North Star Policy Initiative Holds DC Launch Event With Leading U.S. Policy Experts

NSPI Reception at Emgage’s DC HQ Signifies Strategic Growth for Leading Muslim American Civic Organization and Is a Clarion Call for Thoughtful and Principled Policymaking.

Washington, D.C. – July 25, 2025 – The North Star Policy Initiative (NSPI), a non-profit, non-partisan policy initiative, part of Emgage Foundation, held a launch event on July 24, 2025, at Emgage’s Washington, D.C. headquarters. Present at the NSPI launch event were former U.S. officials, including those from the Muslim American community, friends, and allies in public service. Attendees came together to celebrate the launch of NSPI and the shared mission to champion thoughtful and principled policymaking for the American people.

Wa’el Alzayat, Emgage’s chief executive officer, convened the evening’s conversation and shared with the audience Emgage’s nearly two-decade-long mission in promoting civic literacy and engagement in Muslim American and allied communities.

NSPI was also honored to be joined by Delaware State Representative Madinah Wilson-Anton, a member of Emgage Foundation’s national board. Elected in 2020 as a state representative for the Delaware 26th district, Rep. Wilson-Anton is a rising national voice fighting for social, economic, and racial justice. Rep. Wilson-Anton shared her vision for the policy thought leadership that her constituents need more attention on at the federal, state, and local levels.

Attendees also heard from the Hon. Mohsin Syed, former Assistant Secretary of Transportation and Chief of Staff to Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg; Brenda Abdelall, former Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for Partnership and Engagement; Andrew Miller, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Israeli-Palestinian Affairs; and Habiba Ahmed, former special advisor to the Deputy Secretary of Defense.

Adham Sahloul, NSPI Senior Advisor and Coordinator, introduced the initiative to the audience, which included many former colleagues from government service. Adham shared his view on what this moment in U.S. history means for public servants, and why NSPI is needed today. He also shared that in addition to working closely with Iman Awad, National Director for Policy at Emgage Foundation, he will be joined by an Advisory Council, policy fellows, and expert contributors, which will include former senior U.S. officials who have worked in critical policy roles on issues ranging from climate and infrastructure to China and the Middle East.

This strategic expansion reflects Emgage’s commitment to advancing policy thought leadership and engagement on issues critical to Muslim American and allied communities and U.S. interests. NSPI will serve as a bridge between policymakers and constituencies committed to thoughtful and principled policies that expand representation and strengthen national security.

The launch of the North Star Policy Initiative comes at a time of growing Muslim American policy engagement and representation, amid broader calls for more democratic governance and policy discourse accessible to all Americans. Through NSPI, Emgage Foundation aims to contribute substantive policy research and engagement that informs public discourse, advances the civic leadership of Muslim Americans, and serves the broader national interest.

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