Building something new
An important idea exists, but the institution, strategy, partnerships, or team do not.
I help leaders move from concept to execution—clarifying the objective, mapping what has to happen, assembling the right people and resources, and building the practical structure needed to get something launched.
New initiatives · Special projects · Institution building · Strategy
When People Call
Entering unfamiliar terrain
A project is moving into a new country, community, sector, or institutional environment where the normal assumptions don't apply.
I help establish what is actually happening, identify the people and forces that matter, build relationships, and develop a strategy attuned to realities on the ground.
International strategy · Partnerships · Stakeholder mapping · Research and reconnaissance
Making the case
Sometimes the idea is strong but the argument around it is not.
I help leaders identify the big story, sharpen the positioning, and develop the narrative needed to win understanding and support from donors, investors, partners, policymakers, employees, or the public.
Strategic narrative · Positioning · Presentations · Speeches · Public arguments
About My Work
I have spent much of my career building things that did not have an obvious home and, in more than a few cases, seemed impossible.
My work has moved between international affairs, law, institution-building, education, advocacy, and writing, but the core task has often been the same: take a concept that crosses conventional boundaries, map the terrain, assemble the right people and partners, and turn it into something that actually works.
Whether a limited initiative, a long-term campaign, or a new organization, the key lies in clarifying the objective and the means for achieving it. From there, the work may involve strategy, research, partnerships, narrative, institution-building, or simply taking responsibility for a difficult project that needs an owner.
Alongside this project work, I advise leaders and organizations on a wide range of questions at the intersection of religion, culture, international affairs, and public life.
Selected Experience
01
Founded and built multiple nonprofit, educational, and civic organizations.
02
Created a large-scale educational travel initiative reaching more than 100 universities and 10,000 students.
03
Designed and launched new institutes, campaigns, publications, conferences, and international initiatives from concept to execution.
04
Built networks and coalitions across religious, ethnic, national, and institutional lines.
05
Organized and led dozens of high-level fact-finding delegations throughout the Mediterranean and Middle East.
06
Convened senior political, civic, religious, diplomatic, military, and policy leaders across more than a dozen countries.
07
Developed academic and intellectual initiatives that resulted in published books, follow-on programs, media coverage, and new partnerships.
08
Developed strategic plans, cases for support, public arguments, speeches, policy papers, and major communications for complex initiatives.
Discuss a Project
Share a brief note about what you’re working on, where you are in the process, and how you think I might help.