Executive Team
BOB WALSH
President & CEO
A businessman and humanitarian with a career spanning 40 years, Bob Walsh has traveled to three dozen countries, coordinating events and working with non-profit organizations to bring medical care, nutritional support, education and community investments to different parts of the world.
Bob is best known for facilitating hundreds of millions of dollars in investments in former Soviet countries; coordinating disaster relief for earthquake victims inside the Soviet Union during the Cold War; and organizing the largest sports, arts, and cultural program between the US and the USSR -the Goodwill Games in Seattle. The games were the brainchild of Ted Turner and were established because of the Olympic boycotts in 1980 and 1984. Walsh and his organization partnered with Turner, the USSR Ministry of Sports, and USSR Ministry of Television to organize the Games. His persistence, courage and empathy, expressed through a wide range of political and social efforts have earned him the Martin Luther King, Jr. Award, the "Supreme Soviet Award" from Mikhail Gorbachev; the World Affairs Council Award; and special recognition from Presidents Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush. President Shevardnadze of Georgia, a friend, bestowed the "Honorary Citizen of Georgia" title on Walsh in 2002.
Walsh also served as Executive Director of the Organizing Committees for the 1984 and 1989 NCAA Men's Final Four; 1988 and 1989 Women's Final Four; 1987 NBA All Star Game and more than a dozen international events. He was Assistant General Manager of the Seattle SuperSonics under NBA legend Bill Russell and represented dozens of professional athletes including Jim Zorn, Steve Largent, Steve Raible, Sam McCullum, Norm Evans and Matt Millan. He served as Program Director for KABC Radio in Los Angeles from 1967 - 1973 and Program Director of WNAC Radio in Boston from 1962 - 1967 and is a graduate of Marietta College in Ohio.
KRISTIN HAYDEN
Director Youth Outreach & Exchange
Kristin Hayden's passion for cross-cultural understanding began with her one-year study abroad experience as a Rotary exchange student in Apartheid-era South Africa at age 15. That experience changed her life and set her on a committed path to explore the world, challenge injustices, and pursue transformational learning opportunities.
A former International Projects Director for Seattle-based international events/consulting Bob Walsh Enterprises, Inc., Kristin lived and worked abroad in Moscow, Paris, London and Tbilisi, where she developed a passion for learning about different cultures.
In 2002, Kristin founded OneWorld Now! (www.oneworldnow.com), one of the few programs in the United States dedicated to providing Arabic and Chinese language classes, leadership workshops, and study-abroad scholarships to underserved high school youth. OneWorld Now! has received the Jack Kent Cooke Award as one of the most innovative after school programs in the United States.
In 2005, Kristin won the prestigious Ashoka Foundation Fellowship for her ground-breaking work as a leading social entrepreneur. She was recognized for her "innovative solutions and potential to change patterns across society."
Kristin and her staff have developed extensive experience conducting youth exchanges with students and organizations in the Muslim world. The organization will be responsible for planning and implementing all youth exchanges that take place during One World 2011.
Kristin graduated with honors and a triple major in Soviet Area Studies, Russian Language and International Relations at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota.
EHAB SHANTI
Vice President for Global Outreach
Ehab Shanti is in charge of the One World 2011 offices in Amman, Jordan and Dubai, United Arab Emirates. He is the President and Founder of The Amandla Group (amandlagroup.com), which is a strategic communications consulting firm that operates in the MENA region. Prior to his position with One World 2011, Ehab served as Director of Global Outreach in the Office of Her Majesty Queen Rania of Jordan, and as the Head of Communications of UNDP in Jerusalem, where he served for five years as spokesperson of one of the most sensitive offices of the United Nations.
Mr. Shanti has carried out numerous successful artistic and cultural events that attracted international attention including several art auctions in Jerusalem and Dubai. A Canadian of Arab origin, Ehab completed most of his education in Canada and holds a Masters of Public Education (MPA) from Dalhousie University and several BA's with high honors from Carleton University, Ottawa, in Art History, Political Science, and Interdisciplinary Studies. He was the first minority to serve as the President of the Carleton University Students Union.
As a result of his experiences, Ehab has a vast network of contacts in the development and donor communities, the press, and governments throughout the world. He has raised tens of millions of dollars for a variety of causes. He is fluent in English and classic Arabic.
Ehab has assembled a staff of respected professionals to work in the Middle East offices. They include: Nicole Herzog, Public Relations Officer in Dubai, Farah Al-Sabe, Public Outreach Officer in Jordan; Makram Adnan, Account Executive in Charge of Sponsorships and Sales, Ghiya Rushaidat Press Officer, Lina Al-Nabulsi, in charge of Research and Logistics, Mohammad Hassan, Creative Director for the Middle East and Abeer Hasanat, Creative Designer in Jordan.
One World 2011 is very fortunate to have an individual with Mr. Shanti's global experience and knowledge leading our Global Outreach Operation and offices in the Middle East.
PENNY LEGATE
Director of Communications and Public Relations
Penny is one of the most popular television personalities in the Pacific Northwest. With over 30 years in the broadcast business, she brings a wealth of experience to the One World 2011 team.
Penny's background includes hosting, reporting and producing in both radio and television. She has won several awards, including Emmy's for documentaries devoted to causes connected to children, animals and the environment. She has climbed mountains, rumbled across remote roads in Africa, gone scuba diving with sharks, and has traveled to the Republic of Georgia, India, Ghana, Bolivia, Uganda and Ethiopia to produce documentaries.
Penny has traveled many places in the world for Rotary International to report on their humanitarian projects and she is much in demand as a speaker.
A native of Nebraska, Penny earned a bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Nebraska and a master's degree in Telecommunications from Indiana University. She has worked as a writer, producer and reporter in Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Wichita and Omaha.
The theme of One World 2011 fits Penny well, as she has spent her life working to help others and building bridges between cultures.
PAMELA EAKES
Director, Women and Girl's Programs & Conference
Pamela brings a combination of nonprofit executive leadership, a 25-year career in advertising and marketing and a commitment to community service to One World 2011. She left a career in advertising and marketing to serve as Founder/CEO of Mothers Against Violence in America for over a decade. Eakes served on the Executive Organizing Committee and was Director of Communications for Seeds of Compassion, a five day event in 2008 with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and experts on early childhood development from around the United States. She is a communications and marketing consultant and serves her community on the boards of the Northwest African American Museum and the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle and continues her longtime volunteer commitment to Seattle Children's Hospital with service on their Government Relations Committee, the Costco and Skinner Guilds.
MOHAMMAD FANI
Director, Interfaith Program
Mr. Mohammad Fani has extensive experience with interfaith programs. He serves as a Trustee and Programming Committee Chair, and Program Manager at Camp Brotherhood; a member of Northwest Interfaith Community Outreach, is the Interfaith Committee Chair at the Islamic Educational Center of Seattle, and a member of the Greater Seattle Council of Muslims, an intra faith entity that serves to create dialogue among Muslim groups in the Puget Sound area.
Mr. Fani is a noted speaker and teacher who concentrate on helping others to understand and appreciate the dignity of difference. He has been a guest lecturer at schools, colleges, and houses of worship representing different faith traditions.
He graduated from the University of New Mexico (Albuquerque) in 1980 with an M.S. in Electrical Engineering after coming to the U.S. in January 1978 from Mashhad, Iran.
KAREN HOLUM
Creative Director
Karen is an award-winning designer with more than 20 years of design experience and a degree in Business and Marketing. She specializes in brand identity, print collateral, packaging and web products and she has demonstrated a unique talent for assessing client needs and transferring that knowledge into effective and compelling marketing communications programs.
As the owner of Holum Design, a marketing and design company, her clients have included Nordstrom, Immunex, Simpson Strong-Tie Co., King County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Seattle City Light, Antioch University, Sapien Technologies, Foundation for Russian American Cooperation, Kensington Gardens and Bob Walsh and Associates. Her work has received regional and national recognition including nomination as "Entrepreneur of the Year" by the Women's Entrepreneurial Network.
Karen served for 9 years as the Creative Services Manager with Schlage Lock Co./Ingersoll Rand, San Francisco, and developed integrated marketing strategies that significantly impacted both consumer preference and business results.
Karen is passionate about her art, her family and the world community. She supports the Leukemia & Lymphona Society as a triathlon competitor in the national fundraising events and also has provided pro bono services for start-ups and non-profits.
LYNN WARD-WINGARD
Director of Finance
Lynn is a CPA with over 25 years of experience in public accounting. Lynn is a shareholder of Ward & Company, PS a local public accounting firm. She is a Seattle native with a BA (Economics) from the University of Washington, Seattle and a Master of Science of Taxation from Golden Gate University, San Francisco. She has been involved with various local non-profit organizations and event planning; from grassroots volunteering to serving on the board as Treasurer.
DAVID GOGOL
Director of Government Relations
David is the founder of B&D (Baker and Daniels) Consulting's federal lobbying practice. B&D is one of the nation's most highly respected advisory and advocacy firms, with offices in Washington, D.C., and four other US cities and Beijing, China.
David has more than 30 years experience in Washington; in the Senate; and as a lobbyist. David's practice has been particularly focused on public and private non-profit organizations with federal funding and regulatory issues. He has developed the foremost amateur sports government relations practice in the nation, serving event organizing committees, sports development organizations and elements of the Olympic sports world. He has worked with the Seattle Organizing Committee on a number of projects, including the 1990 Goodwill Games, for which his expertise with government issues and relations were paramount to the success of the largest event ever to take place between the United States and the Soviet Union. He has also acted as director of government relations for many other events, including the Pan American Games, the Olympics, Paralympics, and many national and world championships.
During his tenure on Capitol Hill, David served as Legislative Assistant and later as Director to Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN) where he played a key role in legislation such as the New York City Recovery Act and other legislation of national importance. He also served as the Assistant to the Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Housing and Urban Development where he played a leadership role in legislation of importance to urban America, including the Community Development Block Grant Program, FHA and the nation's surface transportation programs.