Founding Advisors
Our Founding Advisory
Soltara’s Founding Advisory unites globally recognized experts in social development, gender inclusion, and good governance—a powerhouse of scholars and practitioners driving change across government, business, and academia.
Dr. Charlotte Karam
Dr. Charlotte is a globally recognized scholar and practitioner in inclusive human resource systems, workplace equity, and business ethics. A tenured full professor at the University of Ottawa, she is committed to transforming workplaces by equipping businesses with evidence-based strategies to enhance diversity, leadership, and ethical governance.
Dr. Karams’ pioneering research has attracted over $11 million in funding from leading organizations such as UN Women, the U.S. Department of State, and the Governments of Canada and Sweden. As the lead investigator of The SAWI Project, she has spearheaded multi-sector initiatives to drive inclusive HR systems and workplace cultures across the MENA region.
She also developed The KIP and Lived Experience Indices, the first sector-based measures assessing women’s recruitment, retention, and promotion in Middle Eastern workplaces.
Dr. Karams’ impact extends beyond academia—she has been named a Global Gender Champion by the U.S. Department of State and recognized among the 100 Most Influential People in Gender Policy by Apolitical. She serves as the Area Editor of Feminism(s) at the Journal of Business Ethics and was twice awarded AACSB’s Innovations that Inspire (2018, 2022).
A sought-after expert bridging research and practice, she works closely with global organizations to implement sustainable, inclusive HR models.
Dr. Zeina Zeidan
Dr. Zeina Zeidan is a globally sought-after expert in corporate governance, ESG strategy, and board leadership. She has advised multinational corporations, financial institutions, and emerging industries on best practices in governance and sustainable business models. As the first woman to chair a major financial institution’s board in the MENA region, she is a trailblazer for women in leadership.
Dr. Zeidan currently serves on the board of Lafarge-Holcim, a publicly traded cement company, leveraging her strategic expertise to drive sustainable growth and innovation. Her previous leadership roles as CFO and CEO of a multinational retail company spanning MENA, Turkey, and Cyprus underscore her financial and operational acumen.
A dedicated educator and governance advocate, Dr. Zeidan has led the Audit Department at USEK, served as a consultant for the Harvard Business Club of the GCC, and supported gender-inclusive business initiatives such as the KIP Index at the American University of Beirut. She has also taught Executive MBA courses and was an Adjunct Professor at the American University in Dubai.
Recognized by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) as a thought leader in crisis management, resilience, and recovery, she continues to shape global business strategy through board advisory, executive education, and impact-driven governance solutions.
Dr. Rita Stephan
Dr. Rita Stephan is a Senior Leader in the United States Federal Government with a track record of pioneering programs and initiatives that foster connections among government, business, academia, and civil society organizations. She currently is the Chief of the Continuing Education Training Division in the Office of Knowledge Management of the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).
Dr. Stephan also served as the Regional Coordinator for Religious and Ethnic Minorities at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), where she oversaw an interdisciplinary team responsible for promoting the rights and well-being of religious and ethnic minorities in the Middle East.
Prior to joining USAID, Dr. Stephan held a series of senior positions at the U.S. Department of State, including Director of the Middle East Partnership Initiative, Founder and Deputy Director of Data Analytics in the Executive Secretary’s Office, Strategic Planner at the Global Engagement Center, Senior Data Analyst at the Advanced Conflict Analytics Team, and Senior Analyst for Syria and Lebanon at the Bureau of Intelligence and Research.
Dr. Stephan holds Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Texas at Austin and a B.A. in International Affairs and Jewish Studies from American University. She is also a research fellow at North Carolina State University and a published author of several books and articles on women’s movements in the Middle East and the Middle Eastern community in the U.S. census.
Dr. Stephan’s expertise and experience make her an invaluable asset to any organization seeking to understand and navigate the complex dynamics of the Middle East. Her ability to bridge the gap between data and policy makes her a key player in promoting peace and stability in the region. She is a widely published author in leading academic journals and policy publciations. Her latest edited book on “Covid and Gender in the Middle East” was published by University of Texas Press (2023). She is the co-editor of Women Rising: In and Beyond the Arab Spring and Beyond (New York University Press, 2020) and In Line with the Divine: The Struggle for Gender Equality in Lebanon (Warwick, RI: Abelian Academic 2015). Her academic publications focus on women’s movements in the Middle East and the Middle Eastern community in the U.S. census.