Ammar W, Alkhafaji, MD - Chairman
Dr. Alkhafaji is a seasoned principal at Veritas Limited, a multifaceted umbrella company with holdings spreading across multiple sectors in both the MENA region and the United Stated.
Dr. Alkhafaji is also principal of W Investors Group, a multifaceted family-owned real estate acquisition and development company headquartered in Southfield, Michigan. With a robust background in both real estate and medicine, Dr. Alkhafaji has successfully led significant developments, including a 49-unit condominium project in West Bloomfield and a mixed-use development in White Lake featuring 83 luxury urban apartments, underground parking, and over 15,000 square feet of retail space. Notable tenants of this project include Tim Hortons, Bank of America, and Taco Bell. The White Lake project, in particular, showcased his ability to overcome severe contamination issues through effective remediation.
Dr. Alkhafaji’s medical expertise as an Internal Medicine physician has uniquely positioned him to expand W Investors Group’s portfolio into the healthcare sector. He has spearheaded the construction of two state-of-the-art COVID testing labs in Southfield and Waterford, MI. Under his leadership, the company currently has over 1,000 apartment units and hundreds of thousands of square feet of retail and medical office space in development.
Dr. Alkhafaji’s achievements extend beyond real estate and healthcare. He has been recognized as one of Crain’s Detroit Business “20 in Their Twenties” for 2021. He holds a BS in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience from the University of Michigan and a Medical Doctorate from the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine. He practices as an Internal Medicine physician, operating multiple multidisciplinary medical practices in Michigan, and is affiliated with Garden City Hospital and Ascension Providence Hospital.
Expanding his influence into the MENA region, Dr. Alkhafaji has initiated ventures that bridge his expertise in real estate and healthcare, contributing to the development and modernization of infrastructure in these areas. His diverse and expansive career continues to drive significant growth and innovation across multiple sectors.
Rudi Yaldo
Mr. Yaldo is a prominent real estate developer with a distinguished career in both the United States and the Middle East, including Iraq and the UAE. Known for his strategic vision and innovative approach, Rudi has played a pivotal role in shaping the real estate landscapes in these regions. His expertise spans residential, commercial, and mixed-use developments, making him a key figure in the industry.
In addition to his real estate ventures, Rudi Yaldo has substantial experience in the Oil and Energy sector operating in Iraq, contributing to the region’s economic growth and industry advancement. Rudi’s diverse portfolio and commitment to excellence have solidified his reputation as a leading entrepreneur and influential business figure in multiple sectors.
Mike McClain, ChFC, MBA
1998-Present: Original Shareholder of Hantz Group, a Financial Services company based in Southfield Michigan. Served as a Senior Leader of the company during its start-up (1998-2005) before focusing exclusively on his own personal practice (2005-Present), which focuses primarily on Asset Management, Risk Management, Tax Services and Estate Planning for individual clients. Hantz Financial is a regional firm based primarily in Michigan with over 20 offices, 700 employees and $15 Billion of assets under management. 1991-1998 Prior to Hantz Financial Services, Mike worked at American Express Financial Advisors. Initially Mike was an advisor and later became a Managing Principal overseeing the development of new advisors as well as oversight and leadership of the entire 40 person office at American Express Financial Advisors in Troy Michigan and Auburn Hills. Bachelors Degree from Albion College, 1991. MBA from Northwood University in 2012
Victoria J. Taylor
Victoria J. Taylor is director of the Iraq Initiative in the Atlantic Council’s Middle East program. A national security leader with over two decades of experience in the Middle East and Europe, she led large interagency teams and advanced U.S. economic and national security interests as a Deputy Assistant Secretary, Deputy Chief of Mission, and at the White House National Security Council.
Prior to joining the Council, Taylor served as a career Senior Foreign Service Officer with the rank of Minister Counselor. She served most recently as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Iraq and Iran in the State Department’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, where she advised senior State Department leaders on Iraq and Iran in the aftermath of the Gaza conflict. She was the Director for North African Affairs from 2021 to 2023 and the Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Croatia from 2018 to 2021. She has served as the Deputy Director for Western Europe in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs and as the Director for Balkans, Caucasus, and Black Sea Affairs at the National Security Council, where advanced Montenegro’s NATO accession and strengthened U.S. defense cooperation with Georgia. Other Washington assignments include positions in the Office of Iranian Affairs, on the Turkey Desk in the Office of Southern European Affairs, and as an International Affairs Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. Taylor has served overseas at U.S. Embassies in Georgia, Tunisia, and Pakistan, as well as at the U.S. Consulate in Lahore, Pakistan.
Taylor hails from Springfield, Missouri. She holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations and diplomatic history from the University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in development studies from the London School of Economics and Political Science. She speaks French, Mandarin, Russian, and Urdu. She served as Chair of the American International School of Zagreb’s Board of Trustees from 2019-2021. She is member of the Council of Foreign Relations. She has been featured on BBC, CNN, Al Sharqiya, Iran International and other international media outlets.
Amir Alkhafaji
Dr. Al-Khafaji founded the CETI in 2002. The CETI is focused on building partnerships with universities and scholars, business executives, government officials and elected leaders from across the globe to solve common problems facing infrastructure. Executives and leaders from more than 40 countries have participated in CETI initiatives. These include scholars from the UK, Germany, China, India, and 12 ministers including the prime minister of Egypt, Governor Pat Quinn, Senate President John Cullerton and more than 200 CEOs of some of the largest companies in the world. Major CETI initiatives continue to impact BU students, faculty members, and business communities cross Illinois, USA, and the world. Below is a partial list.
- nternational Construction Innovations Conference
- Innovations in Construction, Asphalt and Transportation (http://icat.bradley.edu/)
- The Annual Executive Summit limited to 56 executives
- The Annual Heartland Sustainability Award
- The Annual Ed Rapp Leadership in Action Award
- he Annual Sawyer Diversity Award
- The Sustainable Funding of Infrastructure Group ($FIG)
- Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Focus Board