The Middle East Policy Council announced the 2025 cohort of 40 Under 40 Awardees. This honor recognizes the breadth of cultural, economic, and political relationships between the United States and countries of the Middle East with awardees from a variety of professional backgrounds including academia, business, culture, and diplomacy. Among this year’s cohort is Fawaz Almudhaf, a graduate of the Elliott School.

Fawaz Anwar Almudhaf, based in New York City and Kuwait, serves as a key liaison between the United States and the 22 nations of the Arab world. He provides strategic advice to public and private sector leaders, fostering initiatives designed to stimulate trade and investment. In his capacity as Associate Director at the National U.S.–Arab Chamber of Commerce (NUSACC), Almudhaf facilitates engagement with stakeholders across the United States and the MENA region. As NUSACC’s lead researcher, Almudhaf delivers tailored research for U.S. and Arab governments and companies, including small and medium-sized enterprises, and new-to-market exporters and importers.

His contributions have been instrumental in fortifying commercial ties between the U.S. and the Arab world, helping NUSACC earn the top honor E Star Award, conferred by the President of the United States — the highest honor that a U.S. entity may receive for supporting America’s exports, and NUSACC is the only Chamber of its kind to receive this award since it was created 55 years ago. Mr. Almudhaf earned his undergraduate degree from The Elliott School of International Affairs at The George Washington University, specializing in Conflict Resolution with a minor in International Business.

Fawaz credited IMES for its role in supporting his education: “This recognition would not have been possible without the strong academic foundation and professional development opportunities I received at the Elliott School. My time at the Institute for Middle East Studies played a pivotal role in shaping my understanding of the region and honing the skills that have allowed me to succeed in my career.”