Sir Rateb Y. Rabie, KCHS

Sir Rateb Y. Rabie, KCHS, is Palestinian Christian. an accomplished social entrepreneur, he has dedicated his life to peace and justice. He is dedicated to peace and justice, and to creating a new type of transformational leadership that addresses critical social needs and advances innovation, equality, and societal wellbeing.

Sir Rateb is founder, President/CEO of the Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation (HCEF), https://hcef.org/, founder and President/CEO of the Know Thy Heritage (KTH) https://kthps.org/ , and co-Founder and Chair of the Board of the Jerusalem Peace Institute (JPI). https://www.jerusalem-pi.org/. Born in Amman, Jordan to Palestinian parents, he is Chairman of the U.S. Muslim Christian Coalition, co-founder and past national president of the Birzeit Society. He is also a Knight Commander of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher an honor from the Vatican. He is recipient of the Faith and Tolerance Award from the Arab American Anti-Discrimination Committee. Sir Rateb is committed to peace and justice in Palestine and to improving the living conditions for Palestinian Christians in their homeland, preserving Palestine’s Christian heritage, and strengthening the identity of Palestinians in the Diaspora.

Odette Yidi

Odette Yidi, a Palestinian creative cultural producer based in Colombia, is a dedicated educator and published researcher exploring the historical and contemporary connections between Latin America, the Arab world, and the Arab-Latin diaspora, with a focus on Palestine and its diaspora. In 2015, she participated in the Know Thy Heritage (KTH) Delegation and later served as the Museum Curator at the Holy Land Christin Ecumenical Foundation (HCEF)’s Bethlehem Museum from August to October of the same year.

Her diverse professional background includes roles in national and local governments in Colombia, cultural management and consulting, teaching social sciences at the undergraduate level, and grassroots organizing within the Palestinian community in Colombia. Odette holds a BA in International Affairs from Universidad del Norte and an MA in Near and Middle Eastern Studies from SOAS, University of London, specializing in Modern Palestinian Literature.

Passionate about fostering intercultural and interreligious dialogue, she is actively involved in promoting social development in Palestine.

Moe Iftaiha

Moe Iftaiha, a partner at Strategic Capital Advisors, a distinguished wealth management firm, boasts a remarkable track record of overseeing Assets Under Management exceeding $580 Million. With an extensive career spanning over two decades, Moe specializes in asset management, comprehensive individual financial planning, and small business retirement planning.

In 2011, Moe was among the pioneers to join Know Thy Heritage (KTH) on their inaugural trip to Palestine. Leading the initial group of delegates three times, he has maintained active involvement with KTH, serving in various capacities, including group leader, advocate, and board member for the past six years.

Fueled by his dedication to supporting Palestine, Moe played a key role in founding Peleset Angels, a non-profit organization dedicated to bridging the funding gap for Palestinian start-up businesses. Through Peleset Angels, Moe strives to provide essential resources for these businesses, enabling them to thrive and achieve success.

Ala Alaeddin

Ala Alaeddin is a prominent figure in the Palestinian tech sector, serving as the executive director and founder of InterTech Company. Holding a Master’s Degree in Computer Science and a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology, he brings over 25 years of expertise in IT Management, Consultation, and Web Design. Alaeddin has a track record of entrepreneurial success, having founded and chaired startups like Nmotion and giftstopalestine.com. Currently, he holds a pivotal role as the vice chairperson and founder of the Palestine India Technopark (PTT), contributing to its establishment in 2016. Recently, Alaeddin launched the Palestine Diaspora Network at the Technopark, creating a global community of Palestinian professionals dedicated to empowering Palestine through knowledge and expertise, even during periods of instability. In addition to his corporate endeavors, Alaeddin actively participated in founding institutions like Palestine IT Associations (PITA) and Palestine ICT Incubator (PICTI). Serving as Chairman of the Board for PITA and PICTI from 2007 to 2011, he demonstrates unwavering commitment to advancing technology and innovation in Palestine, with board memberships in national organizations underscoring his dedication to the tech sector and broader economic initiatives.

Reem Eldabagh

Reem Eldabagh, a Scientist and former Professor, currently holds the position of Chair on the KTH Shadow Board of Directors and is an alumna of KTH 2023. With a master’s degree in Materials Chemistry and dual Bachelor’s degrees in Biology and Chemistry, along with a Minor in French, she brings a diverse academic background to her role. Residing in NJ, USA, Reem hails from Gaza and Al-Quds (Jerusalem).

Naya Aldias

Naya Aldias is a seasoned professional with 15 years of experience in the luxury goods sector, currently holding the position of Vice President and Retail Executive in New York. Her expertise lies in building global brand image and driving success in fast-paced competitive retail environments. Naya has demonstrated her skills in product innovation and in-store design, contributing significantly to the growth and prominence of the brands she has been associated with.

Naya’s background is both diverse and international. Her family hails from Deir Dibwan, Palestine, and Porto Alegre, Brazil. She was born in Clifton, NJ and is currently residing in Hudson County. Naya brings a rich cultural heritage to her professional endeavors. Notably, Naya is a Know Thy Heritage (KTH) 2013 Alumni, showcasing her commitment to values such as liberty, equality, and human rights for all peoples. Her dedication extends to inclusivity, particularly advocating for the rights of Palestinians.

With a track record of success and a deep-rooted commitment to social values, Naya Aldias stands as a testament to the fusion of professional excellence and a global perspective.

Mohammed Zayid

Mohammed Zayid, a Software Engineer from Fairfax, VA, is a Palestinian American dedicated to the advancement of Palestine. As a member of the upcoming KTH 2024 delegation to Palestine, he is committed to contributing to the betterment of the Palestinian people. Mohammed’s family roots trace back to Bait Nuba & Abu Dis in Palestine.

Nisreen Musleh

The Founder and Managing Director of RITAJ Managerial Solutions www.ritajms.com in Ramallah. She led RITAJ into a market leader in professional training management and translation services. Holder of a Master’s Degree in American Studies, a BA in English Education, and completed the Business Executive Program at Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA, which led her to be a Human Resources Fellow at Coca-Cola Headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

As for her engagement with the community, Nisreen has various activities as a mentor, being sought by organizations and individuals. She mentors entrepreneurs and professionals on start-up businesses, business development as well as on career path guidance. The most recent mentoring engagements were with the 2018 Hult Prize Palestine, Future Entrepreneurs and Leaders in Innovation and Technology (FUEL-IT) and Palestine Mentoring Walk and Talk.

Further in 2019, she launched an initiative titled She’s Got Answers and she supervised the production of ebook for Palestinian startups named Q&A on the Business Scene in the Eyes of Palestinian Mentors and Mentees.

Nisreen is a sought-after businesswoman leader who regularly coaches emerging entrepreneurs in developing their businesses and professional skills as well as being a leading trainer herself. She has been recognized both locally and globally and currently serves on the boards of the Palestinian Trainers’ Association (PTA) and Americans for a Vibrant Palestinian Economy (AVPE) while completed a full term as a Board Member of the Arab Islamic Bank (AIB).

An ardent traveler, Nisreen attributes her broadened horizon and cross-cultural understanding to her global traveling experiences.
“Without observing with purpose, one’s actions are bound to be misplaced and irrelevant; observe with purpose if you desire to act with impact.”

Shatha Rehan

Shatha Rehan serves as a Project Coordinator at Sharek Youth Forum, a non-profit organization (https://sharek.ps/). As a dedicated Palestinian youth activist from Tulkarm, Shatha is passionate about fostering sustainable impact. She envisions empowering the youth to be the architects of their destinies, contributing to the creation of a prosperous and inclusive future aligned with Sharek’s vision. Shatha holds a bachelor’s degree in English Language from Birzeit University. Amidst the current challenges, she actively coordinates local humanitarian interventions to support affected communities during times of crisis.