STATES OF MINDS STAFF

Lysbeth Sherman

Founder & President

Lysbeth Sherman has an entrepreneurial and cosmopolitan background with analytical interests in cross-cultural matters.  In her career, she identifies opportunities and creates international projects involving cultural development, business, and media. She handles resources, partnering and negotiations among the various stakeholders, a role that demands the reconciliation of different national approaches to otherwise common problems. Her primary professional areas of expertise are in international business and cultural diplomacy. Lysbeth worked at the French Embassy in the United States, in the Cultural Services Office, as founder and director of C’EST CHIC, the first French Film festival in Washington, DC  In 2007, with Co-Chair Michelle Fenty wife of then-DC Mayor Adrian Fenty, Jim Kimsey, founder of AOL, Lysbeth launched C’EST CHIC Jr., for the Washington public schools bringing film workshops programs led by noted French film director Claude Lelouch to children in disadvantaged communities.

Asaf Vitman

Co-Chairman

Asaf Vitman is a business and social entrepreneur and a strategy consultant who focuses on private public partnership. Mr. Vitman is the CEO at IPM and Special Advisor to JVP Assets. He is the former Israeli Minister for Economic Affairs in the United States (2008-2011). He worked to promote the economic relationship between the United States and Israel based upon mutual trust and cooperation. Asaf was the CEO of the Jerusalem Development Authority (2007-2008) a governmental agency created to promote economic development of the city of Jerusalem.  He also served as the CEO of EDEN - The Company for the Development of Jerusalem's City Center (2001-2008).

Daryl Pugh

Festival Director
Program & Content Manager
daryl.pugh@statesofminds.org

Katia Brovkin

Executive Content Strategist

Dan Ayanou

Communication and Events Coordinator

Deanna J. Wright

Executive Web Designer
deanna@statesofminds.org
 

Alan Kelley

Media Technology Researcher / Content Editor