InterAct’s mission is to amplify the pivotal message that peace is possible. We inspire, teach, and support communities in Palestine, Israel, and around the world. We build coalitions and foster understanding that leads to reconciliation and negotiation- in governments, local communities and between neighbors.

InterAct is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating a future where coexistence and peace are possible.
Under the leadership of Aziz Abu Sarah and Maoz Inon— both carrying the weight of personal tragedies inflicted by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict— they have turned personal loss into a powerful commitment to unity.
Rather than succumbing to hate, both Aziz and Maoz transformed their pain into a commitment to peace and activism. Their bond is an example of what is possible. Through InterAct, they have amplified efforts to promote dialogue, empathy, and mutual understanding, working toward a future where Israelis and Palestinians can coexist in peace and dignity.
Aziz and Maoz have turned pain into action, action into hope, and that hope into a bullhorn.
InterAct is underway building coalitions around the world to facilitate a refocus on peaceful solutions. We support community work on the ground in Palestine and Israel. We run leadership programs and support individual peacemakers to elevate their efforts. We run initiatives of every shape and size- from webinars to museum installations, from immersive tours to supporting women with scholarships and training, from educational workshops to large marches and international events. We have met with Pope Leo and Pope Francis, with the US Congress and European Parliaments. Aziz and Maoz jointly carried the Olympic touch. Their TED talk was one of the most watched in 2024. Their book, The Future is Peace, was released in April 2026.
The need for this message of peace is growing— our work continues.
Interact (/ˌɪntərˈækt/) verb
… if one thing interacts with another, or if two things interact, the two things have an effect on each other
- Oxford dictionary
We all have the power to bring about change. We collectively get to decide what is possible.
“Peace takes shape from the ground up, beginning with places, communities, and local institutions, and by listening to what they have to tell us.” - His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, speaking at the Vatican in Rome as he met Aziz Abu Sarah and Maoz Inon.
One of the questions we are asked the most- “How can I help?”
4 Important things that everyone can do:
1 Amplify our message. Follow us, share our messages online, send letters or call politicians, the media, and influencers. Your voice matters!
2 Legitimize our message. Push the media to cover us, push politicians to engage with peacemakers, push people with audiences to adopt our message or meet us. The more people know what is possible, the more they will see it as a viable option.
3 Advocate for a policy change in your own local government. Be active and make your voice heard, don’t sit quietly on the sidelines. The policy changes we need include changing the priorities of spending in government budgets, investing in peacemaking not war, supporting peace and educational initiatives.
4 Financially support peacemaking initiatives. During the time when governments are taking a step back, the need for common sense humane programs and initiatives are ever more important, and the need is growing greater.
InterAct Team

Aziz Abu Sarah
Co-Executive Director
Aziz is a Palestinian peacebuilder, entrepreneur, National Geographic Explorer, TED Fellow, and renowned speaker on conflict resolution and responsible travel. He is co-founder of MEJDI Tours, a travel company on a mission to transform tourism into a global force of citizen diplomacy. At the age of 10, his brother—then nineteen—died from internal injuries inflicted in an Israeli prison, where he had been detained on suspicion of throwing stones. After years in which revenge seemed the only possible path, Aziz changed his outlook and life’s project. He has won numerous awards, including from the United Nations, Institute of International Education, and The Explorers Club. Aziz is consistently named one of the world’s 500 most influential Muslims by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre in Jordan. He has written opinion pieces for The New York Times, The Washington Post, Al-Quds, and Haaretz. He is the co-author of the book, The Future is Peace.

Maoz Inon
Co-Executive Director
An Israeli peace activist and entrepreneur, Maoz is the multi-award-winning founder of numerous peace-focused tourism initiatives in Israel and the Middle East, including the Jesus Trail, the Fauzi Azar Inn, and Abraham Hostel & Tours. His parents were killed in the attack that Hamas carried out on Israeli territory on October 7. From that moment, despite his profound grief, Inon has become one of the strongest and most persistent voices for peace between Israelis and Palestinians. Maoz has been honored with the prestigious Franco-German Human Rights Prize and the Champions of Shared Society from Abraham Initiatives. He has spoken on Capitol Hill, in European Parliaments, and at universities around the world. Moaz is frequently interviewed on international broadcast media, and has written pieces for The Washington Post, Al Jazeera, Independent UK, Vatican News, and Haaretz. He is the co-author of the book, The Future is Peace.

Emili Ghraiyib
Head of Programs and Operations
Emili is a Palestinian peace activist, with an MA in Public Policy and Political Action from the University of Franche-Comté. At InterAct, she runs programs promoting dialogue and peacebuilding while empowering communities to address socio-political challenges. She is a licensed tour guide specializing in geopolitical tours of Palestine and Israel. She has held positions in local and international NGOs, focusing on organizational development, project planning, and women’s empowerment in tourism. Emili is a passionate advocate for coexistence and collaborative solutions.

Susan Holmer
Strategic Partnership and Communications
Susan has had a long successful career in communications that has included on-air broadcasting, a syndicated newspaper column, and corporate public relations for multiple national brands. Most recently Susan has focused on creative relationship building for both Fortune 500 companies as well as in the nonprofit world. She started her peacebuilding work in 2018 with Aziz Abu Sarah and MEJDI Tours. At Interact, she wears many hats inspired to serve the mission and to help amplify the urgent message of peace. She holds a Master of Science in Communications from Northwestern University.

Anas Maraqa
Head of Technology
Anas has extensive experience in NGO work and international business, where he has held diverse roles such as Office Manager, IT specialist, Fundraiser, and Project Coordinator for community-focused initiatives. From Hebron, Palestine, he also blends his operational background with his deep knowledge of the region to create authentic visitor experiences in the Holy Land. Anas is dedicated to fostering meaningful connections and driving solutions that benefit both his community and broader audiences.
The Board of Directors
Mark Bauman
Mark is a media and strategic communications executive, who has been recognized with numerous broadcast, web and print journalism honors, including an Emmy, more than a dozen Cine Golden Eagles. He previously oversaw the Smithsonian Institution’s commercial media units and served as Chairman of National Geographic’s Cross Platform Committee, and as Executive Vice President of National Geographic Television. Before that, Mark was based in Eastern Europe and Latin America for ABC News and has covered war and genocide in Central Africa, Lebanon, Bosnia, Afghanistan and Iraq. Mark also serves on the Boards of the Charles Darwin Foundation for the Galapagos Archipelago, the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition, the Ocean Exchange, the Marine Fish Conservation Network, and the Washington Youth Summit on the Environment. He has advised political campaigns, global NGOs, the World Bank, and the United Nations on communications strategies.
Fadwa Barzinji
Fadwa is a peacebuilding practitioner and human rights advocate shaped by her Iraqi-Syrian roots, the Iraq war, and the ongoing consequences of policies that have defined life for Arab and Muslim communities in America. She holds a Master's in Conflict Resolution and a Bachelor's in Psychology, and brings years of experience in large-scale program leadership and community engagement. Fadwa serves on the board of InterAct International and on the U.S. Board of Advisors for Women for Women International, and supports philanthropic work focused on racial justice, equity, and community empowerment. She believes in the power of shared values to drive movements, and that collective healing and power building is where change is made.
Steven Lainoff
Steven is regarded as one of the leading authorities in the field of international taxation. He served as the Principal-in-Charge of KPMG LLP's Complex Transactions Group, a cross-functional group offering tax, advisory and audit services. He has also been a partner of several major U.S. law firms, including Weil, Gotshal & Manges and King & Spalding. As a former Associate Chief Counsel (International) of the Internal Revenue Service, he was responsible for all international tax matters within the Chief Counsel's office. He also served as International Tax Counsel of the U.S. Treasury Department, where he spearheaded legislative and regulatory activities in the international tax arena within the Treasury. Steven serves on the Board of Trustees of Rhodes College in Memphis, TN, as the Chair of the Dean's Economic Council of the University of Arizona College of Law, and sponsors a fellowship for a Rhodes College graduate.
Katy Davis
Katy is a filmmaker and creative strategist. After years of producing, writing, and managing documentaries around the world for PBS, National Geographic, Discovery Channel, and other leading platforms, she expanded her work into digital strategy, branding, and social-first content. She has supported organizations big and small, from Verizon, Peloton, and alike to start ups and non-profits. She has managed and designed bespoke and educational tours, crafting experiences that resonate. Katy also serves on the board of the Bloedorn Foundation.
Rick Little
Rick is the Founder Emeritus of the International Youth Foundation and served as its president from 1990 through 2002. He is also founder of the ImagineNations Group and was founding CEO of Silatech (2008-2011), where he has served as Chairman of its Executive Committee and a member of its Board of Trustees. In 1996, Rick was chosen as a Global Leader for Tomorrow by the World Economic Forum and in 1997 received the Robert W. Scrivner Award from the Council on Foundations. He was co-chair of the United Nations' High-Level Panel of the Youth Employment Network. Rick serves on several boards and international advisory councils, including Mercy Corps, Nike Foundation, and the International Center for Religion and Diplomacy.
Scott Cooper
A successful business owner, social entrepreneur, and business strategist, Scott spent a decade in the private sector, including as a banker and financial representative for JP Morgan Chase, before joining George Mason University’s School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution in 2009. Under Scott’s direction, the Center grew by 10x and operated programs in Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey, Jordan, Palestine, and Israel. There, he also established GMU’s first business and conflict resolution program, and spearheaded an innovative study abroad program that takes students throughout the Middle East and beyond. Passionate about travel, peace building, and socially and environmentally responsible tourism, Scott co-founded MEJDI tours and later InterAct, both in partnership with Aziz. As MEJDI’s co-CEO, Scott focuses on strategy, operations, and company culture.
Sheryl Winarick
Sheryl brings 28 years of experience as a U.S. immigration lawyer, working with individual clients, families, and employers, including entities such as Oxfam International, Foreign Policy Magazine, TED, and the Catholic Church. She is committed to building bridges and helping people realize beauty and possibility in themselves, others, and the world. Sheryl is a TED Resident, an Aspen Ideas Fellow, and a member of The Explorer's Club, HATCH, and the Nobel Women's Initiative. She is also founder of Global Girls, an international community of young women united in friendship across countries and cultures to inspire hope for a more peace and joy filled world. Sheryl has served on the Board of Directors for the Multicultural Refugee Coalition in Austin, Texas; Teaching for Change in Washington, DC; and the United Nations Association of the National Capital Area.