President: 2021 - Present
Dr. Rashed is a political scientist and Associate Dean of the College for Academic Affairs at the University of Chicago. She specializes in civil-military relations, violence, armed actors, and Middle East politics. Her work on state institutions is at the intersection of comparative politics and international relations, drawing upon experiences of political development in Egypt, the Middle East, and the Global South. She directs the UChicago Sawiris Program, a $50 Million-dollar endowed program between Egyptian universities and the University of Chicago.

Dr. Rashed received her undergraduate degree from Cairo University’s Faculty of Economics and Political Science, an MA in International Studies from DePaul University, and an MA a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Chicago. In addition to her academic publications, her commentaries on Middle East affairs have been featured in media outlets including the Washington Post and Foreign Policy.

Dr. Rashed was a founding member of the Chicago Declaration. She has been a member of the EAS Board of Directors since 2013.

Vice President: 2021 - Present Since Dr. Ibrahim arrived in the Chicago area, more than 40 years he became very involved with the Egyptian community and over the years, built diverse connections and friendships with Egyptians in The Greater Chicago area.

He served The Egyptian American Society in different capacities for over 18 years and was on the committee which wrote The Chicago Declaration for equality in Egypt. He always advocates for human rights, religious freedom, and equality in Egypt. He has conducted, in the past several years, numerous humanitarian medical trips, to Egypt and other countries in the Middle East and more recently to Ethiopia to treat and teach modern spine surgery. Dr. Ibrahim is the Past-President of the internationally prestigious spine society “Scoliosis Research Society” In addition to his medical career,

Dr. Ibrahim obtained a MA degree in International Relations from Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, in 2004 Dr. Ibrahim lives in Chicago with his wife Lucy, a Psychiatrist who practices in Hinsdale. They have one daughter Chere Marie who is married and lives in the west suburbs.

Dr. Ibrahim was a founding member of the Chicago Declaration. He has been a member of the EAS Board of Directors since 2003.

Treasurer: 2003 – Present
Mr. Michael has been the treasurer of the EAS since its foundation in 2003, until present day, and has been an active member. Ashraf plays a big role in the planning of Cultural & Social events around the Chicagoland area. Mr. Michael has a bachelor’s degree from the Faculty of Arts and English Literature from Ein Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

Ashraf has been active in assisting with information to Americans who are interested in the Egyptian culture, trade missions, business investments, and those with an interest to travel to Egypt. Mr. Michael is the founder and owner of Egypt Tours and Travel

Ashraf has been arranging luxury, private custom tailor-made tours to Egypt, Jordan, Israel, and Kenya for more than 45-years, handling VIP’s such as Motorola CEO, Nalco Chemicals CEO, Illinois Executive Chamber of Commerce President, Governor of Illinois as well as University symposiums and International Programs.

Secretary: 2022 - Present
Dr. Nashwa Mekky currently serves as the Chief People, Equity, Culture and Ethics Officer at the Illinois Math and Science Academy (IMSA) in Aurora, Illinois. Dr. Mekky is a practitioner and has served in different capacities including as middle-school teacher, reading specialist, instructional team leader, athletic director, associate principal, and principal. With over 25 years of teaching and leadership experience, Dr. Mekky uses her equity lens to ensure high levels of access and opportunities for all students. Dr. Mekky is a strong advocate of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging. She is a member of the Illinois State Educational Equity Committee, co-chairs the Illinois State Learning Conditions Committee, and has co-chaired the Illinois Principals Association Lake Region Diversity and Equity Committee.

Dr. Mekky holds a BA in Elementary Education from Northeastern University, an M.S. in Reading & Literacy from Walden University, advanced coursework from National-Louis University, an M.A. in Instructional Leadership from Roosevelt University, and a doctorate in Educational Leadership at Western Illinois University. Dr. Mekky lives in the northern suburbs and is blessed with 4 adult children. She is proud of her Egyptian heritage and enjoys promoting Egypt’s culture and traditions.

Dr. Mekky was initially involved with EAS during its inception in 2003.

Board member: 2003 - Present
Dr. Refaat A. Abdel-Malek is Vice Chairman Emeritus of MWH Global, Inc. He was the CEO of Harza Engineering Company prior to its merger with Montgomery Watson and the formation of MWH, which is one of the leading Water, Energy and Infrastructure Consulting Firms in the world. Abdel-Malek is an expert on hydropower and its sustainable development. He was responsible for the design and construction management of some of the world’s most complex hydropower projects and served as a senior consultant for the Three Gorges dam in China, one of the world’s largest waterway and hydropower projects to date.

In 2014, Abdel-Malek was awarded the ASCE Rickey Medal for outstanding contributions to hydroelectric engineering, and leadership in the delivery of the world’s largest and most complex projects. His mission is “to advance sustainable hydropower by building and sharing knowledge on its role in renewable energy systems, freshwater management and climate change solutions.”

Dr. Abdel-Malek was a founding member of the Chicago Declaration. He had served as EAS Vice President between 2003-2013 and President between 2013-2021.

Board member: 2022 - Present
Mary Alexander-Basta has been a member of the Chicago Egyptian Community since 1993. She is married to Dr. Emad Basta and is mother of 2 sons Peter & Benjamin. Mary’s background before entering into the political arena was in the hospitality industry working for brand name hotels such as the Four Seasons & The Palmer House Hilton.

Mary was the 1st female General Manager of the Chicago Yacht Club. Mary was recognized by Congressman Danny Davis as one of the top most influential females and by ABPA ( Arab Business Professionals Association) Empower 10. Mary is currently the Mayor of Bolingbrook, IL, she is the first Egyptian female in the U.S. to hold that position.

Board member: 2003 – Present
Taha ElGhawaby is the owner and president of Taha ElGhawaby CPA, Inc. since 1980. Taha received BS and MA from Ain Shams University in Egypt and MBA from Western Illinois University.

Taha is socially active member of the Egyptian, Arab and Muslim communities in Illinois. He served as a founder member and member of Board of Directors of American Arab Business & Professional Association (ABPA), Al-Azhar Islamic Foundation (AIF) and the Egyptian American Society (EAS). He also served as an officer and a member of Board of Directors of the Egyptian American Club and Mid-America Arab Chamber of Commerce.

Taha’ s CPA Firm provided pro-bono professional services and consultations to Arab and Islamic organizations such as, but not limited to, Mosque Foundation, Downtown Islamic Center, Universal School and Al-Aqsa School.

Mr. ElGhawaby was a founding member of the Chicago Declaration. He had served as EAS Vice president between 2003-2021

Board member: 2022 - Present

Dr. Atef L MacKar is a medical doctor and executive with years of experience in the medical field, pharmaceutical research, products development, and drug manufacturing. Dr. Mackar is currently the president and CEO of American Pharmaceutical Innovations Company. Dr. Mackar received his Medical Doctorate and Masters of Urology and Uro-surgery from the University of Ain Shams Medical School, Cairo, Egypt. Dr. Mackar also received his Masters degree in Business Administration, Healthcare Management from the Keller University in Chicago. Dr. Mackar holds several proprietary rights and patents in drug development as well as multiple scientific publications. Dr. Mackar is a founding member of the Egyptian American Society, as well as a number of other nonprofit and charitable organizations in the USA.

Dr. Mackar took part in early discussions that led to the establishment of the EAS, and he was a cosigner and coauthor of the Chicago Declaration in 2001. He has served as a founding member of the Chicago Declaration for years after.

Board Member: 2013 – Present
Fouad Teymour serves as the Secretary of the EAS board and is proud to be an original member of the Chicago declaration group. He is the Johnson Polymer professor of chemical engineering, and former chairman of the department of chemical and biological engineering, at the Illinois Institute of Technology.

He is an award-winning educator, an innovator in education technology, and an accomplished researcher with numerous publications, patents, and mentored PhDs. Fouad is also a theater artist and a playwright whose critically-acclaimed plays have been produced on Chicago stages in 2017 and 2019.

He is a board member of the International Voices Project, an artistic associate of Silk Road Rising, and a resident playwright at Chicago Dramatists. He has been active over the years in organizing and coordinating cultural events for EAS.

Dr. Teymour was a founding member of the Chicago Declaration. He has been a member of the EAS Board of Directors since 2013.