Formerly a Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Ronald E. Neumann served three times as Ambassador; to Algeria, Bahrain and finally to Afghanistan from July 2005 to April 2007. Before Afghanistan, Mr. Neumann, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, served in Baghdad from February 2004 with the Coalition Provisional Authority and then as Embassy Baghdad’s liaison with the Multinational Command, where he was deeply involved in coordinating the political part of military actions.

​Prior to working in Iraq, he was Ambassador in Manama, Bahrain (2001-2004), Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Near East Affairs (1997-2000) with responsibility for North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, and Ambassador to Algeria (1994 to 1997). He was Director of the Office of Northern Gulf Affairs (Iran and Iraq; 1991 to 1994). Earlier in his career, he was Deputy Chief of Mission in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and in Sanaa in Yemen, Principal Officer in Tabriz, Iran and Economic/Commercial Officer in Dakar, Senegal. His previous Washington assignments include service as Jordan Desk officer, Staff Assistant in the Middle East (NEA) Bureau, and Political Officer in the Office of Southern European Affairs.

Ambassador Neumann is the author of a memoir, Three Embassies, Four Wars: a personal memoir (2017) and The Other War: Winning and Losing in Afghanistan (Potomac Press, 2009), a book on his time in Afghanistan. He has returned to Afghanistan repeatedly and is the author of a number of monographs, articles, and editorials focusing mainly on Afghanistan and stabilization. At the Academy he has focused particularly on efforts to maintain adequate State and USAID budgets and staffing and upgrade professional formation to enable these institutions to carry out their responsibilities. Ambassador Neumann is on the board of the Middle East Policy Council. He is on the Advisory Boards of the non-profit school for Afghan girls, the School of Leadership, Afghanistan (SOLA), Spirit of America, and the Friends of the American University of Afghanistan. He is a member of the Combat Infantryman’s Association.

 Ambassador Neumann speaks some Arabic and Dari as well as French. He received State Department Superior Honor Awards in 1993 and 1990. He was an Army infantry officer in Viet Nam and holds a Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal and Combat Infantry Badge. In Baghdad, he was awarded the Army Outstanding Civilian Service Medal. In 2018, he received the American Foreign Service Association’s award for Lifetime Contributions to American Diplomacy. He earned a B.A. in history and an M.A. in political science from the University of California at Riverside and is a graduate of the National War College. He is married to the former M. Elaine Grimm. They have two children.

Seyoum Berhe is the Virginia State Refugee Coordinator (SRC) and Director of Office of New Americans. Before becoming SRC, he was Director of the Catholic Charities, Migration and Refugee Services for 15 years. Seyoum has also worked for the American University in Washington, DC from 1986 to 1995 as a director in the Office of Development and as Coordinator of Multi-Cultural Services Center with the Ethiopian Community Development Council (ECDC) from 1995 to 1996.

He has conducted interpretation and translation in Amharic, Tigrigna and Saho.  Seyoum is also an experienced trainer, having conducted interpreter training and cultural competence programs for the past decade. He has actively participated in the development of several interpreter training curricula including mental health interpretation manual.

He is an experienced trainer and mediator accustomed to working with culturally diverse communities in facilitating dialogue towards resolving conflict. Through his career he has conducted program evaluation, implementation and monitoring to ensure plans are put into practice.

Seyoum is a recipient of the 2021 Virginia governor’s award; 2016 FBI Director’s National Community Leadership Awards and 2024 ECDC recipient of Public Service Award

Olivia Burns is an undergraduate student at Georgetown University majoring in American Studies and minoring in Film. She is incredibly thankful to have worked as Director of Audio on “Now, I’m Here,” alongside REACT DC and her talented peers. She is passionate about filmmaking and dance, and enjoys cooking, listening to music, and traveling.

Sofia Kemeny (she/her) is an undergraduate student at Georgetown University majoring in Regional and Comparative Studies and minoring in journalism. She feels so incredibly grateful to have served as the producer for "Now, I'm Here" and to have worked so closely with REACT DC. In her free time, she loves to sing with her acapella group, Georgetown Superfood, read anything and everything in fiction, and write pop culture commentary for The Georgetown Voice.

Hailey Wharram feels immensely honored to have served as the editor for “Now, I’m Here.” She is an undergraduate student at Georgetown University majoring in English and double-minoring in journalism and film and media studies. When she is not filmmaking, she loves writing about arts and culture for The Georgetowner, DC Theater Arts, and The Georgetown Voice.

Sudeeksha Yadav (she/her) is proud to have served as the director for “Now, I’m Here.” She is an undergraduate student at Georgetown University majoring in Computer Science and minoring in Justice and Peace Studies, and outside of her academic pursuits she enjoys hiking, biking, and all things nature.

Zahra Salar aspires to be a beacon of generosity and support, particularly in rural areas like her village, where access to medical care is limited. Her ultimate goal is to establish medical facilities that will provide a second chance at life for those in need. These experiences have also motivated her to bring about positive change, especially in the lives of women, and she is determined to make an inspirational impact through her work. Currently, Zahra serves her community as an application specialist on REACT DC's REACTlegal team, assisting eligible Afghan arrivals with their immigration needs. Through her role, she continues to advocate for and support vulnerable populations, ensuring they have access to the resources and opportunities necessary for a better future.

Daniel Altman is co-founder of Northern Virginia Resettling Afghan Families Together (NOVA RAFT) which he established along with another West Springfield community leader during the evacuation of Kabul in August 2021. Dan’s connections to Afghanistan run deep as he has spent extensive time in country beginning with a deployment while working with the U.S. military in 2006 and continuing with frequent visits through the end of 2019. Even before the tragic events of August 2021, Dan and his family have welcomed Afghan refugees to the United States as far back as 2013 as they helped receive employees of the U.S. Embassy who were issued visas to relocate to the U.S. because they were in danger for their association with the U.S. Government. Much of this work was supported by community volunteers and religious institutions in our local area. When the crisis unfolded in August 2021, Dan mobilized community volunteers, religious institutions, and community groups to furnish homes for newly arrived Afghan refugee families. This work, which was done in connection with area refugee resettlement agencies, directly supported 250 families and brought over $1.2 million worth of donations to them. The West Springfield Rotary was an important partner during this time, contributing manpower and filling in gaps when specific types of furniture were needed. Rotarians also partnered with other NOVA RAFT volunteers to provide direct support to numerous Afghan families.

Over the past two years, Dan’s efforts have broadened with an increasing emphases on helping address the ESL and literacy needs of the large population of Afghan refugees still living in Alexandria, Today, with the incredible support of over 150 volunteers, NOVA RAFT delivers intensive ESL instruction to over 150 adults and runs a youth literacy program supporting over 60 Afghan refugee middle and high school students who are reading below a second grade level.

Ahmad Amiry is an accomplished professional with a rich background in international rights politics and law, boasting over 8 years of experience in various domains such as operations, case management, procurement, and capacity building. Previously serving as an IDA Program Coordinator at Lutheran Immigration & Refugee Services, Amiry demonstrated exceptional proficiency in project management, financial analysis, and program coordination, playing a pivotal role in empowering refugees and immigrants to thrive in their new communities. Currently, Amiry brings his wealth of expertise to his role as REACT DC's Resettlement Manager, where he leads initiatives to support the successful integration of displaced individuals and families into the fabric of society. His strategic mindset, coupled with his dedication to fostering community partnerships, enables him to navigate complex challenges with grace and efficacy. With a degree in Political Law/International Rights and certifications in Microsoft Office Suite and Information Technology, Amiry combines practical experience with a robust educational foundation to drive impactful change and uplift those in need within his sphere of influence.

Development Professional with ten years of experience primarily in the area of refugee resettlement. Certified in M&E. Passionate proponent of data driven decision making and organizational learning. Believer in results based management systems and burgeoning M&E professional.

Zaki Daryabi is Founding Directore of Etilaatroz and KabulNow. Zaki has a B.A. in law and political science studies from Kabul University. He is an expert in the field of civic engagement and human rights and has worked with different national institutions, including Afghanistan Civil Society Network. Zaki founded Etilaatroz in 2012, and since then, it has become one of the most well-respected newspapers in Afghanistan, with millions of followers in the country and abroad. Etilaatroz, as an independent entity, reports on women's and children’s issues; additionally, Etilaatroz is known for its investigative pieces uncovering corruption issues in Afghanistan

YouTube: The Afghan journalists working in exile from the Taliban

Iqbal Najimi is the Regional Programs Director of The Black Feather Foundation and a former Afghan diplomat in the United Arab Emirates with over nine years of working experience in various sectors: Diplomacy; liaising with host governments and counterparts at partner embassies; Strategic analysis; Strategic studies; Policy formulation; Extensive team management; Reporting to and briefing high-level government officials of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

Najimi holds a master’ degree in international relations and a bachelor’s degree in political science and public administration from the American University of Afghanistan.

Najimi is eager to learn, explore, and adapt to other areas of work, and he is a team player. In his diplomatic mission in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Najimi helped over 18,000 Afghan evacuees with documents such as passports, civil certificates, and birth certificates through the Embassy of the

Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi.

Moreover, Najimi represented Afghanistan in various forums and diplomatic gatherings and lobbied for the evacuation of Afghan security sector officials whose lives were at stake.

Najimi’s hobbies are helping the needy and watching movies.

Gaisu Yari is a dedicated research visiting scholar at Clark University and the Director of the Afghan Voices of Hope Project. With a background as a former Commissioner in the Civil Service of Afghanistan, she is a passionate advocate for human rights. Leading a significant storytelling project that involves traveling worldwide to support those in exile, Gaisu is committed to amplifying marginalized voices. A strong advocate for gender justice, she is a prominent public speaker who engages with audiences at conferences, organizations, and in the media, tirelessly advocating for women's rights in Afghanistan. Gaisu holds a master’s degree in Human Rights from Columbia University and a bachelor’s degree in Middle Eastern and Gender Studies from the University of Virginia.