Executive Committee

The Executive Committee shall serve as the strategic and advisory leadership body of the Global Greater Washington International Relations Committee. Its mission is to harmonize economic, cultural, and diplomatic initiatives, mobilize transnational partnerships, and embed ethical governance protocols to ensure the Global Greater Washington International Relations Committee’s role as a leading global hub for advancing regional economic diplomacy and international economic competitiveness, fostering bipartisan dialogue, and advancing pluralism, prosperity, and creative activism.

Global Executive Chair

Dr. Jean Narcisse Djaha

Global Executive Chair, Executive Committee

Global Greater Washington International Relations Committee

Dr. Jean Narcisse Djaha, Global Executive Chair of the Executive Committee of the Global Greater Washington International Relations Committee

Visionary Leadership: Serves as the chief architect of the committee’s mission, shaping its long-term vision and ensuring that the Global Greater Washington International Relations Committee’s international agenda reflects principles of pluralism, equity, and shared prosperity.

Strategic Agenda Setting: Defines and directs the global governance priorities, aligning regional initiatives with international standards and frameworks to strengthen Washington’s role as a hub for diplomacy, trade, and cultural exchange.

Institutional Harmonization: Ensures that the committee’s work integrates economic, cultural, and diplomatic dimensions, creating a cohesive platform for international engagement across governments, NGOs, academia, and business.

Coalition Building: Mobilizes diverse stakeholders—local, national, and transnational—to co-create initiatives that advance collective identity, creative activism, and governance transformation.

Ethical Oversight: Embeds ethical protocols and governance charters into all committee operations, safeguarding transparency, accountability, and inclusive participation.

He is widely recognized as an international economic development leader, a distinguished political scientist, a highly acclaimed & respected young global thought leader, a renowned social impact leader, and a prolific author, initiating and steering major intercontinental platforms, NGOs, and coalitions across public, private, and social sectors.

He served as the Founding President and Global Chair of the African Council on Foreign Relations, Founding President and Executive Chairman of the Africa-Israel Economic Cooperation Committee, and CEO of Djaha & Company.

Executive Committee Members

Appointed by the President and CEO, members of the Executive Committee are top executives in economic development organizations, local government leadership institutions, public policy organizations, major multi-sector corporations, community foundations, global philanthropic foundations, and leadership organizations from the Global Greater Washington region (Greater Baltimore, Greater Washington, Greater Philadelphia, Greater Richmond, Greater Hampton Roads, and Northern Virginia), the United States, Côte d’Ivoire, and Africa.

Our inaugural members will be made public in early February 2026. First board meeting will take place in April 2026.

Our Volunteer Staff

The Global Greater Washington International Relations Committee is powered by a diverse, visionary team of leaders from partner organizations and institutions, committed to advancing America’s global strength by strengthening its regional economic competitiveness, political resilience here in America. Our team brings together expertise in international relations, economic development, public policy, corporate strategy, community engagement, strategic partnerships, operations, and international development.

Dr. Jean Narcisse Djaha, PhD

Karen Pope

President & Chief Executive Officer

Corporate Banker and Finance Executive

Mike Pope

EVP of Innovation Partnerships

EVP, Events & Business Development

Vacant

Executive Vice-President, International Relations

VP, Economic Development & Strategic Growth

Vacant

Dr. Jean Narcisse Djaha

EVP, Regional Tech Innovation & Data Analytics

VP, International Trade & Business Investment

Vacant

VP of Social Impact & Community Development

VP, Philanthropy & Grants

Vacant

What Define Us

• Global Perspective: We understand the interconnectedness of local and international opportunities.

• Strategic Leadership: Our members include experienced professionals from government, business, and civil society.

• Collaborative Spirit: We work across regions—Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia, Greater Baltimore, Greater Richmond, Greater Pennsylvania, and Hampton Roads—to build bridges that matter.

  If you are an organization based in our region and would like to provide us with a staff member to assist, contact Dr. Jean Narcisse Djaha at info@jeannarcissedjaha.com

Join our team

If you are an organization based in our region and would like to provide us with a staff member to assist, contact Dr. Jean Narcisse Djaha at info@jeannarcissedjaha.com