Meet MEJDI

Global Leader in Socially Conscious Travel.

Founders & Management Team

AZIZ ABU SARAH

CO-OWNER & CEO

He is a seasoned tourism professional with over a decade of experience in the industry. In 2014, he gave a TED Talk about his vision for redefining tourism. You can view the talk here.  Aziz has spoken at countless of international organizations and universities, including The United Nations, Nexus, TED, BMW, European Parliament, Georgetown, Yale and Harvard. He has published articles in The New York Times, National Geographic, TED, Haaretz, the Jerusalem Post and others and regularly analysis for CNN, Fox, and Aljazeera among others. Aziz is the recipient of the Goldberg Prize for Peace in the Middle East from the Institute of International Education, the European Parliament’s Silver Rose Award, the Eisenhower Medallion, and the Eliav-Sartawi Award for his Middle Eastern Journalism. He was named one of the 500 most influential Muslims in the World by the Royal Strategic Centre in Jordan for 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014. He won the Intercultural innovation award from the UN Alliance of Civilizations and the BMW Group. He was also recognized by UNSG Ban Ki Moon for his work in peace building. You can view the talk here.

As an educator, Kim enjoys volunteering and especially likes connecting that to the unique destinations she travels to.Her experiences enable her to lead MEJDI’s experiences smoothly and effectively.

SCOTT COOPER

CO-OWNER & CEO

Under Scott’s direction, the Center he managed operated programs in Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey, Jordan, Palestine, and Israel. The MEJDI co-founder and CEO established GMU’s first business and conflict resolution program, and spearheaded an innovative study abroad program that takes students throughout the Middle East and beyond. Passionate about travel, peacebuilding, and socially and responsible tourism, Scott loves working with change makers all over the world on creating a more peaceful world.  As MEJDI’s Co-CEO, Scott focuses on strategy, operations, and company culture.  He previously worked at the United States Institute of Peace on a project focused on evaluating peace-building programs in conflict zones, and has advised numerous NGOs on utilizing business models to create social change. Scott holds a degree in political science from Arizona State University and a Master of Science degree in conflict analysis and resolution from George Mason University.  Scott prides himself on not taking life too seriously. He loves watching stand-up comedy, playing ice hockey, and spending time with his wife and their two young boys.

As an educator, Kim enjoys volunteering and especially likes connecting that to the unique destinations she travels to.Her experiences enable her to lead MEJDI’s experiences smoothly and effectively.

AZIZ ABU SARAH

CO-OWNER & CEO

He is a seasoned tourism professional with over a decade of experience in the industry. In 2014, he gave a TED Talk about his vision for redefining tourism. You can view the talk here.  Aziz has spoken at countless of international organizations and universities, including The United Nations, Nexus, TED, BMW, European Parliament, Georgetown, Yale and Harvard. He has published articles in The New York Times, National Geographic, TED, Haaretz, the Jerusalem Post and others and regularly analysis for CNN, Fox, and Aljazeera among others. Aziz is the recipient of the Goldberg Prize for Peace in the Middle East from the Institute of International Education, the European Parliament’s Silver Rose Award, the Eisenhower Medallion, and the Eliav-Sartawi Award for his Middle Eastern Journalism. He was named one of the 500 most influential Muslims in the World by the Royal Strategic Centre in Jordan for 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014. He won the Intercultural innovation award from the UN Alliance of Civilizations and the BMW Group. He was also recognized by UNSG Ban Ki Moon for his work in peace building. You can view the talk here.

SCOTT COOPER

CO-OWNER & CEO

Prior to co-founding MEJDI, Scott co-directed a center focused on peacebuilding at George Mason’s School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution while simultaneously earning a M.S. in Conflict Analysis and Resolution.  Under his direction, the Center operated programs in Afghanistan, Iran, Jordan, Turkey, Palestine, and Israel. He also created a study abroad program for conflict resolution students and spearheaded a business and peacebuilding program at GMU. During that time, he was also a researcher at the United States Institute of Peace where he worked on a project evaluating the effectiveness of peacebuilding programs in conflict zones. Before that, Scott was a banker and financial consultant. After many years of being a social enterprise practitioner, Scott loves helping new social enterprise entrepreneurs think through their theories of change and the impact they want to make in a culturally sensitive and realistic way. Scott’s work has taken him to all corners of the globe.  After relatively humble beginnings, he’s extremely grateful for the opportunity he’s had to meet so many kind people all over the world. When he’s not “working”, Scott loves to spend time with his family, watch comedy, and play ice hockey.

KIM PASSY YOSEPH

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, GLOBAL

In her previous role, Kim was the Education Director of a Birthright department. There she honed her ability to see the yet untapped potential of tourism as she oversaw not only the educational side of the trips but also the operational work behind the scenes.
After moving around quite a bit during her childhood and adult life, she became fascinated with cultural differences and assimilation processes. She completed her Master’s degree in Immigration and Social Integration, and created her own interactive activity for groups focusing on the complexities with-in the Jewish population in Israel through the various mass immigration waves coming in.

As an educator, Kim enjoys volunteering and especially likes connecting that to the unique destinations she travels to.Her experiences enable her to lead MEJDI’s experiences smoothly and effectively.

SHANNON OKUONGHAE

DIRECTOR OF TRAVELER SERVICES, USA

Before joining MEJDI, Shannon managed International Student and Global Study Abroad Departments for major US Universities, advising professors and helping hundreds of students on travel to destinations all over the world.

Shannon has spent most of her life traveling the globe and is no stranger to being a stranger. She has always found it natural to identify with the unique perspectives that develop from broadening horizons. Her professional, educational, and personal choices have been a series of cross-cultural connections, a common thread that underpins her experiences. She has studied abroad, traveled globally, and lives a multi-cultural life. 

With an eye on continuously improving the travelers’ experience to facilitate successful and impactful journeys, Shannon looks forward to continuing her passion with MEJDI Tours and sharing MEJDI’s mission and vision.
Travel Services Team

SUSAN JARZEMBSKI HOLMER

DIRECTOR OF PARTNERSHIPS & SPECIAL PROJECTS

MEJDI is the perfect match for Susan who has focused on creative relationship building for both Fortune 500 companies as well as in the nonprofit world.

Having gone on two MEJDI Tours, Susan was an unofficial brand ambassador long before joining the team. “The dual perspective introduced to me on the tour has changed how I look at the world.  Since my first tour in the Holy Land, I take the MEJDI method of listening with me—aiming to respectfully listen to whomever I meet wherever I go.”

Marisa Fontana

TRAVELER SERVICES SPECIALIST, USA

Both her research and her personal travels have revealed that despite the many differences in culture, people are the same all over the world and there are always connections to be found if only you look for them.

Before joining MEJDI, Marisa was a college professor and archaeologist studying indigenous cultures of North America prior to the arrival of Europeans, particularly intercultural conflict & how it was reflected in defensive architecture. She has excavated all over the U.S., most extensively in the southeastern U.S., and taught a variety of Anthropology and Archaeology courses throughout the Chicagoland area.  

Marisa joined MEJDI in 2023, attracted by MEJDI’s unique approach to socially conscious travel. She uses her wealth of knowledge & experience to assist MEJDI travelers with tour preparation and post-tour feedback and to ensure a seamless & impactful journey from start to finish.

Operational Staff​

KIM PASSY YOSEPH

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, USA/JERUSALEM

In her previous role, Kim was the Education Director of a Birthright department. There she honed her ability to see the yet untapped potential of tourism as she oversaw not only the educational side of the trips but also the operational work behind the scenes.
After moving around quite a bit during her childhood and adult life, she became fascinated with cultural differences and assimilation processes. She completed her Master’s degree in Immigration and Social Integration, and created her own interactive activity for groups focusing on the complexities with-in the Jewish population in Israel through the various mass immigration waves coming in.

As an educator, Kim enjoys volunteering and especially likes connecting that to the unique destinations she travels to.Her experiences enable her to lead MEJDI’s experiences smoothly and effectively.

SHANNON OKUONGHAE

DIRECTOR OF TRAVELER SERVICES, USA

Before joining MEJDI, Shannon managed International Student and Global Study Abroad Departments for major US Universities, advising professors and helping hundreds of students on travel to destinations all over the world.

Shannon has spent most of her life traveling the globe and is no stranger to being a stranger. She has always found it natural to identify with the unique perspectives that develop from broadening horizons. Her professional, educational, and personal choices have been a series of cross-cultural connections, a common thread that underpins her experiences. She has studied abroad, traveled globally, and lives a multi-cultural life. 

With an eye on continuously improving the travelers’ experience to facilitate successful and impactful journeys, Shannon looks forward to continuing her passion with MEJDI Tours and sharing MEJDI’s mission and vision.

SUSAN JARZEMBSKI HOLMER

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONS

MEJDI is the perfect match for Susan who has focused on creative relationship building for both Fortune 500 companies as well as in the nonprofit world.

Having gone on two MEJDI Tours, Susan was an unofficial brand ambassador long before joining the team. “The dual perspective introduced to me on the tour has changed how I look at the world.  Since my first tour in the Holy Land, I take the MEJDI method of listening with me—aiming to respectfully listen to whomever I meet wherever I go.”

After moving around quite a bit during her childhood and adult life, she became fascinated with cultural differences and assimilation processes. She completed her Master’s degree in Immigration and Social Integration, and created her own interactive activity for groups focusing on the complexities with-in the Jewish population in Israel through the various mass immigration waves coming in.

As an educator, Kim enjoys volunteering and especially likes connecting that to the unique destinations she travels to.Her experiences enable her to lead MEJDI’s experiences smoothly and effectively.

KEINER JIMÉNEZ ALVARADO

TOUR OPERATOR

He worked with Raleigh International for 10 years, a British NGO with projects in Costa Rica & Nicaragua, where he gained expertise in water and sanitation, conservation and community development.  

Keiner has been working with MSF (Doctors Without Borders) as Logistics Manager, giving operational support to the medical team in countries with little access to resources. 

Passionate about travel, Keiner has traveled to 45 countries around the world where he enjoys meeting local people and eating traditional local dishes. 

Keiner joined the MEJDI team in 2019 as tour operator and loves to welcome and meet travelers from all over the globe. 

Shannon has spent most of her life traveling the globe and is no stranger to being a stranger. She has always found it natural to identify with the unique perspectives that develop from broadening horizons. Her professional, educational, and personal choices have been a series of cross-cultural connections, a common thread that underpins her experiences. She has studied abroad, traveled globally, and lives a multi-cultural life. 

With an eye on continuously improving the travelers’ experience to facilitate successful and impactful journeys, Shannon looks forward to continuing her passion with MEJDI Tours and sharing MEJDI’s mission and vision.

REEM ABBASSI

TOUR OPERATOR

Reem has around 20 years of experience working with companies and organizations in various fields; Fortune 10 companies, Non-Government and humanitarian organizations, the financial sector, and even her own startup. 

These experiences gave her an extensive knowledge base in management, finance, and event planning. 

Her life experiences, love for food, healthy lifestyle, Yoga and traveling are what brought her to MEJDI. Diversity in narratives, experiences and activities are what drew her to MEJDI to begin with. Reem is married with 3 amazing daughters and a loving dog.

Lior Bar Natan

JERUSALEM BRANCH OPERATION MANAGER

In the past three years, Lior took part in an academic collaboration with the Hotel & Tourism Management Department, at BGU and taught a course as part of the undergraduate program.

 

Lior joined MEJDI Tours in 2023, after wanting to explore other fields in the Tourism industry.
The values that MEJDI presents, the story behind every tour, the idea of travel which focuses on the human element of destinations; the diversity of its people, their stories & narratives—these are the elements that attracted her to Mejdi and to the value-based practice.

KEINER JIMÉNEZ ALVARADO

TOUR OPERATOR

Currently he is finishing an MA in Project Management.

He worked with Raleigh International for 10 years, a British NGO with projects in Costa Rica & Nicaragua, where he gained expertise in water and sanitation, conservation and community development.  

Keiner has been working with MSF (Doctors Without Borders) as Logistics Manager, giving operational support to the medical team in countries with little access to resources. 

Passionate about travel, Keiner has traveled to 45 countries around the world where he enjoys meeting local people and eating traditional local dishes. 

Keiner joined the MEJDI team in 2019 as tour operator and loves to welcome and meet travelers from all over the globe. 

REEM ABBASSI

TOUR OPERATOR

Reem has around 20 years of experience working with companies and organizations in various fields; Fortune 10 companies, Non-Government and humanitarian organizations, the financial sector, and even her own startup. 

These experiences gave her an extensive knowledge base in management, finance, and event planning. 

Her life experiences, love for food, healthy lifestyle, Yoga and traveling are what brought her to MEJDI. Diversity in narratives, experiences and activities are what drew her to MEJDI to begin with. Reem is married with 3 amazing daughters and a loving dog.

Anas Maraqa

TOUR OPERATOR

With a background in NGO work and international business, he has dedicated his career to making a positive impact in his community. He has held various roles such as Office Manager, Fundraiser, and Project Coordinator, contributing to various organizations. 

 

Anas possesses a passion for mapping, traveling, hiking, motorcycles, and adventure. Currently, Anas combines his love for exploration with his extensive knowledge of the Holy Land to offer enriching and authentic experiences to visitors.

TEVET GILAD

TOUR OPERATOR

After traveling the world and coming into contact with different cultures throughout the Asian continent, she is passionate about enabling others to experience unique places not as tourists, but as people meeting people. Tevet believes in meeting the complexities and different narratives as a way of bridging the gap between cultures and promoting peace. In her free time, Tevet enjoys baking, reading and practicing handloom weaving,

Emili Rishmawi Ghraiyib

TOUR OPERATOR & TOUR GUIDE

Emili is a licensed tour guide and has been contributing her expertise to MEJDI since before joining the Operations Team in 2023. Prior to her time with MEJDI, Emili honed her organizational development, project planning, and implementation skills through various administrative roles in local and international NGOs. Her work involved empowering social action groups in the West Bank, with a particular focus on women in the tourism industry.

Finance

Rita Chakraborty

FINANCE MANAGER

SUE NISSEL

Bookkeeper & HR, Baltimore, MD

YAIR NOVOSELSKY

 Accountant, Jerusalem

Travel Planners

JOSH BLOOM

Before joining the MEJDI team, Josh was Director of Israel Programs for T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights (formerly Rabbis for Human Rights-North America) where he led rabbis and rabbinical students in advocacy campaigns focused on Palestinian property rights, Bedouin land rights, and the rights of African asylum seekers in Israel. Prior to that, he lived in Jerusalem where he served as a Consultant to Rabbis for Human Rights. He has also worked for American Jewish World Service, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Amnesty International USA, UNICEF, Mercy Corps, the Conflict and Health Programme at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and the Health and Human Rights Programme at the University of Cape Town. Josh has published journal articles and lectured on peace theory and authored numerous op-eds. He received his M.S. in Population and International Health from the Harvard School of Public Health and a B.S. in Applied Social Sciences and an International Studies Certificate from Binghamton University. Josh and his family live in the idyllic Berkshire Mountains of Western Massachusetts, where his wife, Rabbi Jodie Gordon, serves as one of the rabbis of Hevreh of Southern Berkshire.

NICOLE MORGAN

 These stories have the ability to change how we understand and interact with the world. Nicole transitioned from being a classroom educator to working with an education-focused non-profit near Chicago, IL for three years. Nicole graduated from Palmer Theological Seminary in 2014 with a Master of Theological Studies with an emphasis in Public Policy. While at Palmer, she served as a Sider Scholar with Evangelicals for Social Action.  She currently lives near Atlanta, GA and serves in a variety of ministries, including as a ministry assistant to Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon. Nicole strongly believes that getting to know our neighbors across the street and across the globe is a way to work towards peace.

Aaron Press Taylor

Aaron worked in resource development and communications for an organization focusing on social urban regeneration in Lod/al-Lydd, organized educational tour experiences for mixed groups of Palestinians and Israelis, and conducted a field survey of West Bank sustainability initiatives on behalf of a community service agency in Ramallah. He holds a BA in Philosophy and an MA in Development Studies and enjoyed playing Friday morning ultimate frisbee in Givat Ram.

JOSH BLOOM

Before joining the MEJDI team, Josh was Director of Israel Programs for T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights (formerly Rabbis for Human Rights-North America) where he led rabbis and rabbinical students in advocacy campaigns focused on Palestinian property rights, Bedouin land rights, and the rights of African asylum seekers in Israel. Prior to that, he lived in Jerusalem where he served as a Consultant to Rabbis for Human Rights. He has also worked for American Jewish World Service, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Amnesty International USA, UNICEF, Mercy Corps, the Conflict and Health Programme at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and the Health and Human Rights Programme at the University of Cape Town. Josh has published journal articles and lectured on peace theory and authored numerous op-eds. He received his M.S. in Population and International Health from the Harvard School of Public Health and a B.S. in Applied Social Sciences and an International Studies Certificate from Binghamton University. Josh and his family live in the idyllic Berkshire Mountains of Western Massachusetts, where his wife, Rabbi Jodie Gordon, serves as one of the rabbis of Hevreh of Southern Berkshire

NICOLE MORGAN

As a teacher of literature, Nicole values the power of stories, especially the ones that come from unfamiliar places. These stories have the ability to change how we understand and interact with the world. Nicole transitioned from being a classroom educator to working with an education-focused non-profit near Chicago, IL for three years. Nicole graduated from Palmer Theological Seminary in 2014 with a Master of Theological Studies with an emphasis in Public Policy. While at Palmer, she served as a Sider Scholar with Evangelicals for Social Action.  She currently lives near Atlanta, GA and serves in a variety of ministries, including as a ministry assistant to Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon. Nicole strongly believes that getting to know our neighbors across the street and across the globe is a way to work towards peace.

Advisors

KENDRA HAYDEN

BUSINESS ADVISOR

She is an experienced leader having worked extensively in business development, strategy, big data, loyalty, lodging, professional services and more.

Kendra holds an MBA from the Amos Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth and a BA from the University of Pennsylvania.

OFRI BRENER

BUSINESS ADVISOR

Currently director of business consulting for the Partnership Development Group-an organization dedicated to helping disabled entrepreneurs develop business plans, apply for funding, and achieve their dreams of financial independence through business ownership-Ofri previously worked as a business consultant for Israeli-based business technology consulting firm Strauss Strategy. He received his MBA and a B.S. in information systems management from the University of Connecticut School of Business.

JEFF WAXMAN

BUSINESS ADVISOR

All have been successfully re invigorated and sold with profitable exits for investors and employees. In addition, Waxman has served on multiple Boards of Directors for companies in various industries.

REVEREND DR. MAE ELISE CANNON

CHIEF ADVISOR FOR CHRISTIAN ENGAGEMENT

She is the author of Social Justice Handbook: Small Steps for a Better World (IVP, 2009), which won the 2010 Outreach Magazine Resource of the Year Award in the category of justice. She is also the author of Just Spirituality: How Faith Practices Fuel Social Action (IVP 2013) and co-author of Forgive Us: Confessions of a Compromised Faith (Zondervan, 2014). Cannon hols an MDiv from North Park Theological Seminary, an MBA from North Park University’s School of Business an Nonprofit Management, and an MA in bioethics from Trinity International University. She received her doctorate in American History with the minor in Middle Eastern studies at the University of California (Davis) focusing on the history of the American Protestant church in Israel and Palestine.

Cannon began her work in the Middle East in 2009. She left the Holy Land with a strong conviction that American Christians have a significant role to play in being peacemakers contributing to the end of the ongoing violence in the region. In 2010-2011, Mae lived in Jerusalem and worked extensively in areas of reconciliation and justice in Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, and Egypt in an attempt to bridge the gap between American Christians and the Christian community in the Middle East. Her several publications about the Conflict including Mischief Making in Palestine: American Protestant Involvement in the Holy Land from 1917 to Today and several other papers and articles have been presented at the American Academy of Religion regional and other annual conferences. Her work has been highlighted by the Chicago Tribune, Christianity Today, Leadership Magazine, The Christian Post, Jerusalem Post, EU Parliament Magazine, and Huffington Post. In 2014-2015, she also served on the State Department working group focusing on the role religion can play in a global conflict mitigation.

EMILY SCHNEIDER

RESEARCH ADVISOR

Her passion for tourism as a tool for social change began in 2008, when she took a tour of East Jerusalem with a Palestinian tour guide who completely changed the way she understood the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. After this experience, Emily spent four years living in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, where she worked for a variety of NGOs committed to human rights and a just peace between Israelis and Palestinians. Before returning to the US to complete her Ph.D. in Sociology, she worked for several years at a joint Israeli-Palestinian NGO, Windows- Channels for Communication. While at Windows, she founded the Walls2Windows program to bring young American Jews on Birthright to Palestinian communities in the West Bank. Since then, Emily has devoted the past five years to a series of research projects that analyze the experiences of travelers from around the world and how their travels to conflict regions may contribute to social movements for peace and social justice. Her current research has been funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), and has been presented at the American Sociological Association, the Middle East Studies Association, the Israel Studies Association, among other annual conferences.

ETIENNE MORRIS

BUSINESS ADVISOR

After working for years in Hospitality Management, Software Product Development, and Luxury Tours, in 2007 Etienne accepted a position of sourcer, and later recruiter, for a small search firm offering concierge-style services specializing in technical and functional roles for Big4 management consulting firms (e.g. Deloitte, IBM Global Services, Accenture) and key positions for select Fortune 150 industry clients. In 2012, she opened her own boutique firm, offering customized recruiting services for businesses and personalized career support for individuals.

Etienne’s company, Morris Recruiting & Consulting is a certified B Corporation, as are many of her clients – MEJDI Tours, SunCommon, Cabot Creamery / Agri Mark. B Corporations have a demonstrable commitment to our world in that their success is measured by their positive impact on people and planet, as well as the more traditional measure of profit. Etienne’s client list also includes Renewable NRG Systems, Inntopia, The Manor, Vermont Bottling Company, as well as engineering, hospitality, cpa, and financial services firms in Vermont and beyond.

When she’s not actively recruiting, she’s likely helping candidates write awesome resumes resulting in them rediscovering and celebrating their skills and experiences, reigniting their job search, giving them confidence to bring their whole selves to interviews, connecting with people authentically and trusting in the power of emotional honesty!

Etienne lives in Stowe, VT with her husband, two kids (one in high school, one on a gap year in southeast Asia), two crazy little dogs, Blizzard and Tini, surrounded by the friends, family and mountains she deeply loves.

KENDRA HAYDEN

BUSINESS ADVISOR

Prior to starting her own business, Kendra spent several years providing consulting services both at a management consulting firm and as a part of Fortune 500 companies. She is an experienced leader having worked extensively in business development, strategy, big data, loyalty, lodging, professional services and more.

Kendra holds an MBA from the Amos Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth and a BA from the University of Pennsylvania.

OFRI BRENER

BUSINESS ADVISOR

Currently director of business consulting for the Partnership Development Group-an organization dedicated to helping disabled entrepreneurs develop business plans, apply for funding, and achieve their dreams of financial independence through business ownership-Ofri previously worked as a business consultant for Israeli-based business technology consulting firm Strauss Strategy. He received his MBA and a B.S. in information systems management from the University of Connecticut School of Business.

JEFF WAXMAN

BUSINESS ADVISOR

All have been successfully re invigorated and sold with profitable exits for investors and employees. In addition, Waxman has served on multiple Boards of Directors for companies in various industries.

REVEREND DR. MAE ELISE CANNON

CHIEF ADVISOR FOR CHRISTIAN ENGAGEMENT

She is the author of Social Justice Handbook: Small Steps for a Better World (IVP, 2009), which won the 2010 Outreach Magazine Resource of the Year Award in the category of justice. She is also the author of Just Spirituality: How Faith Practices Fuel Social Action (IVP 2013) and co-author of Forgive Us: Confessions of a Compromised Faith (Zondervan, 2014). Cannon hols an MDiv from North Park Theological Seminary, an MBA from North Park University’s School of Business an Nonprofit Management, and an MA in bioethics from Trinity International University. She received her doctorate in American History with the minor in Middle Eastern studies at the University of California (Davis) focusing on the history of the American Protestant church in Israel and Palestine.

Cannon began her work in the Middle East in 2009. She left the Holy Land with a strong conviction that American Christians have a significant role to play in being peacemakers contributing to the end of the ongoing violence in the region. In 2010-2011, Mae lived in Jerusalem and worked extensively in areas of reconciliation and justice in Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, and Egypt in an attempt to bridge the gap between American Christians and the Christian community in the Middle East. Her several publications about the Conflict including Mischief Making in Palestine: American Protestant Involvement in the Holy Land from 1917 to Today and several other papers and articles have been presented at the American Academy of Religion regional and other annual conferences. Her work has been highlighted by the Chicago Tribune, Christianity Today, Leadership Magazine, The Christian Post, Jerusalem Post, EU Parliament Magazine, and Huffington Post. In 2014-2015, she also served on the State Department working group focusing on the role religion can play in a global conflict mitigation.

EMILY SCHNEIDER

RESEARCH ADVISOR

Her passion for tourism as a tool for social change began in 2008, when she took a tour of East Jerusalem with a Palestinian tour guide who completely changed the way she understood the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. After this experience, Emily spent four years living in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, where she worked for a variety of NGOs committed to human rights and a just peace between Israelis and Palestinians. Before returning to the US to complete her Ph.D. in Sociology, she worked for several years at a joint Israeli-Palestinian NGO, Windows- Channels for Communication. While at Windows, she founded the Walls2Windows program to bring young American Jews on Birthright to Palestinian communities in the West Bank. Since then, Emily has devoted the past five years to a series of research projects that analyze the experiences of travelers from around the world and how their travels to conflict regions may contribute to social movements for peace and social justice. Her current research has been funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), and has been presented at the American Sociological Association, the Middle East Studies Association, the Israel Studies Association, among other annual conferences.

ETIENNE MORRIS

BUSINESS ADVISOR

After working for years in Hospitality Management, Software Product Development, and Luxury Tours, in 2007 Etienne accepted a position of sourcer, and later recruiter, for a small search firm offering concierge-style services specializing in technical and functional roles for Big4 management consulting firms (e.g. Deloitte, IBM Global Services, Accenture) and key positions for select Fortune 150 industry clients. In 2012, she opened her own boutique firm, offering customized recruiting services for businesses and personalized career support for individuals.

Etienne’s company, Morris Recruiting & Consulting is a certified B Corporation, as are many of her clients – MEJDI Tours, SunCommon, Cabot Creamery / Agri Mark. B Corporations have a demonstrable commitment to our world in that their success is measured by their positive impact on people and planet, as well as the more traditional measure of profit. Etienne’s client list also includes Renewable NRG Systems, Inntopia, The Manor, Vermont Bottling Company, as well as engineering, hospitality, cpa, and financial services firms in Vermont and beyond.

When she’s not actively recruiting, she’s likely helping candidates write awesome resumes resulting in them rediscovering and celebrating their skills and experiences, reigniting their job search, giving them confidence to bring their whole selves to interviews, connecting with people authentically and trusting in the power of emotional honesty!

Etienne lives in Stowe, VT with her husband, two kids (one in high school, one on a gap year in southeast Asia), two crazy little dogs, Blizzard and Tini, surrounded by the friends, family and mountains she deeply loves.

Thank you to former operational staff and interns!

Shira Nesher Tzur, Hadas Talmon, Elad Vazana, Haley Douglass, Danielle DiVerde, Abby Kirschbaum, Valerie Gottschalk, Anne Bauer, Frida Hansum, Talia Salem, Rishona Shaul Fine, Roni Felsen, Olivia Hazlett, Mariane Hosh, Bianca D’Aquino, Pauline Burger, Muneer Awad, Ally Collender, Erin Whaley, and Helene Forstner.