Suliman A. Kamyar is a strategic development leader and certified project management professional with over a decade of experience across government, nonprofit, private, and international sectors. As Founder and CEO of the Global Institute for Sustainable Development (GISD), he leads the organization’s work in education and skills development, community engagement, and economic empowerment.
Throughout his career, Suliman has managed more than $200 million in multi-sector projects and authored more than 500 successful proposals for nonprofits, universities and research institutions, government agencies, consulting firms, and federal contractors. His work has supported organizations in securing funding, strengthening operations, and delivering measurable impact.
From 2017 to 2020, Suliman served as Economic Advisor and Chair of the Economic Empowerment Group within the Government of Afghanistan, where he led high-level coordination among 29 government and international institutions and contributed to the design and implementation of national strategies, policies, reforms, and programs. He also designed a sustainable economic development model for rural communities that initially created more than 10,000 jobs through its pilot implementation and ultimately contributed to more than 31,000 jobs for rural women, while strengthening food security for more than 65,000 people.
In the United States, Suliman has served on several nonprofit boards and currently sits on the Board of Directors of the U.S.-Afghan Chamber of Commerce, where he chairs the Planning Committee. He has also volunteered his expertise to nonprofits across Missouri, Illinois, and the DMV area, supporting strategic planning, project standardization, and organizational development. He is actively engaged in founder and executive networks across the DMV area and the United States.
Suliman is also the Founder and CEO of TechBridge Management Solutions LLC, a consulting firm based in Fairfax County, Virginia, specializing in supporting 501(c)(3) nonprofits, technology and consulting firms, and government contractors. The firm provides expertise in project management, strategic planning, digital marketing, capacity building, technology integration, and impact measurement.
Suliman holds professional credentials including PMP®, CSM®, ICP-ORG, ICP-ACC, ICP-ATF, and NCSS and is fluent in English, Dari, and Pashto. His experience brings together project management, organizational strategy, technology, policy, and cross-sector collaboration to advance practical and measurable impact.
Kendel A. Paulsen is a leadership, life, and career coach who empowers professionals and purpose-driven leaders to achieve personal clarity, professional growth, and meaningful impact. As the founder of Women’s Empowerment Coaching and Consulting, LLC, Kendel supports individuals across industries and career stages in defining their direction and leading with confidence.
She has provided transformational coaching to professionals at some of the world’s most recognized organizations, including Salesforce, Amazon, and Accenture, as well as nonprofit leaders and entrepreneurs. With more than 1,000 coaching hours, Kendel brings a strategic, compassionate, and results-driven approach to every engagement.
Kendel’s leadership extends beyond coaching, she has served as Chair of the Board of Trustees for Brain Injury Services, where she led board development, advocacy, and executive collaboration. Her expertise in organizational management and deep human insight make her a vital voice on the GISD Board of Directors.
She holds a Master’s degree in Organizational Management, multiple advanced certifications, including Associate Certified Coach (ACC) through the International Coaching Federation, and is a Certified Dare to Lead™ Facilitator.
