President and Executive Director
Sherri Kraham Talabany
Sherri Kraham Talabany is the President of SEED, a women-led, local non-profit development organization in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. A human rights lawyer with over 25 years of experience in foreign policy development, strategic leadership, advocacy, and managing international programs, she has worked extensively in conflict and post-conflict settings, as well as in humanitarian response, peacekeeping, and development. She previously served in the U.S. Government (1998–2012), shaping foreign policy and assistance programs worldwide, including in Iraq. Sherri has also served on the boards of nonprofits, policy centers, and a university, contributing to global development and human rights initiatives.
Vice President and Co-Founder
Tanya Gilly Khailany
A civil and human rights activist, Tanya has over 20 years of experience in humanitarian and development programming, conflict resolution and peacebuilding, and women’s representation. She served as a member of the first full-term democratically elected Iraqi Council of Representatives, and in continuing her efforts to advocate for, and technically support the advancement of women’s rights she co-founded SEED Foundation, a local, women-led NGO in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, alongside Sherri Kraham Talabany.
Director of Operations
Dr. Neven Wali
Dr. Neven Wali is the Director of Operations at SEED, where for the past seven years she has led organizational growth through effective system design, strengthened operational delivery, enhanced accountability, and partnerships that drive sustainable impact across complex humanitarian and development initiatives.
Holding a PhD in International Relations, Dr. Wali is able to blend extensive academic expertise in governance, higher education, and strategic leadership, with practical experience in organizational management.
Prior to joining SEED, Dr. Wali spent seven years at the University of Kurdistan-Hewlêr (UKH), where she taught Business Management to young professionals in the MBA program, mentored aspiring entrepreneurs and served in key institutional leadership roles, including Acting Registrar.
With a strong foundation in global affairs, governance frameworks, and human rights, Dr. Wali applies her strategic vision to drive organizational transformation, strengthen institutional performance, and build resilient organizations that empower people and communities to thrive.
Who We Are