Our team

Alan Mehmetoglu-CEO and Founder of the Halide Mehmetoglu Initiative, Board Member

Alan is currently a high school student and a proud Kurdish-American. He founded HMI to honor his late grandmother’s legacy and give back to the Kurdish people. He especially decided to focus on the education of Kurdish youth, beginning in his Grandmother’s village. Alan has been passionate about charitable work throughout the last few years. He has volunteered with the Food and Freind, a charity focused on providing adequate dietary resources to the chronically ill, for over 100 Hours. In addition, Alan was also involved with the Ukraine Youth Action Network where he brainstormed his idea on how Ukrainian youth could find solutions to persevere through the ongoing conflict.

 

Sierwan Najmaldin Karim-Board Member

Mr. Sierwan Najmaldin Karim, President of the Washington Kurdish Institute (WKI), was previously security director and senior advisor to the late governor of Kirkuk, Dr. Najmaldin O. Karim, Founder and past President of WKI. In his professional life, Mr. Karim holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting a master’s degree in Real Estate from Georgetown University, where he served as Chairman of the Student Advisory Board of Real Estate.

 

Benjamin ONeill-Board Member

Benjamin ONeill is a D.C area native who is extremely committed to charity. He has previously volunteered at Food and Friends an organization that aims to assist the chronically ill with their specific nutrition needs.