Leading the Team

We’re grateful to have some of the most innovative and committed leaders guiding our organization.​

Deborah Conver
Founding Board Member & President 
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Deborah is a proven executive leader with exceptional experience in pioneering and managing global corporate affairs operations in multinational corporations and non-profit organizations.  She holds several NGO board positions and mentors women executives around the world.  She previously served as Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs for Cadbury, plc.  Additional experience includes international consultancy in the energy, food and pharmaceutical arenas.  She also held the positions of Deputy Assistant Secretary and Acting Assistant Secretary with the U.S. Department of Energy, Director of Federal Affairs and Energy/Agriculture Policy Director for the National Conference of State Legislatures and Legislative Director for two Members of the US Congress.
 

Ryme Assaad
​Founding Board Member & Lebanon Director
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Ryme is an executive leader with more than a decade of experience in the development of international cooperation in economic and social affairs. She holds several executive board positions in private and non-profit organisations.  Her main areas of expertise are green technologies and energy systems, sustainable and resilient city development, circular economy, social entrepreneurship, and the decentralization of the web and grids. 
She previously served as a CEO at construction companies (Kapstone and CEG) and held the position of regional analyst at MENA Research Partners and KPMG. ​Ryme was also a fellow at Mozilla (Firefox), Thomson Reuters Foundation, Swedish institute and Techwomen.​​

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Dr. Theresa Giannavola
​Board Member & Treasurer - JD , LL.M.

​Theresa holds a Juris Doctorate in Law and is an assistant professor of Business, specializing in Banking ​and Financial Services at Northern State University.  ​She holds multiple other NGO Board positions. ​Theresa previously served as a senior attorney advisor at the US Department of Housing and Urban Development; a managing attorney at Liberty Title and Escrow Company; and as Vice President of the Legal Department and Compliance Officer at Linear Title and Closing.

Savedra Scott​
Financial Advisor and Accountant -  CPA, CGMA, CrFA

​Savedra is the president at Savvy Financial solutions, a Certified QuickBooks® ProAdvisor, a member of Maryland Association CPA, AICPA, Woodard Alliance, and of Maryland Nonprofits. 
​She earned a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from American University, a Master of Accountancy from George Washington University, and a Master of Business Administration from Frostburg University.