Girls continue through funding from the Berger Charitable Foundation, Inc. and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

June, commencement ceremonies occurred in-person at Bard, AUCA, AUIS, and Doha, and virtually in Afghanistan.

Board of Trustees

Leslie Schweitzer headshot
Leslie M. Schweitzer
President & Chair
Schweitzer founded the Friends of the American University of Afghanistan in 2008, a 501c3 that supports not-for-profit, private, co-educational, non-sectarian higher education in Afghanistan, and is a member of the Board of Trustees of AUAF. Over four decades, Schweitzer has accumulated a unique combination of founding businesses in emerging and post conflict markets and facilitating capacity-building projects throughout the world. She has amassed on-the-ground e perience in over 20 countries including Afghanistan, Iraq, China, Turkey, Chile, Russia, the Caribbean, and Central America. Schweitzer pioneered U.S.-China trade beginning in 1977 as a co-founder of Noble Trading Company. After selling her company, Schweitzer served as the Senior Trade Advisor for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Schweitzer’s responsibilities included: founding a private-public partnership to promote trade between Turkey and US; creating Trade Roots, the first and only sustained national grassroots international trade education program, promote support for Congressional passage of China PNTR, TPA, trade agreements with Chile, Singapore, Australia, Morocco, CAFTA, Peru, South Korea, Panama, and Colombia; and working on the Iraq Business Initiative to re-energize U.S. investment in Iraq. Schweitzer is a member of U.S. Afghan Women’s Council, the Advisory Board of International Programs-University of Kansas, D.C.-Virginia DEC, International Stability Operations Association Advisory Council, Advisory Board Four Star Global Security, Board of Trustees of the Command and General Staff College, and IWIU.
Read More
Leslie M. Schweitzer
Schweitzer founded the Friends of the American University of Afghanistan in 2008, a 501c3 that supports not-for-profit, private, co-educational, non-sectarian higher education in Afghanistan, and is a member of the Board of Trustees of AUAF. Over four decades, Schweitzer has accumulated a unique combination of founding businesses in emerging and post conflict markets and facilitating capacity-building projects throughout the world. She has amassed on-the-ground e perience in over 20 countries including Afghanistan, Iraq, China, Turkey, Chile, Russia, the Caribbean, and Central America. Schweitzer pioneered U.S.-China trade beginning in 1977 as a co-founder of Noble Trading Company. After selling her company, Schweitzer served as the Senior Trade Advisor for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Schweitzer’s responsibilities included: founding a private-public partnership to promote trade between Turkey and US; creating Trade Roots, the first and only sustained national grassroots international trade education program, promote support for Congressional passage of China PNTR, TPA, trade agreements with Chile, Singapore, Australia, Morocco, CAFTA, Peru, South Korea, Panama, and Colombia; and working on the Iraq Business Initiative to re-energize U.S. investment in Iraq. Schweitzer is a member of U.S. Afghan Women’s Council, the Advisory Board of International Programs-University of Kansas, D.C.-Virginia DEC, International Stability Operations Association Advisory Council, Advisory Board Four Star Global Security, Board of Trustees of the Command and General Staff College, and IWIU.
Michelle Quinn
Vice Chair
Senior Advisor at SOC, a Day & Zimmermann Company Michelle Quinn has worked in high-threat theaters and post-conflict operations for twenty years, providing a broad scope of security, training, operational, and logistics solutions for DOS, DOD, DOE, and other government agencies. Supporting the private sector, Michelle is focused on critical U.S. Government missions and programs with acute security needs, both CONUS and OCONUS. Prior to joining SOC, Michelle served as Vice President of Capture at Constellis, 2021-23. Previous to that, she served as Senior Vice President at Patriot Group International; Vice President at VxL Enterprises; Vice President at A-T Solutions; Operations Manager for a multi-agency Counter-Terrorism program at the FBI National Lab; and Manager of Operations and Training for Department of State’s Worldwide Protective Services Program. Michelle has also worked on Capitol Hill, supporting the House Banking Committee on legislation tied to work and funding of USAID, IMF, World Bank; at the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB); and at several private family philanthropies. Michelle currently serves on the Board of Directors of the International Code of Conduct Association (ICoCA) in Geneva, Switzerland, holding the Americas Security Industry Pillar/seat for Private Security Companies. Michelle also serves on the Advisory Board of the International Stability Operations Association where she previously served as ISOA’s Chairman of the Board of Directors in 2019-2020 and established ISOA’s formal Women, Peace, and Security Certification program for the private sector in 2020. Most importantly, she serves on the Board of The Friends of the American University of Afghanistan, supporting the undying education dreams of Afghan women and girls.
Read More
Michelle Quinn
Senior Advisor at SOC, a Day & Zimmermann Company Michelle Quinn has worked in high-threat theaters and post-conflict operations for twenty years, providing a broad scope of security, training, operational, and logistics solutions for DOS, DOD, DOE, and other government agencies. Supporting the private sector, Michelle is focused on critical U.S. Government missions and programs with acute security needs, both CONUS and OCONUS. Prior to joining SOC, Michelle served as Vice President of Capture at Constellis, 2021-23. Previous to that, she served as Senior Vice President at Patriot Group International; Vice President at VxL Enterprises; Vice President at A-T Solutions; Operations Manager for a multi-agency Counter-Terrorism program at the FBI National Lab; and Manager of Operations and Training for Department of State’s Worldwide Protective Services Program. Michelle has also worked on Capitol Hill, supporting the House Banking Committee on legislation tied to work and funding of USAID, IMF, World Bank; at the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB); and at several private family philanthropies. Michelle currently serves on the Board of Directors of the International Code of Conduct Association (ICoCA) in Geneva, Switzerland, holding the Americas Security Industry Pillar/seat for Private Security Companies. Michelle also serves on the Advisory Board of the International Stability Operations Association where she previously served as ISOA’s Chairman of the Board of Directors in 2019-2020 and established ISOA’s formal Women, Peace, and Security Certification program for the private sector in 2020. Most importantly, she serves on the Board of The Friends of the American University of Afghanistan, supporting the undying education dreams of Afghan women and girls.
Kevin Haggerty
Treasurer
Kevin Haggerty brings over 35 years of experience in financial oversight in the international development, computer software and consulting services industries. Currently, Haggerty is the CFO at ACDI/VOCA with prior experience at Institute of International Education (IIE), DAI and Ernst & Young.
Read More
Kevin Haggerty
Kevin Haggerty brings over 35 years of experience in financial oversight in the international development, computer software and consulting services industries. Currently, Haggerty is the CFO at ACDI/VOCA with prior experience at Institute of International Education (IIE), DAI and Ernst & Young.
Evan Dobelle
Secretary
Evan Dobelle is the Managing Director of Countable, a high tech company with offices in Washington, D.C. and San Francisco. Dobelle is the former President of City College of San Francisco, University of Hawaii, and Trinity College (CT). Dobelle offers a bold vision for the value of education and the challenges of building a community in a fast-changing world.
Read More
Evan Dobelle
Evan Dobelle is the Managing Director of Countable, a high tech company with offices in Washington, D.C. and San Francisco. Dobelle is the former President of City College of San Francisco, University of Hawaii, and Trinity College (CT). Dobelle offers a bold vision for the value of education and the challenges of building a community in a fast-changing world.
Elaina Edwards
Elaina Edwards is Vice President at Louis Berger US. She has served in a range of operational, business development, strategy and marketing leadership roles. Her experience includes supporting U.S. government, multilateral institutions and commercial clients with a focus on mega programs. Ms. Edwards has managed winning proposals for more than $3 billion in contracts, including a $1.4 billion single-award contract for Afghanistan reconstruction.
Read More
Elaina Edwards
Elaina Edwards is Vice President at Louis Berger US. She has served in a range of operational, business development, strategy and marketing leadership roles. Her experience includes supporting U.S. government, multilateral institutions and commercial clients with a focus on mega programs. Ms. Edwards has managed winning proposals for more than $3 billion in contracts, including a $1.4 billion single-award contract for Afghanistan reconstruction.
Suzanne Kianpour
Suzanne Kianpour is an Emmy nominated journalist who has spent nearly a decade with the BBC reporting on foreign affairs, politics and breaking news. With postings based in Washington, London, Beirut, and Los Angeles, her reporting has taken her around the world to over 50 countries.
Read More
Suzanne Kianpour
Suzanne Kianpour is an Emmy nominated journalist who has spent nearly a decade with the BBC reporting on foreign affairs, politics and breaking news. With postings based in Washington, London, Beirut, and Los Angeles, her reporting has taken her around the world to over 50 countries.
Michelle Kosinski
Michelle Kosinski is CNN’s senior diplomatic correspondent responsible for covering the State Department. Previously, Kosinski served as the network’s White House correspondent during the Obama administration. She contributes to all CNN programs and platforms.
Read More
Michelle Kosinski
Michelle Kosinski is CNN’s senior diplomatic correspondent responsible for covering the State Department. Previously, Kosinski served as the network’s White House correspondent during the Obama administration. She contributes to all CNN programs and platforms.
Ronald Neumann Headshot
Amb. Ronald E. Neumann

Formerly a Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Ronald E. Neumann served three times as Ambassador; to Algeria, Bahrain and finally to Afghanistan from July 2005 to April 2007. Before Afghanistan, Mr. Neumann, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, served in Baghdad from February 2004 with the Coalition Provisional Authority and then as Embassy Baghdad’s liaison with the Multinational Command, where he was deeply involved in coordinating the political part of military actions. ​ Prior to working in Iraq, he was Ambassador in Manama, Bahrain (2001-2004), Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Near East Affairs (1997-2000) with responsibility for North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, and Ambassador to Algeria (1994 to 1997). He was Director of the Office of Northern Gulf Affairs (Iran and Iraq; 1991 to 1994). Earlier in his career, he was Deputy Chief of Mission in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and in Sanaa in Yemen, Principal Officer in Tabriz, Iran and Economic/Commercial Officer in Dakar, Senegal. His previous Washington assignments include service as Jordan Desk officer, Staff Assistant in the Middle East (NEA) Bureau, and Political Officer in the Office of Southern European Affairs. Ambassador Neumann is the author of a memoir, Three Embassies, Four Wars: a personal memoir (2017) and The Other War: Winning and Losing in Afghanistan (Potomac Press, 2009), a book on his time in Afghanistan. He has returned to Afghanistan repeatedly and is the author of a number of monographs, articles, and editorials. His writings have focused most heavily on Afghanistan, stabilization, and Bahrain. At the Academy he has focused particularly on efforts to maintain adequate State and USAID budgets and staffing and upgrade professional formation to enable these institutions to carry out their responsibilities. Ambassador Neumann is on the Advisory Board of a non-profit girls’ school in Afghanistan, the School of Leadership, Afghanistan (SOLA) and the Advisory Board of Spirit of America. He is on the board of the Middle East Policy Council and the Advisory Council of the World Affairs Councils of America. Ambassador Neumann speaks some Arabic and Dari as well as French. He received State Department Superior Honor Awards in 1993 and 1990. He was an Army infantry officer in Viet Nam and holds a Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal and Combat Infantry Badge. In Baghdad, he was awarded the Army Outstanding Civilian Service Medal. In 2018, he received the American Foreign Service Association’s award for Lifetime Contributions to American Diplomacy. He earned a B.A. in history and an M.A. in political science from the University of California at Riverside and is a graduate of the National War College. He is married to the former M. Elaine Grimm. They have two children.

Read More
Amb. Ronald E. Neumann
Formerly a Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Ronald E. Neumann served three times as Ambassador; to Algeria, Bahrain and finally to Afghanistan from July 2005 to April 2007. Before Afghanistan, Mr. Neumann, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, served in Baghdad from February 2004 with the Coalition Provisional Authority and then as Embassy Baghdad’s liaison with the Multinational Command, where he was deeply involved in coordinating the political part of military actions. ​ Prior to working in Iraq, he was Ambassador in Manama, Bahrain (2001-2004), Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Near East Affairs (1997-2000) with responsibility for North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, and Ambassador to Algeria (1994 to 1997). He was Director of the Office of Northern Gulf Affairs (Iran and Iraq; 1991 to 1994). Earlier in his career, he was Deputy Chief of Mission in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and in Sanaa in Yemen, Principal Officer in Tabriz, Iran and Economic/Commercial Officer in Dakar, Senegal. His previous Washington assignments include service as Jordan Desk officer, Staff Assistant in the Middle East (NEA) Bureau, and Political Officer in the Office of Southern European Affairs. Ambassador Neumann is the author of a memoir, Three Embassies, Four Wars: a personal memoir (2017) and The Other War: Winning and Losing in Afghanistan (Potomac Press, 2009), a book on his time in Afghanistan. He has returned to Afghanistan repeatedly and is the author of a number of monographs, articles, and editorials. His writings have focused most heavily on Afghanistan, stabilization, and Bahrain. At the Academy he has focused particularly on efforts to maintain adequate State and USAID budgets and staffing and upgrade professional formation to enable these institutions to carry out their responsibilities. Ambassador Neumann is on the Advisory Board of a non-profit girls’ school in Afghanistan, the School of Leadership, Afghanistan (SOLA) and the Advisory Board of Spirit of America. He is on the board of the Middle East Policy Council and the Advisory Council of the World Affairs Councils of America. Ambassador Neumann speaks some Arabic and Dari as well as French. He received State Department Superior Honor Awards in 1993 and 1990. He was an Army infantry officer in Viet Nam and holds a Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal and Combat Infantry Badge. In Baghdad, he was awarded the Army Outstanding Civilian Service Medal. In 2018, he received the American Foreign Service Association’s award for Lifetime Contributions to American Diplomacy. He earned a B.A. in history and an M.A. in political science from the University of California at Riverside and is a graduate of the National War College. He is married to the former M. Elaine Grimm. They have two children.
Sarah Peck
Sarah Peck is a career diplomat from Boston, Massachusetts. She is currently the Executive Director of the U.S.-Pakistan Women’s Council. Sarah has extensive experience on regional issues. She previously served as the Political Team Lead at the Office of Pakistan Affairs at the U.S. State Department. Prior to joining the desk, she worked as a Pearson Fellow for in-coming Secretary of State Kerry at the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, where she focused on Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Read More
Sarah Peck
Sarah Peck is a career diplomat from Boston, Massachusetts. She is currently the Executive Director of the U.S.-Pakistan Women’s Council. Sarah has extensive experience on regional issues. She previously served as the Political Team Lead at the Office of Pakistan Affairs at the U.S. State Department. Prior to joining the desk, she worked as a Pearson Fellow for in-coming Secretary of State Kerry at the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, where she focused on Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Annie Pforzheimer

A retired career diplomat from the U.S. Department of State, Annie is a Senior Non-Resident Associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, an Adjunct Professor at the City University of New York and Pace University, and a public commentator on foreign policy. She is a life member of the Council on Foreign Relations and active on non-profit boards, currently serving as Board Chair for Women for Afghan Women, a social service agency in the US and Afghanistan.   Ms. Pforzheimer is an advocate for women’s rights in Afghanistan and the author of numerous articles and op-eds on Afghanistan policy, as well as the co-author of studies and articles on issues relating to international organized crime.   Her thirty-year diplomatic career focused on security, rule of law, and human rights policy. She was the Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Afghanistan and Deputy Chief of Mission in Kabul; Office Director for UN Peacekeeping and Sanctions; head of the $700 million security assistance program in Mexico; the lead human rights officer in Turkey and South Africa; and a Director at the National Security Council implementing policy on Central American migration. Ms. Pforzheimer is a graduate of Harvard University, with a Masters in National Security Studies from the National Defense University.

Read More
Annie Pforzheimer
A retired career diplomat from the U.S. Department of State, Annie is a Senior Non-Resident Associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, an Adjunct Professor at the City University of New York and Pace University, and a public commentator on foreign policy. She is a life member of the Council on Foreign Relations and active on non-profit boards, currently serving as Board Chair for Women for Afghan Women, a social service agency in the US and Afghanistan.   Ms. Pforzheimer is an advocate for women’s rights in Afghanistan and the author of numerous articles and op-eds on Afghanistan policy, as well as the co-author of studies and articles on issues relating to international organized crime.   Her thirty-year diplomatic career focused on security, rule of law, and human rights policy. She was the Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Afghanistan and Deputy Chief of Mission in Kabul; Office Director for UN Peacekeeping and Sanctions; head of the $700 million security assistance program in Mexico; the lead human rights officer in Turkey and South Africa; and a Director at the National Security Council implementing policy on Central American migration. Ms. Pforzheimer is a graduate of Harvard University, with a Masters in National Security Studies from the National Defense University.
Amb. Robin Raphel
Robin Raphel worked for nearly 40 years in foreign affairs agencies, including the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Agency for International Development, and U.S. Department of Defense. She has served as assistant secretary of state for South Asia, ambassador to Tunisia, vice president of the National Defense University, and deputy special inspector general for Iraq reconstruction.
Read More
Amb. Robin Raphel
Robin Raphel worked for nearly 40 years in foreign affairs agencies, including the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Agency for International Development, and U.S. Department of Defense. She has served as assistant secretary of state for South Asia, ambassador to Tunisia, vice president of the National Defense University, and deputy special inspector general for Iraq reconstruction.
Dr. Nilofar Sakhi
Dr. Nilofar Sakhi is a Professorial Lecturer of International Affairs at the Elliott School of George Washington University. Additionally, she holds the position of Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council. She has also taught at George Mason University. She taught classes on Research Methods, Security, Public Policy Making, Contentious Politics, Conflict Analysis & Resolution, Conflict Assessment and Evaluation. Dr. Sakhi is a distinguished scholar and policy analysts, with a thematic focus on security, armed conflict, geopolitics, and peacemaking. She has contributed extensively to the literature on traditional, nontraditional, transnational security, and human security. Her recent publication is a book titled “Human Security and Agency: Reframing Productive Power.” During her career, she has held various significant roles. Notably, Dr. Sakhi served as a Course Coordinator and Instructor at the U.S. Department of State’s Foreign Service Institute through a contract with McColm & Company, where she also served as the Director of Policy and Diplomacy. She also worked as a Country Director at the Open Society Foundation and held the positions of Executive Director and Trustee at the American University of Afghanistan. Dr. Sakhi has been actively engaged in assisting in the formulation of policies related to peace, development and counterinsurgency. She has a rich research background, having been a visiting Research Fellow at the Kroc Institute of International Peace Studies, Keough School of Global Affairs at Notre Dame University, the National Endowment of Democracy, and Columbia University. Additionally, she has been a Fellow at the Asia Society and the International Center for Tolerance Education. Nilofar Sakhi holds a Ph.D. in Conflict Analysis & Resolution from George Mason University. She has a master’s degree in international public policy from the School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) at Johns Hopkins University, as well as a second master’s degree from Eastern Mennonite University.
Read More
Dr. Nilofar Sakhi
Dr. Nilofar Sakhi is a Professorial Lecturer of International Affairs at the Elliott School of George Washington University. Additionally, she holds the position of Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council. She has also taught at George Mason University. She taught classes on Research Methods, Security, Public Policy Making, Contentious Politics, Conflict Analysis & Resolution, Conflict Assessment and Evaluation. Dr. Sakhi is a distinguished scholar and policy analysts, with a thematic focus on security, armed conflict, geopolitics, and peacemaking. She has contributed extensively to the literature on traditional, nontraditional, transnational security, and human security. Her recent publication is a book titled “Human Security and Agency: Reframing Productive Power.” During her career, she has held various significant roles. Notably, Dr. Sakhi served as a Course Coordinator and Instructor at the U.S. Department of State’s Foreign Service Institute through a contract with McColm & Company, where she also served as the Director of Policy and Diplomacy. She also worked as a Country Director at the Open Society Foundation and held the positions of Executive Director and Trustee at the American University of Afghanistan. Dr. Sakhi has been actively engaged in assisting in the formulation of policies related to peace, development and counterinsurgency. She has a rich research background, having been a visiting Research Fellow at the Kroc Institute of International Peace Studies, Keough School of Global Affairs at Notre Dame University, the National Endowment of Democracy, and Columbia University. Additionally, she has been a Fellow at the Asia Society and the International Center for Tolerance Education. Nilofar Sakhi holds a Ph.D. in Conflict Analysis & Resolution from George Mason University. She has a master’s degree in international public policy from the School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) at Johns Hopkins University, as well as a second master’s degree from Eastern Mennonite University.
Karolyn Stuver

Karolyn Stuver is Executive Director and Global Lead for Internal Communications and the Office of Inclusion at Flour Corporation. She previously led all communications, marketing, strategic planning and proposals for Fluor’s Mission Solutions business. Prior to her position at Flour, Stuver served as the Director of Strategy, Marketing and Communications at KBR.

Read More
Karolyn Stuver
Karolyn Stuver is Executive Director and Global Lead for Internal Communications and the Office of Inclusion at Flour Corporation. She previously led all communications, marketing, strategic planning and proposals for Fluor’s Mission Solutions business. Prior to her position at Flour, Stuver served as the Director of Strategy, Marketing and Communications at KBR.