Get to know us.

Suzanne Mubarak – President

Suzanne Mubarak was born in Homs, Syria. She came to the United States in 1999, she is married to Ned Mubarak. They have two children: Michael and Zachary.

Ziad Burbar

Ziad Burbar is from Birzeit, Palestine. He came to the United Stated in 1986. He has a Master Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Tennessee. Ziad is a system architect and a Principal Key Expert at Siemens Healthcare molecular imaging. Ziad has been a board member since 2011 and the club president 2019-2020.

Susan Dakak

Susan, Owner/ President of Smart Views, LLC, has almost 40 years of experience in civil engineering with a degree from Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, TN. She has served as a technical advisor for sewer rehabilitation projects for municipalities throughout the southeastern United States. She utilizes unique technologies to solve wastewater overflow and stormwater flooding problems and participates in national and regional professional conferences. Underground Infrastructure system CCTV Inspections Quality Control specialist.

In January 2003, Mrs. Dakak volunteered to assist her native country, Iraq, with its reconstruction efforts. She spent six months in Iraq investigating the country’s wastewater collection system and assisting Iraqi women on issues like empowerment, equal rights, and establishing a minimum 25% women representation in Iraq’s government. Susan has been an AACK member since its inception, and she served as AACK President from 2015 to 2019.

Susan also an Executive Women Association President 2019 to 2021, Leadership Knoxville Class 2016, Board member of Keys To Me Foundation, Former President and Board member of the Women Alliance For a Democratic Iraq (WAFDI). www.wafdionline.net, Chairman of the Iraq Foundation Board of Directors www.iraqfoundation.org, Former St John Neumann Church Finance Council Member www.sjnknox.org, Board member of the Arab Refugees Christian in the USA www.arc-usa.net, and a former Mariners Point HOA Board Member www.marinerspointe.us

Robert Darraj

Robert Darraj is from Al Taybeh, Palestine. He Robert came to the United States in 1990. He is an entrepreneur of a successful car dealer in Knoxville, TN. Robert has been a board member since 2009 and the club president from 2011-2012.

Samia Hanna

Samia Hanna is from Cairo Egypt. She came to the United States in 1978. She has a Medical Doctorate Degree from Ein-Shams University Medical School (Cairo, Egypt) and DTM&H Liverpool University, UK. Samia is a founding member since 1999 and served as an AACK President 2002-2005.

Randa Halloun

Betty Harb – Treasurer

Betty Khawaja Harb was born in Ramallah, Palestine. She finished her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Birzeit University. She is married to Nassif Harb and they have four children. They moved to the United States to Knoxville, TN in 2008 and she’s been a member of the AACK family since 2018

Helen Harb

Helen Harb is an affiliate broker of Harb DeSa Realty which was formed in 2020 with her daughter, Amira, and son-in-law, Tai DeSa.  Harb DeSa Realty provides unprecedented customer service to their clients by living up to the agencies business motto – Transforming Lives Through Real Estate. Before starting a real estate career, Helen worked as the CEO of a national nonprofit organization. Coming from a nonprofit background, she has leveraged her care for others to drive her real estate business. Helen also owned a popular and successful local restaurant. Helen is an alumna of Leadership Knoxville. She is a member of North Knoxville Rotary Club and was honored to serve as president.  She is also a longtime board member of the local chapter of the American Federation of Ramallah, Palestine. Helen has been an Arab American Club board member since 2006 and former president. Helen was born in Ramallah, Palestine and came to the United State as a refugee at the tender age of three. Most importantly, Helen is a proud wife to Al, mother to Amira and Sharif and doting Teta (grandmother) to beautiful twin girls.

Maysoun Nadrous

Susie Saah

Suzanne Saah moved to America in February 1968. She has called East Tennessee her home for most of her life, having been born in Ramallah, Palestine.  Suzanne married her husband Charlie Saah in 1988.  They have four children.  Suzanne is an entrepreneur owning various businesses in the local area.  She has served on the AACK board since 2016.  

Lina Shatara

Lina Shatara was born in Jordan of Palestinian parents. Moved to United States at the age of 13 to pursue her education. She finished high school and acquired her business management degree from New York Institute of Technology, NY. Soon after moved to Atlanta, GA, and by chance fell in love with the travel business while working at a travel agency. Currently married to Samer Shatara, has two girls, and owns Travel Corner International which specializes in vacations and International travel. Proud to be serving as a board member of AACK.

Past Presidents

Ziad Burbar – 2019-2020

Susan Dakak – 2015-2018

Rulla Habibi – 2013 to 2014

Robert Darraj – 2011 to 2012

Maurice Natour – 2009 to 2010

Helen Harb – 2007 to 2008

Hassan Fawaz – 2005 to 2007

Samia Hanna – 2002 to 2005

Janan Dakak – 1999 to 2002