Alaa Odeh

Education

Graduate Certificate in Public Management (2009 - 2010)
University of South Florida

BA in Political Science and Religion (2001 - 2005)
Davidson College

Experience

Founder and CEO at HADAF: From Passion to Progress (Jan 2014 - Present)
HADAF (“هدف”), meaning “objective” in Arabic, will work to turn passion into progress, by building an organization focused on cultivating entrepreneurship and economic progress by way of start-ups and innovators in underserved areas in the Middle East and Africa (MENA). How do we best support economic progress and development in historically underserved areas within the MENA region? It begins with identifying exceptional individuals with innovative ideas and empowering them to become agents of change. These communities can be the incubator for entrepreneurial ideas that advance economic and social development to the region. Many of the Arab youth living in these underserved areas lack the infrastructure and programming necessary to cultivate development in areas, such as education, health care, financial access and economic progress. These communities are also the ones that need support for the existing untapped resources and individuals with ideas for global change and progress. The mission of HADAF: Turning Passion into Progress will be to mitigate the aforementioned challenges and bring a heightened sense of social awareness to the region. In partnership with organizations and companies in identified underserved communities, we will provide mentorship and training on strategy building and entrepreneurship to talented individuals. HADAF will bring awareness to these passionate ideas and provide the skills and tools necessary to turn them into economic progress.

Senior Editor- CENTCOM at Jacobs Technology (Mar 2008 - Jun 2010)
Building a quarterly magazine on issues of the Middle East and Central Asia region in English and Arabic. Managing a team of editors, copy editors, and designers to develop a product meeting the client's objectives. Organizing and collecting content for the magazine to meet objectives and themes as developed in coordination with the client. Research and collection of content, especially from regional sources, for content development. Organizing meetings and speaking with key senior officials from US and foreign governments to collect content and promote magazine to their organizations/government agencies. Contacting Middle East regional media sources to coordinate articles and content for publication. Review translated Arabic magazine content in cooperation with a team of translators and cultural advisors. Assisting similar magazines supporting other regions, including AFRICOM magazine, to develop content. Acting as a cultural advisor for other Middle East based projects run by government clients.

Associate at Booz Allen Hamilton (Jul 2010 - Aug 2014)
Provide clients with strategic communications services, including communications planning and implementation, branding, strategic planning, program development and management, media analysis and stakeholder analysis. Work with clients to coordinate with international stakeholders, such as foreign government and businesses, including developing policy on international security and development, collaborating on programs among different host nations and sharing ideas across stakeholders on identified interests, such as counter-terrorism. Develop research and analysis on international political, social and economic security issues for clients. Develop business development opportunities by responding to Government client RFPs; inc. developing technical and management approach proposals, completing competitor analysis, compiling Firm past performance and coordinating cost proposals and subcontractor agreements.

Program Development; Event Coordinator at Al-Mubadarah: Arab Empowerment Initiative (May 2013 - Dec 2013)
MENA+SocialGood is an interactive, virtual summit exploring the topics of development, philanthropy, social entrepreneurship and technology in the Arab World. The +SocialGood engagement platform provides a space for a truly global conversation to take shape—a place where connectors can collaborate, share best practices, influence local and global agendas, and find new ways to translate their vision into action. MENA+SocialGood takes this platform to the Arab World by identifying how technology can enable engagement to catalyze positive impact in the region. +Social Good is a new approach to global engagement that connects innovators around a shared vision: the power of technology and new media to make the world a better place. The Summit gathers social entrepreneurs, philanthropists, technology developers, NGOs, Governments, thought leaders, and others vested in this space. It is developed and hosted by Al-Mubadarah: Arab Empowerment Initiative. Al Mubadarah is an international NGO (non-profit) based in Washington DC that leads efforts to harness the professional expertise of Arab expatriates globally to aid in the social and economic development of the Arab world. Al-Mubadarah works with institutions throughout the Arab world and professional Arab diaspora networks to develop strategies and implement programs with a focus on technical assistance and sector specific knowledge transfer programs. Website: www.arabempowerment.org; www.menasocialgood.com

Senior Editor- CENTCOM at Jacobs Technology (Mar 2008 - Jun 2010)
Building a quarterly magazine on issues of the Middle East and Central Asia region in English and Arabic. Managing a team of editors, copy editors, and designers to develop a product meeting the client's objectives. Organizing and collecting content for the magazine to meet objectives and themes as developed in coordination with the client. Research and collection of content, especially from regional sources, for content development. Organizing meetings and speaking with key senior officials from US and foreign governments to collect content and promote magazine to their organizations/government agencies. Contacting Middle East regional media sources to coordinate articles and content for publication. Review translated Arabic magazine content in cooperation with a team of translators and cultural advisors. Assisting similar magazines supporting other regions, including AFRICOM magazine, to develop content. Acting as a cultural advisor for other Middle East based projects run by government clients.