About Us

A message to
friends and members of AAWBC

A message to friends and members of AAWBC

Welcome to the heart of AAWBC, where purpose converges with passion! At AAWBC, we are thrilled to extend a warm invitation to our dynamic community, the nation’s hub of Arab American women.

Picture a consortium of empowered women collaborating seamlessly, fostering impactful initiatives, and forging enduring connections. AAWBC encapsulates this ethos.

Our engagement spans committee involvement, inclusive workshops, and active participation in an enriching mentorship program. Beyond a collective, AAWBC represents a sisterhood fortified by shared aspirations. With a heritage of over 15 years, we have consistently curated superlative content, fostering professional development and outreach.

Looking forward to 2024, AAWBC is poised for exponential growth and heightened influence. Our commitment is unwavering as we endeavor to amplify support for Arab American women and other underrepresented communities.

Are you eager to be part of an extraordinary journey? Join us, and together, let’s redefine the benchmarks of success.

Inspire.

Professional Development Sessions.
1,000 women advanced on topics including leadership development, networking skills, financial literacy, social media, how to start a business, wills, and trusts.

Arab American Woman of the Year.
The only national organization that honors exceptional women in business, entrepreneurship, education, non-profit, and politics.

Small Business Development.
Entrepreneurs share challenges with fellow entrepreneurs for potential solutions.

Empower.

Mentorship.
54 young Arab-American women mentored as they entered the workforce, including industries such as finance, banking, non-profit, business, legal, real estate, and health care.

Scholarships.
$100,000 distributed to Arab-American women entering community colleges and/or universities, from in-state universities to Ivy League schools.

Image of Arab-American Women.
Engaged members, the community, and society to better understand the aspirations, challenges, contributions, and successes of Arab-American women.

Connect.

Committees.
The committees we have are the most impactful and illustrative way that we stand out from other organizations.

Networking. Opportunities to connect business-to-business and business-to-consumer, including a book club, golf, social and educational events, and networking with other women’s professional organizations.

Signature Event. Over 2,500 individuals have attended this annual breakfast, at which time women from a variety of backgrounds gather to honor the organization and its mission. Keynote speakers included CEOs, editors, presidents of universities, and a US Senator.

Global Initiatives.

Implemented federal grants, which included professional and entrepreneurial development with women groups from the MENA region. This included partnering with local and national organizations Global Ties, World Learning, Wayne State University, and the University of Michigan. Funding was received from the US Department of State, which focused on Women’s STEM efforts, Engineering pathways from education to employment, accelerating entrepreneurship among MENA youth, economic empowerment through entrepreneurship in MENA, and economic empowerment of women in MENA.

Our Mission

The AAWBC’s mission is to inspire Arab American women to achieve success by empowering, developing, and helping build strong and lasting connections.

Our Vision

AAWBC’s vision is to be the leading organization for Arab American women looking to achieve success, creating representation at every level in every industry, and making an impact on the world.

Leadership Team

Claudia Chaalan

Mentorship Committee Lead/Director

Subscription Management Product Manager – General Motors

Claudia Chaalan is a Product Manager at General Motors (GM), where she plays a pivotal role in the deployment and development of the commercial subscription management application across GM global markets. Her expertise lies in managing third-party relationships and deploying strategic business initiatives.

She was awarded the 2010 Adams Fellowship Recipient where she was able to complete a fellowship at Ford Motor Company Intellectual Property Division. She contributed to enhancing of the safety inventions for “ISO Fix” at Ford Motor Company. Claudia has been an active member and contributor to the AAWBC organization where she now leads the mentorship Committee. Claudia has volunteered her time and effort in many community organizations such as, Tech Town, AAWBC, Board Member of the Arab American Professional Network, Women at Ford, Women at GM, Women In IT, Forgotten Harvest, just to mention a few.

Jameleh Haidous

Vice President | Director of Small Business Development – AAWBC

Senior Business Relationship Manager – JP Morgan Chase Bank

Jameleh is a Senior Business Relationship Manager with JP Morgan Chase bank. She has been in the banking industry for 18 years, holding multiple positions before making her way into business banking. Jameleh prides herself on serving her portfolio clients with the highest level of personal and professional service and building trusting relationships. Jameleh is a graduate of the University of Michigan-Dearborn with a BBA in Business Management. She lives in Dearborn with her husband and two young boys. Jameleh is the daughter of Lebanese immigrant parents and loves to give back to the community that gave her and her family so much opportunity. She has served on the board of the Arab American Women’s Business Council for the last 12 years in hopes of helping other women in the community advance professionally through mentorship, entrepreneurship, and networking.

Jumana Judeh, PhD

Director of Workforce Development – AAWBC

President – The Judeh Group

Jumana Judeh, PhD, MAI, CCIM is a commercial appraiser with over two decades of appraisal experience, during which she has developed strong skills in valuing a variety of properties. Regularly sought after as an expert witness for legal testimony as well as a regular speaker at continuing education classes and before business groups and conferences, Ms. Judeh is typically included as a consultant on teams to establish acquisition, leasing, or proposed construction. She is an expert on the development of market analysis, feasibility studies, and/or highest and best-use analyses. Judeh & Associates has built a reputation for providing quality and reliable service in a timely manner, and they work closely with their clients to assure customer satisfaction. She is a Past President of CREW Detroit; a Board Member of the CCIM Michigan Chapter; a former Zoning Board, TIFA Board, and City Councilwoman. She has received numerous awards acknowledging her success and leadership, as well as being quoted in several publications. A Purdue and Wayne State Graduate, Ms. Judeh has appeared on national media on the topic of valuation.

Reda Taleb

NEI Project Manager

Founder/CEO – Dream Catcher Innovations

Reda A. Taleb is a native Detroiter, and the proud daughter of Lebanese Muslim immigrants. She is a strategic, transformative leader, with a demonstrated history of over 15 years of nonprofit experience that spans civic, legal, entrepreneurial, and social justice movements across the United States. As the Founder/CEO of Dream Catcher Innovations™, Reda serves a national clientele with Nonprofit Development and Management, Program Design and Implementation, Strategy Development and Implementation, Fundraising, Social Impact Movement Building, DEI Advocacy, and Community Building.

Reda is a decarceration advocate, certified trauma informed healing justice facilitator, children’s book author, and spoken word poet. She is a proximate and cross-sector changemaker, rooted in grassroots servant advocacy. She reflects the communities she serves, connects with others across identities, and industries. Reda centers equity and builds trust through her commitment towards collective impact in order to achieve collective liberation in the country we aspire to be. These qualities ground her body of work and the legacy she aspires to create for herself, family, and community.

Amal Jawad

Director of Human Resources

Hamadeh Educational Services

Amal Jawad has built a dynamic career in leadership, primarily within the education and nonprofit sectors. With a wealth of experience in Human Resources, operations, and development, Amal has been instrumental in driving organizational success, fostering innovation, and creating strategic growth in mission-driven environments. Amal also provides consultant services specializing in supporting small businesses and nonprofits in optimizing operations, aligning teams, and achieving sustainable growth. Known for her passion for empowering others, Amal blends business acumen with a deep commitment to community impact. Outside of work, Amal is an avid runner and reader, enjoying the benefits of staying active and continually learning. Above all, Amal treasures spending quality time with family and friends, nurturing close relationships that bring joy and support. Amal values a fulfilling balance between personal connections and professional life, always prioritizing meaningful interactions.

Suehaila Amen

Business Development Consultant

For nearly three decades, Suehaila Amen has dedicated her career and volunteerism to fostering relationships and understanding between foreign governments, academic institutions, and grassroots communities. She focuses on programs that empower students to promote learning, social justice, and community empowerment. Amen has participated in numerous global public diplomacy missions on behalf of the United States, facilitating meetings, trainings, and discussions on community engagement, counterterrorism, combating violent extremism, and community building. She is a public speaker, both nationally and internationally, sharing her experiences growing up as an Arab and Muslim American post-9/11, as well as insights on community building, leadership, and faith in service work. Additionally, she and her family were featured on TLC’s All-American Muslim reality show in 2011-2012.