Joint Middle East American Trade Center


	Lisa Verdon: JMATC's founder and director is a native of Philadelphia and a former Fulbright Scholar to the Middle East. She earned her M.A. (International Development) at the University of Pennsylvania in 1995 and her B.S. (International Area Studies) at Drexel University in 1991. In 2002 Ms. Verdon founded Philadelphus Solutions, Inc. a consultancy firm specializing in Middle Eastern markets. Ms. Verdon travels frequently to the Middle East, including Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates, where she is highly experienced at working with business and government leaders at all levels. Ms. Verdon works closely with Middle Eastern businesses, NGOs, and DC-based Arab embassies. Ms. Verdon has developed extensive ties with U.S. agencies operating in the region, including the State Department, the Commerce Department, USAID, USTDA, and others. She keenly understands the peoples, cultures and values of the MENA region and has a working knowledge of the Arabic.