Ammar W, Alkhafaji, MD - Chairman
Dr. Ammar Alkhafaji is a distinguished physician, entrepreneur, and international business leader whose work bridges the United States and the Middle East. He serves as Principal of Veritas Limited, a multifaceted umbrella company with strategic holdings across the healthcare, hospital infrastructure, pharmaceutical manufacturing, energy, and industrial development sectors in both the MENA region and the United States. He is also Principal of W Investors Group, a diversified real estate and investment enterprise headquartered in Southfield, Michigan, with a portfolio that spans large-scale residential, commercial, and medical developments.
A board-certified Internal Medicine physician, Dr. Alkhafaji integrates his medical expertise into visionary investment strategies that promote the advancement of healthcare delivery and infrastructure. He has led initiatives to establish modern diagnostic laboratories, telehealth systems, and integrated medical facilities designed to expand access to high-quality care and introduce American standards of medicine and management into international markets.
As Chairman of the Iraqi American Chamber of Commerce (IACC), Dr. Alkhafaji plays a pivotal role in strengthening economic ties between the United States and Iraq, fostering partnerships between American corporations and Iraqi ministries, and facilitating major bilateral trade and investment projects. Under his leadership, the Chamber has become a central platform for advancing U.S.–Iraq cooperation across vital sectors including healthcare, energy, construction, and industrial manufacturing.
Through his leadership at Veritas, W Investors Group, and IACC, Dr. Alkhafaji continues to spearhead efforts to modernize Iraq’s healthcare and industrial ecosystems, attract U.S. capital and technology, and promote sustainable, large-scale development that bridges both nations’ economic and strategic interests. His work reflects a deep commitment to creating enduring partnerships that drive regional growth, stability, and innovation.
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.
Randa Fahmy
An internationally recognized expert in global government affairs, energy policy and national security, Randa Fahmy has more than 35 years of legal and public policy experience, including service in the Executive and Legislative branches of the United States Government. Presently, Randa is President of Fahmy Hudome International (FHI), a strategic consulting firm, which provides critical advice and counsel to international and domestic clientele with an interest in international business transactions, global government affairs, and energy policy. Previously, she was appointed by President George W. Bush as the U.S. Associate Deputy Secretary of Energy, served as Counselor to United States Senator Spencer Abraham (R-MI), and practiced as an attorney with the law firm of Willkie, Farr and Gallagher. Ms. Fahmy's opinions on international diplomacy and energy policy have been published in the Wall Street Journal and New York Times, and she appears frequently as an expert analyst on energy and national security issues on NBC, MSNBC, Fox News, CNN, BBC. She received her Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center and her B.A. summa cum laude from Wilkes University.
Randa has been appointed on several boards including The United States Secretary of Energy Advisory Board, and The United States Department of State Advisory Committee on International Economic Policy.
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
Dalia Kejbou
Mrs. Kejbou is an accomplished immigration attorney with over 25 years of legal experience, she has built a distinguished career representing individuals, families, and organizations in complex immigration, cultural, and business matters throughout the United States and the Middle East.
She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Oakland University and her Juris Doctorate from Wayne State University Law School. She is a proud member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and currently serves on the State Bar of Michigan’s Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee. Throughout her career, Mrs. Kejbou has become a trusted legal advisor to many Middle Eastern artists, cultural institutions, and entertainment organizations, securing U.S. performance visas (including P-3 cultural and O-1 extraordinary ability petitions) for talent from Iraq, Lebanon, Egypt, and across the Arab world. Her work has helped foster international cultural exchange and provide new opportunities for artists to share their heritage on global stages. In addition to her extensive family and humanitarian immigration practice, Mrs. Kejbou represents numerous entrepreneurs, investors, and business owners seeking to expand operations in the United States through E-2 treaty investor, EB-5 immigrant investor, and L-1 multinational executive visa programs. She regularly counsels U.S. and Middle Eastern businesses on legal strategies for establishing U.S. presence, investment structures, and visa compliance.
Deeply committed to community service, Mrs. Kejbou serves on the Board of Directors of Shenandoah Country Club, and previously served as an Executive Board Member for the Chaldean American Ladies of Charity. In addition, she is a co-founder and Board Member of The Dianna Rasha Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting women undergoing breast cancer treatment.
A native of Baghdad, Iraq, Mrs. Kejbou brings a unique global perspective to her practice. She is currently expanding her professional reach with the establishment of a new office in Baghdad, aimed at serving clients across the Middle East and strengthening legal and cultural ties between Iraq and the United States.
Ms. Kejbou’s professional and philanthropic work reflect her lifelong commitment to advocacy, cross-cultural understanding, and community empowerment. She now brings this experience and vision to her role as a Board Member of the Iraqi American Chamber of Commerce.
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