Toufic Baaklini is a Lebanese American advocate dedicated to defending religious freedom and protecting the historic Christian communities of the Middle East. For over 20 years, he has championed the rights of persecuted peoples and worked to preserve the birthplace of Christianity.

As the founder and former president and chairman of In Defense of Christians (IDC)—a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization based in Washington, D.C.—Toufic led national and international efforts to raise awareness of religious persecution and to influence policy for the protection of vulnerable communities. Under his leadership, IDC helped shape key U.S. legislation and fostered dialogue among faith leaders, policymakers, and global institutions.

Toufic has addressed the United Nations, testified before Congress, and worked closely with the State Department and the National Security Council. He has organized landmark summits uniting Middle Eastern Patriarchs with U.S. Presidents, Vice Presidents, and Members of Congress to advocate for peace and coexistence.

His dedication has earned him numerous honors, including:

• Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, The Catholic University of America

• Ambassador of Peace, Universal Peace Federation

• Knights Commander, Equestrian Order of Michael Archangel

• St. Maron Medal, from His Beatitude the Patriarch of the Maronite Church

• Pontifical Equestrian Order of Saint Gregory the Great

With over 30 years of professional experience in business management, finance, and development, Toufic brings both strategic insight and moral conviction to his lifelong mission: ensuring that the cradle of Christianity endures for generations to come.

Fouad Arbid is a licensed professional engineer with nearly 40 years of experience in engineering, management, and environmental consulting. He is the founder and principal of Solid Waste Services, LLC, a Virginia-based consulting firm established in 1997 that specializes in solid waste management and engineering solutions.

Born in Beirut, Lebanon, Fouad immigrated to the United States at the age of 19 to pursue higher education. He earned his B.S. in Civil Engineering from Christian Brothers College in Memphis, Tennessee, and his M.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Beyond his professional achievements, Fouad has dedicated more than a decade to advocacy for the preservation of Christians and Christianity in the Middle East. He has actively supported organizations that work to protect these ancient communities, participating in policy discussions, summits, and meetings with U.S. officials to raise awareness and promote peace and religious freedom.

Fouad is a naturalized U.S. citizen and lives in Virginia with his wife and three teenage children. His work reflects both his professional excellence and his deep commitment to faith, community, and the enduring mission of safeguarding Christianity in its birthplace.

Roland Joun is a Lebanese American Christian advocate and licensed professional engineer with 40 years of experience in the civil engineering field. He serves as president of Wilkerson and Associates, Inc., a Maryland-based consulting firm established in 1963 that specializes in land development and infrastructure design.

Born in Beirut, Lebanon, Roland immigrated to the United States to pursue higher education, earning both his B.S. and M.S. in Civil Engineering from Louisiana Tech University. His professional career reflects a lifelong commitment to building communities—both physically through engineering and spiritually through advocacy.

Motivated by his deep faith and heritage, Roland has been actively engaged with advocacy and educational organizations dedicated to preserving Christianity and promoting religious freedom in Lebanon and the Middle East. His efforts focus on raising awareness of the challenges facing Christian communities and advancing peace as the essential foundation for lasting prosperity.

A proud American citizen, Roland continues to dedicate his time and voice to strengthening faith, promoting peace, and ensuring that Christianity endures in the land of its origins.

Dr. Anthony Moawad is a compassionate dentist with over 20 years of experience, dedicated to helping patients achieve healthy, confident smiles. He holds dual dental degrees from Saint Joseph University (D.D.S.) and Boston University (D.M.D.), where he graduated with High Honors and received the Quintessence Award for Clinical Achievement.

A Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry, Dr. Moawad combines advanced training in cosmetic, implant, and sedation dentistry with a focus on precision, innovation, and patient comfort. Recognized as a Top Dentist by Washingtonian and Virginia Living magazines and inducted into the Washingtonian Hall of Fame, he continues to set the standard for clinical excellence.

Beyond dentistry, Dr. Moawad is deeply committed to advocating for Christian communities in Lebanon and the Middle East, supporting faith-based humanitarian efforts and religious freedom.

He serves on the board of directors of the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce.