Mubarak Awad
Consultant/Director
Mubarak Awad is an internationally known Palestinian-American psychologist and advocate for youth and nonviolence. During his career he has founded and led, amongst other organizations, the National Youth Advocate Program, the Youth Advocate Program International, Nonviolence International and the Palestinian Center for the Study of Nonviolence. Dr. Awad, a Christian, was born in 1943 in Jerusalem. His father was killed in 1948 during the fighting between Jews and Arabs and was then separated
from his family. After graduation from high school, Mubarak traveled to the United States to complete his higher education. Mr. Awad’s activities have been supportive of children rights around the world, and he has created programs for troubled and abused children in the United States, most prominently in Ohio. Drawing upon Gandhi and Gene Sharp’s The Politics of Nonviolence, Dr. Awad published papers and lectured on nonviolence as a technique for resisting the Israeli occupation prior to and during the first intifada. In 1988 Dr. Awad was deported by Israel and he returned to the United States, where he has continued his advocacy for youth and nonviolence. Through Nonviolence International, he has worked in many countries to promote nonviolent resistance and human rights.

William H. Espinosa
Facilitator/Director

For almost two decades Bill Espinosa served as counsel to the National Youth Advocate Program and its numerous affiliates, supporting their child and family services, advocacy for children’s right and management. He maintains a private legal practice focused on government procurement and international transactions. In connection with his legal work, Mr. Espinosa has authored or coauthored numerous publications and spoken at professional conferences in the U. S. and abroad on topics such as the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement and the Iraq Reconstruction Program.

He spent several years at the Agency for International Development where he served on an interagency working group that managed foreign assistance legislation. He also served as the legal advisor to the US delegation in the establishment of the multi-billion International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and to a large earthquake reconstruction program. Subsequently, he served as Executive Vice President of the Foundation for Global Broadcasting supporting its educational programs and was the creator of a widely-sold environmental board game.

Mr. Espinosa is a graduate of Harvard College and the Georgetown University Law Center where he was Executive Editor of its international law review. He is fluent in Spanish and has worked extensively in Latin America and Europe. He has two sons and two step sons and for many years served as a volunteer soccer coach.

Azim N. Khamisa
Consultant/Director

Azim Khamisa is Chairman, CEO and Founder of the Tariq Khamisa Foundation (TKF) and Sovereign Capital Markets, Inc. He is a successful international investment banker, advisor and consultant. Mr. Khamisa was educated in England. He is a U.S. citizen currently residing in La Jolla, California. Mr. Khamisa serves on the Board of Directors of various organizations. TKF was founded by Mr. Khamisa in memory of his 20-year old son Tariq, who was murdered in 1995. Mr. Khamisa reached out in forgiveness to the grandfather and guardian of his son’s killer, Mr. Ples Felix who now serves as Vice Chairman of TKF. He has committed his life to defeating the continuing cycle of violence amongst the youth. Mr. Khamisa is highly regarded in his local community and nationally for his exceptional leadership in finding innovative solutions to prevent youth violence. He delivers keynote addresses at a variety of local, national, and international venues. He was a guest at the White House on three different occasions, and he recently participated in the Synthesis Dialogues held at the Pope’s summer residence with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Mr. Khamisa is the award-winning author of the book: Azim’s Bardo — From Murder To Forgiveness: A Father’s Journey.