Ammar Abdulhamid, President, IamSyria.org
Ammar Abdulhamid is a leading Syrian human rights and pro-democracy activist and author. An FDD fellow and member of FDD’s Syria Working Group, Mr. Abdulhamid is also the founder and director of the Tharwa Foundation, a grassroots organization that works to break the Assad government’s information blockade by enlisting a cadre of local activists and citizen journalists to report on sociopolitical issues in Syria. The activities of the Tharwa team in Syria have served to galvanize grassroots support and generate enthusiasm for change even as the Syrian government continues its crackdown against its opponents.
As a result of his activities and writings, the New York Times recognized Mr. Abdulhamid as “one of the important voices articulating the rising generation’s disenchantment” with the current Syrian Regime, while Newsweek magazine named him as one of the "most influential personalities" in the contemporary Arab World. Mr. Abdulhamid has briefed the President of the United States, testified in front of the U.S. Congress and appears often as an expert commentator in various news media.
Prior to founding the Tharwa Foundation, Mr. Abdulhamid served as a fellow with the Saban Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institute, and he was a co-founder of Hands Across the Mideast Support Alliance (HAMSA), an initiative to mobilize international grassroots support for democracy activists in the Middle East. In 2003, Mr. Abdulhamid, in partnership with his wife, Khawla Yusuf, herself an activist, established DarEmar, an independent publishing house dedicated to raising the standards of civic awareness in the Arab World. Together, Mr. Abdulhamid and Ms. Yusuf gathered a following as leading dissidents and advocates for the rights of the disenfranchised and minorities. In September of 2005, in response to their vocal criticism and increasing influence and visibility, the Syrian government forced Mr. Abdulhamid and Ms. Yusuf into exile. They now live in Maryland, along with their two children.
As a result of his activities and writings, the New York Times recognized Mr. Abdulhamid as “one of the important voices articulating the rising generation’s disenchantment” with the current Syrian Regime, while Newsweek magazine named him as one of the "most influential personalities" in the contemporary Arab World. Mr. Abdulhamid has briefed the President of the United States, testified in front of the U.S. Congress and appears often as an expert commentator in various news media.
Prior to founding the Tharwa Foundation, Mr. Abdulhamid served as a fellow with the Saban Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institute, and he was a co-founder of Hands Across the Mideast Support Alliance (HAMSA), an initiative to mobilize international grassroots support for democracy activists in the Middle East. In 2003, Mr. Abdulhamid, in partnership with his wife, Khawla Yusuf, herself an activist, established DarEmar, an independent publishing house dedicated to raising the standards of civic awareness in the Arab World. Together, Mr. Abdulhamid and Ms. Yusuf gathered a following as leading dissidents and advocates for the rights of the disenfranchised and minorities. In September of 2005, in response to their vocal criticism and increasing influence and visibility, the Syrian government forced Mr. Abdulhamid and Ms. Yusuf into exile. They now live in Maryland, along with their two children.
Winnie Romeril, American Red Cross
Romeril wears many hats at the Red Cross and is involved with the volunteer-led organization at local, state, national and international levels. She is a DAT team member for the Greater Steuben Chapter, the Public Affairs Lead for the NY State Disaster Response Team, an International Humanitarian Law Instructor for the American Red Cross, and a member of the organization’s Rapid Response Team for international disasters, among other roles.
She has been deployed to assist with Red Cross efforts in Haiti, Mexico, Sri Lanka, Switzerland and Washington D.C.. "When you’re in the disaster zone, you feel cut off, you feel isolated," she said. "You wonder if people really know how bad it is and how much people need help." Romeril says of her involvement with the Red Cross. "People think it’s such an unusual quality, but when you get into the Red Cross, you realize that it is the norm. People wanting to help people – it’s what we do.”
Romeril works full time as a flight paramedic for Mercy Flight Central in Canadaigua NY.
She has been deployed to assist with Red Cross efforts in Haiti, Mexico, Sri Lanka, Switzerland and Washington D.C.. "When you’re in the disaster zone, you feel cut off, you feel isolated," she said. "You wonder if people really know how bad it is and how much people need help." Romeril says of her involvement with the Red Cross. "People think it’s such an unusual quality, but when you get into the Red Cross, you realize that it is the norm. People wanting to help people – it’s what we do.”
Romeril works full time as a flight paramedic for Mercy Flight Central in Canadaigua NY.
Kathy Burch, Assistant Executive Director, American Red Cross of Southwestern New York
Ms. Burch has been with the American Red Cross for nearly 25 years. Currently, she serves as the Assistant Executive Director for the Chapter. Kathy will present the Exploring Humanitarian Law program to attendees. She recently attended additional EHL training at the American Red Cross National Headquarters in Washington, DC, where she received certification as a Master EHL Educator. Kathy has also served on the boards of the Girl Scouts of Western New York and Family Services of Chautauqua County.