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

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

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

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
2:00 PM to 4:30 PM
Location: TBD
Tours Options: Atlanta Tech Village or Jimmy Carter Center and the King Center
5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Location: TBD
Meet and Greet - outdoor area in front of meeting room
7:30 PM to 11:00 PM
Location: Callaway Gardens
Informal Gathering
8:00 AM to 9:00 AM Arrival and Registration
9:00 AM to 10:00 AM Warm Welcome by Atlanta TAYP Hosts, Mahmoud Hachicha and Hatem Sellami
Icebreaker Activities
10:00 AM to 10:30 AM Welcome Remarks and TAYP Overview presented by Zied Mhirsi, TAYP President
Special remarks by Ambassador Hanene Tajouri Bessassi
10:30 AM to 11:30 AM Session 1 – Diaspora support to entrepreneurship ecosystem in Tunisia
Moderated by Wassim Ben Larbi, Express FM
11:30 AM to 11:45 AM Transition/Coffee Break
11:45 AM to 12:45 PM Session 2 – Hear from sector experts in education on how to leverage technology and partnerships to foster knowledge
Moderated by Wassim Ben Larbi, Express FM
12:45 PM to 1:00 PM TAYP Tunisian American Award of the Year
1:00 PM to 2:30 PM Lunch Break & Marketplace featuring Tunisian American Businesses
2:30 PM to 3:30 PM Session 3 – Staying connected to Tunisia across generations
3:30 PM to 3:45 PM Transition/Coffee Break
3:45 PM to 5:00 PM Session 4 – TEDx style session featuring partnership programs and inspiring professional careers
5:00 PM to 5:30 PM Award Ceremony & Group Photo
5:30 PM to 6:30 PM Mentoring session for students and young professionals seeking career advice
6:30 PM to 7:30 PM Free Time
7:30 PM to 11:00 PM Gala Dinner with Entertainment
8:00 AM to 12:00 PM Free / Group activities: Golf, Fishing, Ziplining, and Biking