Faisal Saeed Al Mutar experienced the villainy of extremism and authoritarian regimes firsthand, surviving the Iraq War and several kidnapping attempts before becoming a refugee in the United States. A strategic leader and practitioner in countering misinformation, he is the founder and president of Ideas Beyond Borders (IBB). Faisal’s expertise in regional ideological trends and radicalization is further utilized in his role as a non-resident fellow at George Washington University’s Program on Extremism. He is a frequent speaker at global forums including TED, the Aspen Institute, and the Oslo Freedom Forum, where he advocates for societal transformation through economic growth and intellectual freedom.

His work has been recognized with the Gold President’s Volunteer Service Award from President Barack Obama, the Beacon Award from the Ellis Island Honors Society, and an honorary doctorate from Whittier College. Faisal currently serves as the Vice Chair of the Axel Springer Freedom Foundation and is a member of the leadership council at the World Liberty Congress.