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GUNAY EVINCH
Gunay Evinch was born in Chicago, Illinois, to immigrants from the Turkish Aegean and Ottoman Macedonia regions. He grew up in San Francisco, and has resided in the Washington Metropolitan Region since 1993. Evinch specializes in public international law, corporate and business law, civil rights, and non-profit legal consulting. He also has extensive experience in representing foreign countries.Evinch serves on Maryland Governor Lawrence Hogan's Commission on Middle Eastern Communities. In 2016, Evinch became the Co-Chairman of the Turkish American National Steering Committee (TASC), which oversees the programs of America’s leading Turkish American organizations and mosques. In 2013, Evinch was inducted into the Washington DC Cosmos Club for Distinction in International Law and Foreign Relations. In 2009-11, Evinch served as the first American-born and 14th President of the Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA). Evinch also served on the Board of Directors of the World Affairs Councils of America National Board along side Chairman Ambassador Marc Grossman in 2009-11. He has represented the Turkish American community on the Heritage Council of the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence since 2007.
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Ellie Abdi
Dr. Ellie Abdi is a former gymnast, dancer, and coach who is now a faculty and researcher. She has worked in capacity of a teacher, teacher trainer, teacher leader, professional development coordinator and is a member of an urban district's physical and health education leadership team in New Jersey. With the district's partnership Professor Abdi is a research coordinator and clinical faculty member at Center of Pedagogy in Montclair State University. A research associate and Professeur associé for Groupe de Recherche en Sciences pour l'Ingénieur (GRESPI) at Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne in France and a Content Expert for University of Grand Canyon, School of Doctoral Studies in Arizona are among her other academic endeavors. Furthermore, Dr. Abdi was a Vice President of physical education for New Jersey Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (NJAHPERD, 2016-2018) and now is a member of Diversity and Inclusiveness for SHAPE-America (Society of Health And Physical Education) who presented NJ teachers & students before Congress several times in Washington, DC. She is also a Vice President for Jerome Lohez 9/11 Scholarship Foundation in New York City and director of Scholarship program for Little Falls, New Jersey Democratic Club. Dr. Abdi is an Editorial Board Member for 3 peer-reviewed journals in Turkey, India, Bulgaria, and a review editor for Frontiers International Youth Journal in Switzerland and Elsevier International plus an invitee member of scientific committees for many international conferences. An author and presenter of various papers, keynotes and workshops at international and national scales especially in France, Professor Abdi holds a Masters of Education in Philosophy for Children from Montclair State University in New Jersey and an Education Doctoral in Educational Leadership from Northcentral University in San Diego, California. Her research, interviews and articles have been published in various international and national journals and sites. Dr. Abdi is the author of Diversity in American Schools and Current Research Issues in Educational Leadership and in process of publishing her 2nd book.