WASHINGTON CENTER

The Washington Center of ADA University, also known as ADA University Foundation, started in 2007 as a non-profit organization in the District of Columbia. We are organized exclusively for charitable purposes to support ADA University and its programs.

Built in 1900 and located just steps away from Dupont Circle and Philipps Collection, our building is a marvel of old-world craftsmanship and contemporary design. Completely renovated in 2015, it has become a charm of Washington DC’s Gallery Row.

Spanning over 4 floors, we promote social, fraternal and networking opportunities; facilitate educational activities and exchanges; promote cultural awareness and advance cultural ties between the United States and Azerbaijan. Together with ADA University, we also manage a modest endowment fund in the United States to support our programs and exchanges.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Richard Armitage

President, Armitage International

2009-2025

Mr. Armitage has held senior positions in the US Department of Defense and State, and Congress. At his recent post as Deputy Secretary of State, Mr. Armitage helped shape, direct and lead US policy during one of the most trying eras in modern history.

Robert F. Cekuta

US Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Retired

Ambassador to Azerbaijan (2015 - 2018) Bob Cekuta also held a number of other top-level positions during this four-decade career in the U.S. State Department. These positions included Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy, Sanctions, and Commodities as well as being the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the new energy bureau he helped set up in 2011. His overseas postings include senior-level positions in Germany and Japan as well as Deputy Chief of Mission in Albania. Since leaving the Foreign Service he has worked with think tanks and private business and written and spoken extensively on international energy matters, U.S. foreign policy, and developments in the South Caucasus. Ambassador Cekuta currently teaches geopolitics of energy and a course on economic and business conditions in emerging market countries at American University.

Hafiz Pashayev

Rector of ADA University

Dr. Pashayev was the First Ambassador of Azerbaijan to the United States. He served in that post for 14 years, since 1992. Having returned to Azerbaijan, he has planned and launched ADA University. Dr. Pashayev is Chairman of the Board of Directors of ADA University Foundation.

Leslie M. Schweitzer

Founder and Chair, Friends of American University of Afghanistan (FAUAF) CEO The Osage Group

Schweitzer is the founder and chair of the Friends of American University of Afghanistan (FAUAF) and a member of the Board of Trustees of American University of Afghanistan. Schweitzer has spent a lifetime promoting stability throughout the world with a focus on emerging markets and post-conflict zones, through business development, entrepreneurism, capacity building projects, and has amassed on-the-ground experience in over twenty countries. Currently, she is the CEO of the Osage Group, an international consulting company focused on economic development in third-world countries. She is a member of the International Stability Operations Association (ISOA) Advisory Board, Board of Trustees of US Army Command and Staff College Foundation, VP Afghan American Chamber of Commerce, International Programs Advisory Board of University of Kansas, Advisory Board of Four-Star Global Security, and Ayenda Foundation Board.

Michael J. Feuer, PhD

Professor

Michael Feuer is Professor of Education and International Affairs at the George Washington University, and Visiting Professor at the University of Pennsylvania and Tel Aviv University. He is a Senior Scholar at Penn-Washington and a nonresident Senior Scholar at the Brookings Institution. He recently stepped down as Dean of the Graduate School of Education and Human Development (GWU) after 15 years. Dr. Feuer lives in Washington, DC.

OUR STAFF

Galib Mammad

President

Galib Mammad has played a key role in the development and management of ADA University since its inception. From 2018 to 2019, he served as Senior Vice Rector of ADA University. Having extensive experience in business, government, non-profit, and education management, coupled with regional experience in the Caspian Basin, Mr. Mammad has been involved in various development initiatives.

Louette Ragusa

Operations Director

Louette Ragusa is the Operations Director of the Washington Center of ADA University and has been with the organization since 2020. Ms. Ragusa has worked with Turkish American non-profit organizations. She spent much of her career in Baku, Azerbaijan, and Turkey working to develop business relations in the region. She received an LLB at Western University in Baku, Azerbaijan, and an LLM, Masters of Law from Tulane University.

Endowment

The Government of Azerbaijan has made a significant capital investment through which ADA University has been building a world-class campus. The government’s strong financial support during the launch years has also ensured the university’s continuous promise to quality. ADA University’s goal, instead, is to ultimately become self-sufficient, to help meet the needs of the Azerbaijani people through research and learning. This will be made possible by a permanent endowment fund.

Back in 2007, we incorporated two foundations: one in Azerbaijan and one in the United States. These foundations are non-profit organizations, also serving as endowment-building arms of the university. Since then, we have built and managed a modest endowment in both countries.

ADA University Foundation building in the US is part of our diversified investment portfolio. In addition, we have a modest portfolio managed by Citibank in the US.