Our core team consists of dedicated professionals who bring a wealth of experience and expertise to our organization. They are the driving force behind our initiatives and work tirelessly to achieve our goals.
Abdulsamad Elfgeeh is the President and Founder of the Washington Center for Yemeni Studies, which he established in 2019. A proud Yemeni-American with family roots in the U.S. since the 1940s, Elfgeeh leads efforts to deepen understanding of Yemen’s society, culture, and politics.
Through his nationwide network within the Yemeni-American community, he fosters dialogue among leaders, raises awareness about policies impacting Yemenis in the US and abroad, and collaborates with policymakers to shape informed decisions. He also contributes analysis on U.S. policies affecting Yemen and highlights the civic role of Yemeni-Americans in international media.
Previously, Elfgeeh served as Executive Director of the Yemeni Immigrants Organization, leading initiatives to help Yemeni immigrants adapt and thrive globally. He holds a B.A. in Media and Public Relations from the University of Science and Technology in Yemen.
Marwa J Ghumrawi is the Director of Operations & Communications at the Washington Center for Yemeni Studies,, where she has advanced the Center’s mission since joining in 2021. Ghumrawi played an instrumental role in launching the 1st WCYS Conference in 2022, and establishing the Center’s flagship initiative “National Yemen Advocacy Day” in 2023 and continues to lead the program.
As an advisory board member for the Arab Americans of Cleveland Young Professionals Network, Ghumrawi supports civic engagement initiatives for Arab-American communities in Ohio. Previously, she served as Program Manager for the Cultural Diplomacy Department at the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates.
Ghumrawi is the recepient of the Arab America Foundation’s National 40 Under 40 Rising Leaders Award. She holds an MS in Food, Agricultural, and Biological Engineering and a BS in Biology from The Ohio State University.
Fatima Abo Alasrar is the Senior Policy Analyst at WCYS and has been a contributing analyst and speaker since 2021. Upon joining the Center in 2024, she established the Research Fellowship program for Yemeni experts and the Research Apprenticeship program for students and recent graduates. Her expertise has been instrumental in shaping the Center’s annual policy agenda, a cornerstone of National Yemen Advocacy Day.
Alasrar is a non-resident scholar at the Middle East Institute and a board member of Peace Track Initiative. Before that, she was a Senior Analyst at the Arabia Foundation in Washington DC, MENA Director for Cure Violence, a Research Associate at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, a Mason Fellow at the Kennedy School of Government, and an International Policy Fellow at the Open Society Foundation. From 2006-12, she worked as an advisor for the Embassy of Yemen in Washington, DC. Earlier in her career, Alasrar served as a program officer for the Department for International Development (DFID) in Yemen.
Alasrar holds an MA in Public Administration from Harvard University, an MA in International Relations from Johns Hopkins University, and a BS in Architectural Engineering from Sanaa University in Yemen.
Our Fellows are distinguished Yemeni experts who contribute their knowledge and skills to inform our strategies and policies. They bring a unique perspective and play a crucial role in advancing our mission through their expertise.
Ambassador Marwan Ali Noman joined the Washington Center for Yemeni Studies, as a Senior Research Fellow in 2025. Noman is a Yemeni diplomat with extensive experience in diplomacy and international relations for over two decades. He served in different stations including Vienna, Riyadh, and New York.
Previously, Noman worked as Chief of Staff of the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Yemen and served as the Secretary of the National Committee for Refugee Affairs from 2014 to 2015. He Obtained a fellowship in Peacemaking & Preventive Diplomacy from IPI and UNITAR in Oslo, Norway in 2017. He served as Deputy Permanent Representative of Yemen to the UN from 2016 to 2024.
Noman holds an MA in International Politics & Security Studies from Peace Studies Department of Bradford University in the United Kingdom, and a BA in Political Science from Sana’a University.
Sadeq Al-Wesabi joined the Washington Center for Yemeni Studies, as a Senior Research Fellow in 2024. Al-Wesabi is a seasoned communication and Media Consultant with extensive experience in journalism and international development agencies. He is currently a digital content creator focusing on Yemen’s situation and human rights issues.
Previously, Al-Wesabi worked as a Communication Officer for the World Health Organization from 2013 to 2023, covering humanitarian and health crises in Yemen, Iraq, and other emergency settings. Before his WHO tenure, he was a journalist for Yemen Times and a radio presenter for Radio Yemen Times, concentrating on political and human rights matters.
Al-Wesabi holds an MA in Media and Broadcast Production from Queen’s University Belfast and a BA in Media and Communications from Sana’a University.
The Research Apprenticeship program is central to our mission. Our Research Associates conduct in-depth research and help us stay at the forefront of our field while gaining hands-on experience in geopolitical analysis with prominent experts on Yemen and the MENA region.
Julien Benicy-Rouxel joined the Washington Center for Yemeni Studies, as a Research Associate in 2024. His research focuses on the intersection of environmental policy, conflict dynamics, and regional security. Julien holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a concentration in Global Governance and a minor in Peace, Justice, and Human Rights.
Zoe Mueller joined the Washington Center for Yemeni Studies, as a Research Associate in 2024. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in International Affairs and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Mary Washington. With a strong academic foundation in Middle Eastern history, Zoe is passionate about regional geopolitics and dedicated to a career in research.
