Alma Jadallah

Dr. Abdul-Hadi Jadallah advised and worked on the national and international levels on strategic projects related to: conflict prevention, mitigation, and recovery; leadership and program development and research; gender equality and women’s empowerment; training and adult education in conflict analysis and resolution; monitoring and evaluation, and capacity building. She holds over 15 years of experience with projects in the US and the Middle East. Clients include academic institutions, Fortune 50 companies, government and non-governmental organizations, & multilateral organizations. She is the recipient of the 2009 Regional Star Business Award, DC Region Top Women Business Enterprise for 2008 and the Top 100 Minority Business Award for 2007.

Education

George Mason University. Ph.D, 2006, Conflict Analysis and Resolution.

Dissertation topic: Reflection on Practice: The Impact of 9/11 on Conflict Resolvers.

George Mason University. MAIS, 1996.

Concentration: Organizational Training in Conflict Resolution, Emphasis on Cultural Factors.

University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan. B.A. 1980. English / Philosophy

Certificates:Virginia Natural Resources Leadership Institute, Virginia State Certified Mediator, Strategies for Trauma Resilience and Awareness (STAR), Basic Project Management, Mediating Complex and Multi-Party Civil Cases, Personnel Law, Diversity Training-for-Trainers, Kingian Non-Violence, Mediating Disability Disputes.

Honors: Member of Pinnacle Honor Society

Academic Experience

Part-time Faculty, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 2005-present
Part-time Faculty, American University, School of International Service 2008 - present
Part-time Faculty, Georgetown University, School of Government 2008
Part-time Faculty, Summer Peace Institute, Eastern Mennonite University. 2006 - present
Lecturer, European Peace University, Austria 2009

Courses:Introduction to Conflict Analysis and Resolution; Laboratory & Simulation III: International Conflict, Civil Strife and Conflict Resolution; Cross Cultural Mediation; Integrating Conflict Resolution Approaches in Conflict Analysis and Resolution; Advanced Skills; Best Practices: Ways into Intractable Conflicts; Analysis: Understanding Conflict; Conflict, War, and Violence, Advanced Mediation Skills, Leadership, Governance and Policy Processes

Interactive conflict resolution workshop design and trainings (a partial list of topics includes):

Dialogue design, facilitation training, basic and advanced mediation training; cultural factors in conflict resolution approaches, women’s empowerment, conflict prevention and crisis intervention, scenario planning and strategic planning, Training of Trainers.

Academic Affiliations

Women Studies Affiliate Faculty. George Mason University. 2006 - present
Visiting Scholar. Center for Global Peace, American University 2005 - present

Professional Experience

President and Managing Director, Kommon Denominator, Inc., Fairfax, VA (1996- present)

Directed and led mission critical consultations and technical expertise, workshops and strategic projects pertaining to conflict resolution research and practice, conflict prevention and mitigation, training and education, evaluation.

Led and directed civil society initiatives related to the Arab world and Islamic community in the US and abroad, a partial list includes:

Lebanon: Iqra Association (Magmouat Iqra). Trained a group of NGO leaders in conflict resolution theory and practice, with media coverage in local press.
Egypt - Hands Along the Nile and Coptic Evangelical Organization for Social Services

(CEOSS). Provided technical assistance, consultation, process design, and dialogue facilitation with Track II actors on issues pertaining to US/ Egyptian relations, and peace and justice frameworks in the region.

Jordan – Talal Abu Ghazaleh Legal and Kennesaw State University: Provided technical assistance and training for judges and lawyers in conflict prevention and mitigation techniques. Certified first cohort of mediators in the Kingdom of Jordan. Graduates of the program established first ADR initiative in Jordan’s Securities Commission.
Palestine and Israel – Ars Publica: Designed and facilitated retreat in N. Ireland for Palestinian and Israeli women leaders. Program objective was to discuss and design strategies on how best to include women leaders from both communities in the negotiation processes. Participants included Track I and Track II actors.

Organizational Development Consultant:

Special expertise: system wide organizational effectiveness and intervention design; leadership development and program development, monitoring and evaluation, capacity building, gender equality and women’s empowerment, conflict prevention and mitigation. A partial client list includes: Freddie Mac, National Peace Foundation, Hollis Center for International Dialogue, Personnel Decisions Research Institute, Digene Corporation, Institute for Reproductive Health, Center for Global Peace.

Monitoring and Evaluation Consultant:

American University Center for Global Peace. Project: Department of State Grant for the establishment an Iraqi Human Rights Commission. 2007- 08.
United States Institute of Peace: National Peace Essay Contest Outreach and Expansion Project. 2005.

Study Review & Grant Proposal Reviewer:

Rand Corporation, Reviewer of research study pertaining to the Middle East, 2008.
United States Institute of Peace: Grant review and evaluation: United States Institute for Peace, Bridging the Divide Panel, Grant Review, United States Institute for Peace, 2004.
Ezekiel’s Place: Middle East Peace Action Group. Evaluated proposals specifically geared towards peace building initiatives related to the Arab Israeli Conflict, 2004-07

Interactive Conflict Resolution:

Designed, facilitated numerous dialogue projects and strategic planning sessions related to ethnic and racial conflict both on the national and international levels. Expertise includes designing culturally sensitive models and approaches. Worked with a broad range of civil society actors to shape strategy and to build strategic programmatic initiatives.
Trained several hundred participants in the theory and practice of conflict resolution skills (such as dialogue, facilitation, mediation, problem solving) and Alternative Dispute Resolution, and leadership management skills.

Women Empowerment and Leadership Programs:

Participated in the design of and implementation of strategic planning sessions addressing women leadership issues and roles in protracted conflicts and workplace issues.

Research Studies:

Leader Influence in Negotiation: research on negotiation theory and conflict resolution, Personal Decision Research Institute, 2008 – present.
Qualitative Research – Women’s Financial Education and Credit. Freddie Mac, 2007-08
Doctoral Research. Reflections on Practice, the Impact of 9/11 on Conflict Resolvers. George Mason University. May 2005.
Corporate studies pertaining to Organizational Effectiveness. Freddie Mac. 1999 – 2005.
Study of Driver’s License Options for Applicants Age 70 or Older in VA, Center for the Advancement of Public Health, George Mason University, 1997.
Views of Muslim Americans on Conflict Resolution, A Research of Mosque Members in the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area, Contributor, Nov. 2002.

Senior Organizational Development Consultant. Freddie Mac, Mclean, Virginia. (1999-2005)

Participated in a broad range of management and leadership positions in corporate wide initiatives in the areas of: Organizational effectiveness, leadership development, employee management, change management, conflict resolution, corporate surveys, diversity strategy and education, employee network groups, crisis intervention/ employee relations, executive coaching, and performance management.

Research Scholar. Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution (ICAR), George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia. (1997-1998) Bethlehem University (BU) Project (a USIA funded initiative): Developed in partnership with lead faculty from ICAR and BU an undergraduate conflict resolution curriculum for Bethlehem University in Palestine. Designed and delivered training workshops in conflict resolution skills to one hundred plus BU students, faculty and Palestinian counselors (workshop held at BU).

Professional Associations

Association for Conflict Resolution.

Awards

Regional Star, Women Business Enterprise Stars, 2009
DC Region - Outstanding Women Business Enterprise, 2008
Top 100 Minority Business Enterprise, 2007, http://www.top100mbe.com/2007winners.htm
Freddie Mac Women Interactive Network Award: Women Changing Freddie Mac, Women Influencing Freddie Mac, 2005.

Media Interviews

Guest, “Everything is Broken”, WBSB 90.1 FM, Stony Brook, NY, 6/29/2010.
Panelist, Washington Town Hall Meeting commemorating, September 11: The Eighth Anniversary of the Terrorist Attacks. Al Hurra, 9/11/09.
Panelist, “Min Washington”, Al Jazeera Arabic Broadcasting Service, May & July 2009.
Panelist, All Directions. Middle East Broadcasting Network, 2007 – 08.
Profiled in: Three Faiths, One God: Judaism, Christianity and Islam, 2006. A documentary by Gerald Krell and Meyer Odze.
Casting Calls. A documentary commissioned by the Discovery Channel.
Profiled in: Catura, Linda. Voices of American Muslims: Twenty-Three Profiles, (2005), New York: Hippocrene Books.
Interviews: Washington Post (9/11/2003), Harvard Gazette (2003), Daily Tagrum (2005), New Jersey Jewish News (2005), Al Rai Jordanian Newspaper (2006), Mason Gazette (2007)

Board Memberships and community Service

Advisory Board, Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution, George Mason University (GMU), 2007 – present.
Advisory Board Member, Board of Reference, Center for Global Justice, Eastern Mennonite University, 2010 - present.
Advisory Board Member (2010), Board of Directors, (Past President, Board of Directors, 2001-2004.) Northern Virginia Mediation Services, Fairfax, Virginia, 2001 -08.
Abraham’s Vision, 2009.
Board of Directors, Institute for Victims of Trauma, McLean, Virginia, 1996 – 2010.
Advisor, Smart Security Project, Eastern Mennonite University, Harrisonburg, Virginia, 2008 – present.
Board of Directors (Past Chair 2003-2006), Partners for Peace, Washington, D.C.
Original Circle / Advisory Board, Original Circle, Peace X Peace. Vienna, Virginia.
Board of Directors, Al-Hewar Center, Vienna, Virginia. 1996 – 2000.
Member Human Relation Advisory Committee, Fairfax County School Board. 2000-1
Ezekiel’s Place, Retreat Center, Maryland, Middle East Working Group. 2004
Fairfax County Human Relations, Advisory Committee, Fairfax, Virginia 2001-02
KARAMAH: Muslim Women for Human Rights, Washington, D.C. 2000-2003
Arab/ Muslim Committee, Meeting with Fairfax County Public School Super Intendant, 2001

Publications

Publications

Jadallah, Alma (co-author). (Forthcoming Publication 2010). Leader Influence in Negotiation: research on negotiation theory and conflict resolution, Personal Decision Research Institute, 2010

Jadallah, Alma Abdul Hadi and Rainey, Dan. “The Culture in the Code.” Paper presented at the 4th International Forum on On-line Dispute Resolution, Cairo, Egypt. March 2009

Retrieved 6/18/09: http://www.mediate.com/articles/culture_in_code.cfm

Co-author: Wing, et al. (2008) “Framing the Dialogue: Social Justice and Conflict Intervention.” ACResolution,

Jadallah Alma Abdul Hadi (2007). “Palestinian and Lebanese Women’s Voices: Missing at the Negotiation Table.” Retrieved 1/26/08 from: http://icar.gmu.edu/ICAR_NN_Israel_Missing.html.

Jadallah, Alma Abdul Hadi. (2003) “The Arab-Israeli Conflict: Challenges for American Third Party Interveners. ACResolution.

Jadallah, Alma Abdul Hadi. (1996) "Understanding and Challenging Western Perceptions of Islamic Fundamentalism.” Arab-American Dialogue. Vol. 8, No. 1.

Jadallah, Alma Abdul Hadi. (1997) "The Role of Culture on Conflict Resolution". Arab-American Dialogue. Vol. 8, No.3.

Jadallah, Alma Abdul Hadi. “Living in the US as a Muslim.” Retrieved 4/3/07 from http://www.peacexpeace.org/resources/newsletters/newsletter25.as

Unpublished papers and manuscripts:

Jadallah, Alma Abdul-Hadi. (2006) Reflections on Practice: The Impact of 9/11 on Conflict Resolvers. Dissertation Abstracts International (UMI No. 3206898)

Guest Editor and Editorial Advisory Committees:

Conflict Resolution Quarterly, Volume 25, Number 4, Summer 2008

ACResolution. Summer 2008

Lectures and Public Speaking Engagements

Guest Lecturer, “ An Evening With . . .” Topic: Challenges and Opportunities of 3^rd Parties in the Protracted Arab Israeli Conflict: Are North American Conflict Resolution Models Adaptable?, The Mediation and Conflict Resolution Office (MACRO), University of Maryland. 5/22/2010.
Guest Speaker, United Nations Development Program, United Nation, New York. 2009
Participant, 10 & 9th Annual Colloquium, The Institute for Inclusive Security, Washington, D.C., 2008 – 09.
Panelist, Gemme Conference, Geneva, Switzerland, Nov. 2008.
Guest Lecturer: Department of Defense, Defense Information School, 2008
Lecturer: Center for Democracy and Election Management, School of Public Affairs, American University, 2008
Lecturer: National Peace Foundation, Washington D.C. 2008-09.
Lecturer: Jordan Securities Commission, 2007.
Presenter: Conferences, Association for Conflict Resolution, 2003 – 05.
Guest speaker and moderator: Alhewar Center, 2002 – present.
Guest Speaker. Jewish Film Festival, 2005.
Guest Speaker. Middle East Coexistence Project, Douglas College, Rutgers University, 2005.
Presenter: Association for Conflict Resolution. Righting Unrightable Wrongs, 2004.
Participant: Building Inter-religious Trust in a Climate of Fear: An Abrahamic Dialogue. Participant, United States Institute of Peace, 2003.
Participant: Women, Religion and Social Change, Harvard Divinity School, 2003.
Participant: Women’s Network in Multi-religious America: After September 11. Harvard Pluralism Project, 2001-02.
Participant: The Challenge of Leadership. World Bank and Center for International Leadership, 2002
Panelist, September 11, The Office of Equity Program, Fairfax County, VA, 2001.
Panelist; Fairfax County Public Schools, 2001.
Participant: Islamic Round Table, American University, 2001.
Presenter: Imagine A World of Peace, Women’s Peace Conference, World Bank, 2001.
Presenter: A Muslim League Challenge, Second Annual Conference for N. American Muslim Lawyers, 2001.
Participant and Committee member, Dialogue Project, 2001 – 02.
Panelist: The Challenges and Opportunities of Globalization at the Dawn of the Millennium, Howard University, 2001.
Panelist: Women and Diversity in Fairfax County, Commission for Women, 2001.
Participant & facilitator: Women and Social Change Symposium, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 1996.
Participant: International Inter-Ethnic Conflict Resolution, NMCI, 1996.
Presenter: Cultural Factors in Conflict Resolution. Training and Theory Praxis, University of Massachusetts, 1996.
Presenter: Training Program for Arbitrators and Mediators, Catholic University, 1996.

alma.jadallah@gmail.com