About the Founder
Ahmed Alkhatib is an American citizen originally from the Gaza Strip and is the founder and executive director of Project Unified Assistance (PUA). He came to the United States as a U.S. State Department-sponsored cultural exchange student, but was unable to return home in 2006 due to border closures. Subsequently, he returned to the United States, where he pursued his education in marketing and developed a strong interest in social entrepreneurship. Throughout his life, Ahmed dreamed of becoming a pilot and aviation has always been a passion of his. After gaining experience in the nonprofit sector, Ahmed decided to combine his marketing skills, interest in social entrepreneurship, and love for planes and airports, to launch PUA. Ahmed believes that the proposed airport will transform the lives of two million trapped Palestinians in Gaza, and will achieve his ultimate dream of flying in and out of the coastal enclave. Geopolitics and international relations have played a significant role in Ahmed's life and they too are of great interest to him.
Connect with Ahmed on Facebook and LinkedIn. You can also check out Ahmed's pieces which have been published by the Middle East Institute.