22-24 AUGUST 2021

Brian Grim

Brian is founding president of the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation. Brian is the world’s leading expert on the relationship between religious freedom and the economy.

Full CV

Brian holds a doctorate in quantitative sociology from Penn State and is author of scores of academic articles and books. He is former chair of the World Economic Forum’s global council on the role of faith and a speaker at Davos. Brian was previously a senior researcher and director of international data at the Pew Research Center in Washington, DC. He lived and worked in China, Central Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the former USSR, where he was instrumental in setting up the first western-style business school in the Soviet Union, which was dissolved in his office building.

Brian’s recent widely reported research finds that religion contributes $1.2 trillion to the U.S. economy annually, more than the combined revenues of the top 10 technology U.S. companies including Apple, Amazon and Google.

Brian also supports and works closely with the “Business for Peace” platform of the United Nations Global Compact. He is also a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and a regular speaker at the annual Forum on Workplace Inclusion.

Ban Ki Moon

Former UN Scretary General.

Yukio Hatoyama

Former Japanese Prime Minister.

Brian Grim

Brian is founding president of the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation. Brian is the world’s leading expert on the relationship between religious freedom and the economy.

Full CV

Brian holds a doctorate in quantitative sociology from Penn State and is author of scores of academic articles and books. He is former chair of the World Economic Forum’s global council on the role of faith and a speaker at Davos. Brian was previously a senior researcher and director of international data at the Pew Research Center in Washington, DC. He lived and worked in China, Central Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the former USSR, where he was instrumental in setting up the first western-style business school in the Soviet Union, which was dissolved in his office building.

Brian’s recent widely reported research finds that religion contributes $1.2 trillion to the U.S. economy annually, more than the combined revenues of the top 10 technology U.S. companies including Apple, Amazon and Google.

Brian also supports and works closely with the “Business for Peace” platform of the United Nations Global Compact. He is also a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and a regular speaker at the annual Forum on Workplace Inclusion.

Kenichi Shinagawa

Ambassador Suzan Johnson Cook

The Hon. Suzan Johnson Cook (Ambassador Sujay) is owner of Charisma Speakers and founder of the Global Black Women's Chamber of Commerce. Nominated by Secretary Hillary Clinton and appointed by President Barack Obama, she was the third U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, becoming the first woman, first African American and first faith leader to hold this post. Previously, she was the first female chaplain for the New York City Police Department, where she served 21 years and was on the frontlines Sept. 11. She was a founding member of A Partnership of Faith, served as a senior parish pastor for three New York City congregations and was the first female president of the historic Hampton University Ministers Conference, the largest conference of African-American clergy in the world.

Brian Grim

Brian is founding president of the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation. Brian is the world’s leading expert on the relationship between religious freedom and the economy.

Full CV

Brian holds a doctorate in quantitative sociology from Penn State and is author of scores of academic articles and books. He is former chair of the World Economic Forum’s global council on the role of faith and a speaker at Davos. Brian was previously a senior researcher and director of international data at the Pew Research Center in Washington, DC. He lived and worked in China, Central Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the former USSR, where he was instrumental in setting up the first western-style business school in the Soviet Union, which was dissolved in his office building.

Brian’s recent widely reported research finds that religion contributes $1.2 trillion to the U.S. economy annually, more than the combined revenues of the top 10 technology U.S. companies including Apple, Amazon and Google.

Brian also supports and works closely with the “Business for Peace” platform of the United Nations Global Compact. He is also a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and a regular speaker at the annual Forum on Workplace Inclusion.

Dr. Ahmed Shaheed

Dr. Ahmed Shaheed, Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief Dr. Ahmed Shaheed assumed his mandate as Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief on 1 November 2016. Dr. Shaheed is Deputy Director of the Essex Human Rights Centre. He was the first Special Rapporteur of the Human Rights Council on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran since the termination of the previous Commission on Human Rights mandate in 2002. A career diplomat, he has twice held the office of Minister of Foreign Affairs of Maldives. He led Maldives' efforts to embrace international human rights standards between 2003 and 2011. In 2015, Dr. Shaheed won the UN Foundation Leo Nevas Human Rights (Global Leadership) Award. In 2010, he was granted a Presidential Medal of Gratitude by Albania and in 2009, he was recognized as the Muslim Democrat of the Year by the Centre for the Study of Islam and Democracy.

Brian Grim

Brian is founding president of the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation. Brian is the world’s leading expert on the relationship between religious freedom and the economy.

Full CV

Brian holds a doctorate in quantitative sociology from Penn State and is author of scores of academic articles and books. He is former chair of the World Economic Forum’s global council on the role of faith and a speaker at Davos. Brian was previously a senior researcher and director of international data at the Pew Research Center in Washington, DC. He lived and worked in China, Central Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the former USSR, where he was instrumental in setting up the first western-style business school in the Soviet Union, which was dissolved in his office building.

Brian’s recent widely reported research finds that religion contributes $1.2 trillion to the U.S. economy annually, more than the combined revenues of the top 10 technology U.S. companies including Apple, Amazon and Google.

Brian also supports and works closely with the “Business for Peace” platform of the United Nations Global Compact. He is also a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and a regular speaker at the annual Forum on Workplace Inclusion.

Barbara Phillips

Barbara Phillips is a Founding Member & Global Chair of Google's Inter Belief Network (IBN), Co-Lead of the Google Christian Fellowship chapter (GCF), and Economics Business Partner to Google's Chief Economist. Barbara is passionate about diversity and inclusion in the workplace. She seeks to strengthen employee relations, broaden product inclusion, and amplify the inclusive space by focusing on education, equity, and allyship.

Pari Ibrahim

Ms. Pari Ibrahim is the Founder and Executive Director of the Free Yezidi Foundation (FYF). She is a Yezidi woman originally from Iraq. Ms. Ibrahim fled Iraq with her family in 1991 during the Saddam Hussein regime, eventually settling in the Netherlands. Ms. Ibrahim created the Free Yezidi Foundation to provide support for Yezidi survivors in the aftermath of the Yezidi Genocide perpetrated by ISIS. The Foundation’s fundamental values include women’s rights, justice for gender-based violence and sexual violence, and the rights of ethno-religious minorities. Ms. Ibrahim and FYF have tackled some of the most difficult cases, particularly in defense of Yezidi women.

Ms. Ibrahim seeks an Iraqi society where Yezidis are considered equal and enjoy equal access to opportunity and rights. Similarly, she advocates for women’s empowerment and equal rights for women and girls in Iraq. Ms. Ibrahim is an advocate of heightened attention to and appreciation of gender issues in the Yezidi community, and seeks respect and acknowledgment of women’s rights in the broadest sense.

Shirin Taber

Shirin is Iranian-American and directs Empower Women Media. She is the author of Muslims Next Door and the co-author of Islam and North America. With a background in media and cross-cultural training, Shirin assists multiple organizations in faith-based initiatives. The Los Angeles Times, Detroit Free Press, NYTimes.com, and Christianity Today have featured her writing and work among Muslims and Christians alike. She is a graduate of the University of Washington and is fluent in English, French and Farsi. Currently, she is pursuing a PhD focused on the intersection of women’s rights and religious freedom. shirin@visualstory.org & www.empowerwomen.media.

Nancy Sawyer  Schraeder

Nancy Sawyer Schraeder is the Creative Director of the Empower Women Film Competition. A writer and producer, Nancy scripted MAGDALENA: RELEASED FROM SHAME, a feature film which premiered at the United Nations and has been translated into over 170 languages. She also wrote and produced LIVE WHAT YOU BELIEVE, a media-driven eCourse promoting freedom of belief. PORTIONS, a compelling film she wrote and produced, won Best Short Fiction Film at the World of Women Film Fair in Dubai. Her directorial debut was EQUATIONS, which won 2nd runner up in the Religious Freedom Film Competition.

After graduating Magna cum Laude from Wheaton College, Nancy completed a Master of Professional Writing in Drama/Screenplay at the University of Southern California. A passionate teacher and speaker, she has taught writing and film at universities and at media summits in Los Angeles, Cairo, London, Tunisia and online.

Kathy Ireland

Kathy​ has graced the cover of Forbes Magazine twice (2012, 2016), is listed as the 25th most powerful brand globally by License! Global Magazine and according to Fairchild Publications, Kathy Ireland®​ is one of the 50 most influential people in fashion. The success of kathy​ ireland®​ Worldwide is the result of teamwork and dedication.

Kathy​ and kiWW®​ support many non-profits including: YWCA Greater Los Angeles for which she is an Ambassador, Dream Foundation, Providence Educational Foundation, 911 for Kids/AEF, and the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Kathy is the first-ever National PTA Ambassador for Youth. ​Kathy​ serves as International Youth Chair for the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation, as well as Ambassador for the American Cancer Society. Kathy is​ an Ambassador for the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation.

As a powerful advocate for Israel, Kathy​ has spoken out for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) conference, with global leaders, including; Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Shimon Peres and President Barack Obama. Kathy is a member of WIZO, and is honored by the ADL and the JNF. ​ ​

Pari Ibrahim

Ms. Pari Ibrahim is the Founder and Executive Director of the Free Yezidi Foundation (FYF). She is a Yezidi woman originally from Iraq. Ms. Ibrahim fled Iraq with her family in 1991 during the Saddam Hussein regime, eventually settling in the Netherlands. Ms. Ibrahim created the Free Yezidi Foundation to provide support for Yezidi survivors in the aftermath of the Yezidi Genocide perpetrated by ISIS. The Foundation’s fundamental values include women’s rights, justice for gender-based violence and sexual violence, and the rights of ethno-religious minorities. Ms. Ibrahim and FYF have tackled some of the most difficult cases, particularly in defense of Yezidi women.

Ms. Ibrahim seeks an Iraqi society where Yezidis are considered equal and enjoy equal access to opportunity and rights. Similarly, she advocates for women’s empowerment and equal rights for women and girls in Iraq. Ms. Ibrahim is an advocate of heightened attention to and appreciation of gender issues in the Yezidi community, and seeks respect and acknowledgment of women’s rights in the broadest sense.

Brian Grim

Brian is founding president of the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation. Brian is the world’s leading expert on the relationship between religious freedom and the economy.

Full CV

Brian holds a doctorate in quantitative sociology from Penn State and is author of scores of academic articles and books. He is former chair of the World Economic Forum’s global council on the role of faith and a speaker at Davos. Brian was previously a senior researcher and director of international data at the Pew Research Center in Washington, DC. He lived and worked in China, Central Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the former USSR, where he was instrumental in setting up the first western-style business school in the Soviet Union, which was dissolved in his office building.

Brian’s recent widely reported research finds that religion contributes $1.2 trillion to the U.S. economy annually, more than the combined revenues of the top 10 technology U.S. companies including Apple, Amazon and Google.

Brian also supports and works closely with the “Business for Peace” platform of the United Nations Global Compact. He is also a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and a regular speaker at the annual Forum on Workplace Inclusion.

Brian Grim

Brian is founding president of the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation. Brian is the world’s leading expert on the relationship between religious freedom and the economy.

Full CV

Brian holds a doctorate in quantitative sociology from Penn State and is author of scores of academic articles and books. He is former chair of the World Economic Forum’s global council on the role of faith and a speaker at Davos. Brian was previously a senior researcher and director of international data at the Pew Research Center in Washington, DC. He lived and worked in China, Central Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the former USSR, where he was instrumental in setting up the first western-style business school in the Soviet Union, which was dissolved in his office building.

Brian’s recent widely reported research finds that religion contributes $1.2 trillion to the U.S. economy annually, more than the combined revenues of the top 10 technology U.S. companies including Apple, Amazon and Google.

Brian also supports and works closely with the “Business for Peace” platform of the United Nations Global Compact. He is also a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and a regular speaker at the annual Forum on Workplace Inclusion.

Toshiya Kakiuchi

Toshiya Kakuchi (born April 14, 1989) is a Japanese businessman. He is the founder and president of Mirairo Incorporated. He is also the president of the Japan Universal Manners Association, which provides education and certification in universally applicable manners, with a particular focus on manners regarding persons with disabilities and the elderly. In 2014, he was listed as one of Japan’s 100 Most Influential People by Nikkei Business Publications Inc. Kakiuchi was born in Anjou, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, in 1989. From his early childhood until he entered university he lived in Nakatsugawa, Gifu Prefecture. He began suffering multiple bone fractures from an early age due to the bone condition osteogenesis imperfecta, and has undergone more than fifteen corrective operations. He has used a wheelchair since childhood, and until establishing Mirairo competed in wheelchair racing and wheelchair basketball events. 

Yanagi Masahiro

Sign With Me owner, Tokyo.

Justin Greene

Justin Greene, Accenture’s Membership Lead for their U.S. Persons with Disability (PwD) Employee Resource Group (ERG)

Haseeb Ahmad

Amarjit "Jeet" Singh

Amarjit is EY EMEIA Blockchain Assurance Leader across all industries. His other roles include leading EY teams extended assurance offerings to the Wealth and Asset Management sector. He has worked with a wide range of clients in the financial services arena on variety of assignments from traditional audits to internal control reviews as well as external regulatory investigations for the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) on areas of complex regulatory change. He represents EY at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales (ICAEW) Investment Management Committee as well as at the UK Financial Reporting Council (FRC) and FCA on Client Asset (CASS) matters. Amarjit is an active supporter of the Diversity and Inclusiveness program within the EY organization and is the chair of the EY Sikh Network. How Amarjit is building a better working world “One of my key roles is working with firms that custody trillions of dollars of assets for pensioners and savers across the world. Helping these firms comply with regulation and keep these assets safe is how I help build a better working world.”

Bijal Majithia

Bijal Majithia is a Diversity and Inclusion leader with ten years of Project and Stakeholder Management experience. A strategist and change maker specializing in Culture. A passion to create inclusive and diverse teams that enhance the employee experience, cultivate belonging and drive business growth. Award winning Diversity and Inclusion speaker and staff support network lead for EY with Global experience. Mindfulness and meditation practitioner, podcast presenter and philanthropist. Award winning Diversity and Inclusion speaker and staff support network lead for EY with Global experience. Speaker on diversity and inclusion, mindfulness and meditation and regular speaker on BBC Radio 2’s Pause for Thought, to represent the Hindu voice on topical issues. D&I ambassador for EY, recognized with a Person with Purpose Award, and an Inspiring Role Model Award. Externally recognized by the Women in Finance 2020, by WeAreTheCity as a Rising Star, and featured in the Consultancy UK Top 10 Inspiring Women in Consulting list. Director and founder of Veda London, which shares mindfulness and meditation in the workplace, and a mentor for The Girls Network, which empowers girls from disadvantaged communities. Educator and ambassador for Binti Period working for menstrual education globally.

Dave Law

Dave Law, Thankes Water, is an Analytical Chemist & Ambassador at Transform Work UK

Saqib Shaikh

Saqib Shaikh is a Software Engineering Manager and Project Lead for Seeing AI at Microsoft, with decades of industry experience solving a variety of problems.

His current interest focuses at the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Inclusive Design. How can we create intelligent machines that level the playing field, and enable us all to do more?

Brian Brock

Brian Brock holds a personal Chair in Moral and Practical Theology. He joined the University of Aberdeen in 2004, following postdoctoral studies at the Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nurnberg and a doctorate in Christian ethics at King’s College London. He is originally from Texas.

Brian is the author of Wondrously Wounded: Theology, Disability, and the Body of Christ; Christian Ethics in a Technological Age; and Singing the Ethos of God: On the Place of Christian Ethics in Scripture, along with many other books, edited volumes, and articles: please see the ‘Research’ tab for more details.

Brian spends much of his time teaching master’s and doctoral students. He has successfully supervised more than thirty PhD students to completion, and his many current students form a vibrant community of committed and collaborative international graduate students.

Takumi Matsumoto

Takumi Matsumoto, Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance Co., Ltd. -- Takumi was born in Fukuoka city and graduated from Kyushu Kyoritsu University. He has a congenital hearing loss and started playing soccer in the third grade. He continued to play soccer throughout highschool and college. He chose to compete with physically unimpared people. After graduating from college, he was active both in the top local league in Kyushu and in the deaf soccer team. The first encounter with deaf soccer occured when he was in highschool, when a person working for the Japan Deaf Soccer Association saw him in the supermarket near his highschool and contacted the school. He was selected to be in the Japan National Deaflympic Soccer Team in 2006 and he has been the game captain for fourteen years. From 2016, he is working at Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance Company as well as playing as the goalie of Japan National Deaflympic Soccer Team.

Brian Grim

Brian is founding president of the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation. Brian is the world’s leading expert on the relationship between religious freedom and the economy.

Full CV

Brian holds a doctorate in quantitative sociology from Penn State and is author of scores of academic articles and books. He is former chair of the World Economic Forum’s global council on the role of faith and a speaker at Davos. Brian was previously a senior researcher and director of international data at the Pew Research Center in Washington, DC. He lived and worked in China, Central Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the former USSR, where he was instrumental in setting up the first western-style business school in the Soviet Union, which was dissolved in his office building.

Brian’s recent widely reported research finds that religion contributes $1.2 trillion to the U.S. economy annually, more than the combined revenues of the top 10 technology U.S. companies including Apple, Amazon and Google.

Brian also supports and works closely with the “Business for Peace” platform of the United Nations Global Compact. He is also a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and a regular speaker at the annual Forum on Workplace Inclusion.

Kenichi Shinagawa

Dare to Overcome, National Director, Japan

Ken Taylor

Ken Taylor is  President and CEO of MetaVenture Corporation in Japan. Ken has been a missionary to Japan since 1995 involved in sharing the gospel in Japan through church planting, leadership development, music and innovative ministries, and business as mission. Before becoming a missionary, Ken was a professional musician/entertainer, worked as a Finance Manager for a large real estate corporation and VP of operations for an NPO in the Silicon Valley. Ken has a Bachelor’s degree in Management, a Master’s degree in Ministry and is an ordained minister.

Hiroyasu Itoh

Profile: Mr. Hiroyasu Itoh
• CEO, Abilities Care-net, Inc.
• Chairperson, Japan Abilities Association (NPO)
• Former Vice Chairperson, Subcommittee on Anti-discrimination, in Policy Committee for People with Disabilities (under the National Cabinet Office)
• Chairperson, National Network of Japanese with Disabilities Act (JDA)
• Vice Chairperson, Healthcare Forum Japan (NPO)
• Guest Professor, Wenjing College of Yantai University, China (2015–)
• Guest Professor, Faculty of Human Sciences of Waseda University (2004–2012); Subjects taught: Social Security and Social services.

Honors and Awards Prime Minister‘s Award (Japan), 1987 Prince Henrik’s Medal of Honor (Denmark), 2001 Bachelor of Commerce (Business, Management, Marketing, Related Support Service, Waseda University Commercial Department, 1966

In March 1966, after graduating from Waseda University, Mr. Itoh started the Abilities Movement, establishing Japan Abilities Association. One month later, in this statement, he declared the principle of this movement: “We seek opportunity, not security.“ Two months later, he established a commercial printing company, targeted at employing persons with disabilities. The first 5 employees, who happened to be persons with severe disabilities, assumed leading roles in the company. Today, this company has evolved into Abilities Care-net, Inc., a company in which Mr. Itoh is CEO. For over 50 years, Mr. Itoh has successfully and aggressively employed qualified individuals with physical, learning and developmental disabilities. The company is dedicated to demonstrating that disabled persons can work as effectively and productively as any other person in the workforce.

In 1971, Mr. Itoh submitted a proposal to Mr. Kenzaburo Hara, Japanese Minister of Labor, requesting a reform of the employment law for people with disabilities. This single action created the platform for an official review of the Handicapped/Disabled Persons’ Employment Promotion Act by the national government. In October 1975, the revised Act passed in the Diet; it became effective in April 1976. After extensive preparation begun in 1972, Mr. Itoh’s Abilities company expanded to development, sales, and import business of assistive devices and rehabilitation equipment on July 15, 1974. In November of that year, the Ministry of Health requested that Mr. Itoh develop the Home Care & Rehab International Exhibition. The first exhibition was an overwhelming success. (October 2016 is the exhibition’s 43rd year.) Abilities continues to develop a variety of assistive devices, supporting independent living for people with disabilities, and expanding the worldwide network for distribution of its products.

In 1999, Mr. Itoh initiated the management of healthcare and medical facilities. This included daycare services for the elderly, assisted living homes for the elderly and disabled, and a rehabilitation center and clinic. The United Nations challenged the Japanese government to establish anti-discrimination laws for people with disabilities in September 2001. However, the Japanese government ignored the challenge and did not act. Mr. Itoh’s dedication and enthusiasm for bettering the opportunities for people with disabilities entered a new phase in 2001 with a movement to realize the Japanese with Disabilities Act (JDA), securing basic human rights for all Japanese with disabilities.

He established “National Network of JDA” in cooperation with 12 major organizations for people with disabilities. As executive director, he worked actively and tirelessly to energize the movement, hosting many lectures, a symposium, and open forum. Mr. Itoh invited noted authorities from the United States, to share information about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the relationship between government and services for the elderly. In January 2002, he promoted one of his employees, Mr. Takahiro Kuroiwa, who, in the national election, won a seat in the National Diet. Mr. Kuroiwa has worked to inform and promote understanding of the needs for a JDA, among his colleagues in Parliament. Finally, in November 2009, Mr. Yukio Hatoyama, Prime Minister at the time, recommended the reform of programs for people with disabilities, in three arenas. In only two weeks, the Cabinet approved the establishment of the core group to spearhead the reform, with the Prime Minister as its principal Director. This was the beginning of the work to reform the basic law, to establish the law for comprehensive support, and to establish the anti-discrimination law, all for people with disabilities.

One year later, Mr. Itoh was appointed Vice Chairman of the Subcommittee on Anti-Discrimination at Prime Minister’s Department. And in September 2012, his Subcommittee presented its 90-page report to the Minister of State. In June of the following year, the Anti-Discrimination Law for People with Disabilities unanimously passed in both the House of Representatives and House of Councilors. It became law in April 2016. The Abilities movement celebrated its fiftieth anniversary in April 2016. Abilities Care-net opened a local affiliate office in Taiwan, “Abilities Healthcare Taiwan” in November 2013. Today, Abilities Care-net, Inc. has over 35 sales offices and rental centers for the distribution of rehabilitation and assistive equipment all over Japan. And, it operates 30 rehabilitation and care facilities in Japan. Among its staff of 1,000, individuals with different disabilities work equally, alongside those without disabilities. As the driving force behind the Abilities movement for over 50 years, Mr. Itoh’s passion and enthusiasm were motivated by his own personal experience at the outset his career. His affected lower limb, a result of contracting polio at the age of one year, has little to do with HIS abilities as a businessman, as a visionary, and as an inspiration to so many.

Elham Mahmid Rosin

Elham Mahmid Rosin, 30, born in Um al-Fahem, an Arab Muslim city, is a leading player in the Israeli women's goalball team. She is, in fact, considered one of the founders being the first woman to play Goalball in Israel.

Elham holds a bachelor's degree in education and theater studies from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and a master's degree in psychodrama from the Seminar Hakibutzim. Elham was born with a genetic eye disease (achromatopia), color blindness and a very intense sensitivity to daylight. This disease has no cure. She is aided by the use of special glasses.

Elham was first exposed to goalball game when she was 15 at the blind club in Um al-Fahem. At first, she insisted on playing with the boys, until the Israel Paralympic Committee decided to try and form a girls' team. She was, of course, the first member. A team was built around her, and she was chosen to be the captain of the very new and very young team. For 8 years she led the team as captain to impressive achievements and served as a kind of mother and big sister to the young team members, until they became a like family.

The main achievement of the women national goalball team led by Elham are the 7th place in the 2016 Paralympic games, the silver medal in the 2019 European championship and qualifying to Tokyo Paralympic games. The team was adopted by the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) disabilities organization, and the fact that she is Muslim never came up, not even when the team won first place and Hatikvah (the national anthem) was played, or when she was 'wrapped' in the Israeli flag.

Elham is a role model and inspiration for all. She shares her story through lectures and presentations in front of different Jewish and Arab population for co-existence between all citizens in Israel.

"Elham is a tremendous source of light and hope not just for Israel, but for the entire world," said Brian Grim, chair of the Para-Athlete Peace Prize committee. "Indeed," Grim said, "sometimes it's the ones who are visually impaired who can help the rest of us more clearly see the way forward towards peace."

Kent Johnson, J.D.

Kent Johnson is Senior Corporate Advisor for the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation (RFBF) and a management consultant on religious diversity at work. Kent works with RFBF to help companies adopt and practice best practices regarding religious diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Kent Johnson recently retired from his role as a Senior Counsel at Texas Instruments Incorporated and now serves as a consultant to multinational companies on topics related to religious accommodation and faith in the workplace. Kent helps companies see the appropriate role of religious expression and religious diversity at work, in order to strengthen corporate cultures of trust, mutual respect and organizational effectiveness.

In these times of increasing distrust, fear and discord, he focuses on promoting mutual expression and understanding across religions and groups in ways that strengthen recruitment, engagement, retention, morale, ethics and personal fulfillment.

He is a diplomatic adviser who supports and enables effective strategic partnerships, corporate acquisitions and alliances across cultural boundaries. He is a peacemaker and facilitator, helping companies move beyond “tolerance” to embrace respectful, caring relationships among groups that all too often are thought of as opposed (e.g., evangelicals and employees who embrace other faiths or atheism, groups of widely diverse ethnic, national and racial backgrounds, GLBT employees and working parents).

A passionate advocate of diversity and inclusion, Kent also helps companies in certain jurisdictions navigate their legal obligation to accommodate employees’ religious expression while carefully avoiding any impression of compulsion to participate in or agree with such expressions.

Jim Wellman

James K. Wellman Jr. is Professor and Chair of the Comparative Religion Program in the Jackson School of International Studies at the University of Washington. In 2017, he received a Five-Year Term Professorship in Global Christianity; this professorship supports his recent initiative to create a Center for Global Christian Studies at the Jackson School. His areas of expertise are in American religious culture, history, and politics. He also works on and teaches in religion and international issues, particularly related to religious nationalism, human security, and US foreign policy. Most recently he has developed a program on Cross Cultural Religious Literacy, helping religious traditions to understand and learn from each other across religious traditions as well as those with none. He has received numerous nominations for the Distinguished Teaching Award. Wellman’s publications include an award-winning book, The Gold Coast Church and the Ghetto: Christ and Culture in Mainline Protestantism (Illinois, 1999); edited volumes: Belief and Bloodshed: Religion and Violence Across Time and Tradition (Rowman and Littlefield, 2007), and Religion and Human Security: A Global Perspective (Oxford University Press, 2012). His 2008 monograph, Evangelical vs. Liberal: The Clash of Christian Cultures in the Pacific Northwest (Oxford University Press), received Honorable Mention for the Distinguished Book Award by the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion. In 2012, Wellman published, Rob Bell and the New American Christianity, (Abingdon, 2012). His newest book is High on God: How Megachurches Won the Heart of America, Oxford University Press, 2020. Most recently, Wellman researched and wrote a chapter with Katie Corcoran on Evangelicals and Liberal Protestants in this region, for the upcoming release of Religion at the Edge: Religion, Spirituality and Secularity in the Pacific Northwest, (UBC Press, Vancouver, BC, 2022). Wellman can be followed on twitter at wellman4444.

Chris Seiple

Co-Chair of the IRF Roundtable | President Emeritus Institute for Global Engagement

Ingrid Vanderveldt

Ingrid Vanderveldt (iV) is the Chairman and CEO of Empowering a Billion Women (EBW), EBW Distributors (a division of EBW2020) & Vanderveldt Global Investments. Previously, she was the first Entrepreneur-in-Residence (“EIR”) for Dell Inc. where she oversaw entrepreneurial initiatives worldwide helping to build a $250 million business segment and founded the $125M Dell Innovators Credit Fund, Dell Founders Club, and the Dell Center for Entrepreneurs during her 3-year term. iV is an Emeritus member of United Nations Foundation’s Global Entrepreneurs Council, is a Managing Partner of Vanderveldt Global Investments, and co-founder of The Billionaire Girls Club. She also created and hosted CNBC’s first original primetime series, “American Made,” reaching over 1M viewers around the globe and is a Dell Women’s Entrepreneur Network (DWEN) Member. She is a Global Ambassador and Advocate of Women & Diverse Leaders creating social and economic impact and job creation. She’s the Recipient of the Global Empowerment Award by the Global Business and Interfaith Peace Awards in partnership with the UN. iV has been featured on outlets including NBC, CNBC, FOX, ABC, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Bloomberg, CNN Money, Fortune Magazine, Fast Company, Inc Magazine and Entrepreneur Magazine. She was named one of Oprah’s SuperSoul 100 Global Leaders. She also was ranked #1 Super Connector by Fast Company, is the recipient of the Forbes and Northwestern Mutual Global “Entrepreneur in Excellence Award” and was just named the 100th Champion Celebration for the HearStrong Foundation, recipient of The Global Voice Award, World Women Foundation and The Girl Scouts “Women of Distinction” Award. She holds a Masters in Architecture at the Savannah College of Art & Design and an MBA in Entrepreneurship from UT at Austin.

Sat Bachan Anthony

Sat Bachan Anthony serves as the Chairwoman of the global East-West Tea Company, which operates the largest organic tea labels in 35 countries, including brands Yogi Tea Europe, Yogi, and Choice Organic Tea. She is passionate about the power of opening up economies for religious minorities to participate from her experience as member of a religious minority in the US, creating and running businesses that have employed thousands and thousands of people, the vast majority of whom are not of her faith. Sat Bachan serves as the Chairwoman of the global entity East-West Tea Company, with brands Yogi Tea Europe, Yogi, and Choice Organic Tea. She is also President and founder of Sukhmani Home and Sukhmani Jewelry. With her extensive service in for-profit and non-profit sectors, she believes strongly that service, and goodwill are guiding principles to the success of an organization. She has an unwavering commitment to community service and the overall mission to create prosperity and wealth to uplift our world by aligning our business practice, personal practice, and spiritual practice. Sat Bachan effortlessly combines a mother’s kindness and compassion with the acumen and skills of a CEO. Sat Bachan holds a BA in Business Management. She lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico with her husband, and beautiful son and daughter.

Christina Clark

Christina is the secretary for the Women's CEO IRF Roundtale. Christina is a native of Cannes, France, who earned her Ph.D. in Romance Languages and is currently a professor of French in Houston, Texas. She is a board member of several NGO's supporting indigenous communities in Latin America. Christina volunteers at various service associations and faith-based organizations. She is a proud mother and grand-mother! She has lived and worked internationally for much of her career.

Alison Taylor

Alison Taylor is Chief Customer Officer for American Airlines and also a member of the Board of Directors of the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), the world’s largest business travel association.

As American Airline's Chief Customer Officer, Taylor works to create a welcoming environment for the airline’s customers on every step of their journey. She is responsible for the American Airlines Vacations, Customer Experience and Reservations, Global Sales and Distribution, and Marketing and Digital Customer Experience teams.

She has served in many leadership roles in two of the world’s top travel organizations. Before joining American in September 2016, she led the Sales team at Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide as Senior Vice President of Global Sales, based in New York. Her prior roles at Starwood include Senior Vice President of Sales and Revenue Management and Vice President of Sales, Revenue Management and Digital Marketing. She has lived and worked in eight countries, including more than 20 years in Asia.

In 2015 and 2016, Successful Meetings magazine named her one of the most influential people in the meetings industry, and in 2017 leading travel publication Business Travel News named her as one of their Top 25 most influential people in business travel. Under her leadership, the American Airlines team accepted seven awards in 2017 from Global Traveler, including Airline of the Year. In 2019, she was named Outstanding Woman of the Year and recognized among the Top 25 Women in Travel by WINiT by the Global Business Travel Association.

She grew up in Australia and later lived in London. She returned to Australia to attend Victoria University in Melbourne, earning a Business degree.

Fr. Greg McBrayer

As a Bivocational Priest, Father Greg McBrayer has worked and served in the aviation industry for over 40 years. As Chief Flight Controller and Chaplain at American Airlines Flight Operations Center IOC in DFW, his career includes more than 35 years as a licensed airman in Part 121 Commercial Flight Operations.

As a Bivocational Priest, Father Greg serves as a Priest at Saint Barnabas Anglican Church in Fort Worth Texas. He also serves as Chaplain and the EAP Representative for (PAFCA) The Professional Airline Flight Controllers Association at American Airlines and is a member of the Emergency Response Care Team. He is the founder and former president of the IOC “Monday Ministry Chapter” of American Airlines Christian Employees Business Resource Group (CEBRG). He currently serves as the Christian Employees Business Resource Group Senior Global Lead overseeing 20 Christian Ministry Chapters worldwide at American Airlines. He is the Executive Director of DFW Airport Interfaith Chaplaincy and leads weekly and special worship services at DFW Airport’s D40 Meadows Chapel.

Throughout his career, he has chaired and served on numerous committees, boards, and outreach ministries within the church, aviation, and military community. In 2018 he honored to receive American Airlines coveted “Chairman’s Award” for decades of employee support and Pastoral Care within American Airlines. Contact Fr. Greg McBrayer at: gsmcbrayer@aol.com - Cell 412-721-7128 or visit his web site at www.ourfaithatwork.com.

Y.W. Junardy

Y.W. Junardy is Commissioner of the Rajawali Corporation in Indonesia. He is the recipient of 2016 Global Business & Interfaith Peace GOLD Medal. With past exeperience as the President Director of PT Telekomindo Primabhakti and PT Excelcomindo Pratama, Deputy President Director of PT Bank Universal and over 25 years of work assignments including at IBM Head Offices in Hong Kong, New York and Tokyo; his networks and experiences has been actively recognized in various professional associations and community developments.

2021 Global Business & Interfaith Peace Medalists

*** GOLD MEDALS: Pat Gelsinger, Intel’s CEO, and Sandra Rivera, Intel Executive Vice President, former Chief People Officer and now General Manager of the Datacenter & Artificial Intelligence Group; Dr. Judith Richter, CEO of the Israeli heart stent company Medinol, who also founded the NIR School of the Heart; King Husein, Chairman and CEO of Span Construction & Engineering.   ***   SILVER MEDALS: John Tyson, Chairman of Tyson Foods; Maurice Ostro, Chair of Ostro Fayre Share Foundation, Vice Chair of the Council of Christians and Jews and the Founding Patron of the Faiths Forum for London; Peter Mousaferiadis, founder of Cultural Infusion in Australia.   ***   BRONZE MEDALS: Khalid Khowshnaw, founder the Hemn Construction Group in Iraqi Kurdistan; Dr. John Gathright, founder of Tree Climbing Japan; Candice Corby, founder of Cobra Legal Solutions in India and the U.S.

Pat Gelsinger

Patrick (Pat) Gelsinger is chief executive officer of Intel Corporation and serves on its board of directors. On Feb. 15, 2021, Gelsinger returned to Intel, the company where he had spent the first 30 years of his career. Before rejoining Intel, Gelsinger was CEO of VMware. In that role, he transformed VMware into a recognized global leader in cloud infrastructure, enterprise mobility and cyber security – almost tripling the company’s annual revenues. Gelsinger was also ranked the best CEO in America in 2019, according to an annual survey by Glassdoor. Prior to joining VMware in 2012, Gelsinger was president and chief operating officer of EMC’s Information Infrastructure Products business, overseeing engineering and operations for information storage, data computing, backup and recovery, RSA security and enterprise solutions. Gelsinger began his career in 1979 at Intel, becoming its first chief technology officer, and also serving as senior vice president and the general manager of the Digital Enterprise Group. He managed the creation of key industry technologies such as USB and Wi-Fi. He was the architect of the original 80486 processor, led 14 microprocessor programs and played key roles in the Intel® Core™ and Intel® Xeon® processor families, leading to Intel becoming the preeminent microprocessor supplier. Gelsinger earned several degrees in electrical engineering: an associate degree from Lincoln Technical Institute, a bachelor’s degree from Santa Clara University and a master’s degree from Stanford University. He holds eight patents in the areas of VLSI design, computer architecture and communications, is an IEEE Fellow, and serves as a member of the National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee. Gelsinger and his wife have been married for over 30 years; they have four children and eight grandchildren. He is also a published author and speaks frequently on faith, work and philanthropy.

Khalid Khowshnaw

Khalid Khowshnaw is the successor of his father who established his business in Erbil city in seventh century. After few years he was able to establish his own business. Mr. Khalid’s clear vision to improve his business was his power to expand the work to cover a wider market place to become much bigger and to engage more tools for that purpose. In the 1990s, he established Hemn Company for trading, and in the 2000s he, with his brothers, established their second company (Hemn company for General Contracts). When he noticed that the success of the business is not possible without a strong infrastructure, he established their third company (Hemn group for investment, General trading, General contracting and construction materials industries) to specialize in producing constructions materials. 

King Husein

King Husein was born in Bombay, India. He received received a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Bombay. He also received his master’s degree in Civil and Structural Engineering from Brigham Young University. After completing his education, he was hired by Priggen Steel Buildings, a regional builder affiliated with Varco Pruden Buildings. From there he moved to California, where he eventually established Span Construction and Engineering, which he now heads as the Chairman and CEO. He has built the company into what is now the country’s largest steel building engineering and construction company, which is operating on four continents. The company specializes in the engineering and construction of large steel buildings. It is also the exclusive builder for Costco Wholesale worldwide. In addition to his business ventures, King has been a prominent philanthropist, focusing his efforts particularly on engineering education (he recently headed an $80,000,000 project for funding new facilities for the College of Engineering at Brigham Young University,) and what is most relevant to this application, he has been a major supporter of religious freedom initiatives worldwide. For more biographical detail.

Dr. Judith Richter

Dr. Richter is an accomplished entrepreneur and among Israel’s most distinguished business leaders. In 1993, Dr. Richter co-founded Medinol, a global medical device company that acquired a significant international position in the Interventional Cardiology and stenting industry. She has served as the company’s Chief Executive Officer since its founding. She is also a co-founder of Medcon (acquired by McKassen), Microtech Medical Technologies and Valve Medical.

Dr. Judith Richter’s extensive business experience was preceded by a career in the academia. She served as a faculty member at Tel Aviv University Graduate School of Business, where she specialized in Corporate Strategy and Organizational Behavior. Dr. Richter served as a member of the Executive Committee of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem for 10 years. Today she serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and was nominated to the board of Tel-Aviv University. In recognition for her exceptional contribution to Israel’s economic, industrial and technological development, Dr. Richter was awarded the Ramniceanu Prize in Economics by Tel-Aviv University. She was also the recipient of an Honorary Fellow Distinction from the Hebrew University. Recently she was named an Honorary Fellow of the Academic Institute Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya, in 2018.

Dr. Richter has served on the boards of several leading industrial companies, including Bezeq and Mobileye (the largest acquisition by Intel recently). Dr. Judith Richter is engaged in a variety of NGO activities in the arts and humanities, including: founding and sponsoring The Richter Quartet of the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra, sponsoring the Israeli Women’s National Volleyball Team, nurturing holocaust survivors living in Jerusalem and supporting the youth Israeli Scouts, for which she was awarded an Honorary Scout.

In the summer of 1998, Dr. Judith Richter realized her vision when she founded the NIR School of the Heart, bright ray of hope in a region where prejudice and violence are present in the hearts of too many people. The NIR School is a unique academic and social program, that assembles teenagers from different backgrounds to learn the basics of cardiology. Despite times of great tension in the region, the NIR School has operated continuously, and today is proud to have more than 800 graduates, and more than 25% of these graduates are pursuing careers as physicians or other medical-related professions. A graduate of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Dr. Richter holds a PhD from Boston University. She is married to Dr. Jacob (Kobi) Richter and a proud mother of three children.

Maurice Ostro, OBE, KFO

Maurice Samuel Ostro, OBE, KFO is a serial entrepreneur in commercial and charitable spheres looking for innovative solutions to complex problems. He is the Founder and Chair of Trustees of the Fayre Share Foundation; Vice-Chairman of the Council of Christians and Jews & Founder Patron of the Faiths Forum for London amongst other charitable positions. His businesses have a commitment to positive social impact and he also uses his commercial perspective to create sustainable charitable activities. Maurice has created a number of companies in fields ranging from gemstones, ice cream, food manufacturing, media and logistics for the aviation industry. He invented and patented products and business methodologies internationally and won multiple awards for his business and charitable achievements.

Maurice has been involved in advising several UK Governmental bodies, latterly on the Prime Minister’s Holocaust Commission, as well as having been a mentor for Scotland Yard. Maurice has three degrees including an MA from Oxford (Honours degree in Jurisprudence), he is qualified as an Attorney at Law (Admitted to the New York Bar) and is an alumnus of New York University and Harvard Business School.

He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire and a Knight of the Royal Order of Francis I in 2014.

Peter Mousferiadis

Peter Mousaferiadis is an internationally recognized thought leader of culture as a driver of peace and innovation. Before founding Cultural Infusion in 2002, Peter had an extensive career in the arts as a creative director, producer, artistic director, music director, composer and a champion of intercultural dialogue. He produced major intercultural productions for the United Nations, the Parliament of World Religions, and the United Religions Initiative. In 2013, Peter produced the winning slogan of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations’ Do One Thing For Diversity campaign, “Diversified We Grow”, which was presented at the World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue in Baku, Azerbaijan. In 2014 Peter was elected as Global Trustee to the United Religions Initiative, and in 2015 was appointed an associate of Gary Bouma, UNESCO Chair for Intercultural and Interreligious Relations in the Asia-Pacific region. Peter was appointed Chair of the Lahore International Conference on Culture in Pakistan in both 2016 and 2017. As of 2017, Cultural Infusion is a formal partner of the Australian National Commission for UNESCO.

Candice Corby

Candice Hunter Corby is the Chief Executive Officer of Cobra Legal Solutions and the President, Eastern USA – India Business Council of the Women’s India Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Having over 20 years of experience in the C-suite, Candice was the youngest ever Chief Financial Officer of a Scripps Howard newspaper at age 26. Her experience includes CFO, COO and CEO positions at some of the world’s largest law firms and brands.

Under Candice’s leadership, Cobra has received numerous awards on its exceptional service. Candice was recently recognized by several international organizations for her outstanding leadership including: “Top CEO of 2019” finalist by the Austin Business Journal and “Women of the Decade in Law and Leadership 2019 Award” recipient from the Women’s Economic Forum and was named the “2017 Distinguished Alumnus” of University of Arkansas – Little Rock.

Aside from leading her team at Cobra, Candice is deeply motivated to be a great global citizen, focusing on social and economic responsibility around the world, including running marathons with Team Livestrong, providing bottled water to the homeless with I Am Waters Foundation, and supporting Rising Star Outreach in India. Candice actively promotes and supports women to be strong leaders in the workforce. In 2014, Candice was a contributor/panelist for “Championing Women in the Workforce at McCombs Executive MBA program at the University of Texas. Candice resides in Austin, Texas with her husband Ken Corby.

Kyoji Ohno

Kyoji Ohno is CEO of Hybridmusic Inc., Tokyo, Japan. Composer, Arranger, Pianist, Keyboard Player, Music Producer. Capable of arranging for classic orchestra and rock bands and computer music. Is the the composer of Dare to Overcome.

Dr. John Gathright

John celebrates Diversity and Inclusivity — in religion and abilities — through his various programs such as TreeHab, a scientifically designed rehabilitative tree climbing therapy program. Dr. John Gathright holds a Doctorate in Bio-Agriculture from Nagoya University, and founded Tree Climbing® Japan in 1997, which is Japan’s first technical tree-climbing school. Tree Climbing Japan has grown into a national organization with 4,000 certified tree climbers who have helped over 250,000 people of all abilities and faiths climb trees in urban forests and green spaces. Through his doctoral research and other endeavors, Gathright has conducted extensive research into the physiological, psychological and societal benefits of purpose specific tree-climbing and tree assisted therapy programs. A pioneer and leader on the subject, Gathright established TreeHab® – Tree Climbing Therapy® and Tree-Assisted Therapy®.

In addition to Tree Climbing and TreeHab activities, Dr. Gathright created the Japan Arborists Association-an ISA affiliated Organization, as well as the Arborist Training Institute of Japan. When not actually climbing trees or training tree-climbing instructors, Gathright can be found lecturing about the topic as a Professor at Chubu University or sharing his expertise at events and conferences around the globe.

John Tyson

John Tyson, Chairman of Tyson Foods, brings to Tyson Foods’ board critical understanding of the company, its operations and the food processing industry. He has devoted his entire working career to Tyson Foods. The grandson of the company’s founder, John has been part of the company since he was a teenager, has worked in almost every department, and eventually became the company’s chief executive officer. He currently serves as Chairman of the board and has a substantial financial interest in Tyson Foods through his interest in the Tyson Limited Partnership, which retains control of the company.

John has been crucial in building the company into a global leader with a conscience, focused on feeding the world great food, made with the utmost respect. Under his leadership, Tyson Foods has expanded its portfolio of products beyond chicken through major acquisitions. In 2001, the company purchased IBP, inc., the nation’s largest beef and pork processor. In 2014, Tyson Foods acquired The Hillshire Brands Company, a leading producer of branded, prepared foods. The combination of Tyson and Hillshire created a single company with more than $40 billion in annual sales and a portfolio of recognized brands, such as Tyson®, Jimmy Dean®, Hillshire Farm®, Sara Lee®, Ball Park®, Wright®, Aidells® and State Fair®. John and other senior managers led the development of Tyson Foods’ “Core Values,” which set goals and standards.

The company strives to be an honorable company that employs diverse people and is respectful of their faith. His work has helped Tyson Foods take pride in the safety and quality of its products, and its dedication to meet customers’ and consumers’ needs. The company feeds families, the nation and the world with trusted food products. He is actively involved in several philanthropic endeavors, including Tyson Foods’ charitable giving, which focuses on health and human services, community development, education, hunger relief and supporting military veterans. John has received numerous awards and recognitions for his commitment to the common good, improvement of local communities and the world at large. He is a graduate of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.

Sandra Rivera

Sandra L. Rivera is executive vice president and general manager of the Datacenter and AI Group at Intel Corporation. She leads Intel’s development of leadership data center products for a cloud-based world, including Intel® Xeon® and field programmable gate array (FPGA) products. She also drives the company’s overall artificial intelligence (AI) strategy and product roadmap. Before assuming her current role, Rivera was Intel’s chief people officer, leading the company’s Human Resources organization worldwide. In that role, she was responsible for greater business results through a culture that embraces diversity and inclusion. She also previously led the Network Platforms Group of over 3,000 employees that drove the transformation of network infrastructure to Intel-based solutions and enabled breakthrough ways to integrate Intel’s silicon and software portfolio to create greater customer value. Rivera joined Intel in 2000 as a marketing director after the acquisition of Dialogic Corp. Before joining Intel, Rivera co-founded and served as president of The CTI Authority and served as president of the computer telephony division at Catalyst Telecom. Rivera holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Pennsylvania State University. She sits on the Equinix board of directors; she is a member of Berkeley’s engineering advisory board and a member of the Intel Foundation Board; and she is part of Intel’s Latinx Leadership Council.