WASHINGTON, D.C. – Sirene Abou-Chakra, a seasoned civic leader, executive in philanthropy and public-private partnership, and advocate for inclusive community development, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the American Druze Foundation (ADF), a nonprofit dedicated to the study, preservation, and celebration of Druze cultural heritage in the United States while strengthening ties across the broader Druze diaspora.
Founded in 1989 by visionary members of the American Druze community, the American Druze Foundation supports education, research, cultural programming, and initiatives that deepen understanding of Druze history, values, and contributions to American society. The Foundation also works to promote awareness, intercommunal understanding, and pride among younger generations of American Druze.
“I am honored to join the Board of the American Druze Foundation and to work alongside a distinguished group of leaders committed to preserving and advancing Druze heritage,” Abou-Chakra said. “The Foundation’s mission resonates deeply with my professional and personal values, particularly the importance of education, civic leadership, and cultural stewardship in shaping strong, connected communities. I look forward to supporting ADF’s efforts to expand its educational and cultural impact in the United States and beyond.”
Throughout her career, Abou-Chakra has led initiatives that bring together government, philanthropy, and technology to address complex social challenges, amplify underrepresented voices, and deliver measurable, community-centered impact. Her experience spans civic innovation, strategic corporate giving, and cross-sector partnerships grounded in outcomes and accountability.
As a board member of the American Druze Foundation, Abou-Chakra will contribute to strategic governance, mission-aligned program development, and community outreach, working alongside fellow leaders committed to preserving Druze heritage and advancing cultural understanding in the United States and globally.
Sirene Abou-Chakra brings to the American Druze Foundation a leadership philosophy forged at the intersection of technology, public policy, and community impact. Over the past two decades, she has built and led teams across government, global technology companies, and philanthropy, often during moments of profound institutional and societal change.
“My career has always sat at the intersection of systems and people,” said Abou-Chakra, who holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and a master’s degree in public administration from Harvard Kennedy School, which she attended on a full academic scholarship. “Whether I was working in technology, public service, or philanthropy, the question was always the same: how do we build tools, institutions, and partnerships that genuinely improve people’s lives?”
She began her career at Google, where she spent more than a decade working across civic engagement, elections, and public-private partnerships during a formative period for digital political advertising. The experience shaped her views on scale, accountability, and the responsibility that comes with building technology that reaches millions.
“That chapter taught me that innovation is only powerful when it is grounded in real human needs,” she said. “Technology cannot be disconnected from trust, ethics, and the communities it touches.”
Abou-Chakra later entered public service as Chief Development Officer for the City of Detroit, stepping into the role on the very day the city shut down due to COVID-19. In the months that followed, she helped mobilize large-scale resources and partnerships across government, philanthropy, and the private sector to support residents during an unprecedented crisis.
“That experience reinforced something I believe deeply,” she said. “Leadership matters just as much in neighborhoods as it does in boardrooms. Decisions made at the top are only meaningful if they translate into stability, dignity, and opportunity on the ground.”
A defining chapter of her career came at Dataminr, where she built and led the company’s AI for Good program from the ground up. Working with global nonprofits and humanitarian organizations, Abou-Chakra helped apply artificial intelligence to crisis response, human rights monitoring, and early warning systems, while also shaping thought leadership around the responsible and ethical use of AI.
“My focus has always been on translating advanced technology into practical tools that serve the public good,” she said. “AI should strengthen institutions and protect people, not create distance between them.”
Most recently, at Airbnb, Abou-Chakra worked at the intersection of policy, product, and data, helping cities better understand local impacts and improve collaboration at scale. Across each role, her approach has remained consistent: connect diverse stakeholders, translate complexity, and deliver outcomes that last.
“As a Lebanese-American immigrant, I carry a deep appreciation for resilience, community, and belonging,” she said. “My work is ultimately about stewardship. It is about using influence, resources, and innovation responsibly, and leaving the communities and institutions I touch stronger than I found them.”
That perspective aligns closely with the mission of the American Druze Foundation, whose work centers on cultural stewardship, education, and intergenerational leadership.
“Preserving heritage is not about looking backward,” Abou-Chakra said. “It is about equipping the next generation with understanding, confidence, and a sense of responsibility. Culture lives when people are empowered to carry it forward.”
The American Druze Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to preserving, studying, and promoting Druze cultural heritage in the United States. Through educational programs, cultural events, research support, and community initiatives, ADF advances knowledge and appreciation of Druze history and values while strengthening social ties within the Druze community and beyond.
Media Contact:
Wael Fayad
Chair, American Druze Foundation
[email protected]
646.733.7940
