Annual Benefit Gala Dinners
The René Moawad Foundation is a non-profit, tax-exempt (501)(c)(3) U.S. organization promoting peace, stability and prosperity in Lebanon through sustainable human development. It was established in the U.S. in 1993, with headquarters in Washington DC, to advance the mission and goals of its counterpart in Lebanon and to diversify its sources of funding and support. For one this is done through annual benefit galas, currently held in three major US cities, Washington, DC, Miami,Fl and Houston,Texas.
These annual benefit galas harness support from Lebanese Americans and the Lebanese Diaspora while paying tribute to individuals who best exemplify the distinguishing qualities of Lebanese Americans: love of family and country, generosity of spirit, dedication to the community, excellence in business or profession, and support of the Foundation’s mission. Laureates are selected by the RMF USA Board of Directors. Through these fundraising dinners, RMF has achieved great strides in the past 25 years in making a difference in a most impactful way in the lives of the less fortunate in Lebanon.
Past honorees, separated by year
2019
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The Honorable Alex Azar II, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services
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Mr. Monir Barakat, Vice Chairman and President of Wafra Capital
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Dr. James Zogby, President of the Arab American Institute
2018
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The Honorable Darrell Issa, Inventor, entrepreneur and now tech policy leader
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The Honorable Rich Ashooh, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration.
2017
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Juliette Kayyem, Former Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security, CNN National Security Analyst, and Harvard Professor.
- Mr. Richard C. Shadyac, Jr., President and CEO of ALSAC the fundraising arm of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
2016
- Dr. Andre Choulika, Chairman, CEO and founder of Cellectis, a biopharmaceutical company
- Mr. Richard C. Shadyac, Jr., President and CEO of ALSAC the fundraising arm of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
2015
- Dr. Hashim Sarkis, Dean and Professor, School of Architecture and Planning, MIT
- Dr. Amale Andraos, Dean, Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, Columbia University
- Dr. Rodolphe El-Khoury, Dean, School of Architecture, University of Miami
2014
- H.E. Mohamad Chatah (Posthumously) The Late Former Lebanese Minister of Finance and Ambassador to the US.
- Dr. Joseph E. Aoun, Ph.D, President of Northeastern University
2013
- H.E. Ambassador Clovis Maksoud
- Dr. Edgar Choueiri, world renowned space physician.
2012
- Selwa “Lucky” Roosevelt, longest serving former chief of Protocol under the Reagan Administration, a Lebanese-American who was married to Archibald Roosevelt, grandson of Former US President Teddy Roosevelt.
- Derek Elias Dewan, a very successful Lebanese American businessman, and former Chairman and CEO of MPS Group.
2011
- Mr. Bechara Nammour
- Miss Rima Fakih, Miss USA 2010, who is from Lebanese origins
2010
- Mr. Peter Tanous, President of the American Task Force for Lebanon as well as one of its founders, and President of Lynx Investment Advisory, LLC of Washington D.C.
2008
- Dr. Edward Soma, Co-Founder of RMF USA and its President for 13 years.
- Mr. Claude Comair, founder and current Chairman of DigiPen Corp.
2007
- Mr. Fuad El-Hibri, Chairman and CEO of Emergent BioSolutions.
- Partnership for Lebanon, est. 2006
2006
- Mr. Spencer Abraham, former US secretary of Energy.
2005
- Mr. Richard Chidiac, former CEO/ALSAC St. Jude's Children Research Hospital.
2004
- Mr. and Mrs. James and Betty Sams, active members in the Lebanese community in the US, supporting the Arab-American organizations that strive towards improving Arab-American relations.
2003
- Mr. Anthony Charaf, Senior Vice President of Delta Air Logistics.
Past honorees, separated by year
2017
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Dr. George Helou, Research Professor of Physics at Caltech Director of IPAC, the NASA Infrared Astronomy Center.
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The Southern Federation of Syrian Lebanese American Clubs, An organization of heritage/culture established in1931 by first-generation Americans of Syrian/Lebanese decent to encourage educational, civic and charitable projects.
2015
- Dr. Farès Al-Dahdah, Professor of the Humanities and Director of the Humanities Research Center, Rice University
- Dr. Ray Hachem, Associate Professor, Division of Internal Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
- Mr. Muneer Zaineldeen, American Druze Foundation Founding Member and Board of Trustees
2013
- Mr. Nijad Fares, Chairman of Wedge Equities Incorporated.
2012
- Philip Salem, MD, President of Salem Oncology Centre in Houston, a physician, researcher, educator and international statesman in cancer medicine.
- Laura Stoma Ward, Executive Director of the Houston Children's Charity.
2010
- Mr. & Mrs. Ralph and Adelene Abercia, recognized for their many years of dedication and contribution to Arab and Lebanese causes through their active involvement in organizations such as St. Jude's Children's' Research Hospital, The St. George Hospital Foundation, The Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese, The Khalil Gibran Memorial, The Southern Federation of Lebanese Syrian American Clubs.
- Drs. William and Huda Zoghbi, both prominent doctors in Houston.
2007
- Congressman Darrell Issa
- Mr. Monzer Hourani, CEO of Medistar Corporation.
Past honorees, separated by year
2018
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Dr. Paul F. Boulos, Engineering and Technology Business Leader and Philanthropist
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H.E. Gabriel Issa, Lebanon's Ambassador to the U.S
2017
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Mr. Nadim Ashi, Founder & CEO, Fort Partners; Entrepreneur & Real Estate Developer
2016
- Mr. Alexander Asseily, Founder of Jawbone Bluetooth and State, and Chiaro Technology
2014
- Dr. Walid Mnaymneh, retired, world renowned Orthopedic surgeon and former professor at the University of Miami’s Medical School.
2013
- Mr. Emilio Estefan, Lebanese-American prominent Producer, Song Writer and Entrepreneur.
2011
- Mr. Gary Nader, a longtime Miami art gallery owner and art collector of Lebanese origins.
2010
- Mr. Christopher G. Korge, an attorney, entrepreneur and real estate developer.
2008
- Sam and Laurice Hachem, who run a successful Real-estate Investment Company in Tampa Bay, and who fund the education of around 450 students in Lebanon.
2007
- Mr. Rony Seikaly, former NBA player and star.
- The Peace for Lebanon Foundation
2006
- Mr. Anthony Abraham
Event Date
Saturday, October 26, 2019