The American Arab Chamber of Commerce is holding its 31st Anniversary “Building Economic Bridges” Gala, with this year’s theme being “Equitable Access to Healthcare.”

The banquet will take place at The Henry Hotel in Dearborn, Michigan on Friday November 10th, 2023 with a reception at 5:30 p.m. Our keynote speaker this year is Dr. François Nader, Board Director of Moderna (MRNA) and RING Therapeutics. He has transformed NPS Pharma into a leading global biotechnology company focused on delivering innovative therapies to patients with rare diseases. He is the Chair of Talaris Therapeutics (TALS), Benevolent AI (BAI), and Neurvati Neurosciences.
The Chamber is honored to introduce this year’s Awardees: Ahmed Boomrod, Salim Sessine, Fadwa Hammoud, and Warren Evans.
Ahmed Boomrod, our Lifetime Economic Bridge Builder of the Year Awardee, is the Executive Chairman of GDI Integrated Facility Services’ U.S. operating subsidiary and oversees the Company’s food sanitation operations across North America. Mr. Boomrod is based out of the Southfield, Michigan office and has over 25 years of experience in the facility services industry. Prior to joining the Company, he was the President, CEO and owner at Omni Facility Services where he oversaw the aircraft services division prior to Omni’s merger with the Company’s U.S. operating subsidiary in 2014. Mr. Boomrod completed his education at Wayne State University where he studied economics and serves on a number of boards including Garden City Hospital, Michigan Outpatient Vascular Institute (MOVI) and GDI Helping Hands Foundation.
Wayne County Executive Warren Evans, recipient of the Economic Development Visionary Award, has been a lifelong public servant. From leading Michigan's most populous and diverse county through dual health and economic crises, to restoring fiscal responsibility following the Great Recession, Executive Evans is a proven leader who does not shy away from a challenge. To date, the Evans Administration has delivered over $90 million in relief to those affected by the pandemic, including direct aid for service workers, rent-burdened tenants, homeless veterans, and small businesses struggling to maintain payroll and operate safely. The County has also delivered thousands of personal protection equipment, at-home test kits and air filtration kits to local municipalities and small businesses to ensure a safer environment for all as we battle the worst global health crisis in a century.
Fadwa Hammoud, Michigan’s 12th Solicitor General, is the recipient of the Champion of Justice and Equality Award. A first-generation American, Hammoud advocated on behalf of Wayne County’s various ethnic and immigrant communities and advised state, county, and city leaders on their affairs. She served as a governor-appointed commissioner on the Commission on Middle Eastern American Affairs within the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, among other executive and legislative advisory bodies. Hammoud currently serves as Vice President of the Arab American Political Action Committee, where she promotes civic engagement and impact within Michigan’s Arab American communities.
Our Entrepreneur of the Year Awardee is Salim Sessine. Salim is the Owner and President of MA Engineering (MAE) and EAM Engineers, located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Salim joined MAE in 1996 as a partner, then became full time owner in 2000. Salim was born in Lebanon and immigrated to the United States in 1980. He received a Masters of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Wayne State University and is a Registered Professional Engineer. He is Vice President for the Lebanese American Council for Democracy (LACD) and Parish Council Chairman for St. Mary’s Orthodox Church in Livonia, Michigan. He is a Board Member of Trustee for the Christian Lebanese Foundation of the World (CLFW), a Member of the Advisory Board for ACCESS Community Organization, a Board Member of the American Task Force for Lebanon (ATFL) and a Previous Board Member with the Auxilia Foundation. Salim was awarded an Honorable Mention at the first annual New Americans Appreciation Gala, which featured Governor Rick Snyder as its keynote speaker, for having made significant contributions to the community.
If you have any questions regarding our 31st Annual “Building Economic Bridges Gala,” contact the Chamber at (313) 945-1700 or email our Executive Director Faye Nemer at fnemer [at] americanarab.com. Tickets can be purchased here or by calling the Chamber office.