Ahmad Ashkar
Entrepreneur

Ahmad Ashkar is a decorated American Palestinian entrepreneur, recognized by Arabian Business and Gulf News as one of “The 100 Most Powerful Arabs in the World.” A recipient of GQ’s Entrepreneur of the Year and Esquire’s Man of the Year awards for his work in international education, Ahmad has a proven history of transformational program design and implementation. During his 13-year tenure as CEO of one of the world’s largest private education companies, Ahmad’s global learning programs graduated over one million students across 100 countries. A recognized authority on startups, he is the author of The Pursuit of Impact. Most recently, Ahmad co-founded the Forerunners Leadership Institute, a pioneering platform dedicated to cultivating a new generation of leaders who harness the timeless values of Islam—courage, integrity, service, and excellence—to not just compete in business, but to lead with purpose and win with values that transcend profit.

In addition to his work in education and leadership, Ahmad is the founder of Falafel Inc, America’s largest privately owned national falafel and hummus chain, renowned for serving incredibly delicious, high-quality food paired with a mission that goes beyond the plate. At its core, Falafel Inc embodies the philosophy of “Eat for Good,” blending exceptional culinary experiences with a commitment to empowering and restoring dignity to refugees worldwide. The brand also proudly celebrates Palestinian culture and heritage, using food as a universal language to foster understanding, connection, and solidarity. This unique fusion of flavor, mission, and cultural celebration has earned Falafel Inc recognition on Yelp’s Top 100 Restaurants in America, USA Today’s Best Sandwich in America, and Washington City Paper’s Best in DC for eight consecutive years (2017–2024). With over 20 locations across the USA, Falafel Inc stands as proof that a business rooted in purpose can create extraordinary impact while serving unforgettable food.