Board of Trustees

Professor Emeritus, Physics, Birzeit University. Member of the Board of Trustees, Yasser Arafat Foundation, the Advisory Committee to Palestinian Anti-Corruption Commission, and several other boards and committees.   Formerly: Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Palestine Capital Market Authority (PCMA) (Sep 2015- Aug 2023); Director General of the Palestine Economic Policy Research Institute (MAS) for two terms (2013-2019) and  (1994–1998); Minister of Finance of the Palestinian National Authority (2012-2013); President of Birzeit University (2004-2010); Minister of Planning (2003–2004); Minister of Tourism and Antiquities(2002-2003); Minister in Charge, Bethlehem 2000 Project (1998-2002); Coordinator, Ministerial Reform Committee (2002-2004); Member of the Board and of the Audit Committee, Palestine Monetary Authority (PMA); Chairman of the Audit Committee of the Ministry of Finance (2009-2012); Director General/ Technical and Advisory Committees, Palestinian Team to Peace Negotiations (1993-1994); Member/ Palestinian Team to the Madrid Peace Conference; Deputy Head/ Palestinian Delegation to the Peace Talks in Washington (1992-1993). Member respectively Head of Delegation: Peace Negotiations in Cairo (1995-1996); Member, Palestinian Team to Final Status Negotiations, 1999. Frequent participant in second-track negotiations, (1997-2003); Member, World Scientific Council 2004-2008, UNESCO. Chairman of the Board of Trustees/Palestine Economic Policy Research Institute (MAS), 2012. Holds a Ph.D. degree in Theoretical Nuclear Physics, American University of Beirut (1972), and M.Sc. degree in Nuclear Physics, University of Mainz, Germany (1969). Held academic ranks and research fellowships at the University of Jordan (1972-1978), the University of Sussex, England (1978-1980) and Birzeit University (1980- 2004); Germany, Britain, France and Italy (1973-1990). Has numerous publications in theoretical nuclear physics as well as many articles and interviews on issues relevant to the Palestinian scene, including politics, economy, culture and education. Invited Participant to Conferences: World Economic Forum, Davos, 1999, 2000; InterAction  Council, Dead Sea 2006; World Federation of Scientists, Erice, 2007, 2008;  IV Foro Formentor,  Mallorca, 2003; World Scientific Council, UNESCO, Paris, 2005, 2006; Global Colloquium of University Presidents, Princeton, 2006.

Chairman of the board of Palestine Islamic Bank. He worked as an economist in Lebanon, UK, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Palestine. In 1996, he was elected to the Palestinian Legislative Council (Parliament) and later served as Minister of National Economy until 2005. As a Minister, he chaired the Palestinian Investment Promotion Agency (PIPA), Palestine Standards Institution (PSI) and Palestinian Industrial Estates and Free Zone Authority (PIEFZA). He was the Chairman of Palestine Capital Markets Authority (PCMA) from 2006 till 2014. Presently he is a member of the board of the Palestine Investment Fund (PIF) and the Chairman of Palestine Stock Exchange. Mr. Masri holds BA and MA degree in economics from the American University of Beirut.

A Palestinian statistician, academic, and former Minister of National Economy. He founded and served for 13 years as President of the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS), overseeing the development of official Palestinian statistical systems. Abu‑Libdeh has held numerous senior governmental and economic leadership roles, including Minister of Labor, Minister of Social Affairs, Cabinet Secretary, Chairman of the Palestine Stock Exchange, CEO of the Palestine Investment Conference (2008), and senior roles with PECDAR and the Prime Minister’s Office. He has also served on the boards of leading Palestinian academic, economic, and regulatory institutions, participated in key Palestinian‑Israeli negotiations in the 1990s, and published extensively in statistics and public policy. In addition to his professional work, he is a published poet and short‑story writer. He holds a BSc in Mathematics from Birzeit University, an MSc in Mathematical Statistics from Stanford University, and an MSc and PhD in Applied Statistics and Biostatistics from Cornell University.

President of the Ramallah and Al‑Bireh Chamber of Commerce and Industry for several terms. He possesses well‑established leadership experience in managing economic institutions and strengthening the business environment in Palestine. He also serves as Chairman of the Board of the Holy Land Insurance Company and is a board member of the Higher Council for Creativity and Excellence, as well as the Palestine Takaful Insurance Company. Considered one of the leading economic and administrative figures, he brings an advanced strategic vision for developing the private sector, leading high‑impact economic initiatives, and building sustainable institutional partnerships at both the local and international levels. Throughout his professional career, he has contributed to supporting pathways of growth and development, embedding principles of good governance and institutional excellence, and enhancing the role of institutions in achieving sustainable economic and developmental impact. He holds an MBA degree from Birzeit University, 2006.

Economist and consultant. Ex-deputy Minister, Ministry of Finance, PA (1994-2005); Cofounder and CEO of the Palestine Capital Market Authority (PCMA) (2005-2009); Professor of Economics at different Palestinian Universities including An-Najah National University since 1983; Chairman of the Economics Dept. at An-Najah (1984-1986); Chairman of the Palestinian Economists Association (1988-1990); Chairman of Al-Quds Open University (1991-1994); member of the Palestinian peace delegation in 1993; was a member of the Ad-hoc group of Experts of International Cooperation in Tax Matters, UN, New York. Currently, he is a Board member of: The Palestine Investment Fund (PIF) Masdar (2022- to date) Sanad Company (2020 - to date) the Internal Audit Committee and Member of The Risk and Corporate at Arab Islamic Bank (2013 – Present) In the past he was also a board member of the Palestinian Industrial Estate and Free Zone Authority (PIEFZA) (1997 -2005); the Palestinian Investment Promotion Agency (PIPA) since 1999; the Association of the Arab Certified Public Accountants since 1999; the Palestine Exchange, May 2014; The Palestine Monetary Authority (PMA) (1996 -2005). He also served as Chairman of the Arab Islamic Bank (2016-2021); Special Adviser to the Board- Bank of Palestine (2009 –2014); Member of the Board of Directors/Chairman of the Internal Audit Committee of Palestine Real Estate s Investment Co. (PRICO) (2009-2015); Chairman of the Steering Committee of the PA Tax Administration Computer System since 1998; member of the Steering Committee of Local Infrastructure and Capacity Building Project/Belgian Technical Cooperation (2001); member of the Steering Committee of the Municipal Development Project/the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) (2002); Vice-Pres. of the Palestinian National Pension Committee since 2003; He has conducted numerous research activities in the fields of finance, trade, taxation and other economic issues and has written many articles, papers and studies on those subjects. He holds PhD in Economics from Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (1982).

Chairman and CEO of Sinokrot Global Group since 1982, the Founder and Ex-Chairman of the Palestinian Food Industries Association, and the Regional Director of the Arab Food Industries Federation since 1997. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of:  The Public-Private Joint Economic Committee, the National Reform Committee, the Palestinian Economic Task Force, the Palestinian Free Zone and Industrial Zones Association, and the Board of Registry and Sanction at the Ministry of Higher Education; serves as Secretary of the Private Sector Coordinating Council; member of the Palestinian Businessmen Association and of the Higher Council for Technical Vocational and Education; He also serves as Chairman or Vice-chairman of: The Industrial Modernization Center the Universal Group for Engineering and Consulting the Palestinian Federation of Industries; Vice-Chairman of the Palestinian Standards Institute; He also acted as representative of the Palestinian private sector in local and international activities; has been an associate member in all committees in charge of formulating laws and legislation related to the Palestinian economy (incl. labor, income tax, investment, … etc.); has contributed to many economic trade studies between the PA and other countries; was appointed PA Minister of National Economy in the cabinet of PM Ahmed Qrei’a in Feb. 2005. Mr. Sinokrot holds a BSc with Honors in Industrial Engineering and Production Management from the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom (1980). 

Held the position of Governor of the Palestinian Monetary Authority and Chairman of its Board of Directors for five years, from 20/11/2015 to 3/1/2021. During that period, he also headed the National Anti-Money Laundering Committee and the Board of Directors of the Palestinian Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Banking Institute. On April 29, 2018, he was awarded the "Golden Union Medal for Achievement" by the Union of Arab Banks. In 2003, Mr. Shawwa was appointed Minister of Energy and Natural Resources in the Palestinian National Authority, where he spent more than three years in this position marked by remarkable activity. The year 2007 witnessed the peak of His Excellency Mr. Shawa's involvement in the banking business, as he assumed the position of General Manager of Al Quds Bank. In 2012, His Excellency Mr. Shawwa chaired the Board of Directors of the Association of Banks in Palestine, where he tangibly activated its role in serving the member banks and the banking sector in general. In March 2013, Mr. Shawwa joined Palestine Commercial Bank as its General Manager. Since its establishment in 2002, Mr. Shawwa has been a prominent member of the Board of Directors of the Palestine Investment Fund, which represents the state's sovereign fund and its investment arm. It operates as an independent investment institution that aims to contribute effectively to sustainable economic development. Mr. Shawa is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Palestine Future Foundation for Children. He is also an active member of the boards of directors of several local and international organizations and institutions, the most important of which are: the Businessmen Association, the Young Presidents Organization (YPO), the Palestinian Power Generation Company, the Welfare Association, the Mahmoud Abbas Foundation, and the Yasser Arafat Foundation. Mr. Shawwa is also a member of the Union of Arab Banks.  Mr. Shawa previously chaired the board of directors of several institutions, the most important of which are Reef Lending, NatHealth, Gaza Sports Club, Atfaluna Association for Deaf Children, Palestinian Weightlifting Federation, and membership in the Board of Trustees of Al-Quds Open University and the Education for Employment Foundation. He completed his education from Lemoyne-Owen College in Memphis, Tennessee, USA in 1988, where he obtained a BA in Mathematics.

With educational qualifications in Economics and Business Management and many specialized training programs, Mrs. Khoury work experience in Palestine led to a good level of expertise in diverse sectors, namely: economic and private sector development in OPT/State of Palestine, tourism and cultural development, women development and demography issues, defense of human rights, donor coordination, Jerusalem multi-sector development research, and programming for the Bethlehem 2000 Development project. This rich experience led to her appointment as Cabinet Minister with the Palestinian Authority and later as P.L.O. Ambassador (Déléguée Générale) in France. Upon retirement, she served as General Secretary to the Kairos Palestine movement.   Previous Work Experience: 2010-present: voluntary work serving on the boards of various local civil society organizations among which are ARIJ as president for six years and now as Vice President, The Bethlehem Development Foundation (Vice President), Kairos Palestine. A-lHoash Art Center (President, 2019-2021). Waqfiet Alquds (Vice President). Palestine Investment Fund (PIF) Sabeel (Vice President). the Bethlehem Bible College. the Arab Thought Forum. 2015-2016: General Secretary of Kairos Palestine 2006-2010: Ambassador of P.L.O. In France (entitled Déléguée Générale at the time). 2005-2006: Cabinet Minister for Jerusalem Affairs with the Palestinian Authority. 2003-2005: Program Advisor with NORAD, at the Representative Office of Norway, charged with managing support to the Palestinian human Rights Sector and Donor Coordination. 2000-2003: Researcher on the economic and financial sectors in Jerusalem within the Multi-Sector Review study. 1998-2000: The Bethlehem 2000 Project Ministry in Charge of cultural management and marketing. 1996-1997: UNFPA Representative working on women and demography. 1995-1996: Freelance consultant (conducted a tourism development study for Bethlehem on behalf of UNESCO, business development for SIDA, employment generation projects for UNDP, the concept for the Bethlehem 2000 development program among other tasks and studies).   She is also serving as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Palestine Investment Fund and a member of the board (in charge of development and public relations) at the Maqased Society, Jerusalem.   She had her schooling in Bethlehem at Sœur de St. Joseph de l’Apparition and De La salle High School, earned a B.A. degree in Economics from the American University of Beirut (1974), and M.Sc. in Business Management from Boston University (obtained through studies at Ben Gurion University Campus). She published a number of articles in foreign and local press

Lecturer at the Department Of Business Administration. Served as the dean of the Faculty of Business and Economics at Birzeit University for two terms.  She is an adjunct visiting professor at Florida State University. She has over thirty years of experience as a university professor, administrator, student career advisor, researcher, management trainer, and consultant at private and public organizations. She served as a university council member, an academic council member, and on a number of university and community committees including the board of directors of the National Bank/Palestine. She is co-editor of a case book titled Rising to the Digital Challenge: Lessons from Mediterranean Enterprises (2005). She is a co-author of “The Palestinian Executive: Leadership under Challenging Conditions”, Gower, UK (2012). She is also a co-editor of a book titled “Cases on Management and Organizational Behavior in an Arab Context”, IGI, USA (2014). She holds an MBA from Suffolk University, USA, and a PhD in Human Resource Management from Bradford University, UK. Dr. Khoury is a reviewer for several management journals and a member of the editorial board of The Learning Organization, Emerald. Her research interests include entrepreneurship and employment, leadership, organizational behavior, and management She obtained certificates in project management and customer relationship management. She has published a number of management case studies and research articles in several academic journals and participated in international conferences.

Co-founder and CEO of Bisan Systems Ltd, a software house established in Ramallah, Palestine in 1988,  specializing in Complete Financial Management ERP Solutions serving the private, governmental, non-profit and microfinance sectors.  Bisan Systems serves various countries and sectors with 40% of its sales outside Palestine. She is a founding member of the Business Women Forum-Palestine established in 2006 and is currently an active member.  Samia is the first woman from the Palestinian private sector to serve on the Board of Directors of the Palestine Monetary Authority from 2016 until 2019. Samia has been a member of Birzeit University Board of Trustees since 2017. Samia completed her BA degree in Industrial Design from San Francisco State University in 1987 and worked for three years in California, USA.  Samia received an Executive MBA degree from Northwestern University’s International Kellogg-Recanati program in 2013.

Professor Abu Kishek has served as the 4th President of Al-Quds University (AQU) and Professor of Public Policy since 2014. Before his appointment, he held senior leadership roles at AQU, including Vice President for Administrative and Financial Affairs (1999–2011) and Executive Vice President (2011–2014). Under his leadership, AQU introduced academic programs unique in the Middle East, expanded its campus in and around Jerusalem’s Old City, and established programs aligning learning outcomes with societal needs. He also leads initiatives that promote social innovation and entrepreneurship among AQU students and Palestinian youth, including the Jerusalem Innovation Incubator and Accelerator. During his presidency, AQU expanded international cooperation with universities and higher education institutions worldwide, resulting in partnerships, joint centers, and research initiatives. These include the Confucius Institute, the Indian Center of Excellence, the Al-Quds Academy for Global Justice in partnership with former ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo, and the Competitiveness Initiative with Harvard. Professor Abu Kishek represents Palestinian university presidents at COMSATS and is the elected representative of Palestinian universities in the Federation of Universities in the Islamic World. He also serves on the boards of several regional and international institutions, including the Jerusalem Endowment, the Al-Quds Academy for Scientific Research, the Palestinian Anti-Corruption Commission, and the Palestinian Academy for Administration, and is a member of the Palestine National Council. Abu Kishk has received several honors, including the Sheikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa Award for Voluntary Work for AQU’s role in locally producing a medical ventilator, the 2023 International Award of Excellence for achievements in social responsibility, the “Biagio Andò Prize” for contributions to human rights and scientific research, and an honorary doctorate of Humane Letters from Bard College for advancing AQU and Palestinian higher education. Professor Abu Kishek holds a PhD in Public Policy from Northeastern University and a Bachelor of Engineering from Al-Quds University.

The Director General of the Applied Research Institute-Jerusalem (ARIJ) which is a leading Palestinian institute that conducts research on agriculture, environment, land use and water. He is the former Dean of Science at Bethlehem University. He headed the Palestinian delegation for the environmental working group in the multilateral talks and is an advisor to the Palestinian Negotiation Affairs Department. He is a member of the Palestinian National Committee for Register of Wall Damages, Palestinian National Committee for ICC, Higher Council for Innovation and Excellence, and the editorial board of Water Policy Journal. He earned his B.Sc. degree from Cairo University and his M.Sc. degree from Rutgers University and his Ph.D. degree from the university of East Anglia in the United Kingdom. He has published more than 100 articles and books in his field of interest.

Governor of the Palestine Monetary Authority (PMA) and Chairman of the Board Mr. Shunnar has over thirty years of local and international experience in economics, finance, banking, and the public sector across Palestine, the Arabian Gulf, and the United States. His expertise includes financial systems, real estate financing, securitization, financial leasing, investment funds, Islamic banking, portfolio management, mergers and acquisitions valuation, underwriting, and securities promotion. Regionally and internationally, Shunnar led Real Estate Investments at Ibdar Islamic Investment Bank in Bahrain (2011-2016), and served as Chief Investment Officer at Capivest Islamic Investment Bank in Bahrain from 2008, where he secured a Central Bank of Bahrain investment license and earned FAP1 and FAP2 certifications. In 2011, he founded YJS Consulting in Bahrain, specializing in financial advisory, mergers, and acquisitions. Previously, Mr. Shunnar was Head of Marketing for the Nassar Group across Palestine, Jordan, Oman, and the UAE, and Executive Director of Nassar Stone in Dubai during 2006 and 2007. In Palestine, Mr. Yahya Shunnar held senior private and public sector roles, including Chairman of the Board of the Establishment of Manage and Development Orphans Fund with the rank of minister until his appointment as Governor of the Monetary Authority. He was also Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors at Tamkeen Insurance Company and a member of the Board of Directors of the Palestine Islamic Bank. He also served as Investment Manager at the Palestine Development and Investment Company (PADICO) and Assistant General Director of the Palestine Stock Exchange, contributing to the listing of Palestinian public shareholding companies and the development of brokerage firms in the Palestinian financial market. In the Public Sector, Mr. Shunnar served as Director General of the Secretariat of the Palestinian Council of Ministers, helping institutionalize the Palestinian Council of Ministers and serving as Secretary for key ministerial committees, including the Ministerial Administrative Committee, which restructured ministries, authorities, and institutions of the Palestinian National Authority in line with legal and administrative standards. Mr. Shunnar holds an MBA degree from the University of Arkansas, USA, and a BA in Business Administration and Economics from Yarmouk University, Jordan.

Chairman of Palestine Investment Fund (PIF) Iyad Joudeh is the founder and managing director of Solutions for Development, established to provide advisory services to clients committed to developing the Palestinian economy. A leading member of the Palestinian business community, Iyad is recognized for advancing development initiatives that strengthen the Palestinian private sector’s resilience and social responsibility. Iyad leads Solutions’ support services for Palestinian businesses, including SME access to finance and markets, economic development strategies and planning, industrial sector development, trade development and promotion, and business development services. He advocates for a business enabling environment and public policy regulations that enhance Palestinian producers’ competitiveness locally and internationally, using his networks and experience to align public and private sector interests. With 25 years of private sector development expertise, Iyad served as Chief Executive Officer of PalTrade, the National Trade Promotion Organization; Marketing Director of Bethlehem 2000; General Manager of Development Resource Center (DRC); and General Director of the Economic Development Group. Iyad serves on boards of public and private sector organizations and NGOs focused on social responsibility, affordable housing, economic development, education, and tourism. He is chairman of AMAL Affordable Mortgage and Loans Company and Grand Engineering Systems Company; a member of the board of directors of The Palestine Trade Center- PalTrade and the Grand Park Hotels and Resorts Company; a founding and board member of the Palestine International Business Forum (PIBF); and serves on Birzeit University’s Board of Trustees. Iyad is a Hubert H. Humphrey Fellow and holds a postgraduate diploma in Finance and Management from Boston University and a B.A of Economics from Birzeit University.

A Palestinian physician and senior institutional leader with more than three decades of experience in healthcare management, corporate governance, and public service. He is the Founder and Owner of Razan IVF Medical Center (est. 1995) and currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Arab Hospitals Group, one of the leading private healthcare networks in Palestine. In addition to his leadership in healthcare, Dr. Abukhaizaran has held board-level responsibilities across banking, pharmaceutical, insurance, and academic institutions. His previous and current board roles include Palestine Islamic Bank, Birzeit Pharmaceutical Company, Al-Takaful Insurance Company, the Palestinian Businessmen Association, the Innovation and Excellence Fund, and the Anti-Corruption Advisory Board. He also served as Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Arab American University and as a Board Member of Al-Quds Open University, contributing to higher education governance in Palestine. Dr. Abukhaizaran holds an M.D. from Alexandria University and is a Member of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (MRCOG). He was awarded the Medal of Merit and Excellence by President Mahmoud Abbas in recognition of his national contributions.

Palestinian-American based in Al-Bireh/Ramallah, Palestine, and is managing partner of Applied Information Management (AIM), a consulting firm specializing in business development with a niche focus on start-ups and providing executive counsel. Bahour was instrumental in the establishment of two publicly traded firms: the Palestine Telecommunications Company (PALTEL) and the Arab Palestinian Shopping Center. He is currently an independent director at the Arab Islamic Bank, board of trustee member at the Ramallah Friends School, advisory board member of the Open Society Foundations’ Arab Regional Office, and completed a full term as a board of trustees member and board treasurer at Birzeit University. In addition to his presidential appointment to serve as a general assembly member of the Palestine Investment Fund, Palestine’s $1B sovereign wealth fund, Bahour serves in various capacities in several community organizations, including co-founder and chairman of Americans for a Vibrant Palestinian Economy, board member of Just Vision in New York, board member and policy adviser at Al-Shabaka, the Palestinian Policy Network, and secretariat member of the Palestine Strategy Group, among others. Bahour earned his Bachelor of Science in Applied Science degree in Computer Technology from Youngstown State University and his Master of Business Administration degree from the Kellogg-Recanati International Executive MBA, a joint program of the top-rated Kellogg School of Management (Northwestern University) and the Recanati Business School (Tel Aviv University).  He speaks and writes frequently on Palestinian affairs and has been widely published in leading outlets such as the New York Times, the Guardian, and Haaretz, among others. He is co-editor of HOMELAND: Oral History of Palestine and Palestinians (1993) and has been on NPR, CNN, BBC, and numerous other radio and TV programs.

Director General of the Palestine Economic Policy Research Institute (MAS) (Nov 2025 -).  A legal expert and central banker with over 28 years of experience.  He served as the Governor and Chair of the Board of the Palestine Monetary Authority (Central Bank) (Jan 2021-Jan 2025), having previously held key roles on its board for five years and its Ombudsman for four years, Chaired the Palestine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC), headed the National Committee of Anti-Money Laundering and served as the Chair of the Palestinian Banking Institute (PBI). Milhem is a seasoned expert in judicial and security reform and led the Rule of Law Unit at the Office of the Quartet in Jerusalem. He is also an academic, having worked as a full-time assistant professor at Birzeit University (2004-2009), and currently maintains a role as a part-time lecturer in law. He is a member of the Palestinian Bar Association (PBA) and has published several works on legal, judicial, and legislative issues. Milhem holds a PhD in Law from Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Belgium, 2004). Additionally, he has participated in research projects in collaboration with MAS.