Agenda - Tunisian American Young Professionals

The Retreat Organizing Committee is a dynamic group composed of local leaders and members from Atlanta, as well as dedicated participants from TAYP’s national and other chapters. Together, this passionate team is working hard to create an unforgettable retreat experience. We are incredibly excited to welcome everyone to Atlanta, the birthplace of TAYP and a hub for vibrant Tunisian-American connections. Volunteers entirely organize this retreat, and we are deeply grateful for their dedication, time, and commitment to fostering community and collaboration. If you are interested in volunteering and joining the organizing committee, we warmly encourage you to reach out to the chair and be part of this meaningful effort .

The TAYP retreat is a nonpartisan, apolitical, business-focused gathering that is open to professionals to discuss entrepreneurship, innovation, investment and education opportunities between Tunisia and the United States

 

 

Retreat Team

Speakers & Featured Participants

H.E. Hanene Tajouri Bessassi

Tunisian Ambassador to the US

Ferid Belhaj

Former Vice President at the World Bank

Dr. Monique Seefried

Former chairperson International Baccalaureate Board, Honorary Member of the Board of Governors since 2023

Mourad Dakhli

Professor and associate dean International Student Engagement and partnership at GSU

Adam Soyah

Soyah Group Consulting

Wassim Ben Larbi

radio host and producer at Express FM

Ferid Abbas

CEO of the Arab Tunisian Bank

Soraya Rouchdi

Founder and Director Da Vinci International School

Oula Tarssim

Expert on Diaspora engagement , Migration and international Mobility

Meriem Guetat

Director of Programs, Amideast

Kamel Braham

Lead Education Specialist at the World Bank

Don't Miss a Thing Preliminary Event Program

2025 TAYP Retreat - Atlanta

in collaboration with the World Alliance of Tunisian Talents (WATT)

Date: April 18 – April 20, 2025
Location: Callaway Gardens, Georgia
2:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Location: Atlanta
Optional Tours:
πŸ›οΈ Jimmy Carter Library
πŸ’Ό Atlanta Tech Village
Transportation not provided – please arrange your own
After 4:30 PM
From: Midtown Atlanta
🚌 Shuttle to Callaway Gardens from Marriott Residence Inn Midtown (Optional – $40, limited seating)
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: Callaway Gardens
Registration Opens
7:30 PM – 11:00 PM
Location: Callaway Gardens
Meet & Greet + Informal Dinner (not included in package)
Time Activity
8:00 AM – 9:00 AMArrival and Registration
9:00 AM – 10:00 AMWarm Welcome by Atlanta TAYP Hosts, Mahmoud Hachicha and Hatem Sellami
Icebreaker Activities
10:00 AM – 10:30 AMWelcome Remarks by Zied Mhirsi, TAYP President
Special remarks: Ambassador Hanene Tajouri Bessassi
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM Session 1 – Digital transformation and the future of learning
Speakers: Mourad Dakhli, Soraya Rouchdi, Kamal Braham, Wala Kasmi, Student
Moderator: Wassim Ben Larbi, Express FM
11:30 AM – 11:45 AMTransition / Coffee Break
11:45 AM – 12:45 PM Session 2 – Being an entrepreneur in the US, the land of opportunities…
Speakers: Slim Souissi, Hatem Sellami, Adam Soyah, Tarek Thabet, Amine Lamouchi, Myriam Bouzidi
Moderator: Wassim Ben Larbi, Express FM
12:45 PM – 1:00 PMTAYP Tunisian American Award of the Year
1:00 PM – 2:30 PMLunch Break
Marketplace featuring Tunisian American Businesses
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM Session 3 – Staying connected to Tunisia across generations
Speakers: Sophia Kchouk, Nejib Kchouk, Monique Seefried, Meriem Guettat, Nour Darragi
Moderators: Beya Sellami and Aziz Malouche
3:30 PM – 3:45 PMTransition / Coffee Break
3:45 PM – 4:45 PM Session 4 – Unlocking Opportunities: Career Paths and Pivots in the Diaspora Community
Speakers: Rafiq Gharbi, Adel Daghmouri, Noha Ghazouani, Hamza Kamergi, Salem Makhlouf
Moderators: Rihem Sassi and Amine Lamouchi
4:45 PM – 5:15 PMClosing Remarks by Oula Tarssim, GIZ
5:15 PM – 5:30 PMAward Ceremony & Group Photo
5:30 PM – 6:30 PMMentoring session for students and young professionals seeking career advice
6:30 PM – 7:30 PMFree Time
7:30 PM – 11:00 PMGala Dinner with Entertainment
Performers: Yahia Mhirsi (Piano), Fatma Souf (Violin), DJ Amyne
8:00 AM – 12:00 PM Free day for group or individual activities at Callaway Gardens:
πŸ’† Spa, 🚴 Bike trails, β›³ Golf, 🌲 Treetop Adventures, πŸ₯Ύ Hiking, ⚽ Soccer
5:00 PM 🚌 Return shuttle departs from Callaway Gardens ($40, limited seats)