Georgetown University

The Johns Hopkins University

Advocate for refugee and immigrant resettlement services in Connecticut and nationally while supporting a team of extremely accomplished, diverse, and dedicated professionals.  IRIS inspired and is one of the seven organizations implementing a new national resettlement program, Welcome Corps.

My objective is to build on past successes, maximize impact, and encourage creative approaches to delivering the services most needed by refugees and immigrants.
• Cultivate IRIS’s impressive base of support with local and regional donors.
• Maintain IRIS’s strong relationships with officials and elected leaders at all levels and branches
of municipal, state, and federal government.
• Respond agilely to the evolving geo-political landscape and emerging needs of global migration.
• Following exponential growth, assess the effectiveness of IRIS’s current organizational structure and operational systems, in consultation with the management team, make improvements to support IRIS’s growing size and scope.
   -- Support cross-departmental efforts to deliver holistic high-quality services to clients.
• Following the terrific lead of my predecessor, locate and move into a suitable new office space in New Haven; support the staff in the recently opened Hartford office.

IRIS:  Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services

Executive Director

Manage team of 30 Tunisia-based staff to deliver democratic governance programs that strengthen youth engagement in civic and political processes as well as CSOs’, elected officials’, and institutions’ roles developing and sustaining a resilient democracy.  Information integrity — combatting mis/disinformation — is critical to citizens’ engagement in their governance. Along with other INGO and local partners, we advance initiatives that improve understanding of these threats and promote critical thinking and analysis of information. I lead our engagement with US govt and other funders.

National Democratic Institute (NDI)

Resident Senior Director and Chief of Party - Tunisia

Fugees Family, Inc.

Vice President of External Relations

Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service

Press Secretary, Director of Communications & Marketing

Recruited to start-up a philanthropic organization and quickly produce an internationally respected and financially viable operational entity, exceeding donor/sponsor expectations and legal requirements where we operate: US, Canada, Brazil, UK, Germany and Qatar.

•	Working with the Board, developed and implemented a comprehensive strategic plan within six months of starting operations
-	After two years, wound down the 501c3 and established an Limited Liability Company (LLC), seamless transition including staff reductions, partner/relationship management, and development of policies and procedures.
-	Continued and expanded three program areas: Arabic Language, Arab Societies & Cultures, Connected Communities.

• Doubled funding annually, moving from US$3K to US$14M over 5 year period; $30M in my final year, FY2019.

• Introduced a highly successful K-12 Arabic language program, as well as conceptualized an online resource center for students and teachers of Arabic and Arab culture (teachalmasdar.org). Including informal education initiatives to support Arabic-speaking refugee learners. 

Successfully recruited and retained distinguished experts to join our advisory boards on Ed tech and language/culture.

Qatar Foundation International

Originally a consultant, then asked to lead 48 US and Middle East staff with $30M budget and managerial oversight of funding and projects, procedural compliance, and business development.

• Repaired damaged reputation with key country and with donors; amicably merged two divisions, and managed the critically important high-performing country directors by providing regular feedback, adequate resourcing, and motivational support.

• Secured funding for and successful implementation of a highly sensitive election program on Iranian elections - an unbiased CNN-style information site; launched new program in Jordan; negotiated tense relationships between and IFES team in Iraq and UN partner team; launched a remote support team of international election law experts to support Iraqi parliamentary committee drafting new law.

•	Expanded the Palestinian electoral program

Increased total division funding by 25% over 3 years.

The International Foundation for Electoral Systems

Regional Director, Middle East and North Africa Division

Focused on clients from the Middle East or with an interest in expanding business opportunities and developing relationships with key figures in the region.

I was initially hired, following the 2nd intifada in Palestine, to reverse plummeting commercial performance for Coca-Cola following regional reactions and the boycott of US brands. 
• Leveraged network and increased communications to raise the profile of client organizations in the MENA Region, significantly improving understanding and commercial performance.
• Effectively utilized the press as a columnist for Dubai’s Gulf News, Asharg Al Awsat and Al Hayat; also drafting influential narratives on topical issues in the region.
• Personally directed delegations of experts, business and political leaders, and assisted the World Economic Forum and the Arab Thought Foundation with successful conferencing.

Self-employed

Communications Consultant

Former senior State Department official requested my support to start a new division, build a strategic plan and develop a business advisory board to raise the profile and development goals.

• Successfully raised the profile of the organization and achieved strategic objectives: 
-	Effectively doubled the level of donations.

-	Drafted and placed op-eds and letters to the editor in national papers and magazines achieving a phenomenal response from major networks, radio stations, and media outlets.

-	Developed a policy and media-savvy team of unpaid speakers, generating unprecedented levels of interest in the Institute, and galvanized support from like-minded organizations and individuals with common objectives.
• Professionally managed the burgeoning organization with a detailed strategic plan, projecting operational objectives, resourcing requirements, and programs in target markets.

Middle East Institute

Director of Communications/Outreach

As a Foreign Service Officer, I had three separate assignments that required strong government relations skills as well as highly developed communication, interpersonal, and planning skills, combined with high stress tolerance and flexibility to accommodate demanding responsibilities in complex, multicultural environments. Tours of duty:

•	Special Assistant to Secretary of State, Madeleine K. Albright, (1998-2000)
-	Actively led the team coordinating the Secretary’s meeting schedule, reviewing and updating policy briefs, liaising with officials, and updating memoranda with breaking news and developments.

• Deputy Chief, Nonimmigrant Visa Selection, US Embassy, Tel Aviv, (1997-1998)
-	Managed 10 Israeli nationals and one American to process over 1000 visa applications per month.
-	
• Staff Assistant to Ambassador Martin S. Indyk, US Embassy, Tel Aviv, (1997)
-	Briefed Ambassador on breaking events, arranged networking meetings and selected monthly speakers.

• Vice Consul, American Citizen Services Section, US Embassy, Tel Aviv (1996-1997)
-	Managed 14 staff administering 800 passport applications, notary and consular services for US nationals.

• Vice Consul, Immigrant/Nonimmigrant/Antifraud Units US Consulate General, Mumbai (1994-1996)
-	Adjudicated nonimmigrant an immigrant visa applications and fraud cases for Indian nationals.

Maggie Mitchell Salem