saafir rabb ii

Saafir leads the Interculture team in providing our clients with culturally competent business solutions. Initiating his career at the intersection of community development and social enterprise, his work has improved results for efforts ranging from business development and job creation, to drug treatment and affordable housing. In the U.S. and internationally, he has assisted numerous organizations and enterprises with developing strategic approaches, improved realtionships, financing options and general good judgement to carry forward their agendas. With a keen ability to identify and incorporate critical concerns from multiple perspectives, Saafir's approach results in increased efficiency, profitability and positive social impact for Interculture clients. A former consultant to President Obama's transition team for public diplomacy, Saafir is a member of the Pacific Council on International Policy, and a board member of Educate Girls Globally.

kofi rashid

Beginning his professional career in the United States as a consultant with top-tier strategy consulting firm Bain and Company, Kofi’s expertise as a Middle East and Southeast Asia strategy development specialist is without equal. Spending over a decade in Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates designing and implementing high-level business strategies has enabled him to work extensively in China, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam and the entire Arabian Gulf. Kofi worked for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum as Senior Director for Strategy and Business Development for Sama Dubai, building the company from a team of 7 to an organization of over 800 within 3 years. He has also worked in the Office of the UAE Minister of State as Director for Strategic Partnerships. In these roles, Kofi uses his cultural competence proficiency to establish international teams of policy experts and provide good judgment for strategic international relations.

intisar rashid, esq.

A former contract litigation and criminal defense attorney, Intisar understands the challenges of "embracing the other side." In parallel to her accomplished legal career, Intisar has traveled extensively providing her expertise to government officials, business executives, and opinion leaders across the globe. In this capacity she has done conflict resolution, contract negotiation, client advocacy, and training in countries including Israel, Malaysia, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. Intisar is also a contributing writer to Azizah magazine, a National Urban Fellow and a member of Georgia's Interfaith Community Institute.

marnell a. cooper

Marnell A. Cooper is Managing Partner of Palmer|Cooper, LLC. Marnell has developed unique legal experience representing both individuals and companies in civil litigation and international business while also negotiating agreements in various countries including France, India, Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates. Mr. Cooper provides expert advice in the areas of strategic planning, corporate governance and high-level government and corporate negotiations. Marnell has held various leadership positions on committees within the Maryland State Bar, is a graduate of the United Way’s Building Diverse Boards, chairs the Fuel Fund of Maryland and participates in several community activities in support of the City of Baltimore.

matthew b. palmer, esq.

Matthew Palmer provides his experience as a business attorney representing international property development, mergers and acquisitions and structured finance. Prior to practicing law, Matthew worked as an energy economist. He holds a J.D. from the University of Maryland School of Law and an M.A. in Economics from Cambridge University. As an accredited LEED certified professional, Matthew designs strategies and development contracts for alternative energy and development deals. An avid clay target shooting competitor, Matthew has twice won the individual and team Champion Medal for all British Universities.

julie a. hopkins

Julie A. Hopkins practices all aspects of intellectual property law, domestically and internationally. For over a decade, Julie was a member of several American Lawyer Top 100 law firms in Washington, DC, and has worked as a member of a top ten nationally ranked trademark group providing comprehensive trademark counsel to organizations in the United States and around the world. As a registered patent attorney, Julie practices trademark prosecution, registration, and enforcement in the United States and worldwide, including searching and clearance of brand names, logos, slogans, and trade dress. She helps clients to patent, protect, and commercialize inventions in numerous areas, including pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and consumer products, and helps inform strategies to penetrate intercultural markets.

rodney wilson

As a research analyst and creative writer, Rodney supports Interculture clients with ongoing marketing, public relations and media management services. He is involved with organizing and directing strategies to clients seeking culturally competent solutions both domestically and internationally. Prior to joining Interculture, Rodney worked as a freelance journalist and Marketing Coordinator for African Ancestry Incorporated. He also cofounded the event planning venture Premium Possibilities in Washington DC, and worked on several political campaigns.

al-husein n. madhany

al-Husein N. Madhany manages strategic business, policy, and media communications partnerships that facilitate cutting-edge domestic and international diplomatic action. He has consulted domestically and internationally with the private and public sectors on philanthropy, civic engagement and community development. al-Husein has taught at Georgetown University and worked as the Executive Director and Executive Editor of Islamica Magazine. He holds a BA from Wake Forest and graduate degrees from Harvard, Georgetown and the University of Chicago. al-Husein is a member of the Pacific Council on International Policy, a Senior Fellow at the Homeland Security Policy Institute at George Washington University, a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and serves on the advisory board for the Abbasi Program in Islamic Studies at Stanford University.

bilal h. waajid

Bilal Waajid is a branding, marketing and creative technology specialist. In addition to illustrating children’s books and establishing an accomplished career as a muralist, he has worked with over a hundred organizations in more than twenty countries. As a manager for Intel’s educational non-profit, the Intel Computer Clubhouse Network, Bilal worked with under-resourced community organization managers training in information community technology best practices. At MIT Media Lab, Bilal polished his skills in all forms of digital media including web design and video production. Bilal's extensive experience in social media and creative content development assists Interculture clients with digital reputation management and helps our clients bridge the "digital divide".