Biz Kimiz

A seasoned humanitarian, a community leader, and a business executive. Over the past 30 years, Ghassan built and led several civic society, humanitarian and community development initiatives, and businesses in both the United States and Turkiye. Before fully dedicating his career to the Syrian cause, Ghassan was the Executive Vice President at Inovar Technologies, a midsize telecommunications solutions provider, and the chairman of Brighter Horizon educational academy in Dallas. In 2013 Ghassan co-founded and became the CEO of the Syrian Forum where he continues to lead comprehensive economic, educational and governance initiatives focusing on critical relief and the long-term development of Syrians. Ghassan holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Mathematics and a Master’s in Business Administration from Indiana Purdue University.

A seasoned lawyer and social and business entrepreneur. Yaser served as the chairman of the American Relief Coalition for Syria, a coalition of 11 US-based organizations that provide relief, support, and development to Syrians across the globe. Yaser co-founded the Syrian Forum and has handled it strategy development since its inception. Prior to that Yaser focused on international human rights law and worked with the International Bar Association to support judicial and legal reform in Syria and Iraq. He also taught courses related to public international law at the University of Kalamoon in Damascus. He is a frequent media contributor and commentator on issues related to the crisis in Syria. Yaser commenced his public interest career in advocacy for Arab and Muslim American rights where he co-founded the Chicago chapter of CAIR, a national civil rights organization and Project Mobilize, a political platform that ran many local candidates in the US. Yaser attended the University of Illinois, earning a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Economics. In 2002, he earned a Juris Doctor degree from DePaul University College of Law.

An seasoned academic and a community organizer. Ammar currently serves as Executive Director of Omran for Strategic Studies, a policy research center focused on Syrian affairs. He also supports the organization as a political analyst and strategic advisor. Before co-founding the Syrian Forum, Ammar served as a research manager at Strategic Research and Communication Center in London, where he published several policy papers on Syrian affairs. Ammar also worked as an assistant instructor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Prior to that Ammar served as Executive Director of an Arab and Muslim community center in California, where he managed programs for at-risk youth and teachers. Ammar earned his Ph.D. from UCLA after attaining his masters and bachelors degrees from the University of Jordan.

Sinan Hatahet is a French Syrian researcher and vice president for investment and social impact at the Syrian Forum. He is also a nonresident senior fellow for the Syria Project at the Atlantic Council’s Middle East Programs. With a Ph.D. in network security from the University of Technology of Compiègne, Sinan brings a unique technical perspective to his research on Syria’s political and war economy. His work spans local governance, regional security, and the role of philanthropy in conflict. He has held research roles at the European University Institute, Sharq Forum, and the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies, where he led the History of the Syrian Revolution Archive. His publications provide in-depth analysis of Syria.