Maya Berry
Executive Director, Arab American Institute
2021, 2024, 2025
Maya Berry is Executive Director of the Arab American Institute (AAI), a non-profit, nonpartisan, national civil rights advocacy organization founded to nurture and encourage direct participation in our political and civic life to mobilize a strong, educated, and empowered Arab American community. She previously worked at AAI, establishing its first government relations department, which she led for five years before becoming Legislative Director for House Minority Whip David Bonior, where she managed the Congressman’s legislative strategy and developed policies on international relations, human rights, immigration, civil rights and liberties, and trade. With a deep knowledge of public policy making, she helped expand AAI’s work on combatting hate crime, protecting the rights of securitized communities, strengthening our democracy, and advocating for data equity, including the creation of a new Middle East and North Africa (MENA) category. Berry serves as the Co-Chair of the Hate Crime Task Force at the Leadership Conference for Civil and Human Rights and on the board of Public Citizen.
The Summit offers a unique opportunity to confront the corrosive influence of bigotry and hatred in our society. In order for us to address these challenges, we first must acknowledge their painful and destructive impact in our communities and in our country. I am grateful to serve as a Global Advisor to this timely and powerful initiative.
