As a practitioner in the peacebuilding field, Alma Abdul-Hadi Jadallah, MAIS ’96, PhD Conflict Analysis and Resolution ’06, helps clients ranging from the Fairfax County Public Schools system to the Security Council of the United Nations with conflict assessment studies, mediation, and training.
[1]Alma Abdul-Hadi Jadallah
“Anything that has to do with the dynamics of people coming together,” says the founder of the award-winning conflict management consultancy Kommon Denominator.
When she’s not globetrotting for Kommon Denominator—last year she traveled to the Philippines, Iraq, and Norway, among other places—Jadallah serves as the International Affairs representative for the Quakers in the Middle East.
“And I’m not a Quaker,” she points out, “or Christian.” Nonetheless, she adheres to Quaker principles—particularly, commitment to peace, equality, and identifying nonviolent solutions to problems—which qualifies her for the position.
Not only is she an active practitioner in the peacebuilding field, but “for years she has collaborated with our students and faculty, serving as a mentor and alumni leader,” says Maria Seniw, director of development at the School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution (S-CAR).
In 2016 the school and Mason’s Alumni Association recognized Jadallah with the S-CAR Distinguished Alumni Award.
Mason also runs in the family. When Jadallah and her husband arrived in the United States 28 years ago, they came with a toddler and infant twins, each of whom is now a Mason graduate: Jamil, BA Government and International Politics, MA International Commerce and Policy ’04; Laila, BA Integrative Studies ’07; and Diala, BA Integrative Studies ’07.
“They got the best out of Mason,” Jadallah says. “They were well-equipped for the workplace. We love Mason.”