Meet Our Founder
Visionary leadership bridging cultures and empowering global innovation
Hala Kusiakâ„¢
President
Hala Kusiak's personal journey and professional trajectory are deeply intertwined with the mission of the Redwood Global Alliance. Born to an Iraqi mother, her upbringing, split between the vibrant cultural landscape of Baghdad and the familiar surroundings of Orlando, Florida, has undeniably shaped her nuanced understanding of cultural dynamics and the critical importance of heritage preservation. Her academic pursuits in Fine Arts at the University of Central Florida, followed by advanced studies focusing on Middle Eastern art history, laid the foundation for her emergence as a distinctive voice within the contemporary mixed-media art scene.
Kusiak's artistic expression is immediately captivating due to its bold and innovative synthesis of traditional Middle Eastern geometric patterns with iconic American imagery. Her acclaimed "Confluence" series stands as a testament to this unique artistic vision, featuring large-scale installations where the intricate beauty of Islamic tessellations seamlessly merges with recognizable American folk art motifs. These immersive spaces invite viewers to experience a tangible sense of cultural harmony. Her work has garnered recognition and has been exhibited in galleries across both the United States and the Middle East, including the Contemporary Arab Art Museum in Dubai and the prestigious American Folk Art Museum in New York.
Prior to establishing the Redwood Global Alliance, Hala Kusiak cultivated extensive experience in the realm of cultural exchange programs bridging the United States and the Middle East. Her tenure as the Cultural Programs Director at the American-Arab Cultural Foundation from 2019 to 2023 proved invaluable, providing her with firsthand insight into the complexities and nuances of cross-cultural initiatives. During this period, she spearheaded the impactful "Artisans Without Borders" program, a significant endeavor that created sustainable market opportunities for traditional craftspeople residing in conflict-affected regions of Iraq, demonstrating her commitment to both cultural preservation and economic empowerment.
Hala Kusiak's entrepreneurial spirit and direct experience as a business owner profoundly inform her strategic approach to the Redwood Global Alliance's mission. In 2018, she launched Kusiak Cultural Consultancy, a firm dedicated to advising American businesses on the critical aspects of cultural sensitivity and effective market entry strategies for the Middle East. Her diverse client portfolio included fashion retailers seeking culturally appropriate designs, architectural firms aiming to integrate local aesthetics, and technology companies adapting their products and services to resonate with Middle Eastern consumers while upholding local traditions and values.
Her significant contributions to fostering cross-cultural understanding have been acknowledged through numerous prestigious accolades. These include the Intercultural Innovation Award from the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations in 2022 and the American-Arab Business Bridge-Builder Award in 2024. These recognitions have not only validated her impactful work but have also amplified her ability to convene diverse stakeholders in support of the Redwood Global Alliance's overarching mission. Through the establishment of RGA, Hala Kusiak has effectively created an institutional embodiment of her enduring commitment to forging meaningful and mutually beneficial connections between American expertise and Middle Eastern innovation—creating sustainable pathways to shared prosperity that honor the richness of both cultures while embracing the transformative possibilities of their convergence.