Amideast

Washington, DC · Founded 1952

Fosters education, training, and cross-cultural exchange between the United States and the Middle East and North Africa region

Primary audience
International students
Work area
Educational exchange
Topic
Cross-cultural understanding
Contact
Debby Blazquez
Website Contact

About Organization

Amideast engages in international education, training, and development activities connecting the United States with the Middle East and North Africa. Based in Washington, DC, the organization operates exchange programs and educational initiatives across the region. The organization reported $50.6 million in revenue and employed 159 staff members in 2023.

What They Focus On

International Education

Facilitates academic exchanges, study abroad programs, and educational partnerships between U.S. and Middle East institutions

Professional Training

Delivers capacity building programs for educators, administrators, and professionals across the Middle East North Africa region

Cross-Cultural Exchange

Promotes mutual understanding through virtual and in-person exchange programs connecting American and regional participants

Financial Information

Form 990 data showing organizational financial health and growth.

Revenue (2023)

$50.6M

+0% vs 2023

Assets (2023)

$37.4M

+0% vs 2023

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Employees
2023 — — — —
2023 $50,581,579 $50,495,347 $37,358,163 159
2022 $49,877,808 $51,889,558 $41,398,330 176
2021 $51,115,819 $51,739,901 $42,967,754 175
2020 $48,272,646 $48,822,540 $36,442,040 208
2019 $49,847,856 $53,256,268 $35,444,712 248
2018 $62,926,768 $62,363,617 $33,424,963 258
2017 $65,452,234 $64,857,757 $28,812,304 280

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. All figures in USD.

How They Work

Learn more
  • 01

    Partner Identification

    Collaborate with educational institutions, governments, and communities to identify program needs and opportunities

  • 02

    Program Design

    Develop culturally appropriate training curricula and exchange frameworks tailored to local contexts

  • 03

    Implementation

    Deploy regional directors and country teams to deliver programs and manage participant experiences

  • 04

    Impact Assessment

    Monitor outcomes and maintain relationships to ensure sustainable educational and cultural connections

Programs and Initiatives

Services and programs offered by Amideast

Virtual Exchange Programs

Connects students and educators across borders through the Stevens Initiative and other digital exchange platforms

Educational Training

Provides professional development and capacity building programs for educators and institutions across the region

Exchange Programs

Facilitates cultural and educational exchanges between the U.S. and Middle East North Africa countries

International Development

Supports education system strengthening and institutional capacity building in partner countries

Team & Leadership

Meet the people behind Amideast.

DB

Debby Blazquez

VP Finance/CFO
Full-time
Compensation: $248,589
AT

Amb Theodore H Kattouf

Former Pres. & CEO (Thru 6/23)
Compensation: $216,117
QM

Quincy M Dermody

Regional Director
Full-time
Compensation: $215,623
DS

Donald Schmidt

Country Director
Full-time
Compensation: $177,403
CR

Chris R Shinn

Country Director
Full-time
Compensation: $172,827
JK

Josephine Kennedy

Sr. Director, Exchange Programs
Full-time
Compensation: $169,118
EZ

Elisa Zlotowitz

Hr Director
Full-time
Compensation: $159,517
NA

Nuha Alkhatib

Director, Information Tech
Full-time
Compensation: $157,828
ED

Elisabeth Dahl

Sr Director, Business Development
Full-time
Compensation: $156,366
FA

Former Amb Greta C Holtz

President & CEO (As Of 8/23)
Full-time
Compensation: $116,677
DB

Debby Blazquez

VP Finance/CFO
VD

Vincent Desomma

VP, Business Development
Full-time
Compensation: $235,805
JT

James T Grabowski

VP, Field Operations
Full-time
Compensation: $218,486
LS

Leslie S Nucho

VP, Programs
Full-time
Compensation: $212,000
JS

Jennifer Smith

Regional Dir, Workforce Development
Full-time
Compensation: $191,374

Milestones

1951

Organization Founded

1951

Amideast established to promote understanding between the U.S. and Middle East through education

1952

Tax-Exempt Status

1952

Received federal recognition as a nonprofit organization dedicated to international education

2017

Peak Operations

2017

Reached maximum scale with 280 employees and $65.4 million in revenue serving the region

2023

Leadership Transition

2023

Ambassador Theodore Kattouf concluded tenure as President and CEO after years of service

Associated People

Board members, advisors, and key contributors

Board of Directors

DH
Dr Hanine Salem Board Member 0.50 hrs/week
DM
Dr Mary W Gray Board Member 0.10 hrs/week
DM
Dr Mondher Ben Ayed Board Member 0.10 hrs/week
DO
Dr Odeh Aburdene Treasurer 0.70 hrs/week
FA
Former Amb Deborah K Jones Board Chair 2.70 hrs/week
FA
Former Amb Gordon Gray Board Member 0.80 hrs/week
FA
Former Amb Michael Pelletier Board Member 0.30 hrs/week
FA
Former Amb William A Rugh Board Member 0.10 hrs/week
MA
Mr Amjad Ahmad Board Member 0.80 hrs/week
MA
Mr Antoine N Frem Vice Chair 0.80 hrs/week
MH
Mr Hisham Fahmy Board Member 0.10 hrs/week
MH
Mr Hussam Abu Issa Board Member 0.10 hrs/week
MJ
Mr Jonathan McKay Board Member 0.50 hrs/week
MD
Ms Dena El-Khatib Board Member 0.10 hrs/week
ME
Ms Erica Pelletreau Board Member 0.60 hrs/week
MM
Ms Mona Oswald Board Member 0.20 hrs/week
PS
Prof Safwan Masri Board Member 0.10 hrs/week
SK
Sir Kutayba Yusuf Alghanim Board Member 0.10 hrs/week

Information compiled from IRS Form 990 and organizational materials.

Executive Compensation

Top compensated officers & key employees from IRS Form 990

Total Reported (2023)

$3.1M

Highest Paid

$289K

Debby Blazquez

Compensated Officers

14

Name Title Base Other Total Hrs/Wk
Debby Blazquez CFO $248,589 $40,328 $288,917 40
Vincent Desomma VP, Business Development $235,805 $45,440 $281,245 40
Quincy M Dermody Regional Director $215,623 $50,196 $265,819 40
James T Grabowski VP, Field Operations $218,486 $42,072 $260,558 40
Leslie S Nucho VP, Programs $212,000 $40,433 $252,433 40
Amb Theodore H Kattouf Former PRES. & CEO (Thru 6/23) $216,117 $9,799 $225,916 —
Chris R Shinn Country Director $172,827 $50,249 $223,076 40
Jennifer Smith Regional DIR, Workforce Development $191,374 $23,663 $215,037 40
Josephine Kennedy SR. Director, Exchange Programs $169,118 $38,794 $207,912 40
Nuha Alkhatib Director, Information Tech $157,828 $40,923 $198,751 40
Donald Schmidt Country Director $177,403 $10,835 $188,238 40
Elisa Zlotowitz HR Director $159,517 $22,506 $182,023 40
Elisabeth Dahl SR Director, Business Development $156,366 $6,143 $162,509 40
Former Amb Greta C Holtz President & CEO (As Of 8/23) $116,677 $756 $117,433 40

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. Compensation includes base and other reported compensation.

Individual Political Donors

People from this organization who contributed to political campaigns

$600 Total Given
Democratic $600 (100%)
3 Contributions
$200 Avg Each

Top Individual Donors

1 Individual Donor
GH
Greta Holtz 3 contributions • $200 avg
$600

Quick Insights

🏆
Most Active Donor Greta Holtz with 3 contributions
💰
Highest Avg per Contribution Greta Holtz at $200 each
🎯
Top Recipient ELISSA SLOTKIN FOR MICHIGAN — $600

Data from Federal Election Commission • Individual contributions only

Partners & Funders

Grant funding relationships from IRS Form 990 filings

$352K Grants Received
4 Organizations

Top Funders

4 total
TA
The Aspen Institute Inc.
$174K
CA
Charities Aid Foundation America
$150K
AO
American Online Giving Foundation Inc.
$18K
FI
Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund
$10K
The Aspen Institute Inc. Charities Aid Foundation America American Online Giving Foundation Inc. Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund
The Aspen Institute Inc. Charities Aid Foundation America American Online Giving Foundation Inc. Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund

Source: IRS Form 990 Schedule I filings. Amounts may span multiple tax years.

Contact

Get in touch with Amideast

Email

[email protected]

Phone

(202) 776-9699

Social

Visit Website
2025 M Street NW 600 Washington, DC 20036